After two best-in-show award show appearances, we had BIG expectations for Emma Stone’s Oscar look. And although the Birdman actress left menswear-inspired clothing completely in the dust for last night’s red carpet ;( , we were stunned by her sometimes gold, sometimes green embellished Ellie Saab gown (seriously, who else could wear chartreuse with such aplomb?). But the frock wasn’t the only thing that left us swooning: not only will her peachy complexion serve as our go-to spring makeup look, but also her hair, curled into a glam asymmetrical style, gave us major formal styling inspiration. Whether you need a knock-’em-dead look for major meeting or want to elevate your locks for your bestie’s wedding, here’s how to DIY Emma’s Oscars ‘do in just six steps.
Step 1: Heat Protector/Setting Spray
Place a dramatic side part into your hair. Then pick up 2-inch sections of hair and apply Kenra Platinum Hot Spray ($13) to each piece. This is going to help your curls set, give them more longevity and protect your strands from the impending heat.
Start at the roots of your hair and begin curling your 2-inch sections in the direction away from your face, gently pulling the curling iron out to feed the rest of your hair into the iron until your ends are in. Using this technique, the roots will get equally as hot as the ends of your hair, which makes your wave pattern more even in the end. Pull the iron out by gently unclamping it and letting the curl fall into your hand. Use a duck bill clip to hold the curl in place. Clip the base of the curl onto your head leaving the top portion of the curl free.
Step 2: Curl + Pin
Continue curling like this until you get to the opposite side of your head. For this side, switch the direction you’re curling in. This allows your curls to fall more naturally. Keep pinning your curls like before until your entire head is covered.
Let your hair set for about 15 minutes or until your pin curls no longer feel warm to touch. Pro tip: This is a more effective way of making your curls last longer. Then remove the clips — your curls should be Shirley Temple-level bouncy.
Step 3: Cool + Remove Clips
This step is the key to this look. Starting on the side with the dramatic side part, use your fingers to gently break apart the curls and blend them into one another for a softer look. Define the shape by twirling them around your fingers and lifting them into place with your hands. Move slowly: you can always break it apart more, but you can’t revive the bounce.
Step 4: Tousle + Shape
In order to create that striking asymmetry, break apart the curls less as you move to the other side of your head. If you have short hair, leave the curls on that side of your head almost completely intact — they won’t need bobby pins to stay in place! If you’re a girl with longer hair, then you will need to fake the length faux bob style. Check out how to pin your hair in an asymmetrical style using this tutorial as an example.
On the side of your head that has the smaller section of hair, pull your hair behind your ear and use a wax like product like TIGI Bed Head Hair Stick ($13) to smooth the hair down.
Step 5: Sleek Down
Finish by spraying your hair with a lightweight touchable hairspray like Kenra 25 Volume Spray ($20) to really seal the deal — these curls aren’t going anywhere.
Step 6: Spray
It’s official: these Emma-approved red carpet curls are our new go-to formal hairstyle.
What was the most DIY-able beauty moment from the Oscars? Tell us about your favorite looks in the comments below.
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
Get the most from your money
Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
Keep an eye on everything, securely
Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
Get extra credit points
Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
- They provide you with tips from experts on how you could build or optimize your credit score
- You'll get a detailed look at your credit score and all the factors that go into it—your payment history, credit utilization, the age and type of accounts, balances, and any recent inquiries
- The credit simulator tool gives you an idea of how your credit score would change if you applied for a new credit card, closed your oldest credit card, or got a new auto loan
- You also get free, unlimited access to your credit report
When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
Photo via Shutterstock