Jeffrey Mayer, Steve Granitz/WireImageAt first we weren't sure if we liked Julia Roberts' hair at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. In a couple of the photos, the front swoop of her hair covered up half her face and it looked like she had lost a few bobby pins in the wind. But the more angles we saw of the Oscar winning actress's deconstructed updo, the more we loved it.
We approve that the August: Osage County star surrendered her "America's Sweetheart" status to take a risk with this messy asymmetrical look. We would have preferred a little less swoop in the front (covering up one eye like that had to have affected her vision!), but unfortunately her stylist didn't call us for advice before creating this look.
We liked that Ms. Roberts kept the makeup simple—liquid black eyeliner, mascara, a little blush, and a swipe of pink lipstick—ensuring her makeup didn't detract from her edgy hair ‘do.
Get the Look: It may sound strange, but in order to get this messy look you have to start sleek. Apply a straightening, smoothing product like Phyto Phytodéfrisant Botanical Straightening Balm to wet hair.
Start by drying your hair with your fingers to get out at least 50 percent of the moisture. Clip up your hair in 2-inch sections, and starting with the bottom layer, use a large-barrel round brush and blow dryer (with a straightening attachment) to dry your hair section-by-section, from roots to ends.
Once a section is completely dry, wrap the hair around the barrel of the brush and give it a blast of cold air to set a subtle bend at the ends. Next, spray roots and shaft of hair with a dry shampoo or texturizing spray like Bed Head Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo to give hair grip and texture.
Take the front section of your hair and twist it and pin it to keep it out of the way. Take the rest of your hair and form it into a loose messy bun at the nape of your neck and secure with hairpins.
Then, with a teasing comb, lift the roots of the hair at the crown of your head and spray with hairspray. To complete this look, unpin the front section of hair and blow it smooth, and then twist with your fingers to give it that loose bend.
It's been a long time since Julia hit the red carpet circuit. And now that the nominations for her performance in August: Osage County (most recently she was nominated for a Golden Globe) are pouring in, we're hoping the 46 year-old beauty will continue mixing it up on the red carpet. Who knows? Maybe next she'll opt for edgy makeup and wear a dramatic cat eye at the Golden Globes. Baby steps…
If you're a beauty addict, Janna will be your enabler. Just an occasional user? She'll be your bad influence. Visit her blog at mybeautybinge.com and indulge!