When Kate Hudson stepped onto the Actor Awards red carpet tonight in a dreamy Valentino gown with unmistakable ’60s energy, her hair told the rest of the story. Soft and voluminous, the look channeled vintage glamour, paying a deliberate modern homage to Priscilla Presley’s iconic bombshell era.
Celebrity hairstylist Marcus Francis, who created the look, says the key was leaning into that “retro reference,” while keeping everything effortless and touchable.
“The gown gave off a ’60s ethereal vibe,” Francis shares. “I wanted to lean into the retro period for the hair, having Priscilla Presley as the reference, so I kept the hair effortlessly worn down with body, bounce and shine.”
Like any great red-carpet style, the magic started in the shower via Joico Defy Damage Shampoo ($26), followed by Joico Defy Damage KBOND20 Power Masque ($39) to condition and strengthen.
“Healthy, fortified hair is essential when you’re creating a glossy, bouncy blowout,” Francis explains. “You need that internal strength so the style holds but still moves.”
On damp hair, Francis applied Joico Dream Blowout Glass Frizz Fighter ($28) from roots to ends, combing it through to ensure even distribution. This step created the smooth, glassy foundation that gave the finished look its reflective shine under flash photography.
To amplify movement without stiffness, Francis layered in a medium dollop of Joico JoiWhip Foam ($22.50) through the mid-lengths and ends, again combing through for even coverage.
He then blow-dried the hair with a precise center part—a subtle, but important detail that anchors the retro reference while keeping the look modern.
The secret to that plush, vintage volume: Medium-size hot rollers. “I rolled them up from the ends, keeping the top flat against her head,” Francis says. “That gives you body and bounce without too much height at the crown.”
After 20 minutes, he removed the rollers and let the hair cool for five additional minutes—a crucial step for long-lasting hold. He then brushed everything out to “smooth and marry the texture together,” transforming defined curls into soft, cascading volume.
To lock it all in while maintaining touchability, Francis sprayed Joico Hold Hero High Hold + Shine Finishing Spray ($22.50) directly onto his brush before smoothing over the hair and lightly misting the top to tame flyaways.
The result: Polished yet unfussy glamour—a lesson in how to do retro without rigidity.