Here’s How You Can Rock Lupita Nyong’o And Amandla Stenberg’s 2021 Met Gala Hair

Source: Taylor Hill; Theo Wargo / Getty

The 2021 Met Gala took over New York City on September 13, 2021 and we all watched in awe as our favorite celebrities arrived in jaw-dropping looks. For this year’s biggest night in fashion, attendees were dressed to align with this year’s theme of the Museum of Metropolitan Art’s latest exhibition “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” which will open on September 18.

Two of the night’s showstoppers were Lupita Nyong’o and Amandla Stenberg. Nyong’o arrived in a Versace denim dress but her hairstyle, inspired by Brooklyn artist Lorna Simpson, took our breath away. Hair stylist Vernon François said with Nyong’o’s hair, he “wanted to imitate the effortless wave and movement that she conveys in her work.”

“This technique gives a stunning contradiction of strength and fragility, highlights, and shadows,” he said in a statement. “The transparent folds conjure a feeling of tulle material from romantic American fashion, inspired by the theme of this year’s Met Gala. It’s so exciting bringing this ethereal, fine, lightweight, delicate, hairstyle to life within the afro hair experience, with a muse that not only has kinky coily hair, but who can effortlessly wear and showcase the beauty of every hair texture.”

François was also behind Stenberg’s durag-inspired look. Instead of using an actual silk durag, he used her braids and cornrows to reimagine it and added a “dramatic train” in the back.

“Durags are linked with often quite masculine African American culture, most often worn to protect hair or extend the life of a hairstyle,” François added. “Embracing the durag worked perfectly for Amandla, as a nod to the Met Gala’s American Fashion theme, while levelling out the gender balance aesthetic of her overall look.”

François specifically used Redken hair products to create these innovative styles for their kinky and curly hair. Take a look at the breakdowns on how you can also make these styles your own.

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How to Recreate Lupita Nyong’o’s 2021 Met Gala Hair

1. Lupita’s hair was colored ahead of time with Shades EQ 3N and 3NB, Shades EQ Bonder Inside 000, and Redken’s new Color Gels Lacquers 10 Minute.
2. Preserving the health of hair is always my priority, and a caring foundation of your routine before getting to the styling part is a must. I used Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo and Conditioner to help add moisture and keep her hair looking healthy.
3. At the hair styling stage, I prepared Lupita’s hair with Mist Nourishing Water from my own hair care range, spritzing all over to gently wet the strands.
4. Then on a gentle speed, warm temperature, used Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer with the Wide tooth comb attachment to help lengthen hair as it dries, giving hair the ability to be braided down.
5. Next up, the hair pieces. All were laid out, sprayed with Redken’s Quick Dry 18 Instant Finishing Spray and Triple Pure 32 High Hold Hairspray to help smooth and add hold, before setting in place with Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer with the Diffuser attachment.
6. Once set, the hair pieces can be lifted almost like a sheet of wrapping paper or a layer of crepe paper.
7. You’re then free to shape, create, and pin into your desired look as you wish. When securely in place, I used the diffuser and hairspray again for a secure and reliable hold.

The Dyson Corrale^TM hair straightener let me sculpt the crown section of the hair. I have a technique where the sides of the flat irons are used to mold, shape and contour. And finishing with Redken’s Shine Flash gave Lupita’s hairstyle a red-carpet-ready glow.

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How to Recreate Amandla Stenberg’s 2021 Met Gala Hair

First, Amandla’s hair was lightened with Redken’s Flash Lift Bonder Inside. Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo and Conditioner were also used to keep her hair and color looking healthy, before drying hair with the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer with the Diffuser attachment and Wide tooth comb attachment to lengthen Amandla’s hair out.
Next, I prepared Amandla’s hair before styling with my own Mist Nourishing Water and Redken’s One United as a heat protectant. This combo works well for Amandla’s bleached hair, helping me to achieve as much as possible in a short space of time, as is the case with red carpet events!
Then, Amandla’s hair was braided. To seal the braids, I spritzed all over my own Leave In Conditioner, followed by Redken’s Triple Pure 32 High Hold Hairspray and Quick Dry 18 Instant Finishing Spray for a strong, yet flexible hold – before using Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer with the Diffuser attachment until completely dry.
To shape the finished style, bow, and tie, I wrapped, molded, and balanced the braids using my fingers; re-visiting the diffuser and hair sprays to help hold everything in place.
I applied my own shaping technique using the sides of Dyson Corrale^TM hair straightener to direct hair at the front into its final position; smoothing the back of the durag made of hair to sit and look its most authentic using the Styling concentrator attachment and the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer.
The hairstyle was finished with Redken’s Shine Flash all over for red carpet glamour.

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Here's How You Can Rock Lupita Nyong'o & Amandla Stenberg's Met Gala Looks