At the 2026 Academy Awards, Nicole Kidman arrived with a luminous, cascading blowout with softly tousled waves created by Virtue® Creative Director Adir Abergel — a look defined by movement, healthy shine, and touchable texture.

While the finish felt effortless, the style was grounded in deliberate preparation. Adir focused on strengthening the hair in advance so it would respond beautifully to styling and maintain its shape long after the celebration.

Below, discover how Adir created Nicole’s red-carpet blowout — beginning with the preparation that makes great styling possible.

“The Oscars presenter soared to the top of our favorite looks list with her wearable volume that defied gravity.” —Allure

Adir Abergel styles Nicole Kidman

The Virtue product Adir relies on for red carpet

Soft, tousled waves with beautiful lift at the crown

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"The inspiration was the iconic blowout from Moulin Rouge," says Adir. "We wanted extra volume, length, bounce, and shine — an extra-long voluminous blowout with cascading layers framing the face and soft middle-parted bangs."

The result was a stunning fusion of nostalgia and modern polish — hair that didn't just look good, but performed under the brightest lights in Hollywood.

Here's how Adir achieved this look, step-by-step:

“I always have my clients start with Recovery Shampoo & Conditioner the night before. You want the hair as healthy and vibrant as possible for the big day.” — Adir Abergel

For major red carpet moments, Adir begins by strengthening and smoothing the hair’s foundation in advance. Using Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner, he helps restore softness, shine, and responsiveness, creating the ideal canvas for styling.

When hair is properly prepared, it moves with intention, reflects light more evenly, and maintains its shape with less effort.

Get the Look:

1. Prep + Protect

The night before, wash with Virtue Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner to get the hair as shiny and healthy as possible—including extensions. Adir used BELLAMI Silk-Seam Clip-Ins in Dirty Blonde and Golden Hour and BELLAMI Tape-Ins in Amber Blonde.

The morning of the event, Adir used his favorite Denman D38 Detangling & Styling Paddle Brush to delicately detangle and remove knots. Then, on towel-dried hair, start with Damage Reverse Serum® and a few pumps of Healing Oil to help repair, protect, and prep hair for heat styling.

2. Lift the Roots

Spray Volumizing Primer at the roots to create lasting weightless lift.

3. Build Shine + Memory

Work 6-in-1 Styler through mid-lengths to ends for flexible hold, shine, and touchable texture.

4. The Blowout

Using his Denamn D3 Curl Definer and Styler Brush and Turnblow Pro from Wavytalk, he focused on lifting at the roots.

As hair becomes nearly dry, he switched to a round Denman Head Hugger Brush to smooth and create that full, tousled blowout.

5. Add Extra Length + Blend

For that soft, expansive shape that blended beautifully into Nicole's natural hair, Adir started with the darker 18" BELLAMI extensions at the nape, mid tones through the middle and highlighted colors through the top.

Use a straight razor to cut layers that seamlessly blend into the extensions.

6. Add Soft Waves

To create his Moulin Rouge-inspired waves, use a WavyTalk Cool Curl Pencil slim-barrel curling iron to add loose bends and natural movement through the lengths.