Oscar Sunday is a night of Hollywood royalty—of course A-listers would have regal hairstyles to match. As the night heats up, we've noticed more than a few sensational beauty looks on our favorite celebs (Lisa! Cynthia! Selena!), but one elegant (and surprisingly very practical) hair trend has been reigning the red carpet: tiara buns.
What is a tiara bun, you ask? Coined by hairstylist Tom Smith, the style simply refers to a bun that sits on the crown of your head, just like Ariana Grande's above. "Therefore [it] lifts the face [and] gives that slightly regal and elegant look to the wearer," Smith notes on Instagram. You can play around with the positioning a bit, but generally, it's placed higher than your average slicked-back bun.
He calls the trend practical yet glamorous, as it's a low-lift style that makes you look instantly sophisticated. "You can make it [as] sleek and polished as you prefer," he adds. "Just make sure the positioning is high on your head to get that lifted look." And rest assured it's very easy to achieve—arguably the most uncomplicated Oscars look to try at home. Take a look at the stunning celeb inspiration below, plus the best products to achieve your own royal-esque bun.
Want to add even more elegance to your tiara bun? Add dainty pearl accessories à la Lupita Nyong'o.
Opt for whatever hair part you like: side, middle (like Mikey Madison here), or none at all.
Elle Fanning paired her Givenchy Couture dress (which is giving us major wedding vibes) with the prettiest high bun.
A tiara bun and curtain bangs are a match made in heaven. Just look at Marissa Bode!
We are obsessed with Felicity Jones's "undone" take on the tiara bun. The two separated sections give the look some effortless texture.
The Best Products to Use for Tiara Buns
Celebrity hairstylist Bridget Brager used this blow-dry brush on Jones to create a sleek, frizz-free base.
She then gathered Jones's hair using a pump of this nourishing cream.
Celeb stylist Rena Calhoun used this detangling brush to comb product through Madison's lengths.
She also used this wet-to-dry styler to give Madison a smooth blowout.
When twisting Madison's hair into a "ribboning updo," Calhoun used this flexible hair spray to set strands section by section.
Celebrity hairstylist Vernon Francois finished Nyong'o's look with this shine-inducing oil on her mid-lengths and ends. "This versatile oil also played a crucial role in enhancing the depth and dimension of the look," he says in a release.
I personally love this stick for my slicked-back styles.
A boar brush is essential for slicked-back looks. This one by Emi Jay comes in an adorable mini size to take with you on the go.
This styling cream and wand eliminate flyaways ASAP.
I also love this styling cream for sleek buns, as the formula simultaneously conditions the hair.
These pearl pins elevate any hairstyle, tiara buns included.
This gel-cream offers incredible hold (great for slick-backs) yet brushes out with ease.
-
IMO, This Keratin Treatment Dupe Deserves Way More Hype, and It's 47% OffSnag it while you can.
-
Fashion People Are Asking for Riviera Bobs in Droves—12 Ideas for Your Next ChopTrès chic.
-
This Celeb Stylist Is Known for Making Hair Trends Go Viral (Ahem, Prada Bob), so I Asked Him for InspoGet to know the artist behind the buzziest looks.
-
The Swept Bob Is the Summer Haircut Trend Fashion Girls Are Getting to Look More ElegantTrust me on this.
-
This Trending Hairstyle Screams "Chloé Girl," so, of Course, I Asked a Hairstylist for TipsYou won't see me styling my locks any other way.
-
Instagram Has Spoken—These 9 Summer Hair Trends Will Dominate This SeasonFrom blowouts to braids.
-
These Chic Claw-Clip Hairstyles Instantly Elevate Any Look—You're WelcomeYou've got options, from sophisticated to relaxed.
-
Leighton Meester Just Wore the Trending Hairstyle Every Chic 2025 Bride Has Been EyeingIt's giving Blair Waldorf meets Jane Birkin
