Red Carpet Hair Trends: Best Tressed at the 2014 Academy Awards

It never rains in L.A.--until awards season arrives. So a crazy couple days of unusually heavy downpours could have 86ed the 86th Annual Academy Awards, but the weather cleared up just in time to roll out the red carpet. 

As the sun began to emerge, so too did the mega-watt smiles and styles. A-listers sparkled in metallic, such as Angelina Jolie in a silver Elie Saab gown and Jessica Biel in a nude Chanel number with silver shimmer accents. Others appeared heavenly in white and light-colored looks, such as Cate Blancett in Armani Privé, Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace and Naomi Watts in a sequined backless Calvin Klein. 

Gorge gowns weren't the only style statements that rocked the red carpet. Long, short and upswept hair trends also created show-stopping moments. The headband that Lupita Nyong'o sported as the crowning glory of her cropped 'do prompted its own Twitter handle (@LupitasHeadband) and the debut of the new brunette hair color of Margot Robbie turned a lot of heads.

Which ones deserve Best Tressed Awards? The following five fab trends flowed, glowed and stole the show. And, to help you create your own stunning strands, we also present the latest serums, tools, treatments, shampoos, conditioners and finishing sprays. They're designed to give you lift, luminosity and luxurious locks. 

Cue the applause!

OLD HOLLYWOOD

Cate Blanchett struck gold in a big way. In addition to nabbing a Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Blue Jasmine, she donned golden retro locks with soft waves that gently kissed her nude-toned, gold-embellished Armani Privé gown. Best of all, she gave a shout out to her glam squad during her acceptance speech: "To the hair and makeup people who sweated me up and tried to make me look attractive."

Kate Hudson oozed glamour with her nostalgic nod to old Hollywood. She wowed with her heavily highlighted, side-swept finger wave 'do and pale silver Atelier Versace gown. The art deco-inspired dress featured a plunging neckline, and ethereal cape and train, which screamed movie star appeal. In fact, dare we say that Hudson created one of the best Oscar moments in recent red carpet history.

Two words: Personal best. Sandra Bullock crushed it with her out-of-this-world sophistication. The Gravity star, who was nominated for Best Actress, exquisitely channeled Veronica Lake with her statement part and long, cascading curls. Her right side-swept hair balanced the sculptural draping of the left side sash on her silk strapless midnight blue Alexander McQueen gown.

GRECIAN GODDESS

Congrats to Lupita Nyong'o. Not only did she take home a Best Supporting Actress Award for her performance in 12 Years A Slave, but she also won our hearts with her sense of style. She accented her crop-top, faux-hawk cut with a Fred Leighton gold and diamond headband, which perfectly complemented her Grecian-inspired "Nairobi blue" Prada gown. With its plunging neckline/backline and flowing pleated chiffon silhouette, she told a local reporter that she felt like "Cinderella, a rock star and superwoman.” 

CHIC CHIGNON

Baby bump on board! Beautifully accessorized with her maternity curves and fiancé Jason Sudeikis, Olivia Wilde glowed as she glided down the red carpet. To highlight her growing bump, the mommy-to-be sported an on trend black and white Valentino gown with a high neck. But the best was yet to come: She completed her nude lip and dramatic cat eye look with a messy chignon and face-framing layers. Flawless!

SHINE: Affinage Indigo Defender Thermal Protector. BEAUTY: Protect your strands from the harsh styling process of curling irons, straighteners and blow driers. BEACON: Free of parabens. Supports The Alternative Hair Charitable Foundation.

SHINE: Alterna Haircare Bamboo Abundant Volume Shampoo and Conditioner, and 48-Hour Sustainable Volume Spray. BEAUTY: Sunflower seed oil and maca root extract help thicken and amplify your locks for a more full-bodied look. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of gluten, sodium chloride, parabens, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic color. Supports WaterAid and National Kidney Foundation.

SHINE: Conair Hi-Styles Volume & Lift, Topsy Tail and French Twist. BEAUTY: Create your own show-stopping updos, ponytails, chignons and luxurious lift with these easy-to-use aids--a hair volume builder insert, an all-in-one styling tool and a French twist clip. BEACON: Supports the American Red Cross, American Ballet Theatre and National Dance Institute.

SHINE: Hamadi Organics Healing Serum. BEAUTY: Sunflower, avocado and ylang ylang flower oils hydrate your hair follicle from the inside out to heal damaged, dry and color-treated hair. BEACON: Ecocert certified and no animal testing. Biodegradable, and free of fragrances and colorants.

SHINE: Intelligent Nutrients Straight Hair Serum and Curvy Hair Serum. BEAUTY: Smooth, soften and separate your strands, as well as define and defrizz your look, with aloe vera leaf juice powder, and safflower, pumpkin and grape seed oils. BEACON: No animal testing and USDA Organic certified. Vegan and gluten free. Contains no pesticides, phthalates, sulfates, artificial fragrances, parabens, glycol, formaldehyde, petrochemicals or silicone.

SHINE: Maijan Fine Hair Boost Hair Oil Treatment. BEAUTY: Argan, neem and castor oils, along with aloe vera extract and vitamin E, restore vital nutrients to your hair to give it a healthy, youthful glow. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of parabens, sulfates and alcohol. 

SHINE: Skin Authority Oil Nutrient for Face, Hair & Nails. BEAUTY: Restore and revitalize dry, damaged hair, as well as skin, scalp and nails, with sunflower, safflower and avocado oils. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, dyes and added fragrances. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray. BEAUTY: This fierce formula aids in fighting frizz and resisting humidity, but it's also light enough to leave your locks shiny and manageable. BEACON: No animal testing. 

Hair Trends at the VMAs: Super Short, Super Long & Super Cool!

Rihanna leaves her weaves behind to debut a new 'do.

Who says you can't wear white after Labor Day? At the MTV Video Music Awards last Thursday, Rihanna rocked the red carpet in a custom-made white gown by Adam Selman. She also stunned fans and fashionistas by showing off a super short pixie cut (see Fresh Fall Look: Pixie Hair). Her new 'do and kiss/embrace with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, which was captured on a live Internet feed, almost overshadowed her award for Best Video of the Year.

Miley Cyrus unveiled a new look too. Her super short sides and ultra-high crown cut mimicked Pink's platinum mohawk. The two looked like twin supermodels with their dramatic 'dos. 

On the other end of the spectrum, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift wore down-to-there hair. Perry chose soft, flowing waves while Swift went for a long straight look with lash tip-level bangs.

Which looks do you like the best? Check out videos from the red carpet below. We've also assembled several hair care products that work well to maintain super short or long cuts, including shampoos, masks, leave-in conditioners, hair sprays and styling aids.

Katy Perry lets her her hair down with long luscious locks.

Pink poses with a peacock platinum mohawk cut.

Taylor Swift struts stick straight strands, along with full fringe and red lips.

Miley Cyrus sports a teased platinum mohawk a la Pink.

SHINE: Burt's Bees Very Volumizing Pomegranate Shampoo and Conditioner. BEAUTY: Add volume, body and shine with pomegranate seed oil and jojoba protein. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no sulfates, parabens, phthalates or petrochemicals. Supports Habitat for Humanity. 

SHINE: Hamadi Organics Shea Hair Mask. BEAUTY: Avocado oil, shea butter and aloe vera nourish over-processed hair. BEACON: Ecocert certified and no animal testing. Free of fragrances and colorants.

SHINE: Kérastase Resistance Double Force Spray Multi-Protector. BEAUTY: Helps protect hair and promote a controlled hold. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Kitoko Leave-In Active Restructurant. BEAUTY: Green tea extract, shea butter and vitamin E help prevent split ends, and replenish and repair damaged hair. BEACON: Contains no sodium laureth sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate. 

SHINE: LATHER Avocado Mint Hair Repair. BEAUTY: Add sheen and strengthen strands with avocado, jojoba and macadamia seed oils, shea butter and aloe vera. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates and parabens.

SHINE: Organic Color Systems O'right Tree in the Bottle Green Tea Shampoo. BEAUTY: Green tea extracts and organic foaming agents promote conditioning of the hair and scalp. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Contains no parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonia or formaldehyde. Bottle comes preloaded with tree seeds, so it can be planted after use.

 SHINE: Pureology Control Twist High Hold Liquid Wax. BEAUTY: Create texture, separation and shine with vitamin E, and coriander and olive fruit oils. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of sulfates. Supports Global Green USA.

SHINE: Redken Smooth Lock Heat Glide Protective Smoother (for very dry/unruly hair). BEAUTY: Sweet almond and coconut oils protect hair from humidity to deliver frizz-free manageability. BEACON: Parent company L’Oréal partners with UNESCO to support For Women In Science.