File Misty Copeland's Oscar hairstyles under "things we really care about." The trailblazing ballerina attended the 98th Academy Awards to perform in a special live rendition of “I Lied to You,” the Best Original Song nominee from Sinners. In her first return to the stage after retiring from American Ballet Theatre (and just months after hip replacement surgery!), she danced alongside songwriters Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq, as well as guest artists such as Shaboozey and Alice Smith, and numerous other dancers.

To mark the Oscars occasion, Copeland wore not one, not two, but three impressive, ballet-inspired hairstyles: An effortless bun, followed by an intricate feather-adorned chignon for her performance, and finally an extra-long ponytail for the Vanity Fair afterparty.

For the red carpet, hairstylist Miles Jeffries created a slicked-back ballet bun placed right at the center of the back of Copeland’s head. “The mood was a sleek slick bun that appears to be effortlessly wrapped with no pins,” he wrote in an Instagram post. Jeffries relied heavily on two brands: Olaplex, for styling, and Bellami extensions, which made it easier to give the chignon a gift-wrap-like effect

When it came to prep, Jeffries started with Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist (a 2024 Best of Beauty winner), to protect and add extra hold, followed by Olaplex No.5 Leave-In Moisturize & Bend Leave-In Conditioner to add a further layer of protecting during the heavily styling. After blow drying and before flat-ironing, he smoothed Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil throughout her hair, adding more as he installed the XXL Bellami tape-in hair extensions. Jeffries then masterfully wrapped Copeland’s hair into what was meant to appear like an infinite knot.