Key takeaways
- Clayton Hawkins used a 0.5-inch curling iron in random sections with Sexy Hair's powder to create Colman's romantic, multidimensional curls.
- Preparation with Amika frizz treatment and L'Oréal Airlight Pro diffusion provided the foundation for curls that hold throughout the day.
- Gray and silver hair require purple shampoo to neutralize brass and SPF protection like Dove's UV Repair & Glow or Coola's Scalp & Hair Mist.
Olivia Colman has long been defined by her signature cropped pixie cut, a confident style as recognizable as her award-winning performances. This fall, she made a dramatic departure, unveiling long, flowing salt-and-pepper curls that became the centerpiece of her look throughout the Wicker press tour. The shift surprised observers and marked a complete reimagining of her public image.
Designing for Romance
The Film’s Direction
The curls emerged from a specific creative vision tied to the film itself. Hairstylist Clayton Hawkins, who worked with Colman throughout the Wicker promotional campaign, designed the look with the movie’s narrative in mind. Wicker, releasing on October 23, is a romance centered on a lonely woman (Colman) whose wicker husband (Alexander Skarsgård) comes to life. To match the film’s playful, sensual tone, Hawkins and Colman landed on what he describes as “big, sexy romantic curls”—a choice that signals both the story’s intimacy and its intentional camp.
Amplifying Natural Texture
Hawkins had a significant advantage: Colman possesses naturally gorgeous curls. Rather than engineering curls from scratch, he chose to amplify what already existed. “She has gorgeous natural curls that I played up this week,” Hawkins explains. This approach—enhancing rather than forcing—creates a look that feels authentic and wearable, not reliant on constant reconstruction or artificial elements.
The Styling Process
Preparation and Drying
The foundation began with preparation. Hawkins applied Amika’s Frizz Me Not Hydrating Anti-Frizz Treatment, a critical step when styling curls that must hold through long press appearances. Frizz control keeps curls defined and prevents the flyaway texture that undoes careful styling. He then dried Colman’s hair using a L’Oréal Airlight Pro hair dryer fitted with a diffuser attachment. Diffusing is the gentle method for drying curls, as it maintains natural shape and bounce without the damage that direct heat can cause.
The Curling Technique
The signature element used a 0.5-inch curling iron to create tight ringlets. Rather than working in neat, ordered sections, Hawkins wrapped hair in random sections throughout, a technique that produces organic-looking curls instead of uniform spirals. This randomness is intentional—it prevents the overly polished, uniform aesthetic that many now find dated. The result reads as naturally formed rather than laboratory-perfect, a distinction that matters in how the style feels on a person.
Adding Texture and Volume
To amplify the curls’ size and add dimension, Hawkins used two methods. First, he applied Sexy Hair’s Powder Play Lite Soft Volumizing & Texturizing Powder to the roots. This lightweight powder adds grip and lift without the weight that sprays or gels introduce, allowing curls to hold throughout the day. Second, he manually teased and raked through the curls with a wide-tooth comb, breaking up tight spirals into more textured, dimensional shapes. The cumulative effect is curls that feel lived-in and multidimensional rather than tightly controlled.
Gray Hair Maintenance
Purple Shampoo for Silver Tones
Hawkins himself has silver hair, which makes him a credible voice on maintaining gray and silver tones in the increasingly popular “quiet silver” trend. He emphasizes that keeping gray hair vibrant and silvery requires consistent, deliberate care. Purple shampoo is the cornerstone of this regimen for anyone with gray, white, or blonde hair. The violet pigment neutralizes brass and yellow undertones that naturally develop in lighter hair, keeping it looking cool and bright rather than dull or yellowed. According to Hawkins, purple shampoo is non-negotiable for clients with these hair colors.
Sun Protection
What many overlook is that gray and silver hair requires sun protection. UV rays compromise hair structure and deepen brass tones, turning silver hair yellow or brassy over time. Hawkins recommends Dove’s UV Repair & Glow UV Defense Serum as an accessible option; he frequently collaborates with the brand. For those preferring a spray format, Coola’s Scalp & Hair Mist Sunscreen offers combined scalp and hair protection. As Hawkins notes, consistent care and protection determine whether gray hair stays vibrant: “If you take care of gray hair and keep it silvery, there’s nothing better, in my opinion.”
Wicker and Beyond
The new curls anchor Colman’s appearance both on the press circuit and in the film itself. In Wicker, her character sports curls too, though shorter than the promotional style. Her on-screen husband is styled in romance-novel aesthetics—blonde hair and facial hair that amplify the film’s playful camp. Hawkins’ enthusiasm for the project is evident: “She is hilarious and beautiful and a joy to be around and I can’t WAIT to see this sexy, bonkers movie.” The October 23 release date marks the culmination of weeks spent perfecting this transformation.
Source: Allure
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Clayton Hawkins style Olivia Colman's curls for Wicker?
He applied Amika's Frizz Me Not treatment, diffused with a L'Oréal Airlight Pro dryer, then curled with a 0.5-inch iron in random sections. He added Sexy Hair's Powder Play Lite to the roots and teased with a wide-tooth comb for texture and dimension.
What products does Clayton Hawkins recommend for maintaining gray and silver hair?
Purple shampoo is essential for neutralizing brass and yellow tones. For sun protection, he recommends Dove's UV Repair & Glow UV Defense Serum or Coola's Scalp & Hair Mist Sunscreen.
Did Olivia Colman have naturally curly hair?
Yes. Clayton Hawkins notes that Colman has gorgeous natural curls. Rather than creating curls from scratch, he chose to amplify her existing texture, which is why the final look feels authentic and wearable.
