Charlize Theron Said ‘Screw It’ and Put Her Hair Up in the Ponytail Holder She Had Around Her Wrist

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“Business in the front, party in the back” is a common descriptor for hair and dresses, usually of the mullet variety. At the Oscars, though, Charlize Theron’s hair was more “Old Hollywood in the front, get-this-damn-hair-off-my-neck in the back.”

Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Yep, it looks like Charlize, in the middle of sitting still to get her hair done, took the elastic she still had on her wrist after hitting Pilates that morning, grabbed the brush from her hairstylist, and said “I’ll just do it!” This is a totally relatable moment. Who hasn’t been forced to go out to an event and just couldn’t be bothered to curl her whole head?

Okay, so this is actually a theoretical and completely made-up scenario. Theron’s hair stylist, Enzo Angileri, has not yet revealed his thought process behind the look, but I appreciate this high-low moment. The (apparent) drugstore ponytail holder was paired with 25-carat Chopard diamond earrings. You can get this look pretty easily: a packet of 15 Goody elastics will set you back a mere $3.49 at Target. But no, Chopard will probably not loan you the earrings.

UPDATE: Angileri (who of course did this style and not Charlize) said, per a press release, of his inspiration for the look: “The inspiration for Charlize’s hair was punk glamour but with a touch of Hollywood glamour. We achieved this look with a pony tail. The most important element of this style is to achieve all over shine and ensure that the hair looked healthy.”

Watch: Everyone Dressed Like Angels at the Oscars