Want Hair Like Odessa A'zion? Curl Experts Share Everything You Need To Know
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI ― prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
Marty Supreme’s breakout star Odessa A’zion has a head of curls that’s got everyone talking.
From wig allegations to straight-up envy, I can’t think of a bouncy barnet that’s hit pop culture this hard since Julia Roberts.
Odessa, who you might also recognise from Rachel Sennott’s buzzy comedy I Love LA, confirmed to Deadline that, while she does don a wig or two occasionally (just like a lot of other stars out there) her usual, layered look that everyone’s talking about is all hers.
She also told the interviewer that she spent five whole hours doing her own hair (as in, the kind that grows out of her head) before the New York premiere of Marty Supreme, which begs the burning question… how?
As a curly girl myself, I simply had to know how she gets that gorgeous, bouncy look. So I reached out to two of my favourite curl experts to find out.
If you love Odessa’s hair, here’s what to ask for at the salon
When it comes to that deep dark colour, Issie Churcher, who’s the creative director and resident curly colour pro at Chelsea salon Stil, tells me: “Odessa’s hair colour looks to be her natural shade enhanced with a dark, semi-permanent gloss colour for added depth.
“To get this look, ask your colourist for a cool, dark, natural brunette with a smoky undertone – this will help avoid any unwanted red tones.”
As for the cut, Pashcan’el Mitchell, a stylist and Blue Tit’s lead textured hair educator, recommends asking for: “A curly or texture-specific cut that enhances your natural curl pattern, and soft, rounded layers that create shape and bounce without thinning the perimeter too much, keeping length.”
And it’s always helpful to bring a photo of what you want, too.
Pashcan’el adds that the most important things to ask for are “movement, softness, and lived-in texture, rather than a rigid or overly sculpted look”
How to care for curly hair
All curly and coily girls know that texture needs moisture, so you never want to go without curl-friendly shampoos and conditioners in your routine.
“Ingredients such as shea butter and glycerin are excellent for sealing water and moisture into curls,” Issie explains. “Oils and emollients like coconut oil, jojoba, and argan oil are also great for smoothing, detangling, and defrizzing curly hair.”
How to style curly hair
Now for the tricky part. As Pashcan’el sees it, Odessa’s hair has “a touchable, hydrated, non-crunchy finish, which comes from moisture balance and lightweight definition”.
So the kinds of products that curly gals will want to look for are:
- A hydrating leave-in conditioner for moisture
- A curl cream to shape and soften your curls
- And a lightweight gel or custard for definition.
He adds: “Layering is key: hydration first, then definition, then hold. Always apply to soaking-wet hair for the best results.”
And remember that curl patterns can vary significantly – no two heads are exactly the same. For reference, Pashcan’el reckons Odessa’s are between 2C and 3A.
If your curls are looser (2A–2C), Pashcan’el recommends using lightweight products that won’t weigh your hair down. Then, scrunch your hair and finger-coil your favourite sections before diffusing your mane to encourage curls to form.
Medium curl patterns (3A–3B) will want to use curl cream and gel, define the curls in sections, and then let your hair dry with “minimal disturbance”, which helps your curls stay separated and bouncy.
With tighter patterns (3C–4A), you’ll want to elongate and hydrate your strands with rich, heavier leave-ins. “Apply products in smaller sections,” he says, “and consider stretching techniques like banding or tension diffusing to achieve a softer, more elongated curl shape while maintaining definition.”
“Ultimately, styling like Odessa is less about copying an exact curl pattern,” he adds, “and more about embracing natural texture, prioritising moisture, and choosing a cut that allows curls to move freely.”