Oscar season is great for a dose of glitz and glamor, but not often helpful in the way of fashion tips. Everyone looks stunning, but most of us don’t have the occasions–let alone the budgets–to copy their style. What we can copy, though, is the fabulous hair. I particularly love Natalie Portman’s beautiful updo at the star-studded Vanity Fair party. Nexxus’s Kevin Mancuso (author of The Mane Thing and stylist to stars like Sienna Miller, Blake Lively, Naomi Watts and Taylor Swift) did Natalie’s ‘do, and he was kind enough to give us some how-to tips so the rest of us can duplicate her chic look at home.

1. Shampoo and condition hair with body-building products to give hair lift. (Kevin uses Nexxus Diametress and Sublime Volume)

2. Apply a volumizing spray gel (his pick: Nexxus Lavish Body) from roots to ends, then blow-dry with a paddle brush, directing hair up and away from face and lifting at the root.

3. When roots are almost dry, switch to a round brush and blow-dry ends, smoothing as you go.

4. While hair is still warm, transfer one-inch sections to Velcro rollers and let completely cool, then remove and tousle hair with a bit of smoothing lotion, such as Nexxus Sleek Finish.

5. Remove a one-inch front section of hair and then pull the rest gently back into a mid-level ponytail, securing with an elastic.

6. Use bobbi pins to artfully sculpt loose ends into a soft updo.

7. Use a flat iron to smooth front curl and help position hair around face, then finish look with a light misting of a hairspray, like Nexxus Comb Thru.