Kate Hudson’s Hairstylist Admits Her New Bob Is a ‘Bit of Smoke and Mirrors’

Kate Hudson turned heads at the Governors Awards over the weekend—not just for her 1920s-inspired Valentino gown, but for the chic, Gatsby-esque bob that proved the year’s biggest haircut trend has officially gone full-on red-carpet glam. Flirty, above-the-shoulders and sculpted with a modern Jazz Age twist, the look delivered peak vintage seduction with contemporary polish.

The only thing: Hudson’s new bob was actually due to some finely tuned trickery, her hairstylist and strand magician, Marcus Francis, exclusively told us. “We didn’t cut her hair,” he admits. “It’s a bit of smoke and mirrors. For the sake of the event, I pulled out some tricks.”

In Francis’s kit (aka, his bag of tricks): He first prepped Hudson’s hair with Joico Defy Damage Protective Shampoo ($26) and the KBOND20 Power Masque ($39) to create the shiny, full-bodied foundation. On towel-dried strands, he smoothed Joico Dream Blowout Glass 72HR Frizz Fighter ($28) from roots to ends for reflective shine, followed by Joico JoiWhip Design Foam ($22.50) through the mid-lengths for airy volume. A paddle-brush pass ensured seamless distribution.

After blow-drying with a medium-vented round brush and carving out a deep, dramatic side part, Marcus then applied Joico Heat Hero Glossing Thermal Protector ($24). “One-inch sections were Marcel-curled toward the face and pinned to cool, then misted with Joico Power Spray Fast-Dry Finishing Spray ($22.50) to set for 15 minutes,” he explains.

Once released, Francis brushed the curls into soft, sculpted movement using a Mason Pearson brush. “Classic S-waves were shaped along the hairline with clips, and a final touch of Joico Curls Like Us Hydrate & Define Curl Crème Styler ($26) added sheen and definition.”

The final, fooled-us result: A luminous, fabulous-looking faux Gatsby bob—proof that the bob trend isn’t just having a moment, it’s owning the red carpet.