We love a multi-tasking hairstyle, and Hannah Waddingham’s new look ticks every box at 50-plus. A glamorous updo twist on the viral ‘French facelift hairdo’, the actress’s style is one that adds volume to fine hair, and visually lifts cheekbones at once. Bravo!
The Ted Lasso star, 51, showed her new tour de force hairstyle at a very fitting event – the Variety 2026 Power of Women awards. Cutting a statuesque figure alongside new boyfriend Nick Beresford-Cleary, the actress paired her slinky halterneck dress with an updo now being bookmarked for every red carpet in the season ahead.
What is the French facelift updo?
Soft, full and shiny, Hannah’s French facelift updo is the antithesis of the harshly-scraped back styles typically used to cheat a ‘windtunnel’ effect.
The soft, face-framing pieces around the front are the signature of the trending French facelift hairstyle, which uses carefully-placed layering plus crown volume to bestow a sculpted, lifted appearance upon its wearer. As Hannah proves, those ageless qualities translate beautifully to its updo sister.
‘The same principles that make the French facelift haircut so flattering work beautifully when the hair is swept up,’ says Jason Collier, celebrity hairstylist, founder of Studio23 and Key Opinion Leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde.
‘Rather than pulling everything tightly away from the face, a French facelift updo gives softness around the hairline, lift through the crown and fullness at the sides,’ he tells GH. ‘This creates an instant sculpting effect that can make cheekbones appear higher and the jawline look more defined.’
Why it's the most flattering updo for older women
The French facelift updo is far more flattering than a tight bun which, while chic, isn’t always the best option for older women. ‘A traditional tight bun can sometimes flatten the face because it removes all of the volume around the temples and crown,’ says Jason. ‘A French facelift up-do does the opposite. By maintaining height at the crown and allowing a few carefully placed face-framing pieces, it enhances the lifting effect of the style.’
‘For event hair, it's the perfect evolution of the original French facelift style because you get all the benefits of the haircut, from volume and movement to contouring, while enjoying the elegance of an up-do.’
And who better than Hannah Waddingham to show the up-do in action? ‘The volume concentrated through the crown and upper sides of Hannah’s head instantly draws the eye upwards and creates a lifting effect across the entire face. It's glamorous but still incredibly soft,’ says Jason.
The height through the crown is ‘doing a lot of the heavy lifting here’, Jason notes. ‘By creating volume at the top and maintaining width around the temples, the style gives the illusion of fuller hair while also creating a subtle contouring effect that enhances the cheekbones.’
Crucially, it combines these benefits with a comfort that’s kind on thin or fragile hair – no headaches triggered by tug-back tension here! ‘What I particularly love is the way the front sections have been left slightly loose and airy,’ says Jason. ‘Those face-framing pieces accentuate her bone structure and prevent the style from feeling too severe. It's a very clever technique that works beautifully on mature hair.’
How to copy the look
To recreate Hannah's look, start by adding a volumising mousse or root-lifting spray to damp hair before blow-drying, says Jason. ‘I particularly like the Jerome Russell BStyled Thickening Mousse. Focus on creating lift at the roots, particularly through the crown.’
Jerome Russell BStyled Thickening Hair Mousse
Jerome Russell BStyled Thickening Hair Mousse
Once dry, gently backcomb the crown area, then gather the hair into a softly structured up-do, avoiding anything too tight. ‘Finish by teasing out a few face-framing pieces around the temples and cheekbones, and use a lightweight texturising spray to maintain movement and softness.’
Et voilà!
