Angelina Jolie’s 2021 Red Carpet Hair Extension Mishap Still Has Us Talking

In some ways, effortless red-carpet beauty is a little like a magic trick — you don’t want onlookers to know how you did it. In terms of hairstyling, this means avoiding any clear demarcation between natural hair and extra pieces. Unfortunately, Angelina Jolie’s problematic extensions were anything but subtle, standing out from her natural hair in a harsh, disjointed line that drew attention like a bullseye.

Speaking exclusively to Glam, Amber Renee calls it “a classic case of poor blending — something that can happen when extensions aren’t installed or styled properly. The visible gap between Jolie’s natural hair and the extensions suggested they were likely clip-ins that hadn’t been layered or blended well, leaving a choppy, disconnected look.” This is a pretty shocking misstep from a top-tier celeb, especially since there are simple ways to seamlessly blend extensions, even into short hair.

The difference in Jolie’s layers was so stark that we now wonder if the extensions were applied in a hurry. Notably, the star was rocking her regular, mid-length ‘do at a photo call earlier that day, so whatever went wrong, it happened during her wardrobe change. “It’s surprising to see this happen on a major red carpet,” Renee observes. “But it’s also a reminder that even A-listers can have beauty blunders.” Still, she has some insight on how the whole catastrophe could have been avoided.

When embarking on any extension-enhanced look, the first step is choosing what kind of hairpiece to use. Unfortunately, Amber Renee thinks that this is where Angelina Jolie’s look immediately started off on the wrong foot. “If I were styling Jolie that night, I would’ve either opted for tape-in or keratin-bonded extensions instead of clip-ins, especially for an event of that caliber. These options lay flatter against the scalp, creating a more natural, undetectable finish,” says Renee.

The quality and hue of the extensions didn’t do Jolie any favors, either. In some photos, they seem to have brighter highlights than the hair above, making them stand out even more. As Renee explains exclusively to Glam, “Color and texture matching is everything. It’s not just about picking the right shade but ensuring the undertone matches as well. Jolie’s hair has warm brunette tones, so her extensions should’ve seamlessly blended into that tone.” Funnily enough, Jolie’s iconic brown tresses aren’t real — she’s actually one of those celebrities who’s nearly unrecognizable with their natural hair color. But that’s no excuse for extensions that don’t flow with her shade of the moment. Then, there’s the texture issue. “The density of the extensions also matters,” says Renee. “For finer hair like hers, lightweight or double-drawn extensions would’ve created a soft, natural finish without looking bulky or harsh.”

Of course, it’s easy to blame the products in hindsight, especially when we don’t know why those particular products were chosen. However, even when working with less-than-ideal pieces, Renee adds that there are other steps the stylist could have taken to make Jolie’s extensions look more natural: “If clip-ins were the only option, the extensions should’ve been layered, trimmed, and texturized to match her hair’s length and density. A quick pass with a curling iron would’ve also helped merge everything together for a flawless look.”

Hairpieces can truly transform someone’s appearance, so much so that some celebs look totally different without their extensions. And with the right expertise, Angelina Jolie’s hairstylist could have delivered a perfect finish at the “Eternals” premiere rather than doing her so dirty. At least we have one consolation: Amber Renee suggests that these disasters are increasingly preventable, as modern hair extensions make it ever easier to deliver a natural-looking finish.

“The hair extension industry has evolved quite a bit. There are now invisible tape-in extensions that lay so flat on the scalp, they’re virtually undetectable — perfect for red-carpet events,” she exclusively tells Glam. “Another game-changer is hybrid extensions, which bring hand-tied wefts and tape-ins for maximum volume and length with zero bulk. Products like Color Wow Dream Coat are also lifesavers when it comes to blurring the line between natural hair and extensions, preventing that telltale separation.”

These advancements come too late to save Jolie in 2021, though the star is looking great these days. Now, her film-festival flop is just water under the bridge — and a cautionary tale for stylists in the industry. “At the end of the day, Jolie’s hair mishap was avoidable. With a little more time and attention to detail, her hair would have looked flawless,” says Renee. “It’s a lesson that no matter how glamorous the event, seamless extensions require careful blending — and that’s the difference between a show-stopping look and a viral hair fail.”