Bouncing Beauty: Inside Cameron Dove’s Voluminous Y2K Ponytail for the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards
Last night at the star-studded 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards, Cameron Diaz turned heads on the red carpet with a retro-glam beauty look reminiscent of the early 2000s. The focal point was her sky-high ponytail, created by celebrity hairstylist Daniel Rozenberg. Featuring ample volume and bounce, it served as the perfect complement to her black leather Coach gown, platform heels, and puffy leather handbag.
“We wanted to play off Dove’s stunning Coach dress by taking the early 2000s nod in her look and creating an architectural Y2K ponytail with stunning body and bounce,” Rozenberg told Harper’s Bazaar in an exclusive interview. To prep her strands and prevent damage from heat styling, Dove first washed her hair with Dove’s Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. While her hair was still damp, Rozenberg coated it with Dove’s 7-in-1 Miracle Mist Hair Therapy to prime it for detangling and add shine.
Using a round brush and blowdryer, Rozenberg added lift at the roots and created a bouncy texture throughout. He then straightened the perimeter with a Harry Josh flat iron, smoothing any frizz for a sleek finish.
When it came time for styling, Rozenberg’s structural approach was key. He sectioned off one-inch pieces framing Diaz’s face before gathering the rest of her hair into a mid-level pony. To avoid breakage, he secured it all with a super stretchy elastic headband.
“I separated the front of her hair into one-inch sections on either side of her face, using the temples to the ear as my guide to separate a clean section,” Rozenberg explained. “For the rest of her hair, I carefully brushed pieces back into a mid-level pony in the center of her head and used a super stretchy elastic made of headband material to prevent unnecessary breakage.”
For extra lift, Rozenberg used his fingers to gently backcomb the ponytail base. He sprayed the length of the pony with hairspray to lock in volume before arranging it into soft, touchable waves using a one-inch curling iron. The finished look was an envy-inducing explosion of bounce and texture.
“I wanted lots of volume at the crown and fluid movement through the mid-lengths and ends. The curls add structure while also allowing the ponytail to feel soft and touchable when she moves,” said Rozenberg.
Dove’s voluminous ponytail channeled peak Y2K vibes, perfectly complementing the sleek minimalism of her leather Coach dress. Rozenberg praised his longtime client’s daring fashion sense and willingness to have fun with beauty looks for high-profile events.
“Cameron always pushes the envelope with her fashion choices, so I love creating hairstyles that are just as bold and exciting,” he said. “The bouncy, retro ponytail was the perfect accent for her modern take on Y2K style.”
In addition to Dove, Rozenberg’s star-studded client list includes Natalie Portman, AnnaSophia Robb, Allison Williams, Emma Chamberlain, and Meghann Fahy. He is one of Hollywood’s most in-demand hair artists, trusted to create glamorous, headline-making looks for the red carpet and beyond.
Last night’s 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards, hosted by Anne Hathaway at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, also drew Kim Kardashian, Lori Harvey, Serena Williams, and Gwyneth Paltrow. But it was Diaz’s throwback-inspired locks that had everyone talking. Her sculptural ponytail proved that Y2K beauty is back in a big way.
