Suni Lee’s Loose Curls, Side Part Are Peak Hollywood Hair

Gymnast Suni Lee wearing a ponytail hairstyle, soft skinlike makeup and a black top. She is smiling at the camera — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Suni Lee might be used to winning gymnastics medals, but she’s beginning to establish herself as a force in the beauty space as well. On November 4, the Olympic gymnast attended the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in New York City, alongside some of Hollywood's biggest A-list celebrities. Lee, a long-time fan of acrylic nails (she’s even competed with them), wore an elegant white almond manicure to the event, which stood out beautifully against her red gown. Yet, my eyes couldn’t help but be continually drawn to her hairstyle, which embodied Old Hollywood glamour.

Before it was styled, Lee’s hair appears to have been straightened, and judging by that shine, a gloss treatment was likely applied. Her hair was probably parted to the side and curled using a large-barreled iron before being combed out to create a beautiful face-framing look. This hairstyle allowed her subtle, yet glowy makeup to stand out, and the entire look flowed seamlessly, especially with her off-the-shoulder dress.

Suni Lee with long Hollywood waves in her hair. She is wearing a red gown — Sunisa Lee attends the 2025 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards at The Plaza Hotel on November 04, 2025 in New York City.

Big, bouncy curls are a timeless hairstyle, but many people don’t realize that combing them out like Lee did can give you celebrity-style volume, making your entire look appear larger-than-life. The feeling truly is unmatched.

That being said, heat styling every day isn’t practical for many people, and you also need to consider your hair's health. Still, I know a few techniques that can help you achieve a similar look and how you can preserve it throughout the workweek. Keep reading for the tips and products you should know about.

Bumble and bumble.

Jumbo Seaweed Shampoo, Conditioner+scrub Set

If possible, always try to start off any hairstyle with clean hair.

Amika

Perk Up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo

If you can't cleanse your hair, dry shampoo is your friend. Bonus points because it can also help amp up the volume.

Bodywaver 1.75” Professional Ceramic Styling Iron for Waves and Volume

For a look like this, a jumbo curling iron is the way to go.

Togayu

Heatless Curls

Once you've heat styled your hair (or even if you prefer not to use heat at all), use these overnight rods every night. The secret to achieving that easily combable curl in the morning? Use five rods instead of three.

Color Wow

Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray

A copious amount of hairspray, like this one, will make the style last for hours.

Ariel Wilson is the Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. Previously the associate beauty editor at PS, she also has bylines in InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women's Health, and more.

Shaped by her experience in research, social sciences, and the non-profit sector, Ariel enjoys looking at beauty from a sociocultural lens, looking to avenues like politics, culture, and the arts, to inform her views on the space. That being said, as a true beauty-product obsessive, testing the latest items to hit the market, keeping up with trends, and meeting industry icons, will always be her favorite part of working in the beauty space.

When she's not working, Ariel can be found hanging out with her husband and loving on their two cat daughters: Cow and Chicken.