THE Oscars are supposed to be about film awards but the biggest winners are always the stars who make their way to the top of the best-dressed list.

This year Sandra Bullock, Helen Mirren and Maggie Gyllenhaal were widely acclaimed to have picked the best frocks. But with Sandra Bullock's Marchesa gown reportedly costing a whopping £6,600, it's hardly an easy look to emulate.

One thing that can be easily copied is the hairstyles on show.

Craig Barnett, owner of Sutherland and Barnett hair salon, said he really liked British actress Carey Mulligan's short crop: "It's a bit different. There was a lot of groomed curls and chignons on the red carpet. Curls are a very wearable, loose look while the chignon is a very dressed look."

His hair assistant, Aimee Hughes-Martin, re-created Mariah Carey's curls and Amanda Seyfried's chignon on two local girls.

Amanda Seyfried's chignon

Amanda's look was created on Charlotte Crisp, 21, a student from Lenton. Like Amanda, Charlotte has got long blonde hair but she usually wears it down and quite scruffy with grips to create volume at the top or in a plait.

The chignon look is very different to her usual style but it really accentuates her eyes and is a simple look – perfect if you're wearing a statement dress.

Charlotte says: "I do like to have a lot of volume in my hair so I'm not used to wearing it so flat but if feels really secure and comfortable."

To create the look at home:

1. Put a simple ponytail in the nape of your neck.

2. Flatten and secure the top of your hair with hairspray.

3. Twist the ponytail and use grip to pin it into a simple bun. For a special twist, make sure you leave the end of the ponytail loose.

4. Secure the style with hair spray and finish with shine spray.

Mariah Carey's curls

Brunette Christine Lawrence, 20, a student from Forest Fields, had her hair styled like Mariah's.

Curls are a great look for either day or night as they can be dressed up or dressed down accordingly.

Christine's hair is naturally straight so Aimee had to create the curls using GHDs stylers and curling tongues.

Christine says: "I usually wear my hair down anyway but the curls make it look really nice and bouncy."

To create the look at home:

1. Separate the hair into small sections and curl each section using GHDs. Do this by starting at the top of the hair, do one twist and then pull the hair through – the slower you go the tighter the curl.

2. Define the curls and the front of your hair using curling tongues.

3. Spritz each curl with hair spray to ensure the style lasts all night.

Sutherland and Barnett, Fletcher Gate, Nottingham: 0115 950 7341.

Charlotte wears a Caitlin electric blue dress, £169, and Christine wears a Cecile frill-sleeve dress in black, £145, both from Reiss, Byard Lane, Nottingham.