Alysa Liu’s “Soft Undone French Knot” Radiates as Much Joy as She Does

When you’re a great athlete (and I mean really, really great) your skills have a way of showing up in everything you do. This is especially nice if you’re a skater or dancer. Elegance and dynamism—a true case of joie de vivre, if we’re talking about Alysa Liu—are regular states of being.

“Alysa consistently radiates a vibrant, joyful energy that permeates everything she does. Whether she is on or off the ice, her genuine passion and enthusiasm are unmistakable,” shares celebrity hairstylist Anh Co Tran, who worked with Liu for her ESPY Awards appearance on Wednesday, July 15. “Just before the red carpet, she expressed how thrilled she was to be part of the event. There’s always so much genuine joy! Working with her is always a pleasure, as she approaches every moment with such deep gratitude and infectious joy.”

Ahead, the artist tells us all about the Olympian-worthy “Soft Undone French Knot” he designed for the night—and how you can get the look yourself.

About Alysa Liu’s “Soft Undone French Knot”

For the event, Liu wore a ‘90s-inspired Louis Vuitton halter dress in a rich, dark chocolate brown shade. Her famous striped hair was worked into an elegant, piece-y updo while her curtain bangs were left down alongside some softly waved face framing.

Naturally, the dress offered some major inspiration for the rest of the look.

“This striking color beautifully complemented her complexion and matched the root of her hair,” Tran tells Byrdie. “To coordinate with the gown’s soft, structurally draped silhouette and low back, we styled her hair into a soft, undone updo. This gentle texture offers incredible flexibility, allowing the bangs to be easily worn parted in the middle or swept to the side. By softening the hair, we balanced the entire look harmoniously, creating what we call a ‘Soft Undone French Knot.’”

How It Happened

Tran says the key to achieving Liu’s look was the L’Oreal Professionnel AirLight Pro hair dryer.

“It created a smooth, sleek and polished base to the overall hairstyle, creating the perfect foundation for the Soft Undone French Knot that she hit the carpet with,” he explains. “Finishing the look with a texturizing spray also helped to lock in the style while leaving movement, ensuring her hair still had red-carpet worthy bounce and texture.” 

It was a stormy night, so before the athlete hit the red carpet Tran had to make sure everything was perfectly in place.

“To ensure a long-lasting look, particularly since we were dealing with rain and thunder, it was crucial to factor the weather conditions into the styling,” he adds. “My final step before sending anyone out the door is always providing the hair with proper hydration and hold. To lock everything in, I used a styling cream and Mibon’s Hairspray #7. It’s important to use a flexible yet strong hold.”

Related Stories

Mia Calabrese's Summer Essentials Include Glossy Curls, Good Vibes, And Lots of SPF

Cool Down (But Heat up Your Look) With These 24 Summer Updo Ideas

Get the Look

If you’re looking to copy the look at home, Tran’s top tip is to start by applying texturizing spray all over for a little grit.

“Next, tilt your head forward, finger-comb your hair upward, and gather it into a high ponytail,” he adds—though if you have bangs or face-framing pieces you’re going to want to leave them out.

Once that’s taken care of, secure the ponytail with a strong hair tie before going in with the curling iron of your choice and adding “randomized waves” where you see fit.

“From there, gently tease select sections and pin them to create an effortless, randomized knot,” the expert adds. “Finally, use the same curling iron to put some soft waves into the front pieces. You’ll have your own interpretation of a Soft Undone French Knot.”

A delightful thing to have! Even if you don’t have a Breakthrough Athlete award trophy to go along with it.