Exclusive! Celebrity Stylist Gregory Patterson Tells You How To Get Olivia Munn’s Fabulous Hair

When you think of Olivia Munn you probably think of her on Your Friends and Neighbors or her comedian husband John Mulaney; but the first thing WE think of is her breathtaking hair. The 44-year-old actress has thick, wavy, chocolatey brown hair that always somehow looks picture-perfect.

As long-time admirers of her luscious locks, we spoke with celebrity stylist Gregory Patterson, who has styled the likes of Britney Spears and Anne Hathaway. He’s also the DIY Expert for Sally Beauty, so we picked his brain for tips on what to use at home. While the actual styling is up to you and/or your stylist, starting with the right, high-quality hair products will make anything you decide to do so much easier.

A modern twist on classic ombré with incredible richness and depth.

“I’d describe Olivia’s hair color as a double dip of chocolate yumminess! It’s a multi-tonal masterpiece, featuring a deep, dark chocolate base that seamlessly melts into warm milk chocolate ends — a modern twist on classic ombré with incredible richness and depth,” Patterson said.

How To Get Olivia Munn’s Hair Color With A Color Melt

To emulate Olivia Munn’s chocolatey hair color, Gregory suggests using a “color melt” technique. This melds two shades of brown for an ombré (shaded) effect.

1. You Want Dark Roots: To achieve her two-toned hair, Gregory recommends bringing your roots to a “level 3.” Start by applying Sally Hansen’s Bondbar 3NN at the roots, and pulling it down to the cheekbones.
2. And Lighter Ends: You’ll then apply Sally Hansen’s Bondbar 5NN where the darker shade ends. Blend them where they meet, to create a “melted” in between shade. Stretch it all the way down, for milk chocolate ends.

How To Achieve A Glass-Like Shine

“Olivia’s hair is all about that shine,” Gregory says. “That insane, almost glass-like reflection catches the light at every angle.”

1. Gloss it: Gregory swears by the ION Gloss Collection. Start with the shampoo and see how you like it — your hair will look so much healthier. “It’s a color-safe glossing regimen that helps seal in color and boost radiance from root to tip,” he explains.
2. Hold It: After glossing, Gregory likes to add a smidge of Volume Root Lift Spray at the roots. “It’s not so much for volume, but for grip and light hold to prep for hot tools,” he adds.
3. Protect It: Next, lather in FREEWILL Blowout Cream starting at the middle, all the way to the ends. This, he says, provides heat protection, sleekness, and control.
4. Polish It: Finish the style withION Gloss Serum for hydration and humidity protection. “This is key for keeping that polished wave intact all day,” he tells us.
5. Texture It: Finally, he adds Eva NYC Shapeshifter Flexible Hold Hairspray for a texturized hold.

Making S Waves Is All About Heat

“To get that effortless, lived-in wave with ultra-glossy shine, I’d actually use two heat tools,” Gregory says. “A flat iron followed by a large-barrel curling iron.”

1. Silky Smooth: Use an Ion One Stroke 1.5” Flat Iron with caution. It’s hot, and you don’t want to damage your hair — you’re simply looking to smooth things out. “It helps create that high-shine finish by smoothing the cuticle before any wave shaping,” Gregory says. “Just keep the heat low — you’re prepping, not frying!”
2. Building Waves: Then, you’ll go in with an Ion Titanium Pro Curling Iron to shape your waves. If it’s smaller than 1.5 inches, you can wrap larger sections or brunch your curls out afterwards. “The key is consistency: Wrap each section in the same direction to create that uniform S-wave,” he says. “After curling, let the hair cool completely before brushing out with a wet brush or wide-tooth comb. Pro tip: spritz your brush with flexible hairspray to tame static and help lock in the wave pattern.”