A night at the Oscars is often defined by a rigid standard of “perfection,” but for Black women, that standard frequently acts as a creative cage. When actress Chase Infiniti arrived at the Academy Awards sporting boho knotless braids, the look was a masterclass in modern elegance. However, the cultural disconnect was present when a commentator labeled the style as “undone.” While dismissals as these are often, they’re also frustrating. However, celebrity hairstylist Coree Moreno views the moment not as a setback, but as a necessary disruption of the Hollywood status quo.
The commentary served as a catalyst for a deeper dialogue regarding the limitations placed on Black expression in luxury spaces. “The commentary I of course didn’t like, but it provoked a conversation around how we are still limited as Black people when it comes to how we want to show up,” Moreno tells GU. His work with Infiniti throughout the awards season has been a consistent celebration of her natural texture, including the sophisticated braided curly updo she recently wore to the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood awards. For the Oscars, the goal was to stay true to that “natural style” while educating a global audience. “I think my work with Chase exudes youth and freshness and I wanted to convey an easy breezy effortless vibe without having to silk-press and add hair that wasn’t a perfect match,” he says. “Every Black woman knows exactly what this style is and it’s probably the most desired braid style for the past three years.”
The collaboration was a deliberate move to challenge the lack of representation for tightly coiled hair on the red carpet. “It was a collaboration between her and I and a deliberate decision to show exactly who she is, a biracial woman with tightly coiled hair and it’s a reference we don’t often get to see especially at her age and especially in Hollywood,” Moreno notes. He views these high-profile appearances as a way to provide much-needed inspiration for others. “We basically take every photo op and red carpet as an opportunity to add to someone’s Pinterest board.”
To achieve this “effortless” look, Moreno relies on an intuitive process that rejects the stiff, uniform appearance of traditional installs. “The key is to be more organic with boho placement,” he shares. “I often see boho styles extremely strategic, same number of boho strands on each braid, often one solid color and I do the exact opposite. 2 to 3 colors are often used to highlight the texture and depending on where I’m at in the head placement becomes very intuitive and less structured.” He also warns against the over-use of products, noting that “minimal product” is essential because “all the handling gel sets you up for a stiff style.”
Moreno’s philosophy is a direct response to what he describes as a “state of emergency” in modern salon culture, where “instant gratifying installs” like quick weaves often compromise long-term hair health. “I think the mindset of most women is to always be perfectly kept but in reality they’ve positioned themselves horribly, robbing themselves of options and having a natural texture to go back to,” he warns. While he appreciates the aesthetic of a blowout, he prioritizes the longevity of the hair. “My methods have integrity with the forward mindset of curl retention and not doing a style that will set someone back.”
Ultimately, the dismissive “undone” label reflects a lack of cultural literacy rather than a lack of polish. By refusing to conform to a silk-pressed standard, Moreno and Infiniti are proving that authenticity is the highest form of luxury.