Rarely does a single hairstyle capture the multitudes one person contains—especially an entertainer as versatile as Kerry Washington. We all know that she can do serious (hello, Scandal), but she can also let loose and have fun (both personally and professionally). And while she expresses herself with lots of different types of hairstyles, the one she wore to the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards on Tuesday night really encapsulates her many lovely levels with a combination of sleek and sassy.

Washington attended the star-studded event in a fabulous, swishy, gold-paillette Burberry halter dress. The knee-length style was backless, but you actually couldn't see most of her back because of her incredible hair.

Stylist Kim Kimble slicked Washington's hair into a perfectly smooth, middle-parted base with nary a tendril or baby hair in sight. But the sleekness stops at the base of the ponytail, which explodes into voluminous, brushed-out curls. The rounded shape reaches well beyond her back, and arcs down all the way past her waist, creating a look that's reminiscent of the disco era—especially in that flashy frock.