The 1 Hair Trend That Always Makes an Appearance on the Emmys Red Carpet

Slick.

It's the word Joey Tribbiani might have used to describe his dating style on Friends, or how you'd like to believe you handle hiding your ugly cry-face while watching This Is Us with a group of friends. But one thing you may not have noticed is that it's also the way nearly every TV star chooses to style their hair at least once for the Emmy Awards for as far back as we can remember.

To get a true sense of all the sleek, ultrachic hairstyles that have made an appearance on red carpets of yore, we're going back in time to all our favorite celebrity looks. From Halle Berry to Sarah Jessica Parker to Issa Rae, check out the smoothest trend below.

1988: Jane Seymour

When it comes to '80s hairstyles, this is about as slicked-back as it gets — and Jane Seymour knocked it out of the park with her 1988 Emmys look.

1996: Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Save for a few errant crimps — a huge trend in the late '90s — Julia Louis-Dreyfus's updo was as sleek and shiny as that Emmy award she's holding.

1998: Angelina Jolie

Ever the minimalist, Angelina Jolie stayed true to form on the Emmys red carpet with a simple chignon and cream-colored eye shadow.

1998: Halle Berry

If you can somehow manage to peel your eyes away from Halle Berry's bold lip, sparkly getup, and tiny sunglasses, you'll notice her sleek low bun is just as chic.

1998: Lisa Kudrow

These days you can't walk within 500 feet of your apartment without seeing at least one person with a bob, but it was Lisa Kudrow's pushed-back take on the cut that really deserves a comeback.

2000: Sarah Jessica Parker

Any fan of Sex and the City will tell you: SJP can do no wrong, and this sleek half-up style is nothing if not proof.

2001: Jessica Alba

The true way to let a bold smoky eye and dramatic lip sing, as demonstrated by Jessica Alba in 2001: keep your hair off the face.

2003: Eva Longoria

There is nothing desperate about Eva Longoria's half-up hairstyle during the 2003 Emmys.

2009: Blake Lively

Ever the queen of envy-inducing hairstyles, Blake Lively paired her snatched ponytail with impressive braids and won best in show.

2012: Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu's side ponytail was just as slick and shiny as her silver dress.

2015: Lizzy Caplan

Lizzy Caplan went gray with her eye shadow, black with her dress, and oxblood red with her nails — but it's the classic low chignon that will stand the test of time.

2016: Constance Wu