The Met Gala 2026 red carpet showcased a spectrum of hair trends, with industry experts highlighting the return of polished bobs, architectural updos, and the celebration of natural texture. Bruno Marc Giamattei of JOICO noted Sabrina Carpenter's elegant pin curl bob, featuring a 'c-curl' finish, as a blend of vintage glamour and modern styling. This look, he suggests, requires minimal effort beyond curling the ends inwards and securing with pins and spray.
Andy Heasman from RUSH Hair pointed to Cara Delevingne's sculpted bun as an example of sophisticated styling details. This look combined professionalism with a vintage feel through tucked hair and asymmetry, complemented by finger waves. Heasman commented that the style amplified Delevingne's facial features.
For men's styling, Simon Shaw highlighted Sombr's embraced natural curls, enhanced with matte pomade for volume and movement. Shaw predicts a rise in fluid, playful men's hairstyles in 2026, encouraging clients to use scrunching techniques to achieve loose curls.
Tracey Ann Smith of MOOD described Zoë Kravitz's half-up style, featuring a braided bun and curled ends, as timeless. Smith detailed a step-by-step approach involving heat defence spray, curling irons, salt spray for texture, and a specific bun construction technique.
Alysa Liu’s punk-rock-inspired halo hairstyle with bangs was praised by Suzie McGill of Rainbow Room International for its individuality. Brian ‘Leo’ McCallum of ROAR Hair & Beauty noted Kim Kardashian's shift to a warm golden blonde with a relaxed, centre-parted blowout, calling it a flattering choice that complemented her outfit.
Chris Grimley celebrated Adwoa Aboa's voluminous updo with intentionally flowing pieces, noting its relaxed yet refined appeal on textured hair. Alex Thaddeus of Alex Thaddeus Hairdressing admired Chase Infinity’s voluminous, defined curls with a two-toned effect, highlighting them as a complete statement on their own.
