Ever since eschewing her natural brunette colouring for a buttery blonde befitting of her role as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, actress Sarah Pidgeon hasn’t been able to shake off the connotations to the former Calvin Klein publicist. That was until she stepped out on the red carpet at the 2026 Met Gala in an ensemble that’s the furthest thing from CBK’s signature sense of ‘90s minimalism.
Making her debut appearance at the prestigious charity gala, the 29-year-old opted for a chartreuse two-piece set designed by Loewe. However, the departure from CBK’s decisively understated sartorial philosophy didn’t end with the daring hue; it continued into her beauty look, where she traded her iconic straight lengths for tousled, loose waves that certainly piqued interest.
Perhaps channelling the waves of Hyannis Port—an exclusive enclave in Massachusetts that plays home to the Kennedy Compound, where CBK and her husband, JFK Jr., would spend most of their summers—the hairstyle added dimension and movement to her otherwise slick set.
However, as a certified lazy girl myself, it was the effortlessly elegant feeling imbued in these beachy bends that I found the most profound. As revealed on Instagram by celebrity hairstylist Christian Wood, the look only required a few hair tools and a spritz of a solid shine spray that “cheats hair health while adding subtle separation and definition to the waves”.
In fact, with the weather warming and plans being made to spend the upcoming season escaping to some sun-kissed paradise, I would contend that this hairstyle is like a shortcut to achieving those balmy, blissful curls that only come after spending your day in salty water and holding an Aperol Spritz.
Still, as undone and carefree as it is, there’s still quite a bit of shape and hold in the strands, providing that “just came from the most expensive hair salon in the city” sensation that’s always so covetable. Both quietly luxurious and completely laissez-faire, keep scrolling through for your guide on recreating the look and a breakdown of the products you need.
How to Re-Create Sarah Pidgeon's 2026 Met Gala Hairstyle
Starting with damp roots, Wood first went in with the Kenra Root Lifting Spray before spritzing Pidgeon’s mid-lengths and ends with the Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray and finishing with a final coat of Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss from root to tip for “extra shine and softness.” (Kenra isn’t currently available in the UK, but there are plenty of incredible alternatives that will deliver a similar result, which I’ve shared below.)
Once the hair was prepped and primed, he then “sectioned the hair starting at the nape and blow-dried it section by section with a round brush to create a smooth, silky base for the waves,” as Wood explained on social media. “Once the hair was completely dry, I parted it down the middle using a tail comb.”
The next step was the most vital—creating the curves. Using a hair straightener, which is proof that even those with access to top-tier beauty products and tools aren’t above using something that simple and effective—he worked from the back of the neck to the front, creating an S-shaped wave as he went. To do this, you slowly curve the tool in a soft, undulating motion as you move it down the section, resulting in a subtle bend through the lengths.
Once Wood got to the front of the face, he switched over to a curling iron and repeated the same motion, noting that he bent the hair away from the face. After the hair had cooled for five minutes, he “sprayed a little Kenra Platinum Dry Texture Spray at the roots to add volume and a generous spray of Kenra Shine Spray through the mid-lengths and ends”. The shine spray “really helps cheat hair health while adding subtle separation and definition to the waves”, he noted.
As for the finishing touches, he “brushed out the waves with a wide-tooth comb and sprayed a toothbrush with Kenra Fast-Dry Hairspray to remove any flyaways”. To lock everything in and add an extra glossy touch, he “warmed a few drops of Kenra Luxe Shine Oil in my hands and gently rubbed it over the ends of the hair to add shine and give a subtle, broken-up texture.” Effective and architectural without being overly fussy, this look will be my go-to this summer.
Shop the Products:
You'll find this spray in many hairstylists' kits. Resistant against frizz, humidity and moisture, this product will keep your hair glossy and smooth.
Though not quite a dry shampoo, this texturising spray also deodorises and absorbs excess oil at the root whilst also providing lift and volume.
Set it and forget it with this science-backed hairspray from Living Proof.
With a flexible finish, this product will leave your hair feeling thick and full, rather than stiff and crunchy.
When it comes to hair tools, Dyson really is another league, as this cord-free, damage-reducing and time-saving straightener proves.
Keep your styled hair healthy with this bonding oil from Olaplex.