The Red Carpet Report: All the Award-Season Beauty Trends Set to Define 2026

If you donned a cool gray smoky eye within the last 12 months, you can thank Doechii's 2025 Grammys glam for spearheading the charge. If you booked a haircut last year and experienced a brief identity crisis at the wash bowl ("Should I… get baby bangs?"), it's likely that Ariana Grande's or Zoë Kravitz's major red carpet appearances swayed your subconscious. It may not always be obvious, but award season has an iron grip on our beauty choices. For some, the approximately four-month blip simply spotlights the best in film, television, and music. For fashion and beauty enthusiasts? It's the style Olympics and a blueprint for all the trends that will trickle down.

This year's stunning crop of looks is no different, immediately dropping jaws in both the fashion and beauty departments. Inspiration abounds this award season—no doubt about that—but re-creating the celeb-level glam tends to be a tad more practical than said spectacular fashion moments. You see, I may not wear a custom Swarovski gown à la Amelia Gray Hamlin (a girl can dream), but I can surely replicate her equally shimmering glam with the right highlighter and swipe of pretty lilac shadow before it dominates the spring makeup space.

Just before we reach the pinnacle of award season, I present to you Who What Wear's inaugural Red Carpet Report: your one-stop destination for all the A-list beauty trends across the 2026 award circuit. Below, I'm cross-referencing carpets and highlighting the patterns poised to dominate the rest of the year along with artist tips for re-creating each look and the exact products used on all the household names. Go ahead and get acquainted. You'll be seeing these trends take shape sooner than you think.

Mermaid-Level Lengths

Bobs certainly aren't going anywhere, but the pendulum is starting to swing toward extra-long, mermaid-like strands. Consider the waist-skimming tresses of Zara Larsson—who resembled a real-life mermaid with her midriff-baring yellow two-piece—Halle Bailey, and Daniela Avanzini of Katseye at the Grammys and Tessa Thompson, Blackpink's Lisa, and Chase Infiniti at the Golden Globes.

"I think there's an effortlessness to the mermaid hair that is refreshing to see. I think it's also complementary to the romantic, almost ethereal looks we've been seeing on the carpet," celebrity hairstylist Malcolm Marquez, who worked with members of Katseye for the Grammys, says of the long-hair trend. John Novotny, the celebrity stylist responsible for Larsson's Grammys tresses, agrees and adds that we'll see plenty of extra-long manes that can "whip around" for the rest of 2026. After all, "it's the year of the horse," they declare.

While long, long hair never truly falls out of favor ("hair that moves will never go out of style," Novotny quips), Marquez does predict an uptick in mermaid hair during spring and summer. (Another indication? Lola Tung's waterfall lengths on the cover of our Spring Issue.) It makes sense: That effortless, "just left the beach" look practically screams sun goddess, and as far as red carpet looks go, this one is relatively low-lift. All you'll need is a hair waver or crimping iron and loads of texturizing spray to achieve those tousled bends, plus some clip-in hair extensions if you have naturally shorter strands or just really want to commit to the mermaid look. Of course, if you have a curlier hair texture already, you can simply lean into your natural pattern with a curl-defining cream, mousse, or gel before air-drying or diffusing. Marquez also recommends tying your hair in a few braids while it's damp to encourage a heatless wave. Just keep them loose to avoid any noticeable dents.

If you're game for a little heat styling, "rough-dry the hair in the direction it's naturally falling [with] a bit of thickening spray at the root or a root-lifting mousse to add volume. We used OGX at the Grammys," Novotny explains. Once the hair is dry, you can add those exaggerated waves with your crimper. "If needed, I go back over the sections with the same tool or a smaller curling iron/wand but in the opposite direction to break up the wave pattern," Novotny suggests. "It'll hide any iron marks and look like a wave created by the wind and salty air!" Finish with a generous spritz of oil mist for a liquid-like shine, and set any shorter, face-framing layers with hair spray.

Low and Loose Knots

"There's a real shift happening," declares celebrity hairstylist Evanie Frausto. "After years of ultra-snatched, sculpted hair, people are craving something that feels romantic and human again." Enter the low, tousled knot—arguably the most beloved hair trend across red carpet events. Be it an undone twist like Sabrina Carpenter, Jenna Ortega, and Miley Cyrus or a loose ponytail like Brittany Snow and Sarah Pidgeon, the style is soft, romantic, and intentionally piecey, and it's quickly becoming the go-to elevated updo over, dare I say, polished slick-backs.

"We're moving away from perfection. The slick-back had its moment because it felt strong and controlled, but now, there's a desire for softness and personality," Frausto agrees. The undone nature of a low, loose knot juxtaposes the strong, dramatic silhouette of a gown, which is exactly what makes it work. According to Frausto, who coiffed Carpenter's unrestricted updo at the Grammys, that balance makes the overall look feel at once effortless and modern. "Sometimes, restraint is more powerful than volume," he adds. Even if you aren't clad in couture, a low-slung twist can provide a soft contrast to a tailored coat or elegant slip dress. It's very Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, so it should be no surprise that Pidgeon, who portrays the style icon in FX's Love Story, opted into the trend.

Just like the mermaid-level tresses mentioned above, a low knot is incredibly versatile, suiting every hair length, density, and curl pattern. Frausto says you can even customize the looseness to flatter your specific bone structure. "It's elevated but attainable, which makes it wearable beyond the red carpet," he shares. To achieve the effortless style, you'll want to amp up your hair's texture (feel free to add extra bends with a one-inch iron, Frausto says) and spritz on a light texturizing mist to add grip without losing softness before gathering your hair at the nape of the neck. "Slightly off-center feels modern," Frausto advises. If you're opting for a disheveled knot, twist the strands loosely and pin the shape organically. "Don't overthink it. Let pieces fall," Frausto adds. For a straightforward pony, secure the strands with a simple elastic, and let the face-framing pieces come free as they please. With both styles, you can gently pull at the crown to create an extra-soft halo. According to Frausto, "this step makes it feel expensive."

To ensure the style appears effortless as opposed to unkempt, make sure you adhere to a "less is more" styling philosophy. "The difference between messy and intentional is restraint. Stop styling before it feels 'perfect.' The beauty of this look is that it feels lived-in," Frausto shares. Of course, your outfit can also do a lot of the heavy lifting. Paired with sleek, sophisticated workwear or black-tie gown, a low, tousled 'do feels more like a choice.

Soft Purple Shadow

Forget about a striking slash of eyeliner (unless you're Teyana Taylor, who served beat after beat of bold, stunning wings). A majority of makeup looks during award season leaned into all things ethereal, namely a soft haze of lavender on the lids. We saw plenty of purple on the carpet—from Leighton Meester's lilac Carolina Herrera dress at the Critics Choice Awards to Laufey's Miu Miu Grammys ensemble to Emma Stone's internet-dividing Louis Vuitton cardigan at the Actor Awards—but even when stars didn't fully commit to violet, multiple A-listers cosigned the color trend with a pastel eye look.

Consider Quinta Brunson, who paired her lush '70s waves with a wash of purple shadow at the Critics Choice Awards, or Hamlin, who wore a fairy-dusted eye to complement her glistening custom Swarovski dress. (Lavender is one of Hamlin's favorite colors, celebrity makeup artist Sam Visser shared in a post-Globes release, so it set the direction for her luminous, liquid-like glam.) Of course, we must not forget the mermaid-esque Laufey, who matched her aforementioned Miu Miu gown with layers of shimmery lilac shadow courtesy of iconic makeup artist Nina Park.

The key to making purple eye shadow look ethereal? Keep the color focused on the center of your lid, then softly blend toward the inner and outer corners for a diffused, watercolor effect. Go slow with your layers. Adding another light wash of pigment is far easier than chipping away at an opaque coat. To amp up the dreaminess even further, apply a dusting of chrome highlighter on top of the purple base. Bonus points if your luminizer boasts hints of lavender too.

Nail Jewelry

Classic, neutral nails are a red carpet mainstay (lest your tips compete with your jaw-dropping dress, right?), but this award season, I saw an uptick in what I'm officially calling "neutral nails 2.0." This is luxe nude polish with bejeweled accents—nail jewelry, if you will. Poster children include Olivia Dean, who donned a custom shade of pink speckled with rhinestones; Katseye's Megan Skiendiel, who sported inky polish with a halo of crystals along her cuticles; Blackpink's Rosé, who opted for a 14-karat gold nail piercing dangling from her ring finger; and Laufey, who wore a barely-there lacquer with equally delicate gemstone embellishments. Even Larsson's yellow "junk nails," which aren't minimalist by any means, do technically fall under the nail-jewelry category thanks to those encrusted beads. Jewelry, after all, can be dainty, sculptural, kitschy, or something in between, depending on your accessories preferences. Still, each celeb look requires zero painted nail art—just a simple coat of polish with those 3D elements.

According to Yoko Sakakura, the celebrity nail artist responsible for Laufey's "hint of crystal" tips, a little nail jewelry is perfect for those looking for an extra punch of glamour without overpowering the entire look. "I think [nail] jewelry can be popular this year to upscale the clean, minimalistic trend," she tells me. "Because it was the Grammys, [Laufey] wanted a little more than chic nude-pink nails, so I suggested an idea of adding tiny clear crystals, which matched her Miu Miu dress, and she loved it." Since the red carpet, Sakakura herself has even gravitated toward small crystals and pearls for her own nail looks, adding just a little sparkle to catch the eye.

Voluminous Side Parts

For those hoping to dial up the glam factor, might I suggest a full, fluffy side part? It immediately gives off Old Hollywood elegance, but this year, I've seen multiple iterations that transcend decades, from Ayo Edebiri's 1930s bob complete with a subtle kiss curl to Parker Posey's fluffy '60s crop to Olivia Dean's sky-high '80s tresses, which are somewhat of a red carpet signature for the Grammy winner. "What makes the looks so wearable is its balance of simplicity and elegance. It complements the most minimalist and extravagant looks in a really chic way and goes from day to night really seamlessly," shares celebrity hairstylist Rachel Polycarpe, who perfected Dean's Grammys 'do. "It also works for any hair type. Whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or coily, adjusting the part and adding root lift enhances what's already there."

Andrew Fitzsimons—tress master behind Hailee Steinfeld's retro waves at the Golden Globes—agrees, praising the style's versatility across face shapes and curl patterns. "We are seeing this go-to, classic hairstyle in a range of different versions that embrace different hair textures as opposed to conforming to one hair type," he says. In short, this retro silhouette is adaptable, universally flattering, and looking a lot more interesting in 2026.

If you thought getting the look merely takes a dramatic hair flip, think again. "The magic of the voluminous side part isn't just volume—it's balance," Polycarpe shares. "Lift at the root, softness through the ends, and movement throughout." Start with a clean and light base with a root-lifting mousse at the crown or anti-humidity styling balm depending on your hair type ("Voluminous styles are built before the blow-dry," Polycarpe advises), then section your hair into that deep side part using the arch of your brow as a guide. When blow-drying, direct the hair up and back rather than flat to the scalp, and for maximum height, Polycarpe suggests overdirecting the top section slightly away from the part. If you're going for extra waves, follow up with a curling iron, pinning each section immediately and spraying with strong-hold hair spray.

Once the hair has cooled, comb out the curls with a boar-bristle brush to achieve extra-fluffy volume. A final pro tip: Add a bit of dry shampoo at the root just underneath the top layer of hair (never on the surface, Polycarpe warns) to create a lived-in, softly teased effect. Spray a bit of shine spray on the mid-lengths and ends and you're golden.

Icy Inner Corners

It's no secret that retro-futuristic, Y2K makeup is back with some chic 2026 upgrades, but for those who can't commit to a full-on frosty lid, do like the celeb set and add just a pop to the inner corners. Whether you opt for a softer statement à la Infiniti, Carpenter, Tyla, or Katseye's Sophia Laforteza or add a metallic accent like FKA Twigs and Chappell Roan, the tiny reflective element gives your entire look an ethereal quality that feels nostalgic yet refined.

"Overall, we're seeing makeup lean more natural, effortless, and diffused. Everything feels softer and more blended right now," shares celebrity makeup artist Jimmy Stam—the mastermind behind Tyla's bronzy Grammys glam, a marriage of warm tones punctuated by a pearly highlight at the inner corners. "Inner-corner highlights will always be a staple, but we're definitely seeing more icy, frosted textures in varying intensities." He adds that a statement highlight is a great technique to define the eye without relying on a heavy contour. "Against an otherwise natural, skin-like makeup look, a frosty finish adds a reflective element that catches the light beautifully on camera and gives the look a current edge," he explains. The sentiment definitely rings true when it comes to FKA Twigs, who paired a very minimal base with twinkling eyeliner on her inner waterline. It's a "blink and you'll miss it" accent that surprisingly offers a ton of spunk.

According to Stam, a frosty inner-corner highlight is actually very easy to achieve. Keep the lid rather bare by applying a matte or satin shade close to your skin tone ("even your bronzer works," Stam says), blending softly in the crease and outer corner for some subtle structure. Next, apply your highlight. "I personally like creating a small 'V' shape extending slightly onto the upper and lower inner lash line. It elongates the eye and gives a subtle cat-eye effect," he explains. "For a softer look, just tap the highlight directly into the tear duct area for a wash of light."

Bixies

Craving a shorter chop but don't want to commit to a full-on pixie? Allow the trophy holders to convince you of a bixie, the hybrid style quickling dominating the red carpet scene. What in the world is a bixie, you ask? Imagine the short, choppy layers quintessential of a textured pixie paired with longer pieces that kiss the nape of the neck, like a micro bob. Lo and behold, you've got yourself a bixie.

Taylor and Jessie Buckley are arguably its patron saints, rolling up to red carpet events with breathtaking versions that feature curved bangs, flicked ends, and airy, wispy pieces. Gracie Abrams and Brunson also recently hopped on the bandwagon—Abrams with a chic, side-parted crop at the BAFTAs and Brunson with a sleek, sculptural iteration accented by a kiss curl at the Actor Awards—proving that this short haircut is here to stay all spring. In fact, celebrity hairstylist Nikki Nelms, who worked with Taylor throughout award season, expects a surge of bixies through the summer, as shorter cuts practically explode in popularity during the warmer months. "It's a great style to have if you want to confidently grow out your pixie and not feel insecure about having that awkward grow-out stage," she adds. "Since it's already a cool style, the grow-out will appear to be intentional."

To expertly prep such a chop, you'll definitely want some sort of styling paste or gel in your arsenal. Celebrity hairstylist Bryce Scarlett used a mattifying texture paste for Buckley's elegant Golden Globes bixie, while Nelms considers a touchable gel "the real winner" for Taylor's shiny and slick Grammys flip. "For a short style, it's all about shine and hold," she tells me, adding that she used a cocktail of gel and hair spray to smooth and mold the strands one layer at a time. A flat iron may also be helpful for flicking ends or curving bangs to perfection, or better yet, seek out a mini version that's perfect for shorter lengths and on-the-go touch-ups.