Declaring It: The Red Carpet at the Critics Choice Awards Has Solidified the Leading Hair Trend of 2026

      Award season has officially begun with last night’s dazzling showcase of style, glamour, and unforgettable moments on the red carpet at the 31st Critics Choice Awards. (We will long remember Hacks’ Meg Stalter and Paul W. Downs’s memorable homage to Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet’s matching orange outfits from the New York City premiere of Marty Supreme.) Amidst the viral buzz, one emerging trend captured the attention of beauty-focused editors, prompting us to declare: Romantic, vintage hairstyles will dominate the red carpets in the months ahead. Whether due to the upcoming release of Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights or the general excitement for Valentine's Day, we can't overlook the nostalgic yet charming styles making a resurgence at the first major red carpet event of 2026. From breakout star Odessa A’zion’s lively '70s curls to Ariana Grande’s Regency-era updo, there’s a plethora of looks seemingly drawing inspiration from the past as the New Year begins. Check out some of the photos from our favorite moments below.

      Ariana Grande's Regency-Inspired Updo

      Ariana Grande at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards (Image credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association) Alongside Grande’s dark hair debut (a shade that celebrity hairstylist Naeemah Lafond previously indicated would trend this winter), we were captivated by the historical reference in the nominated star’s hairstyle. Perhaps Grande was inspired by a sneak preview of her Wicked: For Good co-star Jonathan Bailey’s fourth season of Bridgerton, as this look feels very much like Daphne’s style. Grande’s hairstylist Alyx Liu styled her freshly dyed hair—transitioned from Glinda blonde to a sophisticated Cat Valentine cinnamon by celebrity colorist Brandon Pietsch—into a romantic bun adorned with wispy bangs and flowing barrel curls.

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      24K Gold Professional 1.5-In. Extended Barrel Curling Iron

      This thick-barreled curling iron is one of the best we've tested, ideal for recreating the Wicked star's flowing spirals.

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      Pietsch referred to Grande's shade as a "rich brunette," but we love how it reads as reddish-brown on camera. Try this auburn dye for a similar effect at home.

      Odessa A'zion's '70s Stevie Nicks Curls

      Odessa A'zion at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards (Image credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images) Our editors quickly noted the Stevie Nicks inspiration in A'zion's voluminous hairstyle from last night. The I Love LA star paired a dazzling batwing dress with a full head of '70s-style curls, featuring a splash of textured bangs across her forehead. In a red carpet interview with Deadline, the Marty Supreme star addressed the speculation regarding her bouncy, long curls. "There’s a whole debate, ‘Is it a wig? Is it not?’ I guess we’ll never know," she joked. "The shocking thing is, it took me five hours to do my hair for the New York premiere [of Marty Supreme], and everyone thinks it's a wig."

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      After extensive testing, we determined this is the best mousse for curly hair—it’s lightweight, smooths frizz, and adds stunning A'zion-level shine.

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      Chosen as our favorite hair oil for all types, this versatile elixir is a must-have for achieving red carpet-worthy shine.

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      Outer Space Flexible Hairspray

      To maintain the bounce of your curls, lightly mist this flexible hairspray—the best formula we’ve ever tried—over your hair.

      Jessica Williams's '60s Half-Up, Half-Down Hair

      Jessica Williams at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards (Image credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Shrinking star Jessica Williams graced the 2026 Critics Choice Awards with a '60s-inspired half-up, half-down hairstyle by celebrity hairstylist SherriAnn Cole. Her dark locks were styled straight with gently curled ends, with the front section slicked back into a half-up style. Williams then secured a black ribbon over her hair tie to complement the satin bow on her custom Bora Aksu dress, styled by Sarah Slutsky Tooley. However, Williams wasn’t the only star sporting hair bows on the red carpet last night—The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping's Mckenna Grace also showcased a similar hairstyle, accented with Bardot-style curtain bangs and a lovely velvet bow.

      Mckenna Grace at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards (Image credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images