The Red Carpet Report: The Beauty Trends of Award Season That Will Shape 2026

      If you wore a trendy gray smoky eye over the past year, you can credit Doechii's glam look at the 2025 Grammys for starting that trend. If you got a haircut last year and had a moment of uncertainty at the salon ("Should I… get baby bangs?"), it's likely due to the captivating red carpet styles of Ariana Grande or Zoë Kravitz influencing your thoughts. Even if it's not always apparent, award season significantly impacts our beauty preferences. While some see this four-month period as a showcase for great achievements in film, television, and music, fashion and beauty fans treat it like the ultimate style competition, providing a roadmap for upcoming trends.

      This year's array of looks is no exception, captivating audiences in both fashion and beauty realms. There’s no doubt that award season is full of inspiration, but duplicating the glamorous styles of celebrities tends to be more achievable than recreating their extravagant outfits. While I might not wear a custom Swarovski gown like Amelia Gray Hamlin (one can dream), I can certainly emulate her radiant look with the right highlighter and a sweep of soft lilac shadow before it becomes a staple in spring makeup.

      Before we dive deeper into award season, I present to you Who What Wear's first Red Carpet Report: a comprehensive guide to the top A-list beauty trends from the 2026 award circuit. Below, I’ll compare various red carpets and identify the trends likely to dominate in the coming months, along with artist tips for recreating each look and the specific products used on well-known figures. Familiarize yourself with these trends—they’ll be everywhere sooner than you think.

      **Mermaid-Length Hair**

      Bobs are still in style, but the trend is shifting toward long, mermaid-like hair. Think of waist-length locks like those sported by Zara Larsson—who looked like a real mermaid in her midriff-baring yellow two-piece—Halle Bailey, and Daniela Avanzini of Katseye at the Grammys, as well as Tessa Thompson, Blackpink's Lisa, and Chase Infiniti at the Golden Globes. Celebrity hairstylist Malcolm Marquez, who styled the Katseye members at the Grammys, notes that the trend’s effortless appeal is refreshing and complements the romantic and ethereal looks we've been seeing on the red carpet. Hairstylist John Novotny, who worked on Larsson's hair at the Grammys, agrees and remarks that we can expect to see many long hairstyles that allow for dramatic movement throughout 2026, proclaiming it "the year of the horse."

      Long hair perpetually remains fashionable ("hair that moves will never go out of style," Novotny states), and Marquez anticipates an increase in mermaid-like hair during the spring and summer months. This makes sense, as that breezy "just got back from the beach" look practically embodies a sun goddess vibe, and compared to many red carpet styles, this one is easier to achieve. All you need is a hair waver or crimping iron, along with generous amounts of texturizing spray for those tousled waves, and possibly clip-in extensions if your hair is shorter or if you're fully committed to the mermaid vibe. If your hair is naturally curly, simply embrace your natural texture using curl-defining cream, mousse, or gel before air-drying or diffusing. Marquez also suggests braiding damp hair to create heatless waves, making sure the braids are loose to prevent any noticeable marks.

      For those willing to use heat tools, "rough-dry hair in its natural direction with a volumizing spray at the roots or a mousse to boost volume. We utilized OGX at the Grammys," says Novotny. Once the hair is dry, you can create those exaggerated waves with your crimper. "If necessary, I re-go over sections using that same tool or a smaller curling wand, but in the reverse direction to disrupt the wave pattern," Novotny advises. "This will conceal any iron marks, resulting in a look reminiscent of beachy, wind-swept waves." Finish with a generous spritz of oil mist for a glossy shine and secure any shorter face-framing layers in place with hair spray.

      **Low and Loose Knots**

      "There’s a real transformation taking place," states celebrity hairstylist Evanie Frausto. "After a long period of sharply styled hair, there's a yearning for something more romantic and relatable." Enter the low, tousled knot—perhaps the most adored hairstyle across red carpets. Whether it’s an undone twist like those of Sabrina Carpenter, Jenna Ortega, and Miley Cyrus or a relaxed ponytail like Brittany Snow and Sarah Pidgeon, this look is soft, romantic, and intentionally casual, quickly overtaking polished slicked-back styles.

      "We are moving away from strictness. The slicked-back look had its time because it conveyed strength and control, but now there's