Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation.

Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation.

      Since swapping her natural brunette shade for a buttery blonde to portray Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, actress Sarah Pidgeon has struggled to shake off associations with the former Calvin Klein publicist. This changed, however, when she made her entrance on the red carpet at the 2026 Met Gala, sporting an outfit that strayed far from CBK’s hallmark ‘90s minimalism. Making her debut at the famed charity event, the 29-year-old chose a chartreuse two-piece designed by Loewe. Yet, her departure from CBK's defined understated fashion not only embraced a bold color but also extended to her hairstyle, as she replaced her iconic straight locks with tousled, loose waves that certainly captured attention.

      Perhaps drawing inspiration from the waves of Hyannis Port—an upscale area in Massachusetts known for the Kennedy Compound, where CBK and her husband, JFK Jr., spent their summers—the tousled style added texture and movement to her typically sleek look. As a self-professed lazy girl, I found the effortlessly chic vibe of these beachy waves particularly striking. As celebrity hairstylist Christian Wood shared on Instagram, achieving this look required just a few hair tools and a spritz of a shine spray that “fakes healthy hair while offering subtle separation and definition to the waves.”

      With warmer weather approaching and plans to bask in sunny getaways, I would argue that this hairstyle offers a shortcut to achieving those relaxed, dreamy curls that one typically receives after a day at the beach and a drink in hand. Though it looks carefree and natural, there remains ample shape and hold in the strands, exuding that coveted “just left the most expensive salon in town” vibe. Both elegantly luxurious and completely laid-back, keep scrolling for guidance on how to recreate this look, along with the necessary products.

      **How to Recreate Sarah Pidgeon's 2026 Met Gala Hairstyle**

      Beginning with damp roots, Wood applied Kenra Root Lifting Spray and then misted Pidgeon’s mid-lengths and ends with Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray, finishing with a coat of Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss from root to tip for “extra shine and softness.” (Though Kenra isn’t available in the UK, there are plenty of fantastic alternatives that can deliver similar results, which I’ve included below.) Once the hair was prepped, he sectioned it from the nape and blow-dried each section with a round brush to create a smooth, silky base for the waves, per Wood's explanation on social media. “Once the hair was fully dry, I parted it down the middle using a tail comb.”

      The next and crucial step was crafting the waves. Using a hair straightener—showing that even those with top-of-the-line beauty tools rely on the basics—he worked from the back to the front, creating S-shaped waves. This was done by gently curving the tool in a soft, flowing motion as it moved down each section, resulting in subtle bends. When reaching the front of the hair, he switched to a curling iron and repeated the motion, ensuring to curl the hair away from the face. After letting the hair cool for five minutes, he added a little Kenra Platinum Dry Texture Spray at the roots for volume and a generous mist of Kenra Shine Spray through the mid-lengths and ends. He noted that the shine spray “effectively enhances hair health while providing subtle separation and definition to the waves.”

      For the finishing touches, he “brushed out the waves with a wide-tooth comb and used a toothbrush sprayed with Kenra Fast-Dry Hairspray to tame any flyaways.” To set everything and add an extra glossy finish, he “warmed a few drops of Kenra Luxe Shine Oil in my hands and gently applied it to the ends of the hair for added shine and a soft, textured finish.” This look is effective and structured without being overly complicated, making it my go-to style this summer.

      **Shop the Products:**

      - **Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray**: A staple in many hairstylists’ kits, this spray resists frizz, humidity, and moisture, keeping hair glossy and smooth.

      - **Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray**: While not a dry shampoo, this texturizing spray deodorizes and absorbs excess oil at the roots while adding lift and volume.

      - **Living Proof Exclusive Style Lab Flex Hair Spray**: This science-based hairspray allows you to set your style and forget about it.

      - **Redken Root Lifter Volumising Mousse Spray**: With a flexible finish, this mousse leaves hair feeling thick and full, not stiff or crunchy.

      - **Dyson Corrale™ Straightener**: Dyson's straightener is in a league of its own, being cord-free, damage-reducing, and time-saving.

      - **Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Frizz Reduction and Heat

Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation. Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation. Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation. Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation. Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation. Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation. Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation. Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation. Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation. Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation.

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Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation.

Silent luxury, who?