The Met Gala has long been the ultimate stage for fashion’s most theatrical moments, but in recent years, hair has become just as central to the conversation. At the 2026 Met Gala, guided by this year’s theme, “Fashion is Art”, the red carpet delivered a standout showcase of styling, texture and finish. From vintage-inspired shapes to effortless, undone looks and high-shine glamour, this year’s hair moments struck a balance between statement styling and wearable trends.
As always, the night offered plenty of inspiration for hair professionals, with a clear focus on individuality, movement and embracing natural texture. Below, industry experts share their favourite looks from the Met Gala 2026 and the key takeaways behind each style.
Sabrina Carpenter’s 20s-Inspired Hair at the Met Gala 2026
Bruno Marc Giamattei, JOICO Senior Creative Director, said:
“Sabrina Carpenter transported us back to the roaring twenties on the Met Gala carpet, swapping her signature long blonde hair for a shoulder-length pin curl bob. Merging both contemporary and vintage influences to create a look which exuded sheer elegance, Sabrina’s hair was paired with a dazzling flapper-inspired headpiece and custom Dior gown, channelling Old Hollywood glamour.
"For styling, Sabrina’s look incorporated one of this season’s hottest trends – the ‘c-curl’. As the name suggests, the ends curve inwards completely – mirroring the silhouette of the letter ‘C’. This exaggerated finish is a new approach to styling what is quite a simple cut; it’s elegant with an essence of drama. This look requires minimal styling, so I’d recommend curling the ends of the hair inwards with a pair of straighteners to create that dramatic upward turn, holding the look in place with lots of bobby pins and hairspray.”
Chase Infinity’s Effortless Curls at the Met Gala 2026
Alex Thaddeus, Stylist & Owner of Alex Thaddeus Hairdressing, said:
“For me, one of the real standouts of the night was Chase Infinity’s voluminous head of curls. The curls were perfectly defined, full of health and bounce, and cascaded down her back just beautifully, with the longest layers reaching her waist. What I also loved was the extra detail of the blonde at the ends of her hair, creating an almost halo-like effect. With curls this beautiful, that’s all the statement you need.”
Cara Delevingne’s Sculptural Bun at the Met Gala 2026
Andy Heasman, International Creative Director at RUSH Hair, said:
“Cara Delevingne’s elevated bun was so much more than your typical slick-back – it was a sculptural silhouette. The sophisticated essence of this look was all in the fine details, from the hair being tucked behind the ears, to the added touch of asymmetry with the deep side parting and the voluminous quiff. Cara’s look infused androgynous grunge with professionalism beautifully – however, the star of the show has to be the finger waves which cascaded down the side of her hair, adding that extra essence of sauvé to her look. Cara’s high cheekbones, strong jawline, and heart face shape shone with this stunning architectural look.”
Sombr’s Classic Curls at the Met Gala 2026
Simon Shaw, President of The Fellowship for British Hairdressing, and Global Artistic Director for Wahl, said:
“Sombr sported an effortless, almost undone look, fully embracing his hair’s natural curly texture. A huge trend in men’s grooming this year is low maintenance – styles that require minimal heat, whilst still injecting extra volume and ‘oomph’ into the hair. His long curls were enhanced with a matte styling pomade for added movement and definition, without looking too polished and allowing for some freedom in how the hair falls. It was all about sophistication and playfulness merging – it was a great look.”
Adwoa Aboa's Whimsical Updo at the Met Gala 2026
Chris Grimley, Textured Hair Specialist and Owner of Fusion Hair Co., said:
“Adwoa Aboa went for a windswept updo with lots of height and volume, which featured some escaping – but intentionally flowing – pieces of hair, bringing a bit of Wuthering Heights to the Red Carpet. I loved the relaxed yet refined appeal of the style, and it’s so refreshing to see textured hair styled in such a thoughtful way, but giving real impact. The relaxed appeal of the look brought a real softness, making the full look just so cohesive and considered.”
Kim Kardashian’s Blonde Beachy Blow-Out at the Met Gala 2026
Brian ‘Leo’ McCallum, Creative Director ROAR Hair & Beauty, said:
“Kim Kardashian never disappoints. She really does bring her A-game to the huge red-carpet events to get everyone talking – and her 2026 Met Gala appearance was no exception. She went for a tonal full impact, ditching her signature dark hair for a lighter bombshell blowout. The blonde was a very flattering, warm golden shade, and the blow-out had a more relaxed ‘lived-in’ vibe, styled in a centre part, which I thought was a great choice and worked well with her daring ensemble.”
Zoe Kravitz’s Boho Braided Bun at the Met Gala 2026
Tracey Ann Smith, Creative Director at MOOD, said:
“Zoë Kravitz’s look at this year’s Met Gala was timeless and beautiful. Alongside her very chic, black lace gown, she wore her hair in a half up style, with the top half of her hair in a high, delicately braided voluminous bun, with her remaining hair draped down her back with curled ends. The look had a very effortless finish, with pieces of hair being pulled out around her face to give the look softness.”
Alysa Liu’s Signature Halo Hair at the Met Gala 2026
Suzie McGill, International Artistic Director, Rainbow Room International, said:
“Alysa Liu hit the red carpet with a look that highlighted her signature ‘halo hair’. She opted for a half-up, half-down style with face-framing pieces and straight across bangs. The entire look had a bit of a punk rock vibe, which very much leaned into her own style, making it distinctly her own. It’s fantastic to see individuality celebrated like this on the red carpet.”
square.JPG)
