Reading trend signals through celebrity hair choices.
It seems like only yesterday we saw smooth, straightened locks and shipshape slicked-back hairstyles monopolizing red carpets nationwide. The Golden Globes 2026 showed a different picture. We definitely felt a certain appetite for exquisite texture, voluptuous shapes, and a pinch of vintage influence. Read on for the early clues to the upcoming hair trends.
Curvy hairstyles were the ultimate trend at the Golden Globes, and the preference ran across the board. It was seen in bobs that hugged the jawline, high-fashion updos, and waterfalls of waves.
Ayo Edebiri, Selena Gomez, and Ryan Destiny managed to make the classic bob a statement hairstyle. These variations had deep side parts, thick baselines, and sculpted waves with a rounded hem as their main features, with clear references to the 40s screen divas. Baroque bob wants body, and it wants drama, and it delivers both through curves.
Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Wunmi Mosaku wore their updos like pieces of art. Haute couture top knots, chunky dreadlocks, and braided figures all came out in dauntless sizes and striking shapes. The takeaway here is freedom. You can coordinate it with your look, reflect your mood, or even allow it to steal the show.
Jennifer Garner and Hailee Steinfeld proved that vintage allusions continue to spark fresh ideas. Garner’s shiny curls were reminiscent of the 90s supermodels with generous volume and a laid-back side flip that looked like it was straight from a hairspray commercial. Steinfeld went further back with waves inspired by the 30s, marked by a deep side part, controlled lines, and curled ends. Ask yourself which decade speaks to you and borrow selectively.
Laufey and Ariana Grande gave high ponytails a sculptural update. Their styles rose high at the crown, plunged down past the shoulders, and curled again at the ends. A ponytail is not flat or linear anymore. It bends and arcs and takes up space.
This year, it was all about texture. Stars favored touchable finishes over mirror-smooth surfaces and showed countless ways to make hair feel alive.
Jenna Ortega, Chase Infiniti, Lisa, and Justine Lupe all opted for soft and cloud-like volume. The lightness of the hair created a magical effect, sometimes intentionally clashing with the extravagant dresses and striking makeup, but in other instances resonating with the see-through fabrics and delicate colors. A shift in hair texture could make the whole look different.
Teyana Taylor’s pixie didn’t go unnoticed thanks to its sculpted detail and richness. Carved petals, thick volume, and a glossy, deep shade transformed a short cut into something ornate, almost regal. It showed that a pixie can be dramatic if shape and finish lead the way.
Emma Stone and Rhea Seehorn highlighted the beauty of the bob that moves. Natural bends, airy movement, and slight flips at the ends made their cuts look lived-in and natural. This type of bob can be styled with either a center part or a side part. You can easily imagine it being worn outside the red carpet, and that’s exactly the point.
The majority of the slicked-back hairstyles used to sidestep any face framing. However, this year, loose strands and soft bangs were seen in updos and low ponies, on straight hair and curls. Zuri Hall, Brittany Snow, Pamela Anderson, and Mona Kosar Abdi decided to bring back softness around the hairline. How much your face gets framed is entirely up to you.
If you, like many celebrities, are eager for a style change, drop these ideas in your notes. Heading to a formal event? Check these elegant vintage updos for more style inspiration.
Images via @teyanataylor, @arianagrande.
