The 2026 Oscars once again proved that the red carpet is just as much about beauty and style as it is about celebrating the year’s biggest achievements in film. While the gowns and suits always capture attention, celebrities' hairstyles often become the true trendsetters for the months ahead.
Many stars chose timeless styles with a contemporary twist, showing that classic Hollywood inspiration never goes out of fashion. Smooth buns, polished ponytails, and glossy straight styles highlighted natural shine and healthy hair, while textured curls and romantic waves added softness and movement to the overall styles.
Short hairstyles also had a strong presence on the carpet, proving that chic pixie cuts and sculpted bobs can be just as dramatic and eye-catching as long, flowing locks.
In this article, we take a closer look at some of the most memorable hairstyles from the 2026 Oscars. These standout looks not only captured the spirit of the evening but also offer plenty of inspiration for anyone looking to refresh their own style. Whether you prefer elegant simplicity or bold red-carpet glamour, these hairstyles showcase the creativity and versatility that make awards-season beauty so exciting.
Short Hairstyles
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts rocked this amazing short hairstyle, an ideal option for those who want to test the waters with bob haircuts. A bob hairstyle, styled with one side tucked neatly behind the ear and the ends gently blown and waved to curl just below the jawline, offers a polished, elegant finish. Tucking one side behind the ear helps open up the face, drawing attention to the eyes, cheekbones, and jawline while adding a touch of effortless sophistication. It also creates a subtle asymmetrical effect that makes the style feel modern and stylish.
The slightly curved-under ends give the bob a soft, rounded shape that looks smooth and well-structured. This blow-wave technique helps the hair appear fuller and more controlled, preventing the ends from looking flat. Sitting just below the jawline, this style frames the face beautifully and works especially well for oval, heart, and square face shapes.
Emma Chamberlain
Emma showcased a great pixie cut that has layers in all the right places! Her hair has been cropped close to her forehead, emphasizing her facial features. The tapered sides give this pixie cut a clean, modern look while still allowing her hair to retain some texture.
The top of this cut has been styled to add volume, giving it an edgy vibe. This pixie cut is ideal for those with oval, round, square, and heart-shaped faces.
Medium Length Hairstyles
Monica Lewinsky
Monica looked absolutely gorgeous with this simple yet elegant medium-length hairstyle, casual yet stunning on the red carpet. A shoulder-length hairstyle, parted down the middle, with subtle waves at the ends, offers a perfect balance between elegance and effortless style. The middle parting creates symmetry, helping to frame the face evenly and highlight your natural features. This length is also incredibly versatile, as it is long enough to style in different ways while still being easy to manage and maintain.
The soft waves on the ends add movement and texture, preventing the hairstyle from looking flat or heavy. These gentle waves also create a relaxed, modern finish that works well for both casual and more polished occasions. This style is particularly flattering for oval, round, and heart-shaped faces, as its length and soft texture help create a balanced silhouette.
Kim Kardashian
Would it really be a red carpet if Kim Kardashian wasn't there to make an appearance? Kim looked beautiful with this messy silhouette, a medium-length bob pulled up by the roots, and flyaway hairs in full force.
If you are looking for an easygoing style that can be glammed up with bold makeup or accessories, this is the style you have been looking for. The cut does most of the work in this style, framing your face and neck to perfection. The side parting creates a sense of mystery and allows her hair to cascade over her ear, giving the illusion of bangs without the upkeep.
Kim’s hairstyle and cut are perfect for those with a high forehead and strong jawline, as the hair will help to soften your forehead and jawline while drawing attention to the center of your face.
Long Hairstyles
Kaia Gerber
If you are looking for a romantic hairstyle that is simple to recreate at home and easy to manage, this is it! Her side parting allows her hair to cascade perfectly around her face and neck.
The gentle waves throughout the mid-lengths of this hairstyle give you a romantic feel and are ideal for those with thin to medium hair density. You don’t need to worry about a few flyaway hairs in this style; they just add to the volume of the overall style!
Donatella Versace
This long, blonde hairstyle is soft, with subtle waves that fall over your shoulders, giving you a more relaxed, elegant vibe that is ideal for your next formal event. Side-swept bangs are a classic for this style and will help frame your face and forehead perfectly.
Upstyles
Kris Jenner
Kris Jenner brought back an iconic upstyle with this look, so simple for you to recreate at home, yet packing an amazing punch. A messy bun is one of the most effortless yet stylish ways to wear long hair, and pairing it with a middle parting and soft curtain bangs creates a look that is both relaxed and beautifully balanced.
This hairstyle lets you quickly gather your long locks into a loose bun while still maintaining a sense of shape and style at the front. The middle parting plays an important role in this look, as it helps evenly frame the face and keeps the hairstyle looking intentional rather than overly casual.
Allowing your bangs to fall gently along the sides of your eyes adds softness and dimension to the style. These curtain-like strands help highlight your facial features, drawing attention to the eyes while creating a flattering frame around the cheekbones. This detail prevents the messy bun from appearing too pulled back, making the look feel more romantic and relaxed.
Julia Fox
We cannot discuss the 2026 Oscars without mentioning Julia Fox and her breathtaking upstyle! Splitting your hair down the middle and rolling it up on either side creates a striking and elegant hairstyle that instantly delivers a unique silhouette. This style draws attention to symmetry, as the middle parting divides the hair evenly and allows each side to be styled in a balanced, structured way. Rolling the hair upward or inward on both sides adds volume and shape, transforming a simple hairstyle into something visually captivating and full of personality.
Because the hair is styled away from the face, it also highlights important features such as the eyes, cheekbones, and jawline. This hairstyle works particularly well for oval, heart, and square face shapes.
Mens Hairstyles
Rami Malek
Rami looked handsome as ever at the 2026 Oscars, sporting his sleek, back hairstyle. Sleeking the hair back while creating a right side parting is a timeless men’s hairstyle that delivers a clean, polished appearance. This style helps keep the hair neatly in place while adding structure and definition to the overall look. The right-side parting adds a sense of balance and direction, making the hairstyle appear sharp and well-groomed.
Another benefit of this look is that it highlights key facial features, such as the eyes, cheekbones, and jawline, because the hair is styled away from the face. It also works well in both professional and formal settings. This hairstyle particularly suits oval, square, and heart-shaped faces, as the sleek finish and defined parting help enhance natural facial symmetry.
Connor Storrie
Connor Storrie was the talk of the red carpet, and we can’t help but wonder if his natural curls had something to do with it. Cutting the sides of the hair shorter while leaving the top longer is a stylish and practical choice for men, especially for those with natural curls. The shorter sides create a clean, sharp appearance, keeping the hairstyle neat and well-groomed.
At the same time, the added length on top allows the natural curls to take center stage, giving the style texture, movement, and personality. One of the biggest benefits of this haircut is that it highlights the natural curl pattern rather than trying to flatten or hide it.
The contrast between the shorter sides and fuller top also adds dimension, making the hair appear thicker and more voluminous. This modern cut is versatile, easy to style, and works well for both casual and professional settings.
Conclusion
The 2026 Oscars once again reminded us that the red carpet is the perfect place for hairstyle inspirations. From classic, polished updos and romantic waves to modern bobs and sharply styled men’s cuts, this year’s event delivered a wide range of iconic hairstyles that are sure to inspire trends in the months ahead.If one of these stunning red carpet styles caught your eye, you don’t have to imagine how it would look on you. Our virtual hairstyler allows you to see exactly how you will look with a specific hairstyle before committing to the cut. Simply upload an image of yourself and try on the style you love, making it easier than ever to find a look that truly suits you.
And if none of the styles in this article quite tickled your fancy, don’t worry. Our website features thousands of hairstyle inspirations for men and women, giving you endless ideas to explore until you discover the perfect look for your next transformation.
