This year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute makes a compelling case for fashion as a true art form. At the Met Gala 2026, the world’s biggest stars and tastemakers gathered in celebration of a beautiful cause for the preservation and celebration of art.

But it wasn’t just the clothes that embodied the theme—hair made a statement of its own. From sculptural, avant-garde styles referencing paintings, to glamorous hairdos inspired by classic movies, these are the standout hair looks we couldn’t take our eyes off.

Beyoncé

This year’s co-chair made her return to the Met Gala after ten years—and she didn’t hold back. Hairstylist Neal Farinah crafted her waist-grazing, voluminous curls in her signature warm honey-blonde hue, creating a striking contrast against her silver, bedazzled custom Oliver Rousteing ensemble.

Ciara

Hair takes center stage in Ciara’s look. Her sculptural updo, styled by hairstylist Cesar Ramirez to resemble a crown inspired by Egyptian Queen Nefertiti, quite literally elevates the look—hair gathered and lifted skyward, covered in gold foil to echo the gilded, metallic fantasy of her outfit.

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter kept her hair short and sweet this year. Hairstylist Evanie Frausto curled her blonde hair into large sections that fall into a long bob, offering a unique interpretation of Old Hollywood glamour. Paired with a headpiece that ties in with her custom Dior by Jonathan Anderson dress, the curls complete the modern vintage look.

Lisa

Lisa of BLACKPINK went avant-garde with her look this year, not just through her Robert Wun number but also through her hair. Hairstylist Jang Hyeyeon, gave her  a wet-look finish, with hair sections swirling around the crown of her head, with an intentional strand sweeping across her forehead, while the rest cascades down to her waist.

Jennie

Jennie of BLACKPINK went for something classic yet truly timeless. Hairstylist Olivier Schawalder created a glossy, elegant French twist with a delicate  kiss curl as the cherry on top. The look feels feminine and dainty, pairing beautifully with her sparkly blue Chanel column gown.

Emma Chamberlain

Edgy and adventurous as she’s always been, Emma Chamberlain retained her platinum blonde pixie cut. This goes perfectly with her bright, hand-painted custom Mugler gown. The icy blonde hue enhances the sculptural quality of her short hair done by hairstylist Sami Knight, adding sharpness to the overall look.

Keke Palmer

Fiery red is Keke Palmer’s statement this year. Her look didn’t stop with her bright red Prabal Gurung gown, red eyeshadow, and red lips—her hair was dyed red in a spicy rendition of the classic pixie cut, thanks to hairstylist Ashanti Lation. The monochromatic palette creates a bold, high-impact visual that ties the entire ensemble together with fearless cohesion.

Simone Ashley 

Simone Ashley went old Hollywood in front, party at the back. With soft, feathery bangs and slick hair, it’s easy to think hairstylist Peter Lux just went for a classic hairdo, but the back is something you’ve never seen before—two huge black hair tassels wrapped into an updo, seemingly extending her hair into a sculptural knot. The Devil Wears Prada 2 star shows that she knows beauty like the back of her hand even in real life.

EJAE

K-pop Demon Hunters’ star EJAE was covered in crystals in her Iris Van Herpen couture, and those crystals extended to her hair, which was gathered in a huge braided updo reminiscent of traditional Korean hairstyles, courtesy of hairstylist SeMin.

Hair is a medium for art

Art is no longer confined to a frame—it can now be worn proudly, as seen in these stars at the Met Gala 2026. From sculptural crowns to voluminous waves, each look carries a powerful statement. Like art itself, hair has become a powerful medium of expression. At its most striking, it transforms the wearer into both canvas and creator.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Met Gala 2026 theme is “Fashion Is Art.”

Notable hairstylists include Neal Farina (Beyoncé), Olivier Schwalder (Jennie), Evanie Frausto (Sabrina Carpenter), Jang Hyeyeon (Lisa), and Ashanti Lation (Keke Palmer), among others.

Standout hair moments include Beyoncé’s honey-blonde curls, Ciara’s Nefertiti-inspired updo, Lisa’s avant-garde wet look, and Keke Palmer’s fiery pixie cut.

The red carpet was dominated by sculptural updos, metallic hair accents, vibrant monochromatic hair dyes, and modern interpretations of classic vintage Old Hollywood waves.

While exact prep times vary, hairstylist Neal Farinah executed Beyoncé’s waist-grazing, voluminous honey-blonde curls to contrast her custom silver Olivier Rousteing ensemble for the event.