Grammys 2026 Red Carpet: A Celebration of Wearable Beauty and Individuality
The awards season is now in full swing, and the 68th annual Grammy Awards certainly did not ease us in gently. Held on a vibrant Sunday night in Los Angeles, the 2026 Grammys brought together an impressive array of singer-songwriters, producers, and industry icons to celebrate what has been a remarkably strong year in music. Beyond the musical accolades, the event also delivered one of the most wearable and trend-setting red carpets we have witnessed in quite some time.
A Cohesive Beauty Mood Dominates the Night
This year's beauty aesthetic felt surprisingly unified and intentional. Goddess glam, boho texture, and soft-focus makeup took centre stage, with winter trends such as tired-girl under-eyes, statement fringe, red hair, and glossy skin all making prominent appearances. It served as a powerful reminder that even the most seemingly effortless looks require an elite glam squad and a significant amount of preparation. For instance, Sabrina Carpenter's flawless skin reportedly took three full days of meticulous work to achieve. Chappell Roan's intricate look was in development for several weeks, and Nikki Nelms clearly had her moment bookmarked well in advance.
Standout Grammy Beauty Moments and How to Recreate Them
Because beauty is a universal love language, we have delved into the specific products, advanced techniques, and insider details behind the very best looks of the night. Scroll on for the standout Grammy beauty moments and learn exactly how to recreate them for yourself.
Zara Larsson's Mermaid Fantasy
Zara Larsson appeared as though she had emerged straight from a golden-hour ocean, adorned in a stunning yellow-gold custom Germanier set. However, it was her ultra-long, glassy waves that truly stole the show. The Swedish singer's hair leaned fully into enchanting mermaid territory, appearing long, fluid, and impossibly healthy. Her makeup artist revealed that Zara partnered with Maybelline for the evening, maintaining a bronzed, glossy, and sun-kissed aesthetic. The lip combination alone deserves its own bookmark moment, featuring Line Leader Lip Liners in shades 06 and 05, topped beautifully with Sun Lifter Gloss in 020. Her cheeks and lips were softly flushed using the Coral Illusion shade of the Cloudtopia Cheek and Lip Colour Mousse. Even her nails embraced full maximalism. Nail artist Juan Alvear created intricate, encrusted beaded nails using Aprés Nail Official, proving decisively that understated beauty was entirely optional at this year's Grammys.
Sabrina Carpenter's Romantic Minimalism
Sabrina Carpenter's look was an absolute masterclass in elegant restraint. Ethereal, light-handed, and almost angelic, her makeup leaned into soft definition rather than overt drama. Makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez kept things intentionally easy on the eyes, with barely-there mascara, delicately highlighted inner corners, and a rosy flush across both cheeks and lips. Her hair was pulled back into a pared-back romantic ponytail, complete with curtain bangs and wispy, face-framing pieces created using premium Redken products. This look was the perfect complement to her multi-tiered beaded gown and felt authentically Sabrina, polished but never overdone. Even her manicure stayed perfectly on theme. Nail artist Zola Ganzorigt used OPI to create a pearly French moment, starting with Put It In Airplane Mode as the base, Kyoto Pearl for the tip, Tin Man Can Glaze Chrome Powder for a subtle shimmer, and a Super Gloss No Wipe Top Coat to seal it all in. This is proof that sometimes the quietest nails can make the loudest and most lasting impression.
Lady Gaga's Dramatic Precision
Lady Gaga arrived with slicked-back, re-platinumed hair and dramatically bleached brows that somehow felt both futuristic and timelessly classic. Very few people can pull off this level of severity without it feeling cold, but Gaga balanced it perfectly with sculpted, bronzed cheeks and a sultry, softly smoked eye. Her makeup stayed within a tight and sophisticated palette of tawny nudes on the eyes and lips, with just a hint of brown liner along the upper lashes for subtle definition. Paired with a striking black feathered dress and a classic black manicure, the overall look felt sharp, highly intentional, and unmistakably Gaga. Makeup artist and Haus Labs Global Artistry Director Sarah Tanno shared behind-the-scenes snaps, all but confirming the use of Haus Labs products to achieve that sculptural, flawless finish. It was a powerful reminder that when Gaga does minimal, it still hits incredibly hard.
Olivia Dean's Soft Glossy Perfection
For her first-ever Grammy Awards appearance, Olivia Dean leaned wholeheartedly into softness, and it paid off magnificently. Her big, bouncy curls were beautifully defined yet utterly touchable, instantly cementing her status as a hair icon to watch. Hairstylist Rachel Polycarpe began by using the Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler for curly hair to distribute Olaplex Bonding Oil evenly through the hair. From there, the Tangle Teezer Styling Brush was employed to shape and refine the curls without disrupting their natural, glorious texture. Makeup remained gentle but elegantly elevated. Her freckles were allowed to shine through the Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation, while the Hourglass Curator Eyeshadow Palette in Minimalist added a subtle wash of glamour. Makeup artist Celia Burton sharpened the eyes with the 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner in Obsidian and Voyeur Waterproof Liquid Liner. The final result was fresh, radiant, and quietly confident.
Chappell Roan's Maximalist Beauty Chaos
Chappell Roan absolutely does not do subtle, and thank goodness for that. While much attention was rightly paid to her extraordinary outfit, it was her hair that truly dominated the red carpet. A cascading mass of burgundy curls, crimped textures, and intricate braids flowed dramatically down her back, paired with curly bangs that framed her eyes perfectly. Her eye makeup was equally bold and captivating, featuring MAC Eye Shadows in Satin Taupe, Cozy Grey, and Coquette for a smoky, romantic intensity. Makeup artist Andrew Dahling custom-mixed her lip colour using MAC Powder Kiss Lip and Cheek Mousse in Velvet Teddy and Fashion Emergency, layered with Dazzelips Crayon in Chandelier and MAC Lip Pencils in Plum and Auburn. It was theatrical, richly textured, and deeply personal, exactly what a memorable Grammy beauty moment should embody.
The Takeaway from Grammys 2026 Glam
If the 2026 Grammys taught us anything, it is that beauty is decisively swinging back toward softness, authentic individuality, and captivating texture. Skin looked like real, healthy skin. Hair moved with life and energy. Nails told their own unique stories. Whether you are bookmarking Zara Larsson's mesmerising mermaid waves or Sabrina Carpenter's whisper-light glam, this red carpet offered endless inspiration that actually feels wearable and accessible in everyday life. Now, if you will excuse us, we are off to add half of these incredible products to our online carts and pretend that we, too, have a professional glam squad on standby.
