Looking through the photos of some of the biggest red carpets this year so far, there’s one hair trend that keeps popping up: undone, relaxed waves.
At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, stars such as Karol G and Olivia Dean wore free-flowing waves that looked effortlessly air-dried, while Sabrina Carpenter pulled hers back into a soft updo. (And here’s a spoiler alert—a good texturizing spray is your secret weapon in achieving the perfectly imperfect style, and a 1-inch curling iron is a must-have.)
But the Grammys red carpet isn’t the first spot we’ve seen these airy, natural locks in 2026. While on her press tour for the much-anticipated Wuthering Heights, Margot Robbie stepped out in mermaid waves that went viral nearly instantly and have since been officially dubbed “Wuthering Waves.” The crimped style is a modern take on the popular look of the early aughts, and with her hair pulled back into a half-up half-down look with long face-framing layers left out, it’s safe to say we (along with the rest of the Internet) are obsessed.
It’s easy to see why stars are obsessed: They’re romantic, playful and best of all, low maintenance and easy to copy (more on how to get the look below). The romance-novel-worthy waves are ruling the red carpet while allowing stars to show their personalities. Chappell Roan, for example, had an all-around bold Grammys red carpet look, including her hair. Courtesy of celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway, Roan wore textured, crimped waves reaching her hip length and even longer, playing into this undone wave trend, but she dressed things up with a 2010s hairstyling mainstay: fishtails. The twisted boho braids were everywhere in the 2010s, but she managed to make them modern and so very her.
Meanwhile, Dean, Karol G and Laufey all went for classic, simple, undone waves on the carpet. To recreate the natural look, you’ll want a straightener, a waver and a 1” curling iron. For Karol G, celebrity hairstylist Cesar Ramirez got the look this way: “On each section, alternate irons and apply a different waving technique to craft soft, bohemian waves that resemble naturally air-dried hair,” says Ramirez. “To finish, spray Kérastase Volume In Powder Texturizing Spray at the crown to create intentional fly-aways, and can’t forget my secret weapon, a little Kérastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Milk Anti-Frizz Heat Protecting Spray sprayed on the hands and applied with fingers to separate the waves so it looks a bit disheveled.” This keeps your strands looking effortless and windswept, like you just stepped off the beach.
Carpenter’s undone updo was full of volumizing and texturizing sprays to achieve that effortlessly textured, almost messy look. The cascading updo was created by celebrity hairstylist Evanie Frausto, who tousled Carpenter’s hair before putting it up using Redken Root Lifter Volumizing Spray at the roots and Redken Full Volume Mousse through the mids and ends. After a rough blow-dry and curling with a 1” curling iron, Frausto used the Redken Dry Texture Finishing Spray. “This is what gives me that airy separation that looks expensive,” says Frausto. “I gather the hair like I’m making a low ponytail, then I lift it straight up the back of the head and just hold it there.”
Coco Jones also leaned into the undone waves for the Grammys, putting her own spin on it. She upgraded her super subtle, gentle waves with a wet-look lob on the red carpet. To get the look to stay wet all night long, celebrity hairstylist Davontae Washington relied on a hair oil. “After blow drying with controlled tension to maintain softness and movement, I finished the look with the Shea Moisture Bonding Oil through the mid-lengths and ends,” says Washington. “This added strength, shine and that glossy wet finish while keeping the hair fluid and touchable throughout the night.”
As simple as undone waves may seem, there are endless ways to make them your own. We’re predicting we’ll see many more lived-in hair moments on red carpets to come.
