Even as a longtime beauty editor, I’ll admit: red carpet hairstyles still intimidate me. They can feel complicated to write about, let alone recreate in real life. But Lea Michele’s soft waves at the 2026 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 7? Surprisingly approachable. Dare I say, I’m already planning to try them before my next 9 a.m. Zoom.
Michele’s waves were brought to life by celebrity hairstylist DJ Quintero, who used the Dyson Supersonic r ($549), Dyson’s lighter, precision-focused take on its cult-favorite dryer. According to Quintero, the goal was “Old-Hollywood-meets-modern-romance,” a fitting complement to her Michael Kors Collection Fall/Winter 2026 look: a white bodysuit paired with black sequin trousers.
To get there, Quintero leaned into soft, undone texture. He started with clean hair, applying a lightweight heat protectant from roots to ends, then worked a volumizing mousse through the crown and mid-lengths. Next, he used the Dyson Supersonic r and its smoothing nozzle to dry the hair about 90 percent, focusing on lifting the roots while directing airflow downward to help smooth the cuticle and create a glossy finish.
Working in large sections, he then used a round brush with the Dyson Supersonic r, loosely wrapping each section around the brush and directing the airflow down the hair shaft. By alternating the direction of each section, he kept the finished look soft, dimensional and a little undone. Rather than creating a defined curl, the idea is to build a softer wave that starts around the cheekbones and falls loosely through the ends.
Once each section was dry and shaped, Quintero used the Dyson Supersonic r’s cool shot—a burst of cold air that helps set the style and preserve its smooth, glossy finish. Last but not least, he created a soft center part, gently raked his fingers through the lengths and misted a lightweight shine spray through the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the roots.
After studying Michele’s look from every possible angle, I can say with confidence: It delivers the kind of polished finish you’d expect from the Tonys, but still feels doable for real life. Better yet, it doesn ’t require extra hands for an elaborate updo or enough hairspray to leave your hair crunchy for days. A red carpet hairstyle that doesn’t require a glam squad or a heroic surge of motivation? I’m in.
Lea Michele’s Tony Awards Hair
