The 2026 Emmys hair trend is moving in a softer direction. At the 78th Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, several stars stepped onto the red carpet with long, loose waves instead of highly structured hairstyles.
Selena Gomez, Sarah Pidgeon, Olivia Munn and Quinta Brunson were among the celebrities whose looks featured relaxed movement and polished texture. The result was glamorous without appearing overly formal.
The 78th Emmy Awards were held on September 14 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony was hosted by Mariska Hargitay and broadcast on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock.
The 2026 Emmys Hair Trend Favours Movement
For several recent seasons, sleek buns, polished ponytails and highly controlled hairstyles have been common on major red carpets.
The Emmys offered a different approach.
Instead of making every strand look perfectly placed, several stars wore hair with visible movement and texture. The waves looked soft, loose and intentionally relaxed.
That distinction matters. These were not simply casual beach waves. The styling remained polished enough for an awards-show setting while retaining a natural finish.
Coverage of the Emmys described the overall effect as relaxed and beach-inspired, with loose hair appearing across different age groups and styles.
Selena Gomez Brings Extra-Long Waves to the Red Carpet
Selena Gomez made one of the night’s most noticeable hair statements.
The singer and actress appeared with dramatically longer brunette hair styled into flowing waves. Vogue France reported that she had moved away from her familiar bob, while Allure described the look as mermaid-like and noted its considerable length.
Gomez paired the hairstyle with a shimmering gold Louis Vuitton gown, creating a contrast between the highly glamorous dress and the more relaxed movement of her hair.
The combination helped illustrate the broader beauty direction seen throughout the evening: polished styling does not necessarily require a rigid finish.
Sarah Pidgeon Keeps Her Waves Soft and Refined
Sarah Pidgeon’s Emmys look also leaned into the softer approach.
She wore a lavender Chanel gown inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s minimalist style. Her beauty look complemented the dress without overwhelming it.
Her hairstyle fit neatly into the evening’s wider preference for movement and understated texture.
Rather than relying on an elaborate updo, the look allowed the hair to remain part of the overall silhouette.
Olivia Munn and Quinta Brunson Follow the Relaxed Hair Direction
Olivia Munn was another celebrity associated with the loose-wave trend at this year’s ceremony. Her hairstyle combined volume with a softer texture, keeping the overall appearance polished without looking excessively structured.
Quinta Brunson also wore long, flowing hair that contributed to the relaxed red carpet aesthetic.
Together, these looks showed that the trend was not limited to one particular hair colour, length or personal style. The common element was movement.
Why Boho Waves Feel Different This Fall
The return of boho-inspired beauty is not necessarily a repeat of the festival hairstyles associated with the trend in previous years.
The current version is more refined.
Think:
- Soft bends rather than tight curls
- Natural-looking movement
- Glossy, healthy-looking texture
- Volume without excessive teasing
- Less rigid styling
- Long, flowing silhouettes
The goal is to make the hair look glamorous while still allowing it to move naturally.
That balance was especially visible at the Emmys, where some celebrities paired relaxed hairstyles with highly polished gowns and jewellery.
The Red Carpet Is Showing More Than One Hair Direction
It would be too early to say that sleek hairstyles have disappeared.
In fact, the 2026 Emmys featured a variety of beauty directions. Vogue’s coverage highlighted everything from Selena Gomez’s long waves to Zendaya’s short pixie and other structured hairstyles.
That makes the current trend more interesting.
Rather than replacing every polished hairstyle, softer waves appear to be expanding the range of red carpet beauty. Celebrities can now pair formal fashion with hair that feels less rigid and more natural.
How to Get the Boho Wave Look
The key to this hairstyle is avoiding overly uniform curls.
Start with properly prepared hair and use a larger barrel or another method that creates a loose bend rather than a tight curl. After styling, gently break up the waves with your fingers.
The finish should have movement.
For a more polished result, focus on shine and smoothness while keeping the ends and individual waves from looking too perfect.
Most importantly, avoid making every section identical. Slight variation is part of what gives modern boho waves their relaxed appearance.
What the 2026 Emmys Tell Us About Fall Hair
The biggest takeaway from the Emmys is the return of effortless-looking glamour.
The hairstyle does not have to look completely undone. Instead, it can combine professional styling with softness, shine and movement.
Selena Gomez’s dramatic length, Sarah Pidgeon’s understated waves, and the relaxed looks seen on Olivia Munn and Quinta Brunson all contributed to that direction.
As fall beauty trends develop, boho waves are emerging as one of the clearest hairstyles to watch.