New Year’s Day has come and gone, meaning red carpet season is near.
The 2026 stint will start with the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, followed by the highly anticipated Golden Globes on Jan. 11, which is already gearing up to be an unforgettable night, with nominations out to Hollywood bigwigs Timothée Chalamet and Emma Stone, as well as emerging star Chase Infiniti, who delivered an ineffable performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” last year.
As for the hair and makeup styles to look out for, the Old Hollywood aesthetic will predictably set the tone, as it often does, with all its feminine glory. Only this time, things won’t be so “Pamela Anderson undone,” celebrity stylist Igor Rosales Jackson told WWD, at least when it comes to hair. “I’m definitely seeing a shift toward more sleek, structured updos this awards season — clean silhouettes, strong shapes and very intentional styling feel like they’re coming back in a big way,” he continued.
Zoë Kravitz during the 82nd annual Golden Globes.
Gilbert Flores/Penske Media
The visionary behind Kylie Jenner’s John Galliano-inspired Christmas Eve hairdo, Jackson said his recent work reveals a link between fashion history and future hair trends. “People have been very inspired by vintage runway moments, from the precise tailoring of early 2000s Dior under Galliano to the architectural elegance seen on classic Chanel and Givenchy runways, as well as late ’90s minimalism that’s been resurfacing lately,” he said.
Kim Kardashian’s ode to Thierry Mugler and Somali supermodel Iman on Christmas Eve was another example of this. Brought to life by artist Dimitris Giannetos, the 45-year-old Skims founder’s hair was a muted version of Iman’s hood of hair on the Mugler winter 1986 runway. Where Iman donned extra-long extensions and a three-tiered braid crown, Kardashian opted for a baby BumpIt and dark ends chopped just below her collarbone.
“Overall, I think we’ll see more precision and creativity, with hair that feels polished, elevated and thoughtfully styled rather than overly loose or undone,” Jackson said.
Nicole Kidman at the the 82nd annual Golden Globes.
Benjamin Askinas
The makeup tides aren’t turning much, according to artist and brand founder Alexa Persico. She told WWD that awards season glam is, and will always be, “skin first.”
“We’re definitely going to keep seeing glowing, dewy skin on the red carpet, that’s never going anywhere. Seriously, that will stay for years to come. Celebrities want their skin to look healthy, hydrated and radiant from every angle, especially under harsh lighting and HD cameras,” Persico continued. “It’s less about heavy contour and more about that fresh, lit from within glow. Overall, the vibe is effortless but polished, letting beautiful skin take the lead and using makeup to enhance it, not cover it.”
That said, warm tones will cut through any winter woes on the red carpet. This will be done in the form of soft bronzes and flushed cheeks. However, at the same time, holiday glam should seep into awards season, specifically metallic or “tinsel” eyes. “Subtle golds bronzes and champagne tones that catch the light without overpowering the look,” Persico said.
