The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards brought a whole mood board of hair inspiration to Los Angeles on September 14, 2026. The standout lesson? There wasn’t one “right” red-carpet style. Short shapes, softly sculpted texture, and long, loose waves each had their moment.
Zendaya’s pixie: short hair with soft movement
Zendaya wore a refined, tousled pixie with airy texture and a little height through the crown. It felt polished without looking rigid—a great reminder that short hair can still be styled in plenty of ways. To make a pixie feel modern, ask your stylist for a shape that works with your natural texture, then use a small amount of lightweight styling product to define a few pieces. Keep the finish touchable rather than stiff.
Lukita Maxwell’s micro French bob: a vintage shape, a fresh attitude
Lukita Maxwell’s ear-skimming micro French bob brought a playful, vintage note to the carpet. The curved ends and compact silhouette did the work; the styling stayed simple. If you’re considering a shorter cut, bring reference photos to your stylist and talk through how the length will sit with your hair’s natural wave, density, and daily routine. A bob looks its best when it’s shaped for your hair—not just copied from a photo.
Selena Gomez’s long waves: relaxed glamour
Selena Gomez went in the opposite direction with very long, center-parted waves that moved freely. Quinta Brunson also wore long, soft waves, showing how the same broad idea can feel different on different people. For an everyday version, create loose bends rather than uniform curls, let the hair cool before gently separating them, and finish with a light touch so the movement stays natural.
How to make a red-carpet idea work on your hair
- Choose the shape first. A haircut or temporary styling change should fit your texture, face-framing preferences, and upkeep comfort.
- Protect before heat styling. Use a heat protectant according to its label and avoid repeatedly passing hot tools over the same section.
- Build from healthy-feeling hair. Gentle detangling and conditioning help hair look smoother and shinier before styling.
- Keep the finish flexible. Brush or separate waves with your fingers and use only as much product as needed.
Want a simple care step for dry, frizz-prone lengths? Explore the Jumy Bee Japanese Botox Keratin Hair Mask. It’s a conditioning hair mask—not a haircut or a substitute for professional styling—so follow the product directions and choose care based on your own hair needs.
Celebrity inspiration, your own version
The best takeaway from this year’s Emmys is that a great look is less about recreating a celebrity exactly and more about borrowing one detail: a sharper silhouette, a softer wave, or a little more movement. Save the reference, talk it through with your stylist, and make it yours.
Sources: Television Academy: 78th Emmy Awards; Marie Claire on Zendaya’s 2026 Emmys hair; Cosmopolitan’s 2026 Emmys beauty roundup; Allure on Selena Gomez’s Emmys waves; E! on the Emmys’ soft-wave trend.
