How to Get Hilary Duff’s Beach Babe Blonde and Blowout From the 2026 American Music Awards

Photo by Aaron Idelson

Fresh after playing three shows at Voltaire in Las Vegas, Hilary Duff hit the 2026 American Music Awards red carpet (also in Vegas) with an unexpected, space-age-y-60s-mod look that was also very beachy. It was sort of Y2K, as we’ve been seeing from the pop star, but also sort of Sharon Tate, especially with the mega volume blowout by frequent collaborator Barb Thompson.

Thompson says, “For Hilary’s look, we wanted the hair to feel polished yet still effortless — soft volume, movement, and a perfectly lived-in finish with bright dimensional blonde throughout. Keeping Hilary’s hair healthy, growing, and strong while achieving bright, dimensional color was the top priority.” To create what we’re calling a “beach babe blonde,” Thompson relied on exclusively Redken color products.

For the red carpet look itself, Thompson used Redken care and styling products and Calista hair tools. Keep reading to recreate both Duff’s color and red carpet style.

Get the Color:

1. Create Bright, Healthy Dimension
   • Begin highlights at the nape using Redken Blonde IQ Lightener mixed with 9 volume developer to maintain the integrity and strength of the hair while creating soft lift. Work upward through the head, refreshing the lightener mixture as needed. For the hairline and crown area, increase to 20 volume developer to achieve brighter, face-framing dimension and maximum luminosity.
2. Refine and Root Tap
   • After processing and rinsing the back sections first, apply a root tap using Redken Shades EQ Gloss in shade 7N to softly diffuse the root area and create a seamless, natural blend throughout the hairline, nape, and crown.
3. Gloss and Tone
   • For the overall gloss, combine Redken Shades EQ Gloss in 10GI, 9V, and 9NB with Clear to create a bright, dimensional blonde finish with softness and shine. Apply throughout the hair, saving the hairline for the final minute to maintain extra brightness and pop around the face.
4. Condition and Finish
   • Rinse, condition, and prep the hair for styling while maintaining softness, strength, and reflective shine.

Get the Look:

1. “I began by working Redken Big Blowout through her damp hair to create smooth body, bounce, and long-lasting shape while keeping the hair touchable, glossy, and soft.
2. From there, I reached for Calista’s EliteAir Multi-Style Dryer paired with the oval brush attachment to create a big, bouncy, full-bodied blowout. 
3. Mist Redken Brushable Hairspray through mid-lengths and ends in larger sections. For added definition, I followed with Calista’s Perfecter Pro Heated Round Brush 1″ to layer in soft movement and extra shine. Pin each section to cool and set before brushing out.
4. Work Redken Beach Spray through the mid-lengths and ends to break up the blowout and create airy, lived-in texture with effortless movement.
5. Apply Redken Dry Texture Spray throughout the roots and lengths for fullness, soft separation, and dimension, then refresh the crown using Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo to keep the style light and voluminous.  
6. I locked everything in place with Redken Brushable Hairspray for flexible, touchable hold that keeps the hair polished while allowing natural movement.”

If you recreate Hilary Duff’s new beachy blonde or Barb Thompson’s blowout technique, we want to know about it. Tag @readthetease on Instagram and TikTok.