The 2026 Emmys delivered plenty of memorable television moments, but for our editors, it’s always about the hair. From dramatic transformations and statement-making cuts to polished updos, bombshell volume, and modern takes on classic Hollywood glamour, this year’s hair looks gave us plenty to talk about.
Ahead, see our picks for the best hair moments from the 2026 Emmys — and the talented pros who created them.
Abby Elliott
Barb Thompson did her effortless, je ne sais California thing for “The Bear” actress Abby Elliott using Bumble and bumble. products and strategically placed The Hair Shop clip-in extensions.
Ayo Edebiri
Jacob Dillon’s dreamy updo. featuring braids by Josie Jones, is forever Emmys hair inspo now. Styled with OGX products for star-like, healthy moisture and shine.
Chase Infiniti
Lacy Redway used ghd tools and Shea Moisture products to create Chase Infiniti’s Old-Hollywood waves and then brushed them out, making them instantly younger and cooler. Perfection.
Emma D’Arcy
Teddy Charles brought the flow. Also, we loveeee a product story? This look would be impossible without it and that’s not a bad thing at all. Very good in fact!
Emmy Rossum
BIG hair for one of Hollywood’s biggest nights. Rossum’s hairstylist Vernon François used OLAPLEX products and The Hair Shop’s new Curly Collection Clip-In Extensions to add instant volume, density and length to the look. Unforgettable.
Florence Pugh
Hyungsun Ju didn’t have to go this hard.
Grace Gummer
Jenny Cho’s low, twisty pony for Grace Gummer?! Gagged!
Hannah Einbinder
Forever cool girl has cool girl hair —again — thanks to longtime collaborator Jerrod Roberts. The shape! So fun.
Janelle James
Listen, there’s nothing funny about this pixie. We don’t play about Janelle’s looks. With Joy Johnson at the helm, there simply are no misses.
Jean Smart
This French twist by Richard Marin felt very winning. Here’s hoping we’ll see more of them popping up at events and red carpets this fall?
Julia Garner
This blonde pillow-y pixie meets bob moment by Bobby Eliot using Christophe Robin was/is everything. Plus, the perfect blonde by Tracey Cunningham!
Keri Russell
Basically the perfect slick back bun?! Anthony Campbell really did the damn thing with RŌZ products.
Lisa Rinna
The former Real Housewife and soap legend knows how to bring the drama. Brian Fisher delivered a LOOK. We love it.
Mariska Hargitay
Adir Abergel turned out look after look for the SVU mega star and Emmys host exclusively using Laifen hair tools and Virtue Labs products. Impossible to pick a favorite but all of them were among the night’s best.
Meg Stalter
Yes, it’s funny, but also quite complicated — technically. Clayton Hawkins killed it using amika products and spray paint.
Nicole Kidman
Adéla is on to something. This updo look by Lorenzo Martin, styled with K18 products, is everything.
Quinta Brunson
A total surprise from the very skilled hands of Suzette Boozer. Boozer and Brunson ditched the signature Betty Boop pixie for INCHES.
Rachel Sennott
She loves LA, we love her hair. Rachel Sennott’s mega volume moment by Sami Knight was such a breath of fresh! Let’s see more of it.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
It was a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reunion and Sarah Michelle Gellar slayed. This throwback-feeling lengthy, low pony by Justine Marjan is about to be everywhere.
Sarah Pidgeon
Barely there waves by Christian Wood, also styled with K18, was the absolute right choice.
Selena Gomez
The romantic waves on our girl Sel by Renato Campora felt very runway SS27. Here for it!
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Volume’s uppppppp thanks to Sharif Poston. This shape is heaven.
Zendaya
This pixie is too good. And Coree Moreno’s styling of it as a nod to Halle Berry’s iconic pixie?! Hairstory! We can’t get enough!
