Television’s biggest night is nearly here, and the Emmy Awards red carpet remains one of the most reliable showcases of old Hollywood glamour with a modern edge. This year’s 78th Primetime Emmy Awards takes place on Monday 14th September at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by Mariska Hargitay – and it’s shaping up to offer plenty of autumn hair inspiration.
While we can’t predict exactly what the nominees will wear, our stylists have been watching the season’s runway shifts and recent red carpet moments closely. Here’s what Rush Hair expects to shine at the 2026 Emmy Awards, along with the styling tips to help you bring a little of that award-worthy polish home.
Top Hair and Beauty Trends Predicted for the 2026 Emmy Awards
Award season hair is leaning softer this year, favouring glossy, healthy-looking finishes over anything too experimental.
Our stylists expect honey and butter blondes to feature prominently, alongside dimensional, bronde-leaning tones that reflect the warmer colour trends emerging for autumn. We also predict the “mermaid-length” trend will continue, with ultra-long, waist-skimming strands making an impact on the red carpet.
Just as notable is the shift in silhouette. Alongside more sculpted updos, we expect to see looser, more romantic knots and tousled, piecey ponytails, creating a softer take on red-carpet glamour.
We also anticipate more voluminous Old Hollywood side parts, with plenty of root lift and soft, curved ends, alongside the “bixie”, a textured pixie and micro bob hybrid, as a shorter statement style.
On the makeup side, our stylists predict soft, diffused lavender eyeshadow and icy metallic inner-corner accents will complement these hair looks, adding a subtle touch of shimmer without overpowering the overall finish.
Celebrity Style Inspirations from Recent Emmy Ceremonies
Last year’s Primetime Emmys, along with this year’s Creative Arts ceremony, gave us plenty to build our forecast on.
At the 2025 Emmys, Meghann Fahy swapped her signature centre part for a side part, styling her honey-toned hair in soft waves for a subtle but striking change. Justine Lupe wore a honey butter blonde blend that added dimension and warmth, while Jenna Ortega paired a dark ponytail with a vampy red lip, smoky eye and bleached brows. Elsewhere, Nikki Boyer and Kathy Bates both embraced grey hair on the red carpet, reflecting the growing popularity of silver tones.
More recently, at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys, Linda Cardellini styled her long brown hair in loose waves with bangs, while R’Bonney Gabriel chose an elegant updo with soft, face-framing pieces. Together, these looks suggest a continued appetite for softer, less structured red-carpet styling.
These are the kinds of looks we predict will carry through to the 2026 Primetime ceremony, building on last year’s softer glamour rather than marking a dramatic departure from it.
Expert Styling Tips to Achieve Emmy-Worthy Hair
Red carpet hair relies on a healthy, well-prepped foundation just as much as it does on the finishing style. Rush stylists recommend applying a lightweight glossing serum to damp hair before blow-drying to help create a smooth, camera-ready shine. A good heat protectant is non-negotiable, and a volumising root mist will help the hair hold its shape through a long night.
If you want to try the season’s loose, undone knot at home, here’s a simple routine to follow:
- Prep the hair with a smoothing or gloss finishing serum, depending on the finish you’re after
- Gather the hair loosely at the nape using a soft detangling brush, rather than pulling it tight
- Twist the ponytail gently and secure it low, leaving a few face-framing pieces loose
- Tease a few sections at the crown for softness, then pull a couple of pieces free from the twist for that undone, piecey finish
- Finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep movement without stiffness
Whatever look you’re going for, hair health is the real foundation of any red carpet finish. Keeping a regular deep conditioning routine, alongside occasional bond-repairing treatments, will help hair take styling well and hold its shine for longer.
Choosing the Right Hairstyle for Your Hair Type and Face Shape
Award-worthy hair can work with any hair type or face shape. The key is adapting the trend to suit your natural texture and features.
If you have frizz-prone hair and want to try a sleek side part, a smoothing treatment can help keep flyaways under control. Fine hair may benefit from a root-lift product to give voluminous Old Hollywood waves more support, while thicker or curlier textures can work beautifully with deeper side partings and softer shaping around the face.
When it comes to face shape, small adjustments to parting, volume and layering can make a big difference. A stylist can tailor the look to your features, hair density and natural texture so the finished style feels balanced and personal to you.
Read: How to Choose the Right Haircut for Your Face Shape
How the 2026 Emmy Awards Will Influence Everyday Hair Trends
You might not wear full Old Hollywood waves every day, but elements of the trend can translate easily into everyday styling. A honey butter blonde or soft, dimensional bronde, for example, can bring the same polished feel without recreating the full red-carpet look.
The undone low knot is another easy-to-wear option, offering a low-maintenance style that still feels polished. A deep side part with soft layers can also bring a subtle touch of Emmy-night glamour to your everyday look. Mention these trends at your next salon visit and your stylist can help adapt them to suit your hair.
Book an Expert Style Transformation at Rush Hair
Now that you’ve seen our predictions for the 2026 Emmy Awards, why not bring a little of that red carpet glamour to your own hair? Whether you’re after a honey blonde refresh, a healthier foundation for longer styles, or simply want to try the season’s softer, undone updo, our stylists are on hand to help. Book an appointment at your nearest Rush salon and let’s create your own award-worthy look.
FAQ’s
Honey and butter blonde tones, ultra-long “mermaid” lengths, looser and more undone updos in place of sculpted styles, voluminous Old Hollywood side parts, and the textured “bixie” cut, paired with soft lavender eye makeup.
When and where will the 2026 Emmy Awards be held?
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on Monday 14th September 2026 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. The ceremony is hosted by Mariska Hargitay.
Start with a healthy foundation – a good heat protectant and glossing serum go a long way. For an undone low knot, gather hair loosely at the nape, twist and secure it low, then pull a few pieces free for that lived-in finish. A Rush stylist can also help you recreate any of the season’s looks in the salon.
