Every year, the Grammy Awards bring music lovers, pop culture fans, and beauty obsessives together for one night that feels bigger than fashion trends and louder than social media timelines.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards did exactly that, especially on the red carpet, where makeup, hair, nails, and styling told stories as clearly as lyrics. Long before trophies were handed out inside the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, cameras were already locked in on faces, textures, colors, and details that would influence beauty choices for months. This year’s Grammys proved once again that when it comes to beauty, this award show plays by its own rules.
Unlike other ceremonies that lean toward polished restraint, the Grammys thrive on personality. Artists show up as themselves, not filtered through a single idea of glamour. That freedom is what makes Grammy beauty moments so powerful. They feel wearable, expressive, and personal all at once. From soft skin and nude lips to bold hair structures and sharp eye statements, the 2026 red carpet offered inspiration for anyone looking to refresh their beauty routine without feeling disconnected from real life.
When Sabrina Carpenter arrived on the carpet, her beauty look immediately landed on mood boards everywhere. Her makeup focused on fresh skin with a soft glow that didn’t rely on shine. The base looked breathable, almost skin-like, allowing freckles and natural warmth to show through. Her blush placement lifted the cheeks without drifting too close to the nose, creating a healthy look that felt youthful without trying too hard.
The lip choice stayed in the nude family, but with definition that framed the mouth instead of flattening it. What made her look worth saving was how realistic it felt. Nothing appeared overdone, yet every step was precise. This is the kind of makeup people can recreate with products already sitting on their dresser.
Another standout moment came from Tyla, winner of the Best African Music Performance Category, whose red carpet beauty quietly stole attention. Her matte nude lip reminded everyone that gloss is optional, not mandatory. The finish was smooth, controlled, and flattering, paired with skin that looked even without appearing flat. Her eye look stayed subtle, allowing her bangs to frame her face and create drama through shape rather than color. That decision made the entire look feel modern and wearable. It also reinforced the idea that sometimes the strongest beauty statements come from restraint.
Natural hair made a strong statement on the Grammys 2026 beauty looks, and Doechii led that conversation with confidence. Returning to her natural texture, she reminded everyone that hair doesn’t need altering to look intentional or striking. Her curls were shaped with care, defined without stiffness, and styled in a way that highlighted volume and form. The choice felt powerful because it celebrated authenticity in a space that often pushes transformation.
If there was one look that pushed boundaries unapologetically, it belonged to FKA Twigs. Her red basket-weaved spikes became one of the most talked-about hair moments of the night. This wasn’t hair meant to blend in or quietly complement an outfit. It was art. Structured, bold, and deliberate, it challenged traditional ideas of red carpet beauty.
Haircuts also had their moment, with shorter styles dominating the carpet. Queen Latifah showed how an ombré bob can feel timeless and current at once. The color transition was smooth, subtle, and flattering, adding depth without distraction. Paired with clean makeup, it proved that simplicity can still feel elevated.
Eye makeup across the Grammys leaned toward sultry but controlled. Michelle Williams set the tone with a smoky eye paired with a neutral lip. This combination appeared repeatedly throughout the night, seen on artists like Kehlani and Tasha Combs. The reason it worked so well is that it balanced drama with softness. The eyes carried depth without heavy lines, while the lips stayed calm, keeping the overall look wearable.
Blush, however, refused to disappear. Instead, it evolved. Rather than sitting neatly on the apples of the cheeks, blush traveled higher and wider. Ayra Starr delivered one of the most talked-about blush placements, with color reflecting into her highlight and catching the light beautifully. It created dimension without harsh edges. Meanwhile, Chioma Adeleke pushed blush above the brow, turning it into a sculpting tool rather than just color.
The Grammy Awards 2026 highlighted a growing appreciation for individuality in beauty. Instead of one dominant trend, there were many parallel ideas coexisting. Natural hair sat comfortably beside sculptural designs. Soft skin lived next to experimental textures. Neutral lips shared space with bold blush. This variety makes the Grammys especially exciting because there’s something for everyone to connect with.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best red carpet beauty looks from the Grammy Awards 2026.
Sabrina Carpenter
Photo: Getty Images Doechii
Photo: Getty Images Tasha Cobbs
Photo: Getty Images Tyla
Photo: Getty Images Queen Latifah
Photo: Getty Images Pink Pantheress
Photo: Getty Images Kehlani
Photo: Getty Images FKA Twigs
Photo: Getty Images Halle Bailey
Photo: Getty Images Jana Craig
Photo: Getty Images Coco Jones
Photo: Getty Images Kristy Sarah
Photo: Getty Images Davido and Chioma Adeleke
Photo: Getty Images Ayra Starr
Photo: Getty Images Skepta
Photo: Getty Images Miley Cyrus
Photo: Getty Images Rose
Photo: Getty Images Olivia Dean
Photo: Getty Images Hailey Bieber
Photo: Getty Images Lady Gaga
Photo: Getty Images Teyana Taylor
Photo: Getty Images Tate McRae
Photo: Getty Images Chappell Roan
Photo: Getty Images Billie Eilish
Photo: Getty Images Karol G
Photo: Getty Images Madison Beer
Photo: Getty Images Zara Larrson
Photo: Getty Images Addison Rae
Photo: Getty Images Eljae
Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
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August 22, 2025Esther Ejoh is a Fashion Editor at Fashion Police Nigeria, where she writes all things fashion, beauty, and celebrity style, with a sharp eye and an even sharper pen. She’s the girl who’ll break down a Met Gala look one minute, rave about a Nigerian beauty brand the next, and still find time to binge a movie or get lost in a novel. Style, storytelling, and self-care? That’s her holy trinity.
