Best Hair and Makeup Looks from the 2026 MTV VMAs

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards brought plenty of drama to the red carpet, but the beauty looks were just as interesting as the fashion. From sculptural updos and statement ponytails to smoky eyes, glossy lips and major hair transformations, the stars embraced everything from modern glamour to throwback beauty.

Held September 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the VMAs once again proved to be the kind of red carpet where celebrities can have a little more fun with their beauty choices. There was a clear return to retro glamour, but there were also plenty of looks that felt straight out of the late ’90s and early 2000s. Here are 11 standout moments from the night.

Lisa — High Ponytail with Sharp Cat-Eye

Lisa brought a polished pop-star finish to the VMAs with a very high ponytail secured with red hair accessories and her signature straight fringe. Her sharp cat-eye, fluttery lashes, glossy nude-pink lips and glowing complexion kept the makeup feminine and fresh. Her nude, embellished nails added another playful detail. The combination of the high ponytail and sleek fringe has an unmistakable Y2K hairstyle energy, while the red accessories gave it a modern twist.

MEEK — Sculpted Updo and Dramatic Eyes

MEEK went for a more sculptural beauty direction, with the hair pulled up into a dramatic textured style that kept the face open. The makeup emphasized the eyes with defined liner and lashes, balanced by a softer nude lip. The overall effect felt theatrical enough for the VMAs while still keeping the focus on the face.

Mia Calabrese — Glamorous Waves and Defined Eyes

Summer House star Mia Calabrese brought polished glamour to the carpet. Her dark hair was styled with plenty of volume and movement, framing her face in a soft, glamorous finish. Her makeup emphasized glowing skin, defined eyes and a neutral lip, creating an effortlessly polished red-carpet beauty look.

Ella Bright — Dark Chocolate Hair and Soft Brown Glam

Ella Bright made one of the evening's noticeable beauty changes by debuting much darker chocolate-brown hair. The Off Campus actress wore her new color in soft, structured waves with a center part. Her brown-toned makeup kept everything sophisticated, while dark liner and a muted dusty-rose lip gave the look a slightly moody autumn feel.

Paris Hilton — Blunt Platinum Bob

Paris Hilton returned to the VMAs with a sleek platinum-blonde bob cut straight across the ends. The darker root shadow gave the icy hair color some dimension. She paired the sharp haircut with polished makeup and defined eyes, creating a clean, modern version of her signature blonde glamour.

Tyla — Extra-Long Hair and Smoky Eyes

Tyla leaned into a sleek, ultra-long hairstyle that fell dramatically down her back, with braided detailing across the crown before transitioning into straight lengths. Her beauty look featured bronzed skin, defined brows, smoky liner and a glossy nude lip. The combination gave her beauty look a distinctly late-’90s music-video feel.

Sienna Spiro — ’60s Bouffant and Twiggy Lashes

Sienna Spiro stayed close to her retro aesthetic with a seriously voluminous bouffant. Her brown hair was lifted high and styled with plenty of body, while dramatic lashes brought a distinctly Twiggy-inspired quality to her makeup. The dark eye makeup and defined lashes paired beautifully with her glamorous VMAs styling.

Teyana Taylor — Braided Space Buns and Smoky Eyes

Teyana Taylor went full statement beauty with two sculptural space buns positioned high on her head, incorporating intricate braids and textured sections. Her smoky, winged eye makeup added intensity, while bronzed skin and a nude-toned lip kept the rest of the face balanced. The space buns brought a playful Y2K hairstyle reference back to the red carpet.

Chlöe Bailey — Bleached Brows and Icy-Blonde Tendrils

Chlöe Bailey pushed her beauty look into more experimental territory with bleached brows and icy-blonde tendrils woven into her coiled updo. Her makeup included luminous skin, vivid pink blush and a highlight across the bridge of her nose. The lighter brows gave the look a distinctly edgy feel.

Raye — Cherry-Cola Hair and Old Hollywood Glam

Raye brought classic glamour to the VMAs with voluminous curls and a rich cherry-cola hair color. Her tight, retro curls gave the hairstyle an unmistakable Old Hollywood feel, while bold brows, defined eyes and a glossy wine-red lip completed the beauty look.

Ciara Miller — Auburn Waves and Grungy Glam

Ciara Miller finished the beauty lineup with long auburn-toned waves that were left loose around her shoulders. Her makeup took a cooler, edgier direction with grungy smoky eyes, while her polished manicure added a clean contrast. The combination of undone waves, smoky makeup and warm hair color gave her a modern cool-girl finish.

Across the 2026 VMAs red carpet, two throwback influences were especially easy to spot: the 80s makeup trend of big volume, dramatic eyes and statement silhouettes, and the return of the Y2K hairstyle, particularly in high ponytails, space buns and sculptural updos. At the same time, stars such as Raye and Sienna Spiro showed that vintage beauty can still feel fresh when updated for today's red carpet.