The 2026 MTV VMAs brought major hair and makeup moments to the red carpet. RAYE debuted rich red hair, Chlöe Bailey paired bleached brows with blonde highlights, while Teyana Taylor and Tyla made intricate hairstyles the focus of their looks.
From smoky eye makeup to sculptural updos and dramatic colour changes, these are six of the standout beauty looks from the 2026 MTV VMAs.
RAYE
RAYE arrived with a striking new hair colour, swapping her signature dark hair for a rich cherry-cola red. Styled in voluminous curls with a deep side part, the colour gave her familiar Old Hollywood-inspired hair a noticeable update. Her makeup followed the same deep red palette, with a glossy wine-coloured lip and defined black liner completing the look.
Chlöe Bailey
Chlöe Bailey paired bleached brows with blonde detailing through her hair. Her locs were swept into a high, sculptural updo, with curled blonde tendrils left loose around her face. The lighter pieces echoed the colour of her brows, while glowing skin, defined eyes and a glossy lip completed the beauty look.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor wore her hair in a sculptural braided updo formed into two high knotted buns. Loose texture around the style softened the structured shape, while her makeup centred on a smoky eye, sculpted complexion and neutral contoured lip.
PinkPantheress
PinkPantheress wore her blonde hair in a braided style that framed her face and continued the Y2K influence often seen in her beauty looks. Her makeup was kept softer, with flushed cheeks and understated eye and lip colour allowing the blonde hair to remain the focus.
Tyla
Tyla combined intricate detailing at the crown with dramatically long, straight hair. Twisted rows were arranged across the top of her head before transitioning into sleek lengths that extended well past her waist. The contrast between the structured crown and straight lengths made the hairstyle the focus of her beauty look.
Charli XCX
Charli XCX went for a dark, smoky makeup look, with black shadow and liner heavily defining the eyes. A pale, subtly defined lip kept the emphasis on the eye makeup, while her long black hair was worn sleek and glossy with a centre part.
READ MORE: 10 Best Dressed Looks at the 2026 MTV VMAs
