Celebrity Beauty Trends: Bobs, Braids, and Bold Lips Dominate
The past week saw a flurry of activity in the world of celebrity beauty, coinciding with the close of the 2026 Olympics, New York Fashion Week, and the kickoff of London Fashion Week, alongside the BAFTAs. These events collectively defined winter’s key beauty trends: shorter haircuts, intricate braids, and classic makeup looks.
Monica showcased her versatility with a new bob cut during New York Fashion Week. This included a flipped black bob seen at Diotima, a style also recently adopted by Beyoncé and Teyana Taylor. Keke Palmer, while maintaining her pixie cut, underwent a color transformation, switching from ginger to brown. While shorter cuts gained prominence, actresses Myha’la and Tessa Thompson demonstrated the enduring appeal of braids.
Makeup trends leaned towards both dramatic and classic styles. MAC ambassador Doja Cat opted for bold, dramatic eye makeup, blurring the lines between lashes, and eyeliner. Mary J. Blige, in contrast, favored a timeless look, pairing a short, round red manicure with matching red lipstick. Kerry Washington’s look at the Director’s Guild Awards stood out with its combination of curly hair, natural makeup, and polka dot nails.
Beyoncé made her first public appearance of 2026 sporting a brand new dirty blonde barrel curl bob during Super Bowl weekend, managing to maintain a nude lipstick even while enjoying a burger. Teyana Taylor, known for her pixie cuts, debuted a shoulder-length flipped bob while accepting her Vanguard Spotlight Award at the Costume Awards.
The bob trend extended beyond these stars, with Monica showcasing various iterations during Fashion Week, including a vintage blonde bob at Public School and a black half-up style at Marc Jacobs. Celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos notes that 2026 is seeing a customization of the bob, with styles tailored to individual face shapes, hair textures, and maintenance preferences. He predicts the “flip-flop bob” – straight locks with softly flipped ends – will be particularly popular.
Red nails and lips were also a significant trend, with Kelly Rowland and Mary J. Blige both choosing short, round, and red manicures. Doja Cat’s Valentine’s Day lip combination featured MAC Lip Pencil in “Chestnut” and MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick in “Honeylove”, while Keke Palmer’s makeup artist, Kenya Alexis, used nude and black color-blocking on her eyelids.
For those seeking inspiration, these celebrity beauty moments offer a range of looks to reference for upcoming beauty appointments.
