The Best and Worst Oscar hairstyles, 2026 Edition

Back in 2018, I wrote a blog about the best and worst Oscar hairstyles over the years. Let's see if we've had any worthy additions to the list over the ensuing eight years. Here are the ten best and the ten worst Oscar hairstyles I've seen since that 2018 blog. 

The Best

Lady Gaga, 2019

Gaga's uber-platinum hair was swirled into an elaborate and elegant sculptural updo that combined a French twist at the back with several large sections of hair twisted and intertwined in a graceful arrangement on the top of her head, with just a hint of a dip at one temple. Her hairstylist, Frederic Aspiras, was inspired by both Audrey Hepburn and Gaga's stunning diamond necklace. The hairstyle was both classic enough to work with her Old Hollywood glam gown, but also funky and different enough to suit her offbeat style. 

Salma Hayek, 2020

Hayek wore a one-shouldered, Grecian-inspired ivory gown and her hair was styled to match, with a high, voluminous ponytail and a silver and pearl spray clipped along one side of her head. Hairstylist Jennifer Yepez incorporated hair extensions to add volume to the ballerina bun-inspired ponytail, and Hayek's stylist added the headpiece with matching earrings. She looked like a classical Greek statue come to life. (One Touch of Venus, anyone?)

Amanda Seyfried, 2021

Seyfried's hair was pulled back into a smooth chignon just above the nape of her neck, with a low side part, a hint of height at the crown, and a slight wave at one temple. Hairstylist Renato Campora was inspired by the character for which Seyfried was nominated (Marion Davies in Mank) and the film's setting of the 1930s, describing the style as "precise," "couture," and "vintage."  It worked beautifully with the glamorous, voluminous style of her red Armani gown. 

Lupita Nyong'o, 2022

Nyongo's hair was styled into multiple braids ("locs"), which were then coiled and stacked into a beehive-style updo with a few fishtail braids arching out from the rest. Hairstylist Vernon François described the style as a "sisterlocks updo," inspired by African figures depicted in classical Greek art. The curves of the braids echoed the sequin patterns of her gown, and the height of the updo added to the long, sleek lines of her outfit. Yas, Queen!

Lily James, 2022

James' simple long waves are an example of how red carpet hairstyles don't necessarily need to be elaborate. Her softly-waved, center-parted style had a hint of flip at the bottom, and swung naturally over her shoulders. Hairstylist Danilo Dixon opted for an "effortless, luxurious" style, with volume, shape, and smoothness. 

Halle Bailey, 2023

Bailey elevated her trademark locs by wearing them in a large knotted chignon, with zig-zag parts between the braids. Hairstylist Tinisha Meeks created the elaborate design to combine Bailey's personal style with the "Disney Princess" aesthetic. 

Angela Bassett, 2023

Bassett wore her hair in glamorous, voluminous waves that framed her face and set off the classic elegance of her vivid purple gown. Hairstylist Randy Stodghill used thickening cream and argan oil to create a "timeless look" of voluminous, soft, and shiny curls.  

Halle Berry, 2023

Berry actually based her Oscar look around this hairstyle, beginning with the hair and then choosing a gown to work with it. Her 1940s-inspired bob featured marcelled waves that were allowed to fall into her natural curls at the bottom, with a curl or two falling over one eye, peekaboo style. The asymmetrical deconstructed bob was created by hairstylist Sara Seward. 

Margaret Qualley, 2025

Qualley's hair was pulled sleekly back into multiple ponytails which formed soft loops at the back of her head. Hairstylist Anna Cofone created the "abstract, kooky, and dynamic" updo to reflect Qualley's own style. The combination of her gown and her hairstyle reminded me of Audrey Hepburn's look in the ball scene in My Fair Lady. All she needed was a tiara. 

Odessa A'Zion, 2026

A'Zion's loose, wild, curly style featured a single long curl in the middle of her forehead that gave her a mischievous look ("There was a little girl, and she had a little curl..."). She styled herself with the help of a friend, rather than using a professional stylist, and it's not clear if she also did her own hair, but it's quite likely, considering that her natural hair is so fabulous that after the premiere of I Love LA, there was significant online speculation that she wore a wig. (Spoiler: She did not.)

The Worst

Rachel Weisz, 2019

Weisz wore a long, straight, center-parted style topped with a vintage 1930s diamond tiara. Hairstylist Mark Townsend wanted her hair sleek and flat to set off the stunning piece. Unfortunately, the result looked understyled, as well as thin and a little scraggly. The tiara was also oddly placed; not quite a tiara but not quite a headband, either. 

Kristen Wiig, 2020

Wiig's short pixie was parted on the side, combed across her forehead, and angled upwards partway down her ears. The combination of dark roots (colorist Erick Orellana is responsible, although it's not clear if her current hairstylist Adir Abergel was working with her yet) and visible comb tracks didn't work for me, and the ends of the hair over her ears looked dry and uneven. I feel for celebrities that have to grow out their hair in the public eye, but this could have been styled better. 

Laura Dern, 2020

Dern's 1960s-inspired half up, half down 'do included an overly-heavy draped section on one side, but the casual retro look simply didn't work with her elegant dainty pink and black tasseled gown. Hairstylist Ryan Trygstad tried to put a "California twist" on a "classic retro half-up style," but it just didn't work for me. This gown was begging for a 1930s or 1940s hairstyle, not a 1960s one. 

Halle Berry, 2021

Berry made a rare red carpet misstep with this angled bob and babydoll bangs. I couldn't help but think of the meme of the cat wearing a watermelon helmet. It might have worked with longer wispy bangs, but it was too stiff and structured for the teeny bangs. Fortunately, hairstylist Sara Seward created the edgy bob and bangs with clever styling rather than chopping off Berry's hair, so Berry was able to return to her previous hairstyle without having to grow out the awful bangs. 

Kristen Stewart, 2022

Stewart's punk-inspired sideswept beach-blond waves suited her punk-inspired outfit, but the look felt lopsided and unbalanced to me. Hairstylist Adir Abergel aimed to create a "relaxed, effortless style...inspired by her natural texture and and the undone vibes of some of [his] favorite celebrity styles from the 90’s." A little less volume on the side and a little more definition in the curls would have added a touch of polish that would have felt more red carpet but still edgy.  

Zoë Kravitz, 2022

Kravitz was yet another victim of the baby bangs trend with slicked-down, crooked bangs and a double bun. Although the look was gorgeous from the side, the plastered-down bangs were uneven and not wispy enough to create the desired effect, which hairstylist Nikki Helms intended as a tribute to Audrey Hepburn, 

Florence Pugh, 2023

Pugh's thin, blond, faux bangs were created by combing down the ends of her high ponytail, which could have been fine, except that they were noticeably crooked. Hairstylist Peter Lux created the "punk-inspired" look, which didn't seem to fit with her funky but still glamorous gown. 

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, 2024

Randolph's side-parted blond waves were great in concept, but the execution was somewhat lacking. The hair at her hairline was overly gelled, looking stiff and showing visible comb tracks, the ends of her hair looked dry and frizzy instead of smooth and sleek, and the waves themselves were nearly straight around her face. Hairstylist Tai Simon stated, "“Fun, flirty, and glamour in essence of May [sic] West was the inspo.” I don't think Mae West would have been flattered. 

Whoopi Goldberg, 2025

Goldberg wore a striking "liquid" Christian Siriano gown, but her hairstyle didn't match the level of glamour. She wore her trademark braids, but had them pulled back in a way that formed two lumps directly on top of her head, as if she were wearing a tiny hair bow. A sleeker, smoother style would have been more in keeping with the style of the gown, in my opinion. I was unable to find a hairstylist credit for this look.  

Lisa Rinna, 2026

Rinna wore this hairstyle to the Oscars after-party. It looked very thick and ragged, and the way it was pushed back from her face and unevenly spiky on top made it look like a cheap costume wig. Her hairstylist was Justine Marjan. Fun fact: The Christian Cowan dress Rinna was wearing was constructed of 11 pounds of hair extensions made from real human hair. The hair dress was better looking than the hair hair.