The 2026 awards season kicked off on Sunday night with the Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., where Ariana Grande floated across the red carpet — or, in this case, the navy blue carpet — in ethereal glam, featuring a full face of R.e.m. Beauty products and a loose updo. The makeup was courtesy of celebrity artist Michael Anthony, the same visionary who worked with her throughout the “Wicked: For Good” press tour, while Grande’s hair was styled by her go-to architect, Alyx Liu.
Ariana Grande at the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards.
Tommaso Boddi/Variety
In a carousel of images shared on Instagram, Grande’s soft aesthetic was detailed, product by product, starting with her base. For foundation and concealer, Anthony reached for the Sweetner line in shade light 8NW and light 4G, respectively. He then used the R.e.m. Beauty x “Wicked: For Good” Cherry Blossom Blush Palette, the Interstellar Highlighter Topper in Miss Mercury and the Hypernova Matte Bronzer in Solar Storm. To finish, Grande’s lips were dressed in the Practically Permanent Lip Stain Marker in Booked n Busy and the On Your Collar Plumping Gloss in Pink Razor. Meanwhile, her lashes were accentuated using the Flourishing Lengthening Mascara.
Ariana Grande’s twisted updo on the red carpet.
Having welcomed back her brunette era in October, the “We Can’t Be Friends” singer decided to update her coloring with a dark caramel tone thanks to Brandon Pietsch. Her hair was then slicked back by Liu; the front fringe left to fall across her forehead. In the back, soft waves melted around what looked like a cinnamon roll bun on the crown of her head. The style, with all its Old Hollywood refinement, fell within the parameters of the predicted hair trends to make it big this red carpet season.
Ariana Grande wore custom Alberta Ferretti.
Earl Gibson III
Speaking to WWD ahead of the Critics Choice Awards, celebrity stylist Igor Rosales Jackson said: “I’m definitely seeing a shift toward more sleek, structured updos this awards season — clean silhouettes, strong shapes and very intentional styling feel like they’re coming back in a big way.”
Jackson also nodded to another trend on the horizon. “People have been very inspired by vintage runway moments, from the precise tailoring of early 2000s Dior under Galliano to the architectural elegance seen on classic Chanel and Givenchy runways, as well as late ’90s minimalism that’s been resurfacing lately,” he said, noting that these moment are now informing red carpet hair aesthetics.
Though Grande was dressed in custom Alberta Ferretti on Sunday, she and her stylist, Law Roach, have been known to pluck vintage gold for major appearances. That said, it’s likely Grande may revive runway history — fashion, hair and makeup included — down the line.
