The Best Beauty Looks I Saw at the Grammys (Yes, I Was Actually There)
These looked even better IRL.
Bucket list sentence, but I attended the 2026 Grammys last night. But I wasn’t just there to listen to Lola Young give her first performance since September or see Harry Styles in the flesh ahead of his new album rollout or try to sneak a peek at Bad Bunny ahead of the Super Bowl. I was there on business. Specifically, checking out all the best Grammys beauty looks in real life. And let me tell you, everyone looked even better than I’d imagined.
I walked the carpet ahead of the show (brag, but also, yes, my feet hurt) and got a glimpse IRL at all of the celebrity beauty looks. Sure, Sabrina Carpenter’s vintage waves look incredible on my iPhone screen, but they’re even bouncier up close. With this knowledge, I compiled the best looks I saw last night right inside Crypto.com arena. Plus, I got some insider knowledge on a few celebs’ looks, including the foundation one Grammy winner wore that Cosmo editors love and the drugstore makeup product responsible for one EGOT contender’s glow.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Tousled Hair
Walking the carpet before the show, Sabrina’s airy updo was all about elegance, according to her hairstylist Evanie Frausto. “We wanted the hair to look soft and airy with pieces that fell naturally down the back like they just landed there,” he said, citing Redken’s Dry Texture Spray as the hero product to give a piece-y, tousled look. “My rule of thumb? If it starts to look like a bun, I know I’ve gone too far,” he explains. “I want it to look like soft curls that were pinned up and just happened to fall perfectly down the back.”
Chappell Roan’s Cool-Toned Eye
Chappell’s long-time makeup artist Andrew Dahling created this gorgeous gray smokey eye that looked as beautiful on the carpet as it did on the stage when she awarded Best New Artist. Dahling used three MAC eyeshadow shades for this cool-toned, diffused eye: Satin Taupe, Cozy Grey, and Coquette.
KATSEYE’s Individualistic Glam
All six women of KATSEYE looked absolutely ethereal walking down the carpet. Each had their own signature look—Megan’s pink extensions, Daniela’s smokey eye, Lara’s deep lip combo, Manon’s long waves—but the star power when they were all lined up together? Unreal.
Tyla’s Golden-Hour Glow
The “Chanel” singer’s bronzey glam stunned in the golden hour light on the red carpet last night, matching her dress and this beachy ponytail.
Teyana Taylor’s Smokey Look
Seeing Teyana Taylor in the flesh is an honor I didn’t take lightly. The Grammy nominee and Golden Globe winner has made a smokey eye and glossy lip her mainstay this awards season. And for her glow? Makeup artist Yeika Olivia relied on L’Oreal Paris Lumi Glotion—yep, an $18 drugstore product.
Zara Larsson’s Bright Eyes
I am utterly in awe of everything about Zara Larsson, but her glam is easily one of the best out there right now. Makeup artist Sophia Sinot subdued her usual bright eye, opting for a bright inner corner to match her fresh pink cheeks and lips—all of which accompanies these long, beachy waves.
Doechii’s Natural Updo
Last year’s Grammys really was Doechii’s moment, so she could have just shown up and still taken it for all I cared. But this fountain-esque updo with her natural texture is the perfect accompaniment to all of her looks throughout the night.
Billie Eilish’s Black Liner and Lob
Song of the Year winner Billie Eilish’s defined black eyeliner and smooth lob haircut were one of my favorite show spottings of the night. And I personally think I could smell her new fragrance, Your Turn II, wafting through the air...
Kehlani’s Blurred Skin
While everyone else was all about the glow, Kehlani went full-coverage glam, but it actually looked stunning IRL. Her makeup artist, Troye Antonio, used Cosmo editors’ favorite foundation Benefit Porefessional—a blurring, mattifying, and smoothing formula that covers legit everything without feeling heavy on skin.
Olivia Dean’s Glowy Cheeks
Best New Artist winner Olivia Dean was the talk of the night, from the pre-show cocktail hour I attended to the suite during the show to the after-party. And her glowy cheekbones captivated the room and the screen as she perfomed her hit “Man I Need.” Her makeup artist Celia Burton used Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette to add warmth and radiance at the same time.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Smooth Waves
After Sabrina walked the carpet and performed her nominated song “Manchild,” she watched the show with a big, fluffy wave (pictured here next to Album of the Year winner Bad Bunny—jealous). Wondering why her ends look so polished? Redken’s new Bondadge Balm—it helps seal split ends so hair looks full and bouncy.
Lady Gaga’s Platinum Hair and Brows
Showing up to the Grammys, I had no idea what we were going to get from Gaga, as her hair and makeup vibes differ nearly every time we see her. But I was so happy with this platinum look on her, complemented by this bleached brow. The smudgey eye look and sculpted cheek bones add to the romantic grunge vibe.
FKA Twigs’s Red Hair
I loved seeing FKA Twigs representing for redheads on the red carpet. This bold new color for the Grammy winner made it very easy to spot her from a distance, and it especially complemented her soft glam.
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Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup, hair, and nail stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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