Get Charli XCX's Met Gala hair routine on sale at Amazon

• Charli XCX's hairstylist Matt Benns created her Met Gala 2026 look using Wavytalk styling tools.
• The hairstyle was a textured, half-up look with volume at the crown and soft waves.
• Benns used a diffuser to enhance natural texture and multiple curling iron sizes for an imperfect wave pattern.

Charli XCX just turned heads on the Met Gala 2026 carpet. The pop star swapped her "Brat" era energy for the perfect balance between red carpet polish and signature cool girl vibe. The look featured a textured, half‑up hairstyle with volume at the crown and soft, imperfect waves. While arguably a touch more sophisticated than we've seen from her, this hair felt effortless, modern and still unmistakably Charli.

Now, her hairstylist Matt Benns is sharing an exclusive breakdown of exactly how the look came together, including the hair prep, styling tools and techniques he used. From enhancing natural texture to building height and movement, Benns relied on a lineup of Wavytalk styling tools to create a hairstyle that felt lived‑in yet Met Gala–ready.

Want to recreate Charli XCX’s Met Gala hair at home? Here’s the step‑by‑step routine straight from the source:

Step 1: Heat protection + texture prep

The routine started with Wavytalk’s Smooth Barrier Heat Protectant, applied throughout the hair to shield against heat while maintaining softness and flexibility. This step is key for preserving texture—especially when multiple heat tools are involved.

Wavytalk Smooth Barrier Heat Protectant

This heat protectant creates a smooth, invisible barrier that helps shield hair from heat damage without weighing it down. Designed to preserve natural movement and shine, it’s the ideal prep step before diffusing, curling or waving Save 27% at Amazon

Step 2: Diffuse to enhance natural texture

Instead of blowing the hair smooth, Benns used the Wavytalk Turblow Pro hair dryer with a diffuser attachment. Diffusing helps encourage natural bends and movement, setting the foundation for that effortless, slightly undone look before any hot tools touch the hair.

Wavytalk Turblow Pro Hair Dryer

The Turblow Pro Hair Dryer delivers strong airflow to speed up drying time while helping enhance natural texture. When paired with a diffuser, it brings out waves and bends without disrupting the hair’s natural pattern. Save 39% at Amazon

Step 3: Build the half‑up shape

Once the hair was dry, Benns created the structure. “I gathered everything from the ear and above, securing it tightly with an elastic right on top of the crown to get maximum height.” Placing the elastic high on the crown adds lift and creates a dramatic silhouette—crucial for balancing a bold Met Gala look without losing softness.

Step 4: Create an imperfect curl pattern

To keep the waves from looking too polished, Benns alternated between multiple tools:

• Wavytalk Power Wave Hair Crimper
• Wavytalk Curlmaker Pro ¾‑inch iron
• Wavytalk Curlmaker Pro ½‑inch iron

Wavytalk Power Wave Hair Crimper

The Power Wave tool creates loose, touchable waves that feel airy and natural rather than overly polished. It’s perfect for adding body and texture throughout the hair, especially when you want movement that still looks red carpet-ready. Save 25% at Amazon

This variation in barrel size creates a more natural, lived‑in wave pattern, avoiding uniform curls that can feel overly styled. “We made the hair bigger by alternating tools to create an effortless curl pattern that still felt red carpet ready,” Benns explained.

Wavytalk Curlmaker Pro (¾‑Inch + ½‑Inch Irons)

With two barrel sizes, the Curlmaker Pro allows you to alternate curl widths for a more natural, editorial finish. Using different barrel sizes helps avoid uniform curls and adds depth, texture and visual interest—key to achieving an effortless, “imperfect” look. Save 30% at Wavytalk

Step 5: Tease, texture and set

To finish, Benns lightly teased strategic sections for volume, added texture spray for airiness, locked everything in with hairspray and finished with Initio Parfums Privés Hair Perfume in Atomic Rose for a floral touch.

The result is big, touchable hair that moves, photographs beautifully and feels authentic to Charli’s personal style.

• Be sure to rate your favorite Met Gala looks with USA Today's Style Meter!

What hair color did Charli XCX debut at the Met Gala 2026?

Charli XCX debuted a deep, ultra‑reflective black hair color at the 2026 Met Gala. The shade is defined by its inky depth and high‑shine, glass‑like finish, creating a modern black that appears sleek, dimensional and luminous under bright lights.

Who colored Charli XCX’s hair for the Met Gala?

Charli XCX’s Met Gala hair color was created by Jacob Schwartz, her longtime colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional’s U.S. Hair Color Trend Ambassador. Schwartz is known for precision color work that emphasizes shine, saturation and movement. Jacob Schwartz used a two‑step Schwarzkopf Professional process:

• Base Color: Schwarzkopf Professional’s Igora Royal
• Mids/Ends: Schwarzkopf Professional’s Igora Vibrance Tone On

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