Was Sabrina Carpenter's Met Gala hair real? Here's how it was achieved

Dressed in custom Dior, pop superstar and three‑time Grammy winner Sabrina Carpenter looked like a timeless Hollywood star on the 2026 Met Gala red carpet. Coming off of her iconic Coachella headlining debut, Carpenter went with a cinematic hair look that felt dramatic and totally red carpet-worthy, without being too over-the-top.

The sculpted pin‑up curls, polished rolls, and high‑shine finish were created by celebrity hairstylist Evanie Frausto, who drew inspiration from classic film icons while keeping the look modern and refined from every angle.

Below, Frausto shares the exact Redken hair products and step‑by‑step technique used to bring Sabrina Carpenter’s Met Gala hair to life.

How to recreate Sabrina Carpenter’s Met Gala hair at home

Step 1: Sculpting the shape

Frausto began by designing a vintage‑inspired, sculpted shape with a clean, modern finish. “For this look, I created a sculpted vintage‑inspired shape with a clean, modern finish,” she says. This approach ensured the hairstyle photographed beautifully from all angles—crucial for the Met Gala’s iconic staircase shots.

Step 2: Prep and blowout for control

To prep the hair, Frausto used the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave‑In Treatment and the Redken Big Blowout.

Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave‑In Treatment

Strengthens, smooths and protects hair before styling. It is a lightweight leave‑in that helps repair damage, reduce breakage, and protect hair from heat while keeping it soft and manageable. Buy now at Ulta Beauty

These products helped smooth the hair, reinforce strength and maintain a polished finish. She then blow‑dried the hair smooth and close to the head, keeping the silhouette controlled and refined.

Redken Big Blowout Heat Protectant Jelly

Smooth blowouts with body and bounce. This lightweight cream adds volume, smoothness and heat protection for a polished blowout that lasts without feeling stiff. Buy now at Ulta Beauty

Step 3: Building the signature rolls

The defining feature of the look came from strategic pin‑up‑style rolls.

• The sides were directed back, pinned tight and rolled under to create a sleek, contoured shape
• At the nape, Frausto added two soft rolls that sweep back and out, creating contrast and dimension while staying cohesive

“The placement and direction of each roll was key to balancing structure with softness and keeping the look elevated rather than overly set.” - Frausto

Step 4: Finish with shine and flexible hold

To finish the look, Frausto layered Redken Spray Wax Invisible Texture Mist for definition, Redken Shine Flash for high‑impact gloss and Redken Control Hairspray for flexible, long‑lasting hold. The result was a hairstyle that felt polished but not stiff, holding its shape while still moving naturally as Sabrina walked the carpet.

Redken Spray Wax Invisible Texture Mist

Flexible texture with a soft, modern finish. A lightweight wax spray that adds definition and control while keeping hair touchable and never crunchy. Buy now at Ulta Beauty

Redken Shine Flash Styling Product

Instant glass‑like shine. A high‑gloss finishing spray that boosts luminosity and smooths the look of hair without weighing it down. Buy now at JCPenney

Redken Control Hairspray

Strong hold with flexible movement. A long‑lasting hairspray that locks styles in place while maintaining natural movement and brushable control. Buy now at Ulta Beauty

Who styled Sabrina Carpenter’s hair for the Met Gala 2026?

Sabrina Carpenter’s Met Gala 2026 hair was styled by Evanie Frausto, who created a sculpted, vintage‑inspired look with a modern finish.

What products were used on Sabrina Carpenter’s Met Gala hair?

Frausto used Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave‑In Treatment, Redken Big Blowout, Redken Spray Wax, Redken Shine Flash and Redken Control Hairspray to create shine, structure and flexible hold.

Who hosted the 2026 Met Gala?

Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams were co-chairs for the 2026 Met Gala alongside gala leader Anna Wintour.

What was the 2026 Met Gala theme?

The 2026 Met Gala theme was "Costume Art," in coordination with the Costume Institute's spring exhibition, while the dress code, "Fashion Is Art," encouraged attendees to explore the intersection of clothing as a fine art form.

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