The MTV Video Music Awards red carpet is one of those rare places where the outfits are every bit as interesting as the performances and prizes that follow—and the hair, makeup, and manicures are every bit as important as the outfits. The celebrity glam teams always take a little more license at the VMAs to get eccentric, hyperbolically glamorous, referential, or all three. That makes the red carpet—or in this year’s case, seafoam blue-green carpet—arrival of every nominee, presenter, and performer particularly fun to track, especially in the context of the looks they’ve already established as their signature styles.
Sabrina Carpenter, for example, has certain hallmarks that have become nearly as recognizable as her music, and Olivia Rodrigo also tends to know exactly what works for her, but with both of them, even a familiar combination of their favorite shades and shapes can feel more fresh than predictable in the hands of their beauty pros.
We’ve been placing imaginary bets in our heads about whether or not artists like Raye and Olivia Dean will stick to their retro-informed vibes, how Charli XCX and Tate McRae’s respective hairstylists will play with their length, and what color Megan Thee Stallion’s hair will be. It’s that anticipation that makes this red carpet one of the most fun of the year for beauty lovers, not to mention one of the hardest to narrow down to the best looks.
But someone has to do it, so we’re zooming in on part placement, scrutinizing smoky eyes, clocking every minute manicure detail that will make this particular night an especially memorable one for fans and beauty historians alike. Keep scrolling for the best beauty moments on the 2026 VMAs red carpet.
Teyana Taylor
Photo: Getty Images
Olandria
Photo: Getty Images
