Taylor Swift Leads the Glamour Best Hair and Makeup at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards

Taylor Swift Leads the Glamour: Best Hair and Makeup at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards: Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Raye and More

ByUSA News Today

LOS ANGELES — The stars didn’t just align on Thursday night at the Dolby Theatre; they shone with a curated, high-fashion brilliance that signaled a new era of beauty for the music industry’s elite. The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards served as a definitive runway for the trends that will dominate the coming year: a resurgence of nostalgic blonds, the evolution of the “quiet luxury” smoky eye, and a surprising departure from signature aesthetics by some of the world’s biggest icons.

From Taylor Swift’s moody, earth-toned transformation to Miley Cyrus’s triumphant return to her roots, the red carpet was a masterclass in intentional glam. As we look back at the 2025 musical achievements being celebrated, it is clear that for these innovators, the “New Year, New Me” mantra has been applied with surgical precision to their beauty regimes.

The Evolution of the “Taylor Swift” Aesthetic

If there was one person the world was waiting for, it was the woman of the decade. Taylor Swift didn’t just attend the iHeartRadio Music Awards; she dominated them, walking away with five trophies and sparking a million conversations about her daring new look.

For years, the “Swiftie” starter pack included two non-negotiables: a sharp cat-eye wing and a classic crimson lip. However, at the 2026 awards, Swift officially closed that chapter. Working with her longtime makeup maestro Lorrie Turk, Swift opted for a look heavily inspired by the grit and glamour of The Life of a Showgirl.

The Makeup: Earthy Introspection

Swift’s makeup was a departure from her usual high-contrast pop style. Turk utilized a palette of deep umbers, charcoal, and shimmering taupes to create a “dusk eye” that added a layer of maturity and mystery to the singer’s gaze. The usual sharp liquid liner was swapped for a diffused, smoked-out finish that elongated her eyes without the harshness of a traditional wing.

The most shocking element? The lack of red. In its place, Swift wore a soft, creamy watermelon pink lipstick. This choice complemented the “Midnights” era’s transition into more soulful, experimental territory, proving that Swift can command a room even without her “red lip classic” thing that we like.

The Hair: Architectural Half-Up

Hair stylist Jemma Muradian took Swift’s current darker, “dirty blond” hue—a significant shift from the bright platinum of years past—and crafted an intricate half-up, half-down style. Her signature front bangs were styled straight and heavy over her forehead, while the rest of the body featured loose, textured waves that gave off an effortless, “just-off-stage” energy.

Miley Cyrus: The Return of the Montana

While Swift moved toward the shadows, Miley Cyrus stepped firmly into the light—specifically, a bright, buttery “Hannah Montana” blond. Having recently celebrated the 20th-anniversary special of the show that made her a household name (now streaming on Hulu and Disney+), Cyrus leaned fully into the nostalgia.

The Hair: A Nostalgic Masterpiece

Celebrity hairstylist and Olaplex ambassador Bobby Eliot was the architect behind Miley’s look. The style featured the blunt bangs fans fell in love with two decades ago, but with a 2026 twist: the layers were shorter, more shaggy, and parted to create a modern “rock-and-roll” silhouette. The color, a shimmering honey-butter blond provided by Kenny Reed, glowed under the Dolby Theatre heat.

The Makeup: Silver and Smoke

To balance the warmth of her hair, makeup artist Janice Daoud went cold with the palette. Cyrus, who received the 2026 Innovator Award, sported eyes dusted in silver and charcoal shimmer. It was a look that felt both futuristic and reminiscent of 70s disco. Her lips were kept understated in a nude-taupe matte combo, ensuring the focus remained on her piercing blue eyes and that iconic blond mane.

The Blond Brigade: Sabrina Carpenter and Justine Skye

The “nascent blond” trend didn’t stop with Miley. The carpet was awash with varying shades of gold, each telling a different story of the artist’s current era.

  • Sabrina Carpenter: The “Espresso” singer stayed true to her “doll-like” aesthetic but elevated it with a high-shine, voluminous blowout that recalled 90s supermodels. Her makeup featured the “pale lip” trend seen across the board, utilizing a soft peach gloss that made her look radiant.
  • Justine Skye: Proving that blond is not just for long tresses, Justine Skye stole the spotlight with a yellow-blond pixie cut. The bold color choice against her radiant skin tone was one of the most daring moves of the night. Her makeup remained minimal, opting for a “clean girl” aesthetic to let the architectural cut of her hair do the talking.

Raye and the British Invasion of Glamour

The sensational Raye brought a touch of London sophistication to the Los Angeles stage. Her beauty look was a tribute to classic Hollywood but with a subversive edge.

Classic Meets Contemporary

Raye’s hair was styled in deep, sculpted finger waves that looked almost wet, reflecting the light like silk. For makeup, she leaned into the “dusk eye” trend but added a heavy dose of kohl on the waterline, giving her an edgy, soulful appearance that matched her powerhouse vocals.

Beauty Trends of the Night: A Summary

The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards established several key “rules” for the upcoming beauty season:

  1. The Death of the Matte Red: Almost every major star, including Taylor Swift, opted for sheer pinks, nudes, or taupes.
  2. Dusk Eyes over Cat Eyes: The “winged” look is being replaced by diffused, smoky gradients in earth tones and metallics.
  3. The “Blond-Again” Movement: Whether it’s nostalgia-driven (Cyrus) or a complete reinvention (Skye), blond is the color of 2026.

As the night concluded, it was clear that the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards will be remembered as much for the looks as for the music. In a world of constant digital filters, these stars chose textures and tones that felt real, mature, and—above all—innovative.

Based on the breaking news stories regarding the Susie Celek/Hollis Thomas romance and the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, here is a comprehensive FAQ to address the most searched questions, followed by the reference links.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Susie Celek & Hollis Thomas Romance

1. Who is Susie Celek’s new boyfriend?
Susie Celek is dating former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Hollis Thomas. She confirmed the relationship on March 23, 2026, via a “hard launch” video on her Instagram account.

2. When did Susie Celek and Brent Celek divorce?
Susie and the former Eagles tight end Brent Celek reportedly finalized their divorce in 2015.

3. Did Hollis Thomas and Brent Celek ever play together?
No. Hollis Thomas played for the Eagles from 1996 to 2005. Brent Celek was drafted by the team in 2007 and played until 2018. While both are Eagles legends, their careers in Philadelphia did not overlap.

4. What does Susie Celek do now?
Susie currently works as a yoga and pilates instructor at LA Fitness and is a well-known personality in the Philadelphia fitness and social scene.

2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards Beauty & Glamour

1. Why was Taylor Swift’s makeup significant at the 2026 iHeartRadio Awards?
Taylor Swift moved away from her signature “Red Lip/Winged Liner” aesthetic. Instead, she debuted a “The Life of a Showgirl” inspired look featuring earth-toned smoky eyes and a watermelon pink lipstick.

2. Why did Miley Cyrus go back to blond hair?
Miley Cyrus returned to a “butter-blond” look with blunt bangs to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana. The anniversary special was released on Hulu and Disney+ around the time of the awards.

3. Who won the 2026 Innovator Award?
Miley Cyrus was the recipient of the 2026 iHeartRadio Innovator Award, recognized for her career-long evolution and recent musical achievements.

4. What were the major beauty trends of the night?
The “Big Three” trends were:

  • Dusk Eyes: Diffused, smoky earth tones rather than sharp liners.
  • Pale Lips: Nudes, taupes, and soft pinks replacing bold reds.
  • Nostalgic Blonds: A variety of honey and butter-blond shades.

Reference Links & Sources

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