The days of stiff updos and liquid-smooth “glass hair” might be fading. When Kim Kardashian arrived at the 2026 Oscar party with messy, “just-rolled-out-of-bed” hair, she started a new movement: the bedhead-renaissance. This messy-chic look is challenging the old rules of red-carpet perfection, but will it actually replace classic glamour?
Trends change but classics stay
Celebrity stylist Vishaka D Jain, who recently styled Saaniya Chandok (entrepreneur and the wife of Indian cricketer Arjun Tendulkar), thinks the look will be a hit for summer 2026. However, she doesn’t think sleek hair is dead. “I for sure see this as a summer hairstyle for 2026. But still, I don’t think bedhead-renaissance is the end of polished glamour because polished can never go out of fashion,” says Jain.
She also notes that India’s heat and humidity make messy hair tricky to pull off. While Western celebrities enjoy cooler weather, Indian stars often struggle to keep “perfectly imperfect” hair looking good all night.
The Kim K effect
Kim Kardashian has a history of setting global trends. Jain believes this look was a deliberate choice to stand out. “Kim K has always set waves of trends… I feel this was intentional styling to break her look from the usual red carpet looks she’s done in the past.” Mumbai-based stylist Vibha Gusain adds that stars like Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt have been rocking messy hair for years. “The polished hair isn’t over. Trends change, but classic styles always stay. Messy feels new right now, but soon people will want balance again.”
Controlled chaos
Is this “raw authenticity” or just a different kind of effort? Experts say “messy” hair actually takes a lot of work. It requires texture sprays and strategic styling to look high-fashion rather than just unkempt.
Actor-model Ritika Gupta believes Kim is simply expanding her range. “She’s always been experimental… this time she simply brought a fresh undone style to the red carpet. We have to wait and watch whether the intentionally unkempt trend lasts.”
Want to try the “undone” style at home? Follow these expert tips:
Balance it out: Pair messy hair with clean, polished makeup so you don’t look untidy.
Less is more: Don’t over-style. The goal is to look like you didn’t try too hard.
Healthy hair first: Use a good conditioner. Healthy hair holds texture much better than dry hair.
Use the right tools: Grab some dry shampoo or texture spray to get that “gritty” lift and volume.