Cool-toned black and very dark brown hair dominated the VMAs' blue carpet on Sunday, 27 September, with E! Online dubbing the look 'dark siren hair' as one of fall 2026's notable beauty trends. Charli XCX, Ella Bright, Rei Ami, Teyana Taylor and Olandria were among the stars who wore variations of the ultra-dark look at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
The trend is not tied to one particular hairstyle. It can range from long, loose waves to a short pixie cut, with the defining feature being the intensity of the hair colour. The shade itself can vary from cool-toned black to warm-toned dark brown, while the 'siren' reference draws on the mythical creatures associated with alluring sailors to their deaths.
Ella Bright Debuted a Dramatically Darker Shade
Ella Bright used the VMAs to debut a dark chocolate-brown hair colour that marked a clear change from the shade she has worn as Hannah 'Wellsy' Wells in Off Campus.
Bright's hair was previously a light brown with a hint of red when she first appeared as the character earlier this year. For the VMAs, she switched to a much darker chocolate brown, giving her look a distinctly different feel for the autumn season.
Bright paired the new colour with a silk corset dress and a six-string pearl choker. Vogue noted that she was not the only celebrity to embrace darker chocolate shades, pointing to Hailey Bieber and Dakota Johnson as recent examples of the trend.
Her appearance also brought Off Campus fans another reason to pay attention. Bright reunited with her on-screen romantic interest, Belmont Cameli, at the VMAs, where the pair were scheduled to present an award together.
Other Stars Joined the Dark-Hair Shift
Bright was not the only star embracing the darker palette. Charli XCX, Rei Ami, Teyana Taylor and Olandria were among the celebrities who appeared on the VMAs blue carpet with notably dark hair.
Charli xcx stuns at the 2026 MTV VMAs. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/aqbFRfEoyQ
— xcx source (@xcxsource) September 27, 2026
The looks varied considerably, reinforcing the idea that 'dark siren hair' is more about colour than a particular cut or styling technique. Long waves, shorter cuts and different textures can all fit the trend as long as the overall colour remains strikingly dark.
That flexibility may be part of the appeal. Rather than requiring a specific haircut or elaborate styling routine, the trend centres on a major colour change that can be adapted to different lengths and personal styles.
How To Get the Dark Siren Hair Look
For anyone considering the switch, choose the depth and tone with your natural undertone in mind. Go for dark brown for warmer undertones and soft black for cooler undertones. Switching to a deeper shade is a long-term commitment, particularly for people starting with blonde or otherwise light hair, so it's recommended to visit a professional before making the change.
Keeping the colour looking glossy also requires regular care. Colour-safe shampoos, conditioning treatments and nourishing hair masks can help maintain shine between salon appointments, while a colour-depositing gloss can refresh the tone when it starts to fade. Root touch-up sprays and hair fibres can also be used to manage visible regrowth.
The recent VMAs offered a strong showcase for the autumn hair-colour palette. With stars including Charli XCX and Bright embracing richer brunette and black tones, 'dark siren hair' has emerged as a fitting name for the season's move towards more dramatic colour.
