Victoria's Secret has brought back its signature bombshell glamour, with the 2026 fashion show's voluminous blowouts, flowing waves and natural curls drawing renewed attention to the brand's runway hairstyles. The annual event took place at Sony Studios in Los Angeles on Sunday, 18 October, with models showcasing elaborate wings, glamorous outfits and hairstyles designed to celebrate volume and individuality.
The beauty direction also reflected calls from some fans for a return to the bouncy blowouts associated with earlier Victoria's Secret shows, rather than the sleek, pulled-back looks popular in recent years.
Victoria's Secret Brings Back Big, Bouncy Hair
Celebrity hairstylist Guido Palau led the hair team for the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, creating looks that combined classic glamour with a modern approach to styling. Backstage, models were photographed wearing large rollers as stylists prepared their hair for the runway. Palau's team used volumising products, hairspray and extensions to achieve the full-bodied blowouts featured throughout the presentation.
However, the show's beauty direction was not limited to one signature hairstyle. Natural curls and individual hair textures were also part of the creative vision, allowing models to showcase different looks while maintaining the event's glamorous aesthetic. The combination of polished blowouts and natural textures gave the runway a varied appearance, moving beyond the idea that every model needed identical waves.
Fans Had Been Calling For Less Slicked-Back Hair
The renewed emphasis on voluminous hairstyles followed online discussions about the beauty direction of recent Victoria's Secret shows. Ahead of the 2026 event, some social media users expressed frustration with slicked-back hairstyles and called for the return of flowing hair, dramatic wings and the glamorous presentation associated with earlier editions.
One discussion specifically urged the brand to move away from slicked-back looks, while other participants expressed enthusiasm for bigger hairstyles and sparkling runway beauty. The comments highlighted a sense of nostalgia among viewers who associated Victoria's Secret with dramatic blowouts and elaborate styling.
However, the online discussion did not represent every viewer's opinion, and the show's beauty direction should not be interpreted as a complete rejection of sleek hairstyles. Instead, the 2026 presentation placed greater emphasis on volume and varied textures.
Natural Curls And Individual Styles Take Centre Stage
The show's approach to hairstyling also reflected an effort to balance familiar Victoria's Secret glamour with individuality. Rather than relying exclusively on long, flowing waves, the styling team incorporated natural textures and curls into the overall presentation. This allowed different models to maintain distinctive hairstyles while contributing to the show's polished aesthetic.
The approach was particularly visible backstage, where models prepared for the runway with rollers, styling products and finishing touches designed to complement their individual looks. The variety demonstrated how the brand's traditional bombshell image could be adapted without requiring a uniform hairstyle. It also offered a contrast to the minimalist beauty trends that have influenced fashion and social media in recent years.
Is Classic Victoria's Secret Glamour Making A Comeback?
The 2026 fashion show revisited several elements long associated with Victoria's Secret, including elaborate angel wings, glamorous runway styling and dramatic beauty looks. The emphasis on bouncy blowouts and natural textures suggested an evolution of the brand's familiar aesthetic rather than a complete return to the past. While sleek buns and pulled-back hairstyles remain popular across the fashion industry, the show's styling demonstrated that voluminous hair continues to have a place on major runways.
For viewers who have been calling for more dramatic hairstyles, the latest presentation offered a glimpse of the glamour they associate with Victoria's Secret. Whether the renewed emphasis on volume becomes a lasting direction for the brand remains to be seen. For now, the 2026 show has placed bombshell hair firmly back in the spotlight.
