Hey, 2007! Crimped Hair Is Back

I can’t believe I’m saying it, but my go-to hairstyle from elementary school was just on the runway. At Christian Siriano’s Fall/Winter 2026 show at New York Fashion Week, models waltzed down the runway in a hairdo reminiscent of the exact look I wore in 2007: Crimps.It’s ~fashion~, so of course it’s not the same fried Y2K hairstyle I wore back then. Created by hairstylist Lacy Redway, the “enchanted crimp” pairs the crimped texture with tons of shine. “Inspired by folklore and modern fairytales, this look balances sleek, reflective shine with strategically placed crimped texture,” Redway says. “Smooth hair is interrupted by delicate ridges and finished with a glossy, almost leather-like sheen, creating a look that feels both ethereal and fashion-forward.”ANGELA WEISS//Getty ImagesDave Kotinsky//Getty ImagesDave Kotinsky//Getty ImagesTo get the look, smooth on a heat protectant and mousse to wet hair. Redway used TRESemmé Extra Hold Mousse, a favorite on the Cosmo team for adding hold to prep for styles without the usual crunch or stiffness. Then, to get the hair sleek and ultra smooth, blow-dry with a round brush in sections. If you’re not skilled at holding a brush and blow-drying (it’s me, I’m the not skilled one), try a blow dry brush that combines the steps all in one.Dave Kotinsky//Getty ImagesOnce the hair is dry, it’s time to start crimping. In sections, place a crimping iron in varying spots throughout the hair to add lived-in texture. Sure, you could do your whole head, but this sporadic placement definitely makes the look feel a bit more 2020s. To make it feel even more modern, press hair oil into your hair for max gloss. Redway actually used a paintbrush (like the ones you’d use for hair color) and TRESemmé A-List Collection Bonding Oil to give hair a leather-like finish. To set, a spritz of extra-hold hairspray and a mist of shine spray do the trick before the runway (or wherever you’re headed all dolled up).Just pair the look with a skinny scarf, low-rise jeans, and a Walkman for the full effect.Why trust Cosmopolitan? Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair, makeup, nail, and fragrance stories. She’s going backstage all NYFW to cover the next big beauty trends.Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.