Black women didn’t wait for awards season to ease in this year. As red carpets began to roll out in 2026, the Palm Springs Film Festival set the tone early, delivering beauty looks that felt considered, confident, and quietly expressive. The result was a lineup that established an unmistakable beauty mood before the season even found its footing. Beyond the carpet, that same energy carried onto social media and the high-fashion streets, where makeup and hairstyles echoed the glamour. Indeed, these moments launched the year with a clear visual direction rooted in presence rather than excess.
From warm, sculpted makeup to textured hair worn without restraint, the best beauty looks—from the Palm Springs Film Festival to the streets—leaned into intentionality. In the end, Black women spoke a shared beauty language wherever they appeared: defined eyes, expressive textures, and choices that felt deliberate and impactful.
The Looks
Makeup
Teyana Taylor’s makeup look perfectly captured the balance that defined the Palm Springs Festival beauty moments. A smoky eye built with earthy tones and a soft shimmer balanced her graphic liner, while full lashes added depth and intensity. Her brows were sculpted yet natural, anchoring the look with strength. Meanwhile, her nude, glossy lips brought the entire face together. The result was polished, grounded, and quietly powerful, making it an ideal match for an awards-season appearance.
Elsewhere, Monica Denise leaned into a more editorial interpretation of festival glamour. Her eyes carried the drama, with deep, blended shadows concentrated in the crease and outer corners. Winged liner elongated the shape, while long lashes added scale and definition. To offset the drama, the lips remained understated, finished in a matte nude tone.
Hairstyles
Transitioning into hair, Teyana Taylor’s hairstyle at the Palm Springs Film Awards stayed true to her signature confidence. She wore a black pixie cut styled with soft, sculpted waves. The shape emphasized movement at the crown, while the sides remained close and tapered. The waves introduced texture and fluidity, complementing her makeup without competing for attention.
Meanwhile, Chase Infiniti brought volume and natural texture to the Palm Springs beauty lineup with shoulder-grazing curls. Her dark, natural hair framed her face in a mix of defined ringlets and looser curls, creating depth and motion. Her embrace of volume and authenticity underscored a continued appreciation for individuality on the carpet that celebrates texture not as a trend, but as a statement.
Check out the best beauty looks at the 2026 Palm Springs Festival and other events from last week…
Teyana Taylor
Shop editor’s edit
Toni Braxton
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Tiwa Savage
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Chloe Bailey
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Wunmi Mosaku
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Chase Infiniti
Shop the lips
Monica Denise
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Cynthia Bailey
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Angel Reese
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Saweetie
Shop the hair
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