Sabrina Carpenter’s 2024 MTV VMAs Hair Was Inspired by Pop Royalty and Involved 6 Hours of Bang Prep

A hairstyle like Sabrina Carpenter’s 2024 MTV Video Music Awards look takes work. 

For the awards show, the “Espresso” singer, 25, teamed up with hairstylist Evanie Frausto, who used Redken products to achieve bouncy “old Hollywood” curls and voluminous bangs on the pop star. (Carpenter was recently named the haircare brand’s first global ambassador on Sept. 9.)

If you’re wondering how to recreate the pro’s work, especially Carpenter's fringe, just know that it took hours — and lots of hairspray — to get it to perfection. 

“We started six hours before glam,” Frausto shared in a press release, adding that he first put Carpenter’s signature curtain bangs in a roller and let them “sit” in position until it was time for her to get ready.

When the actual styling process began, Frausto started with his signature blowout, but with a “red-carpet twist” inspired by Marilyn Monroe and Madonna’s glamour. 

“We cut her hair to lay on her shoulders. I then dampened Sabrina’s hair with water and layered in the Redken Volume Maximizer on top from roots to ends, brushing it through with a round brush,” the pro shared. 

To get that coveted volume, Frausto then put in roller clips in parts of Carpenter’s hair. He also sectioned off other areas around the hairline and underneath her very top layers and used a 1 inch curling iron before switching to a smaller barrel for tighter curls. 

Once all the pins were removed, Frausto went in with the Redken Dry Texture Spray and brushed out her hair to “keep it soft and sexy.” Then the Redken Brushable Hairspray, a humidity-resistant and controlling mist, held everything together.

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Carpenter’s hair was in tune with her makeup, which consisted of dewy skin, blushed cheeks, a ruby red lip and Velour lashes done by Carolina Gonzalez. It also complemented her three outfits, all styled by Jared Ellner.

The former Disney star first walked the carpet in a vintage beaded Bob Mackie gown from Tab Vintage, which was worn by Madonna to the 1991 Oscars.

She then performed a medley of “Please Please Please,” “Espresso” and “Taste" in a custom Victoria's Secret bodysuit embellished with 18,500 crystal beads and bedazzled kiss marks, before capping off the evening with a 1996 Gucci by Tom Ford lace minidress, also from Tab Vintage, for the afterparty.

Carpenter’s night was as big as her hair and ended with the hitmaker receiving her first ever Moon Person award for song of the year for “Espresso.” 

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