Emma Chamberlain’s Old Hollywood Pixie Gets the Bumble and bumble Treatment
Emma Chamberlain, at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala, proved that a short haircut can deliver just as much red carpet drama as an elaborate updo.
Celebrity hairstylist Sami Knight took inspiration from classic Hollywood glamour, using Emma’s dark pixie cut to create sculpted curls and playful finger-wave-inspired detailing across her forehead.
The result was a brilliant choice for Emma. I particularly love how the tiny curls frame her face without overwhelming her features, while the smoky eye makeup gives the otherwise nostalgic hairstyle a contemporary feel. There’s a lovely contrast between the softness of the curls and the sharper finish of her makeup.
Sami explained that the aim was to reference old Hollywood while giving the hairstyle a modern edge, and the process involved considerably more than simply curling a few sections.
He began by prepping Emma’s hair with Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer for softness, shine and heat protection, before working four pumps of Thickening High Drama Styling Foam through her hair to enhance its natural texture and add volume.
Once he’d combed the hair into the desired shape, Sami used a diffuser to dry and set it. He then took a very small flat iron, twisting and curling individual sections in different directions to create the distinctive shape and movement.
A couple of drops of the Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil helped separate the curls and add shine, while Semisumo Hi-Shine Pomade gave the ends definition. A light application of Strong Finish Firm Hold Hairspray ensured everything stayed in place throughout the evening.
What I appreciate most is that Sami worked with Emma’s short haircut rather than trying to disguise its length. The result has all the charm of a vintage Hollywood hairstyle, but still feels entirely suited to her.
And with those perfectly placed curls across her forehead, the Betty Boop reference is impossible to miss.
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