Honestly, it felt like a glitch in the Matrix. One minute we're all obsessively tutorial-hopping to learn how to master that 1960s Brigitte Bardot blowout, and the next, Sabrina Carpenter walks into Paris Fashion Week looking like she just stepped off the set of a 2006 teen drama.
Seeing Sabrina Carpenter straight hair is a rarity. It’s like seeing a unicorn, but with better highlights.
For years, the "Espresso" singer has been the undisputed queen of the voluminous, gravity-defying curl. Her hair has its own zip code. It’s a brand. So, when she showed up at the Dior Homme Menswear Spring/Summer 2026 show in June 2025 with sleek, pin-straight strands and—wait for it—her signature bangs pinned back, the internet collectively gasped.
The Paris "Pivot": Breaking the Style Mold
It wasn't just a haircut; it was a vibe shift.
Sabrina arrived in a structured steel-gray blazer and pleated skirt, looking incredibly refined. But the real talk was the hair. Gone were the bouncy ringlets that usually punctuate her stage performances. Instead, she rocked a side-parted, smooth style with a very slight Y2K flip at the ends.
Some called it "business casual meets Old Hollywood." I call it the ultimate palate cleanser.
🔗 Read more: Ethan Slater and Frankie Grande: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The beauty of this move? It proved that she isn't just a one-trick pony with a round brush. Her hairstylist, Scott King, has often talked about how much "performance hair" takes a beating. Between the sweat of the Short n' Sweet tour and the literal pounds of hairspray needed to keep those curls intact, a sleek, straight look is probably the biggest relief her follicles have had in years.
Why she usually avoids the flat iron
Let’s be real. Sabrina's hair is "Hair Theory" in action.
The volume gives her that flirty, pop-princess-next-door energy that has defined her recent era. Straight hair, on the other hand, changes her face shape. It’s more angular. It’s more "I’m about to sign a multi-million dollar merger" than "I’m singing about a manchild."
She’s actually joked about her hair before. When rumors swirled that her signature volume was thanks to a wig, she told TIME Magazine, "I don't even know what a wig is, but I also don't know what not a wig is." Iconic.
How to Get the Sabrina Carpenter Straight Hair Look
If you’re trying to replicate that Dior-inspired sleekness without looking like you just got caught in a rainstorm, you need a plan. Straight hair on a blonde who usually has volume can easily look flat or "fried" if you aren't careful.
💡 You might also like: Leonardo DiCaprio Met Gala: What Really Happened with His Secret Debut
1. The Prep is 90% of the Work
Scott King and Laurie Heaps (her other go-to hair guru) swear by the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate line. Because Sabrina has highlights, her hair is chemically "compromised." You can't just take a 450-degree iron to it.
- Wash: Use a sulfate-free bonding shampoo.
- The Mask: Use the 5-minute liquid mask once a week.
- The Serum: Apply the 24/7 Night & Day Serum on damp hair. It repairs the bonds so the hair actually reflects light instead of absorbing it.
2. The Blow-Dry (Don't Skip This)
Don't just air dry and iron. That’s how you get "crunchy" hair.
You want to rough dry until it's about 80% dry, then use a medium round brush to pull it taut. This creates the "base" straightness. If you start with wavy hair and just iron over it, the texture will fight back the second you hit humidity.
3. The Pin-Back Secret
The "straight hair" look in Paris worked because she used a tortoiseshell barrette to clip her bangs to the side. It opened up her face. If you have bangs, use a small amount of finishing cream (like Redken's Hair Balm) to keep them from separating while they’re pinned.
4. The Shine Factor
Straight hair lives or dies by shine.
Sabrina’s look isn't "matte." It’s glossy. Use a boar bristle brush. Spray your hairbrush with a light-hold, brushable hairspray before running it through. This tames flyaways without making the hair look stiff or greasy.
Addressing the "Wig" Allegations
Let's get this out of the way: It's her real hair.
📖 Related: Mia Khalifa New Sex Research: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With Her 2014 Career
The reason people thought her hair was a wig is because it always looks too perfect. But the Paris appearance with the straight, slightly less voluminous style basically debunked the wig theory for good. You could see the natural movement and the way the layers fell.
Does straight hair mean a new era?
Usually, when a pop star changes their hair, a new album is 10 minutes away.
However, for Sabrina, this felt more like a fashion-forward experiment. She’s been leaning into "Cottagecore" for her Variety features and "High Fashion" for the Dior shows. Straight hair allows the clothes to do more of the talking. When your hair is a mile high, people look at the hair first and the outfit second.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Hair Day
If you're moving away from the "Sabrina Curls" and toward the "Sabrina Sleek," keep these three things in mind:
- Temperature Control: If you're using a flat iron, keep it under 375°F (190°C). Anything higher can melt the toner in your blonde, leading to that "brassy" look Sabrina works so hard to avoid.
- The "Side Part" Revival: Don't be afraid of the side part. It was the MVP of her Paris look. It adds a bit of maturity and structure that a middle part lacks.
- Healthy Ends: Straight hair shows every split end. If you haven't had a trim in 8 weeks, the straight look will reveal your secrets. Get a "dusting" trim before committing to the sleek vibe.
The beauty of Sabrina's style evolution is that she isn't afraid to look "different." Whether she's rocking the Rapunzel-length extensions she used for the Rolling Stone shoot or the 2000s-era straight strands in Paris, it’s all about the confidence.
To keep your hair looking this good, start by swapping your regular conditioner for a bonding treatment tonight. Your strands need the strength if you're going to be switching between hot tools as often as she does.