Quinta Brunson Trades In Her Pixie Cut For Long, Loose Waves

a black woman with short hair posing for paparazzi at a red carpet event — (Image credit: Getty Images)

For most people, a new year symbolizes a fresh start, which means it's as good a time as any to switch things up and kick things off with a completely different look. Take Quinta Brunson, for example. After spending the bulk of the last year wearing a chic pixie cut, the Abbott Elementary creator and star showed up to the 2026 Critic's Choice Awards wearing a super-long, '70s-style blowout.

Brunson attended the awards show wearing a baby pink Chloé suit that featured an oversized jacket and wide leg pants. She opted for natural glam (i.e., a filled-in brow, brown eye makeup, and subtle lash extensions) but went all out with her hair. For the event, she wore a long, jet black wig with that featured big, bold, loose waves which were styled by hairstylist Suzette Boozer.

a black woman with curly, dark hair wearing a light pink pantsuit and posing for paparazzi on a red carpet during an awards show — Quinta Brunson wears long, wavy hair to the 2026 Critic's Choice Awards on Jan. 4.

Brunson previously debuted her pixie cut back in 2024 at the Primetime Emmy Awards. "I’ve been planning it for a really long time and I kept getting cold feet and I decided it was time to stop getting cold feet and just cut it off," she told correspondent Zanna Roberts during the show's the red carpet. "Like, I have never felt better. I just feel very much like myself."

The pixie cut was one of the most popular haircuts of 2025, and it's set to be one of winter's biggest haircuts alongside bold curly cuts like the hairstyle Brunson wore to the Critic's Choice Awards. "I predict we’ll be seeing people who actually do have natural curls or waves finally showcasing them more often," curly hair specialist, Dusty Schlabach, previously told MC. To get the look, read ahead to shop a few essentials.

Luvme

Deep Wave U Part 100% Human Hair Wig

If you have short hair and want to experiment with length, the best way to do it is by investing in a wig.

Matrix

Food for Soft Rich Hydrating Treatment Mask for Hair Repair

Grab a hydrating hair mask to ensure your curls are extra moisturized before styling.

Rizos Curls

Curl Defining Mousse

Whether you have spiral curls or loose waves, a mousse will keep your hair hydrated while adding some extra definition.

Innersense Organic Beauty

I Create Hold Styling Gel

Opt for a hair gel if you want something that'll give you a little more definition and a stronger hold. This one from Innersense has a soft texture that won't harden on the hair.

ion

Black Universal Diffuser

Once you've applied all of your products, use a diffuser attachment to dry your hair—it'll give you a frizz-free finish.

Danielle Jackson is the former senior beauty writer at Marie Claire. She has nearly a decade of experience covering beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment and was previously the senior beauty editor at Women's Health, where she thoughtfully covered topics related to skincare, haircare, aesthetics, and wellness. Before that, she spent three years as an assistant beauty editor at PS, and in the years since, her work has appeared in titles like Vogue, InStyle, Glamour, and more. Danielle graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in English, and has lived in Brooklyn for almost ten years. When she's not writing, you can find her reading romance novels and talking about sunscreen. You can find her on Instagram @danielleknecole.