Brittany Snow's stunning 2026 InStyle Imagemaker Awards look masterfully channels Old Hollywood elegance, inspired by Shirley MacLaine's iconic film style. Her breathtaking white column gown and sculptural updo, crafted with TRESemmé products, offer a timeless yet modern interpretation of vintage glamour.
The fashion and beauty world continues to buzz over Brittany Snow's stunning appearance at the 2026 InStyle Imagemaker Awards. The actor, who has been enjoying a well-deserved spotlight in recent years, channeled pure Old Hollywood elegance on the red carpet. She chose a breathtaking white column gown with a dramatic plunging back, adorned with delicate pearl details. This wasn't just another beautiful dress; it was a carefully crafted homage to cinematic history, specifically Shirley MacLaine's iconic look in the 1964 film What a Way to Go!. Snow's entire ensemble, from the gown to her meticulously sculpted updo, spoke to a timeless glamour that feels both nostalgic and perfectly modern in 2026.
The Inspiration: A Nod to Shirley MacLaine
Snow confirmed to reporters that her look was directly inspired by Shirley MacLaine's character in the classic film. In one of the movie's most memorable scenes, MacLaine wears a gown that completely exposes her back, beautifully showcasing a long, dramatic strand of pearls. Snow's interpretation offered a slightly more contemporary and demure take. While her white gown also featured a striking open back, the pearl detailing was shorter and integrated into the dress's structure, creating a seamless and elegant effect. This thoughtful adaptation shows how vintage inspiration can be reimagined for today's red carpet, maintaining the original's glamorous spirit while feeling fresh and new.
The Hair: A Structural Masterpiece by Glen Oropeza
Complementing the architectural gown was a hairstyle that was equally considered and polished. Celebrity hairstylist Glen Oropeza was the mastermind behind Snow's sleek, sculptural bun. "For this look, we wanted something understated yet polished," Oropeza explained. "The dress was a very structured white dress with pearl details falling down her back, so I knew right away I wanted the hair off of her face to show the details of the dress. The bun formation is sleek and minimal, yet structural to complement the dress."
This philosophy resulted in a twisted updo that captured the Old Hollywood energy of MacLaine's towering bouffant but in a more wearable, modern silhouette. It was elegant without being overwhelming, allowing the dress and Snow's features to shine.
The Step-by-Step Creation with TRESemmé
Oropeza relied entirely on the TRESemmé A-List collection to bring this vision to life. Here’s a breakdown of his process, which remains a go-to technique for sleek styles in 2026:
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The Foundation: He started by blow-drying Snow's hair with a smoothing brush until it was completely smooth and dry.
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Sectioning: The hair was divided into three separate sections to ensure ultimate control and sleekness.
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The Perfect Ponytail: To gather the hair, Oropeza sprayed his smoothing brush with the TRESemmé A-List Collection Workable Hairspray and brushed each section back, gradually joining them into one incredibly sleek, high ponytail. He repeated this process for each section.
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Final Polish: Once the ponytail was formed, he went back in with the same workable hairspray on a comb to meticulously eliminate every single flyaway.
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Building the Bun: The ponytail was then twisted into an elegant figure-eight shape. Oropeza secured it with pins as he worked, ensuring the structure was firm and graceful.
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The Finishing Touch: For the final step, he used a toothbrush sprayed with his trusted TRESemmé hairspray to gently smooth over the entire style, taming any last stray hairs for a flawlessly polished finish.
Oropeza's detailed approach highlights how professional-grade results can be achieved with accessible, high-quality products. The focus on a workable hairspray was key, allowing for adjustment and precision throughout the styling process.
Why This Look Resonates in 2026
Brittany Snow's choice for the Imagemaker Awards feels particularly significant. The event honors the creative teams—stylists, hairstylists, and makeup artists—behind Hollywood's most iconic looks. By wearing a look that so clearly celebrates both a classic film and modern styling expertise, Snow paid tribute to the entire craft of image-making. It’s a full-circle moment. Furthermore, her consistent fashion wins in recent years, from the memorable pink beaded Weiderhoeft gown at the 2025 Emmys to this cinematic tribute, have solidified her status as a true style icon who understands both fashion and its historical context.
Her look proves that true glamour is timeless. It’s about thoughtful inspiration, expert execution, and the confidence to wear it all. As Oropeza’s process shows, even the most elegant, red-carpet-ready hairstyles are built on fundamental techniques and reliable products. For anyone looking to capture a bit of that polished, Old Hollywood energy in their own routine, the principles are clear: start with smooth, well-prepared hair, use a flexible-hold product for control, and don't underestimate the power of a final, detailed polish. Brittany Snow's 2026 awards season moment was, indeed, a wonderful way to make an entrance. 😊
| Look Element | Inspiration Source | Modern Twist |
|---|---|---|
| Gown | Shirley MacLaine's backless dress in What a Way to Go! | Structured white column gown with integrated, shorter pearl detailing |
| Hairstyle | MacLaine's large, voluminous bouffant | Sleek, sculptural, and twisted figure-eight bun |
| Overall Vibe | 1960s Old Hollywood Extravagance | Contemporary, minimalist, and architecturally polished elegance |