Tyla is no stranger to making waves at the Met Gala, and her 2026 outing was no different as the South African pop/ R&B star evoked mermaid royalty in custom Valentino with her hair in an undone, glossy wet look courtesy of celebrity hairstylist Yusef.
The singer, whose new album A*POP is due out in July, stepped onto the carpet in a teal drop-waist Valentino gown dripping with crystals, rhinestones and sequins.
Yusef went with a slightly different take on Tyla's signature curls, directing the front pieces back before cascading into glossy waves, evoking a sea goddess emerging from the water.
"My overall inspiration was something extremely statuesque, very ethereal like an art sculpture,” he says. “A mix of sculpted softness, telling a story of beauty and strength.”
Collaborating on Tyla’s glam were her go-to celebrity beauty professionals: makeup artist Ngozi Esther Edeme and nail artist Coca Michelle, both of whom pulled colors and texture inspo from her dress to complete the look.
Yusef used amika products and Wavytalk styling tools to achieve Tyla’s soft, cascading wet look.
Step by Step: Tyla’s Met Gala 2026 Hair
- Prep hair with amika superfruit star lightweight hair styling + heat defense oil.
- Apply amika un.done volume and matte texture spray and power hour curl hair refreshing spray with a touch of water throughout the styling process to build texture and support.
- Apply on lock high hold hair wax for edge control and refinement.
- Smooth roots with Wavytalk Steam Sesh straightener for a sleek foundation and to support directing the face-framing hair back.
- Shape curls using Cool Curl Pencil and finish drying with Turblow Pro with the diffuser attachment.
- Set the style with headstrong intense hold hairspray to lock in the wet look. Finish with top gloss hair shine spray for maximum brilliance.