How to Get Sabrina Carpenter’s Bombshell Hairstyle

While we love her catchy bops as much as anyone else, it’s Sabrina Carpenter’s iconic bombshell blowouts that really leave us starstruck. One quick scroll through her Instagram feed, and it’s clear that the singer has a signature hairstyle—bouncy curls, tons of volume, and basically everything we ask for in a good hair day.

In a recent Instagram video, hairstylist Tom Smith compares Sabrina’s Carpenter’s haircut to Bridgitte Bardot’s. “The reason it’s so popular is that it combines the softness and sweetness of that bouncy blonde style with the sexy, sultry, slightly mysterious vibes of a long heavy fringe or bangs, and Sabrina’s bringing it back to the mainstream,” he says. In a nutshell. it’s a lot of layers with curtain fringe.

But what really sets her hair apart is how she styles it. “Sabrina’s modern take on the classic, voluminous blowout shows you that this is a style that is timeless and constantly evolves with the times,” says Lauren Paglionico, founder of LRN Beauty in New York City. The best part? It’s surprisingly adaptable for pretty much everyone.

“No matter your length or hair type, there’s a version of this blowout that works for everyone,” Paglionico says. That being said, those with naturally straight to wavy hair may have an easier time scoring this style, as it’s easier to manipulate those textures. If you have curly hair, you’ll need to first get it straight and smooth before attempting the below; however, this type of blowout will also last longer on curly hair, as straight hair tends to be innately oilier.

Here is a step-by-step guide for how to recreate this iconic look.

How to Get Sabrina Carpenter’s Bouncy Curls

1. Prep with the right products.

Since volume is an imperative part of this style, Paglionico advises layering on two different products on clean, damp hair. Start with a volume spray, applied mostly at the roots, then reach for a volumizing mousse to work through the ends. This combination (and placement) will help create tons of lift and fullness, without the risk of weighing down the hair.

2. Blow-dry with a round brush.

A round blow-dry brush is the base of this look. Section your hair from ear to ear and pin that up and out of the way, since it’s best to start at the back, Paglionico advises. Split the back section in half, then into 3-inch pieces (exactly how many you end up with depends on how long and thick your hair is).

“Using a round brush with boar bristles, lift each section and wrap the hair around the brush and blow dry the root. Then, roll the brush in and out, directing the blow-dryer on top of the hair to get it smooth,” she says. Once the section feels dry, roll the brush downward, in a twisting motion, while continuing to dry; this help creates that bend and shape. Once the back of your head is dry, move onto the front.

3. Reach for velcro rollers.

Repeat the same drying process as above for the front part of your hair, starting at the hairline and working your way back. However, once each section is dry, rather than twisting the brush downward, wrap it in a large Velcro roller.

You’ll likely end up with three or four rollers going down the top of your head in a Mohawk-like fashion, Paglionico says. Setting hair with rollers like this is an ideal way to help add further volume and bend to the hair, especially if strands are fine or thin to begin with.

4. Let everything cool.

Heat is imperative for creating shape in the hair, but that shape only sets as it cools. So, do your makeup or get dressed while you let your hair cool, particularly the sections in the rollers. Paglionico notes that you can also hit the top of your hair with the cool shot on your dryer to expedite the process.

5. Set it in place.

Take down the rollers and gently shake everything out. Don’t brush or comb, as this can break up the curls too much. Rather, use your hands to gently form it into the position you want it; then set the look with either a texturizing spray or a medium-hold hairspray. There’s no need to be super heavy-handed, as overdoing it on product can end up weighing down strands. A light mist should be sufficient.