Sculptural Hair Is the Breakout Beauty Trend of 2025—Here’s How to Do It Yourself

If the Met Gala is the Super Bowl of beauty trends, sculptural hair just claimed MVP. And even though the event was a while ago, the trends seem to echo through the rest of the year. This year’s main hair takeaway that we can already see taking shape? Sculptural designs.

This season’s red carpet turned into a runway for hair as high art—sleek, high-gloss finishes, swooping waves, and gravity-defying buns sculpted with the kind of precision you’d expect from couture gowns. Celebrities like Dua Lipa, Tessa Thompson, and Ego Nwodim didn’t just wear sculptural hair, either—they embodied it. The hair was the centerpiece of the evening, redefining what red carpet glam can look like.

Sculptural hair is bold, intentional, and unapologetically expressive. “We’re moving away from the undone and minimalistic, and into something with more statement, more shape, and a lot more intention,” says celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez. The shift mirrors fashion’s love affair with maximalism – dramatic silhouettes, rich textures, and standout structure—and signals a beauty evolution that’s all about impact.

Want to bring the sculptural movement into your own routine? Keep reading for a deep dive into the trend and how to pull it off at home.

What Is Sculptural Hair?

“Sculptural hair refers to hairstyles where the stylist has created a certain shape using very carefully chosen tools and techniques,” says hairstylist and owner of Noordwyk Salon, Clara Purvis. “It’s a nostalgic nod to Y2K moments—think intricate braids and constructed updos, but made fresh for 2025.” These aren’t wash-and-go styles. They’re deliberate, elevated, and highly styled looks meant to express individuality and creativity.

Alvarez adds that sculptural hair “goes beyond traditional hairstyling by focusing on defined shapes, intricate textures, and sometimes even gravity-defying silhouettes.” These styles showcase bold, expressive forms – loops, cones, waves, and molded ponytails that double as visual art. And while the trend feels forward-facing, its roots run deep, particularly within Black hair culture, where sculptural styles have long been a form of artistry, identity, and cultural expression. From the towering updos of the ’60s to intricate braided designs passed down through generations, these looks are anything but new. But now, fueled by social media’s hunger for boundary-pushing beauty, sculptural hair is stepping into the spotlight, unapologetically front and center.

How to Try Sculptural Hair

Okay, so maybe you’re not walking the Met Gala steps—but that doesn’t mean you can’t channel that same high-drama energy in your bathroom mirror. Whether you’re going for full-on architectural glam or just want to zhuzh up your topknot, these looks are surprisingly doable with the right tools (and a little finesse).

1. Sculptural Updo

Sculptural and sultry, this style is all about turning heads. Start by pulling your hair into a sleek, tight bun using a strong-hold gel. Next, Alvarez recommends separating a few front pieces, smooth them with product, and use the tail end of a comb to curve them into soft, S-shaped swoops that frame the face. It’s equal parts delicate and defined for hair that is obviously styled with intention. Lock it all in with a firm-hold hairspray and let the curves do the talking.

2. Textured Bob

This isn’t your everyday wave. Tessa’s ‘do had major movement and a graphic, sculpted shape at the ends. To mimic this silhouette, curl your hair in a single direction (no alternating this time) and fluff it out with a wide-tooth comb for that undulating effect. Not sure how to curate those sharp, upturned ends? Alvarez recommends spraying a strong-hold hairspray on your strands, place a flat sifter underneath, and hit it with your blow dryer and voilà! You’ve got blunt ends that defy gravity.

3. High-Shine Side-Part Pony

This look is sleek, striking, and just the right amount of dramatic. Start with a deep side part and pull your hair into a tight, mid-level ponytail – just don’t forget to leave out two face-framing strands, says Purvis. To get that wet-look gloss, run a styling cream through the hair, then twist and curl those front pieces before pinning them along the hairline. For a bold finish, twist the ponytail into a sculptural bun and secure with pins.

4. Bold, Curved Pieces

Okay, this one’s definitely more on the editorial side – but you can channel a simplified version. Create a tight, clean ponytail using gel to smooth everything down. Then, using a comb and some patience, sculpt a few curved sections (Purvis calls them “feather-like”) around the base of the ponytail and pin into place. “It’s almost like your hair is hugging your head,” says Purvis. It’s a fierce and feminine style that will turn heads.