Once again, Shakira demonstrated her ability to set trends that go far beyond just her songs. At the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, Shakira gave fans a stellar performance from start to finish, but it was her textured, blonde waves that stole the show.
Days after the match ended, Shakira’s bohemian braid became a worldwide beauty phenomenon. Global “Shakira hair” searches spiked over 5,000% week over week and “boho hair” searches spiked 40% within 24 hours of the Final, according to data from beauty booking app Fresha.
Take a look at why Shakira’s hair took over
Shakira’s Hair Trend Is Booming Worldwide For Several Reasons:
For the past decade, Shakira has sported natural curls. But during the World Cup game, Shakira debuted a more beachy version of her natural look. Big, textured waves that add movement and volume to her natural curls.
“The texture Shakira rocked at the World Cup game wasn’t perfected—it was effortless,” says Taurua. Beauty seekers are yearning for normalcy after a year and a half of wearing their hair back, tied up, or slicked down. Textured hair that doesn’t look or feel like you spent hours fixing is what everyone is craving.
Key Tips For Shakira-Inspired Boho Waves
Here’s how to achieve Shakira’s popular waves:
Make sure your hair is washed one day before you style it. Fresh washed hair does not hold texture as well.
After towel drying your hair, take a sea salt spray and scrunch it into your hair. This will add volume and give your hair that beachy look.
Take a curling iron and curl your hair by curling small pieces at a time. Don’t curl all your hair the same way; instead, alternate the direction of the curls and the sizes.
Once you’ve finished curling your hair, do not brush it! You want all those wonderful curls you created to hold their shape.
If you have naturally curly hair, opt for using a styling mousse that defines your curls but doesn’t stiffen them.
You can also sleep in loose braids if you don’t want to use heat. Braid your hair when it’s slightly damp overnight, and undo them in the morning for loose waves.
Why This Trend Matters
This viral moment is about more than just a celebrity rocking a beautiful look. This hairstyle is attainable and doesn’t require hours of upkeep like many other trends. Beauty trends are trending more toward natural looks that don’t require high maintenance.
