"Kiss curls" stole the spotlight at the 2025 Met Gala, with celebrities from Sydney Sweeney to Dua Lipa to Bad Bunny rocking their versions of the iconic 1920s hairstyle for the event's theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."
Also known as the far less charming "spit curl," a kiss curl is a sculpted strand — usually one, sometimes more — artfully laid along the forehead or cheek.
Dating back to the legendary Josephine Baker and Betty Boop, this retro flourish echoes today’s edge-laying trends, but with a twist. The focus is on just a few sleek, statement-making swirls rather than the full hairline.
“These small defined curls that sit close to the skin and adorn the face can bring a soft romantic touch and a glamorous vintage feel to so many styles,” says salon educator Anna Peters, Sam Villa ArTeam Member and owner of re:TREAT Color + Hair Design and Studio in Fresno, CA.
Below, Peters shares her technique for creating the sassy throwback look.
How To: Sculpt Kiss Curls
- Using a long-tail comb, pick up a small section of hair at the front hairline.
- Saturate strands with a high-hold styler like Redken Sculpting Curl Gel (or product of choice). Comb through the section, removing tangles and smoothing hair.
- Wrap into a curl pattern, either around finger or tail comb, and lay down against the head to dry. (To dry faster and set the shape, use a blow dryer with a diffuser to ensure curl does not get disrupted; simply hover over curl 'til dry.)
- Once dry, spray with a medium hold hairspray for hold.
- Optional: Define the shape further by compressing with a flat iron and then set with hairspray.
Besides the no-pants look, kiss curls were the most dominant trend on the Met Gala's blue floral carpet in 2025.
“I think this look is going to catch on this summer," Peters says, "as a fresh way to elevate sleek looks and ponytails."
Tap here to view classes by Anna Peters and the Sam Villa ArTeam at Premiere Orlando.