Chappell Roan made a bold statement at the 2026 Grammys with her eye-catching ensemble. Donning a striking sheer burgundy Mugler dress that played with the boundaries of exposure, the singer sparked conversations about her daring beauty choices, all while keeping the meticulous preparation behind the scenes largely unnoticed.
At first sight, her attire appeared daring and slightly revealing. However, her makeup artist, Sasha Glasser, was busy orchestrating a surprising approach for the red carpet.
In an interview with Allure, Glasser revealed that the primary aim was to help Roan feel a sense of comfort rather than vulnerability. The innovative approach involved the use of prosthetic nipple covers from Out of Kit, designed with a sticky backing akin to a bandage, eliminating the need for heavy adhesives.
To ensure everything remained secure throughout the evening, Glasser applied Telesis, a medical-grade prosthetic adhesive, and stabilized the covers with small circles of power mesh. Then came the unexpected twist: she pierced an earring through both the prosthetic and the mesh, creating the illusion of nipple jewelry without any actual piercings.
For a flawless integration with Roan’s skin tone, the team painted the prosthetics directly onto her body. To protect the jewelry during the application process, they cleverly covered it in bubblegum wrappers, removing them just in time for the singer to step into her sheer Mugler dress.
The camera captured the look as bold, edgy, and effortlessly chic, yet it was a meticulously crafted beauty illusion that empowered Roan to embrace an outfit that could have felt overly revealing.
The surprises extended beyond her attire, as Roan also unveiled a dramatic hair transformation for the event. She swapped her signature auburn curls for a rich deep brunette shade that amplified the overall look and harmonized beautifully with the deep burgundy dress.
Fans got a glimpse of the new hair color during a Grammy nominee livestream in November, where she showcased a sleeveless graphic top and vibrant glam highlighted with gold, blue, and green eyeshadows. However, the full effect came to life on the Grammy carpet, where her dark hair, sheer Mugler gown, and clever beauty trick created a memorable aesthetic.
Such behind-the-scenes insights add an iconic layer to a red carpet moment, making it all the more remarkable in retrospect.
