When people think about stage presence, they often imagine choreography, costumes, or lighting. But for Charli XCX, one of the most powerful elements of her performance identity is something much simpler: her hair.
In the upcoming mockumentary The Moment, Charli’s signature hairstyle becomes more than just a beauty detail. It transforms into a visual storytelling tool—one that captures her rebellious energy, artistic identity, and the chaotic charisma fans have come to expect. According to hairstylist Matt Benns, the concept behind her look can be summed up in a single word: attitude.
The result is a hairstyle that feels bold, imperfect, and full of movement—perfectly aligned with Charli’s fearless approach to music and performance.
Hair as Part of the Performance
For Charli XCX, hair isn’t just an accessory. It’s part of the performance itself.
Benns explains that while studying Charli’s live shows, he noticed how often her hair played a role in her stage presence. Long strands whip through the air as she moves, creating a kind of spontaneous choreography that enhances the mood of the performance.
This idea—sometimes referred to as “hairography”—treats hair almost like another dancer on stage. Every movement adds energy, drama, and personality.
In The Moment, that philosophy guided the entire hairstyling concept. The goal wasn’t to create a perfectly polished look. Instead, Benns wanted hair that felt alive—hair that moved, bounced, and reacted naturally to Charli’s performance style.
The Signature Look: Long, Wild, and Expressive
At the heart of the aesthetic is length.
Extra-long hair creates impact on camera and on stage. It allows for dramatic motion and makes every movement more visually powerful. Benns intentionally pushed for length in the film because it amplifies Charli’s expressive performance style.
But length alone isn’t enough.
The style also embraces imperfection. Waves are intentionally uneven, with straight pieces sometimes slipping through the texture. Rather than appearing overly styled, the hair feels natural and slightly unpredictable.
This “controlled chaos” gives the look its distinctive personality—polished enough for film but still raw enough to match Charli’s rebellious image.
A Nod to the “Brat” Era
One of the most recognizable elements in the film’s styling is the inclusion of green streaks in Charli’s hair.
These bright strands serve as a direct reference to the neon-green aesthetic associated with her Brat era. In the film’s narrative, the color becomes part of the visual storytelling, appearing during scenes that explore the exaggerated version of her pop-star persona.
The green highlights symbolize the pressure to recreate viral success while also questioning what happens when artists feel pushed to repeat past moments.
It’s a small detail, but it connects the hair design directly to the themes of the story.
Balancing Natural Texture and Glamour
One of the most interesting aspects of Charli’s hairstyle in The Moment is the balance between natural texture and stylized glamour.
Some scenes emphasize a more relaxed look, highlighting Charli’s carefree personality. In these moments, the hair appears slightly frizzed, textured, and full of body, reinforcing the idea that the style should feel lived-in rather than overly controlled.
Other scenes call for more defined curls and smoother finishes, creating contrast between different versions of Charli’s on-screen persona.
This variety reflects the film’s themes—showing both the authentic artist and the exaggerated pop star.
The Styling Techniques Behind the Look
Creating a hairstyle that appears effortless often requires thoughtful technique behind the scenes.
To achieve Charli’s textured curls and voluminous movement, Benns relied on a combination of styling methods. Diffusing, braiding sections of hair, and occasionally using heated tools helped create multiple curl patterns that felt organic rather than uniform.
Layering styling products also helped maintain the “lived-in” look while still controlling frizz and adding shine.
The result is hair that feels dynamic and natural—even though it’s carefully constructed to perform well under lights and cameras.
Why “Attitude Hair” Works
Charli XCX’s hairstyle stands out because it captures something deeper than just beauty trends. It reflects personality.
Instead of trying to achieve flawless perfection, the style celebrates:
- Movement
- Texture
- Imperfection
- Individuality
These elements make the hair feel authentic, which is exactly what fans connect with.
In a world where many celebrity styles aim for sleek uniformity, Charli’s look feels refreshingly raw and expressive.
A Hint at Future Hair Trends
Interestingly, Benns believes Charli’s evolving hair looks may also signal where beauty trends are heading.
For 2026, he predicts a rise in bouncy blowouts—styles that combine sleekness with volume and personality. Inspired by iconic looks like Cher Horowitz’s famous blowout, the trend blends polish with playful energy.
Of course, if Charli XCX adopts the style, it will almost certainly come with her signature twist: a little messiness, a lot of movement, and plenty of attitude.
The Real Star of the Show
In The Moment, Charli XCX’s hair proves that beauty choices can carry narrative meaning.
It represents rebellion, creativity, and the freedom to embrace imperfection. It also reminds viewers that sometimes the most memorable details aren’t elaborate costumes or elaborate sets—but the small things that move with the performer.
For Charli, that means long, expressive hair that dances alongside her on stage.
And if the film proves anything, it’s that attitude might just be the most powerful styling product of all.