The hair trends of 2026 have shifted toward specific moods: polished, with a genteel twist, and personalized. “Hair that is sleeker, healthy-looking and glossy will be big this year,” says celebrity hairstylist George Northwood. “Not hair that’s overly done or stiff, but styles that feel put together—with a natural, fluid feel.”
“There’s less emphasis on hair looking overly ‘done’ and more focus on movement, natural texture and small details that make a style feel individual,” adds celebrity hairstylist and Dyson Beauty global ambassador Irinel De León.
Think early noughties and ’90s elegance: crimped hair, crown braids, chignons, bouncy blow-dries, and rich brunette shades. These are looks that demand healthy hair and a more intentional approach to styling. While there are no hard rules when it comes to cut, color, or finish, the overarching mood marks a clear departure from recent years—which is precisely what makes it feel so fresh.
Below, Vogue speaks to the experts about the key hair trends that define 2026. Side Parts
An ode to the classic early aughts style, De León says that side parts are back. “They can instantly change the shape and attitude of a hairstyle,” she says. “They can feel polished and glamorous, but also really cool and effortless depending on how you style the rest of the hair.”
She recommends using a detangling comb or a tail comb (we like the La Bonne Brosse Large Detangling Comb) for precision when parting hair.
A good rule of thumb is to use
“A good rule of thumb is to use the arch of your eyebrow as a guide for where to place your part,” she says. “Then create a clean line from there.”
Once the part is set, she says to grab something like the Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer with the flyaway attachment to smooth hair and flyaways. “It gives you that clean, polished finishing without hair feeling overly stiff or flat,” she adds.
Enhanced Natural texture
Less is more is the motto for 2026, and experts think many will opt for letting their natural texture just be. “We’re moving further away from the idea that everyone needs the same perfectly polished wave,” says De León. “It’s much more about working with the hair’s natural pattern and bringing out its best texture.”
To “enhance” your natural curl or waves, she says to work in a curl cream or some sort of lightweight styling product (we like the SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie) on wet hair and distribute it evenly throughout, making sure that you’re encouraging the natural curl pattern with your hands.
Then use a diffuser to dry hair while keeping your curl’s natural shape and definition. “The key is not to overwork the hair,” she says. “I like to let the diffuser do the work and keep touching the curls to a minimum while they’re drying so the finished texture stays defined, soft, and natural-looking. Airy Crown Braids
Romantic and whimsical (and for fellow Coachella goers, 2012 to 2015 was the epitome of “boho chic”), De León says that crown braids in general are having a real moment.
To give them a more modern spin 2026,
To give them a more modern spin 2026, she says to make them feel airy. “They’re not overly perfect,” she says. “They have softness and movement.”
To get that airy crown braid, she says to start by creating two large sections down the center of your head, leaving a few soft pieces around the face. Then work in a moisturizing cream or light pomade through the hair before braiding each section.
When braiding, she says to keep braids loose; you’ll want to pull apart small sections to create more volume and get that airy, undone effect. Wrap the braids around the crown or toward the front hairline before securing them discretely with bobby pins. The Clavi-Cut
Everyone loves a good short chop, but this year is huge for the return of the clavi-cut. “It isn’t quite a bob, and it isn’t long hair, so it has this really effortless quality to it,” says celebrity hairstylist Joseph Maine.
“It’s also one of those lengths that looks just as good tucked into a jacket or collar as it does styled.”
Maine says the less styling the better and to focus on movement. Prepping damp hair with something like the Color Wow Dream Coat and blow-drying it with tension will give you that really smooth, glossy foundation. For extra smoothness, he says to take a flat iron like the Trademark Beauty Cosmic Iron, through the mid-length and ends.
To avoid looking too pin-straight, he recommends slightly
To avoid looking too pin-straight, he recommends slightly bending the flat iron as you move through hair so that some pieces turn in and others turn out. “It should almost look like the hair naturally fell that way,” he says. Modern Crimp
“[It] is a softer and more effortless take on traditional crimping,” says Cesar Ramirez, celebrity hairstylist and L’Oreal Professionnel global creative contributor.
“Instead of creating very defined small waves, the goal is a more lived-in texture with bigger waves and movement.”
To get that crimped look, he says to work with damp hair and create multiple braids. Then let hair dry naturally or use a diffuser to speed up the drying process. Once the braids are completely dry, take them out and separate with your fingers to get a softer, more modern take on crimped hair.
Finish with something like the L’Oréal Professionnel Absolute Repair Molecular Oil for added shine and smoothness. Side Fringes
“Side fringes will be a thing,” says celebrity hairstylist Luke Hersheson, pointing to Amber Valletta’s softly sweeping fringe—one that “almost covered her eye”—at Gucci’s autumn/winter 1995 show as the perfect reference. Ideal for those reluctant to commit to a shorter bangs, or anyone who values versatility and ease, sometimes all it takes to achieve this look is flipping your parting.
You can either create it with a gentle
“You can either create it with a gentle tuck behind the ear, or sweep your bangs to the side and use a light-hold cream to mold the hair into shape,” says hairstylist Frankie Inverarity. “I always look to Jean Shrimpton and Françoise Hardy in the ’60s for inspiration. Any texture or length can wear this look.”
The Graduated Bob
All good things must come to an end—even the classic French bob we’ve loved for years now.
Enter its tougher, cooler successor: the graduated bob. “People are now drawn to sharper cuts that are very subtly graduated towards the front—maintaining length and weight around the face while lifting the hair at the back for a slightly grungier feel,” says Inverarity. “It might sound like a ‘Karen’ cut, but this version is gritty, raw and blunt, with deliberately broken-up edges.”
Sitting anywhere between the jawline and just above the shoulder, the cut is choppy and undeniably cool.
A razor is used to deconstruct the ends and remove weight at the nape, giving the shape movement and attitude, but without sacrificing polish. Hair Jewelry
According to hairstylist Charlotte Mensah, hair accessories are officially back—and they’re here to stay. “Think hair jewelry,” she says, “from bows and barrettes to chunky gold shells, oversized claw clips, and bold silver or diamond-inspired pieces.
Anything that makes a statement. Lavish Brunette Rich,
Anything that makes a statement.”
Lavish Brunette
Rich, lustrous brunette tones are at the top of beauty mood boards for 2026—and not just for the winter months. “Look to coffee mocha and rich espresso shades,” says colorist John Clark. “They sit perfectly in the middle—neither warm nor icy in tone.”
For those seeking extra sparkle and dimension, take a look at Ariana Grande’s recent brunette transformation by colorist Francesco di Chiari.
He wove subtle ribbons of lighter caramel and brunette tones through her hair before adding Redken’s Shades EQ gloss in a natural chocolate palette, delivering maximum depth, contrast and impact. Disconnected Bangs
“We’ve been cutting fringes to blend seamlessly into the rest of the hair for some time, but now clients are asking for a stronger, more minimal shape,” explains Inverarity.
As a result, she’s begun keeping the fringe fully disconnected from the rest of the cut, creating wispier, shorter bangs with separated corners. The effect allows the hair to be pulled back while the fringe sits cleanly forward. “It creates a gentler, more feline look—sometimes you can still see the brows through the fringe, which instantly opens up the face,” she adds. She prefers keeping the fringe just above the brow; while it may feel short, it ensures the hair feels light, soft and effortless.
The New French Twist The chignon has been
The New French Twist
The chignon has been saddled with a fussy reputation, but now it’s getting a rebrand. “We’ll be playing more with updos again,” confirms Hersheson. “But in a way that feels natural from the front—clean and freshly washed, rather than teased or backcombed. Hailey Bieber did a great version recently.”
They don’t have to be minimalist. Just look to Sam McKnight’s styling at Richard Quinn’s spring/summer 2026 show, where twists and knotted chignons were worn with deliberately “decadent” volume.
“It’s unapologetically high-gloss, with hair sculpted into considered silhouettes,” he explains. “Pull the hair into a low ponytail at the nape, twist into a French pleat, then pin to secure.”
Beatnik Revival
Everyone knows the French have a knack for great hair, so what are they doing for 2026? According to hairstylist David Mallett, it’s all about grown-out pixies and bobs.
“The look has a very ’60s Beatnik feel, with a slightly masculine overtone—think Mick Jagger or Jim Morrison,” he says. “It’s air- and finger-dried, tousled, and we’re using plenty of diffusers in the salon to encourage natural curl and movement around the face.”
Sharp, Slick, and Architectural
Slicked-back hair is set to become even more popular next year—but with a sharper, more architectural edge, say both McKnight and Mensah.
Sculpted updos and sleek, braided strands feel both
“Sculpted updos and sleek, braided strands feel both elegant and edgy,” explains Mensah. “Whether paired with full glam or a bare face, the effect instantly elevates even the simplest ponytail.”
The key lies in achieving a high-shine finish. “The hair should catch the light and be so reflective it almost looks liquid,” says McKnight. Opt for a high-gloss gel to smooth and define, finished with a shine-enhancing hairspray for photo-flash reflection.
Wheat-y, Soft-Gold Blonde
If you’re not quite ready to go brunette, consider a pared-back blonde instead—natural, softly sun-kissed, and the opposite of high impact. It’s about wheat-ish, soft golden tones, says Inverarity, who creates the look freehand with a scattering of baby lights and micro-lights. Tom Smith, cofounder of Aevum Salon, agrees that 2026 is all about an organic blonde, with no obvious highlights or balayage lines.
“It’s a finely woven, delicate blend of tones that replicates real blonde hair in the most elevated way,” he says. “Ask your colorist for baby-fine micro-weaves around the hairline and parting, keeping warmth muted rather than golden—and well away from copper—for the most natural result.”
The Midi Blowout
Alongside Supers-inspired ’90s blowouts, hairstylist Halley Brisker notes that the midi blowout is having a moment.
I’m really drawn to luxe textures
“I’m really drawn to luxe textures with a muted, understated spin, and this look taps into that,” he tells Vogue. “There’s volume at the root and a smooth, plump finish, but without curl or bounce—it’s a quieter result, suited to a more discerning taste.” Hairstylist Syd Hayes agrees, adding that volume should feel soft and airy rather than stiff or over-styled. Brisker’s top tip for achieving the look is to use a large, natural-bristle round brush with a wooden base, which avoids over-polishing the hair.
“Many modern brushes have ceramic bases that flatten the hair and add too much shine,” he explains. (For inspiration, he points to Sharon Tate.) If you find heated tools easier, then Hayes recommends using the volumizing attachment on the BaByliss Air Wand to add easy oomph. Blowouts more broadly are firmly back on the agenda. “There’s definitely a move away from beachy, air-dried textures,” says Hersheson.
“It’s all about high-shine glossiness and movement that feels groomed and intentional.” Hairdryers at the ready. Sculptural Curls
“A fluffier, airier curl pattern has dominated over the past couple of years, but now we’re seeing a return to more defined curls,” says Smith. “Thanks to improved curl-defining tools and new product innovations, the look is far more achievable than it once was.”
The key is a cut that enhances your natural curl pattern while framing the face—one that’s “cleverly shaped to encourage curl and bounce”—paired with the right products.
Look for formulas that hydrate, add gloss and define each curl for a more structured finish. Smith recommends gel-serum textures to create hold without sacrificing softness or movement. Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
Source: www.vogue.com
