It has been an incredible year for hair trends with long, glossy strands, expensive-looking colour and natural texture reigning supreme, but with the new year mere days away, I’m keen to know exactly what 2026 has in store for our haircuts. So I called on a pool of industry experts to share their predictions on the trends that are going to dominate the next 12 months.
Adam Reed, hair stylist and founder of ARKIVE Headcare, is coining “elevated ease” as the overarching theme for 2026—an evolution on this year’s fixation on lived-in hair. “Texture will take the lead, shine will come from actual hair health, and every cut will be designed to look like it styled itself because you’ve finally got your head in a good place. Think shapes that feel naturally lived-in but are secretly engineered with precision,” he explains.
It’s this feeling of intention that threads through every haircut trend our experts have bookmarked for the next year. “In 2026, we are going to see hair trends moving towards a look that feels refined and quietly confident,” explains Neale Rodger, style director at Stil. “Cuts will become softer in their lines, but sharper in their overall silhouette. Nothing too extreme or overly done, just simply structured, beautifully considered shapes that move effortlessly.”
And, of course, the bob is back with a bang. “After so many seasons dominated by long, soft waves, we’re finally seeing people lean into haircuts again—particularly blunt bobs that sit around chin length and feel like a real statement,” says Phillpp Haug, hair stylist and co-founder of Haug London Haus. But this isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to the bob; short haircuts are having a real moment in 2026 with a whole array of soft, wearable styles to take your pick from.
Ready to get your next trip to the salon booked in? Keep scrolling for the haircut trends that are about to take over 2026.
The Best Haircut Trends to Try in 2026
1. Disciplined Bob
Less about the specific length and more about the precision of the cut, 2026 will be the year that the “disciplined bob” dominates. “This is about a shape cut with clarity and a sense of precision so that the bob feels clean, futuristic and self-styling,” explains Mark Hayes, senior international creative director at Vidal Sassoon. Hayes points to “micro bobs that sit at mid-cheek and sharp A-line bobs that appear to float the jaw” as two of the most modern interpretations of this trend to look out for this year.
Get the look:
Ghd
Mini Hair Straighteners
Ideal for short haircuts, this mini pair of GHD straighteners makes it easy to style a sleek power bob in minutes.
Hair by Sam Mcknight
Modern Hairspray Multi-Task Styling Mist
Keep flyaways at bay for a truly disciplined bob with this multi-tasking hairspray will keep your style locked down all day.
2. Cloud Midi
For anyone who chopped their hair off last year, consider the cloud midi bob as the next step for your style for 2026. “It’s the natural evolution of a short bob that has grown into something softer, longer and a bit more luxurious,” explains Samantha Cusick, hair stylist and founder of Samantha Cusick London. And as the name suggests, this is a far cry from some of the more architectural cuts that will be emerging this year. “The cut grazes the collarbone with softer, rounded edges that sit around the face like a cloud,” says Cusick. Think soft, fluffy and moveable.
Get the look:
A blast of volumising spray at the roots will help elevate this soft, bouncy style.
Beauty Pie
Super Healthy Hair Pro-Dry Barrel Brush
*Price shown is Beauty Pie member price.
A soft-bristled round brush will not add natural volume while blow-drying your hair, but will help to add shine too.
3. Side Swept
Switching up your parting is the quickest way to transform your look without having to actually go for a full haircut, and in 2026, the side part is back. “The side part revival meets long, ultra-healthy lengths that show off the mirror-like gloss that everyone’s chasing,” says celebrity hair stylist and Maria Nila ambassador Adam Lukacs. “It’s simple, luxe and the perfect canvas for that high-shine finish that’s dominating our feeds.”
Get the look:
Ghd
The Sectioner Tail Hair Comb
A tail comb is essential for getting that side parting sharp and defined.
Spray this through damp hair before heat-styling to lock in an expensive-looking glass finish to your hair.
4. Scandi Layers
Grown-out but still statement-making, Scandi layers are inspired by cuts spotted on the streets of Copenhagen this year. “It’s a new wave of cuts that balance structure with softness and shapes that frame the face with precision but never feel rigid or over-styled,” says Rodger. “It’s a very natural way to wear your hair with subtle layers and rounded shapes.”
Get the look:
Arkive
The Scene Setter Hybrid Pomade,
Enhance natural texture and add lift to your roots with this versatile hair styler. Just rub a small amount between your hands and apply where you want a little cool girl movement.
Oribe
Dry Texturising Spray
It might be expensive, but this cult texturising spray is the ultimate shortcut to messy-yet-polished texture.
5. Polished Lengths
The key to showing off a mid to long haircut in 2026 will be ensuring that it glows. “The overarching mood for next year is a shift towards more polished hair that’s sleeker, healthy-looking and glossy… there’s a natural, fluid feel to it, but it’s more put together,” explains celebrity hair stylist George Northwood. Pair it with a fringe or layers to add movement, but the key to this cut is really about keeping your hair in amazing condition. “Consider a hair mask once a week and make sure your hair is regularly trimmed at the ends,” says Northwood.
Get the look:
Olaplex
Rich Hydrating Mask
Great for very thick or damaged hair, this velvety hair mask imbues hair with rich moisture to leave strands smooth and sleek.
Gisou
Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask
This is basically glossy hair in a pot. Using a blend of ceramides, honey and hyaluronic acid, it adds so much shine to hair without weighing it down.
6. Shag 2.0
2026’s take on the shag is less about paying homage to this ‘80s classic and more about celebrating the effortless nature of this classic cut. “Hair trends in 2026 will embrace structured minimalism with a soft, undone age—precise shapes like elongated shags and razor-cut layers, will be softened by natural movement,” says Caspar Finch, stylist at Hershesons Fitzrovia. Think of it as a grown-out cut with lots of air-dried texture, soft layers and a tousled finish.
Get the look:
JVN
Complete Air Dry Cream
This clever air-dry cream elevates natural texture and boosts luminosity without any styling required on your part. Just smooth a small amount through damp hair and leave it to do its thing.
Kevin Murphy
Bedroom.Hair
A lightweight blend of botanical extracts that adds volume and enhances natural waves and curls.
7. Air Bob
While we started the end with a sharply cut power bob, we’re closing it out with this softer iteration of everyone’s favourite classic short style. “The air bob will be the cut of 2026,” predicts Reed. “Light, lifted and healthy enough to do half the styling for you, it’s a bob with loosened-up edges and a bit of attitude—like it knows it looks good without trying too hard.”
Get the look:
Dyson
Airwrap Origin Hair Styler
Get that polished yet effortless feel with a little help from this cult multi-styler.
A couple of drops of this through the ends of your air bob will add instant shine.