Polished and personalised are the two words that perhaps best sum up the hair trends of 2026 thus far. “Sleek, healthy-looking, glossy hair is what’s 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.” Celebrity hairstylist and Dyson Beauty global ambassador Irinel De León agrees. “There’s less emphasis on hair looking overly ‘finished’, and more focus on movement, natural texture and small details that make a style feel individual.”

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Think early Noughties and ’90s elegance: chignons, bouncy blow-dries and rich shades of brunette. 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, colour or finish, the overarching mood marks a clear departure from recent years – which is precisely what makes it feel so fresh.

Below, asks the experts to weigh in on the key hair trends that have come to define 2026 thus far.

Side parts

A big fave in the early Noughties, De León notes that side parts are back in a big way in 2026. “They can instantly change the shape and attitude of a hairstyle,” she says. “A side part feels 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 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, grab a tool 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.

Dyson Airwrap i.d.

Enhanced natural texture

Manchester, 2026: Olivia Dean.

The experts report seeing more and more of us letting our natural texture just . “We’ve moved 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 further “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 curls’ 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.”

Modern crown braids

Romantic and whimsical, De León says that crown braids are having a real moment. For the modern spin they should not be “overly perfect”, she says. “They have softness and movement.” To get that airy crown braid, start by creating two large sections down the centre of your head, leaving a few soft pieces around the face. Then work in a moisturising cream or light pomade through the hair before braiding each section. When braiding, De León says to keep braids loose – you’ll want to pull apart small sections to create more volume and get that airy, undone effect she describes. Wrap the braids around the crown or toward the front hairline before securing them discreetly with hair grips.

The clavi-cut

This year has been huge for 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 it’s a case of the less styling the better with this haircut, and to focus instead on encouraging 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. Take a straightener and pass it over the mid-length and ends if you like. To avoid anything too poker-straight, he recommends slightly bending the tool as you move it 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.

“[It] is a softer and more effortless take on traditional crimping,” Cesar Ramirez, celebrity hairstylist and L’Oréal Professionnel global creative contributor, explains of this look. “Instead of creating very defined small waves, the goal is a more lived-in texture, with bigger waves and movement.” He says to work with damp hair, creating multiple braids, then either let it 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. Finish with something like the L’Oréal Professionnel Absolute Repair Molecular Oil for added shine and smoothness.

Side fringes

“Side fringes are a thing this year,” 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 fringe, sometimes all it takes to achieve this look is flipping your parting. “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 — like Hairstory’s Hair Balm — to mould 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. Enter its tougher, cooler successor: the graduated bob. “People are being 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.”

Nastassja Kinski in a scene from the film , 1984.

20th Century Fox/Getty Images

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 jewellery

Courtesy of Charlotte Mensah

Courtesy of Charlotte Mensah

According to hairstylist Charlotte Mensah, this has been the year that hair accessories came back to the fore. “Think hair jewellery,” 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, lustrous brunette tones have dominated 2026. “Look to coffee mocha and rich espresso shades,” says colourist John Clark. “They sit perfectly in the middle – neither warm nor icy in tone.” For those seeking extra sparkle and dimension, carefully woven in caramel and toffee tones add subtle depth and contrast to the indulgent shade.

Davines Heart of Glass Intense Treatment

Bon Charge Red Light Cap

The disconnected fringe

“We’ve been cutting fringes to blend seamlessly into the rest of the hair for some time, but clients are frequently asking for a stronger, more minimal shape,” explains Inverarity. As a result, she’s been 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 saddled with a dated reputation, but in 2026 it’s had a rebrand. “We’ve been playing more with updos,” confirms Hersheson. “But in a way that feels natural from the front – [the hair looks] clean and freshly washed, rather than teased or backcombed.”

The best bit is that chignons don’t have to mean minimalist. Sam McKnight’s styling at Richard Quinn’s spring/summer 2026 show championed twists and knotted chignons worn with deliberately “decadent” volume. “It’s unapologetically high-gloss, with hair sculpted into considered silhouettes,” McKnight explains. “Pull the hair into a low ponytail at the nape, twist into a French pleat, then pin to secure.”

Sharp, slick and architectural

Courtesy of Charlotte Mensah

Slicked-back hair has been a popular option for years now, but it’s taken on a sharper, more architectural edge over the past year, say both McKnight and Mensah. “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, like his Self Control, to smooth and define, finished with a shine-enhancing hairspray for photo-flash reflection.

Charlotte Mensah Manketti Hair Oil

K18 Future Society Leave-in Molecular Repair Mask

Wheaty, soft-gold blonde

This year has witnessed the revival of pared-back blonde – natural, softly sun-kissed, and the opposite of high impact. It’s about “wheaty”, soft golden tones, says Inverarity, who creates the look freehand with a scattering of babylights and micro-lights.

Tom Smith, co-founder of Aevum Salon, agrees, dubbing it 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 colourist 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 with a muted, understated spin, and this look taps into that,” he tells . “There’s volume at the root and a smooth, plump finish, but without curl or bounce – it’s a quieter result.” 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 round bristle 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 volumising attachment on the BaByliss Air Wand to add easy oomph.

Blow dries 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.”

Sculptural curls

“A fluffier, airier curl pattern has dominated over the past couple of years, but now we’ve seen 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, such as Bouclème’s Curl Defining Gel, to create hold without sacrificing softness or movement.