Five Hair Trends to Expect in 2026 Before the Year Is Out

Forget stiff, overworked styling — the coming season is all about ease. Top hairstylists say this year's biggest shift borrows straight from the decade that made "undone" look effortless, and yet intentional.

As is often the case, hair trends shift throughout the year, and while 2026 still has a full quarter left to run, experts are already spotting new favorites taking shape. Unsurprisingly, the fresh crop of looks draws heavy inspiration from the '90s.

"Hair that is sleeker, healthy-looking and glossy will be big this year," celebrity hairstylist George Northwood tells Vogue. "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.

These looks call for healthy hair and a more deliberate approach to styling. Here are five you're most likely to spot this fall and winter.

Crown Braids

This season's take on braids ditches the intricate, all-over look in favor of something far simpler: two slim plaits tracing the crown from temple to nape before melting into either a low, undone ponytail or a half-up, half-down hairdo.

It's more of a styling detail than a full hairstyle, which is exactly why it'll be everywhere this fall. Because it's so understated, it pairs easily with almost any base look, making it one of the most versatile trends on this list.

Enhanced Natural Hair Texture

Curls are being left to do their own thing this season — full, springy, and undefined by heat tools — for a look that feels rich, lived-in, and entirely of-the-moment.

Rather than fighting natural texture into submission, stylists are encouraging clients to lean into it, letting curl patterns take center stage instead of hiding behind sleek, uniform styling.

Cloud Bangs

Named for their soft, rounded silhouette, cloud bangs take face-framing pieces and sweep them back into a loose, wispy knot at the crown. Paired with tousled waves, bone-straight tresses, or whatever suits your fancy underneath, the overall effect is airy and slightly undone.

Soft Shag

The shag is having a moment again, and this softer, gentler iteration is leading the charge. Long layers add movement and bounce throughout, while wispy curtain bangs bring in a warm, retro edge that feels perfectly suited to sweater weather. It's a style that manages to feel nostalgic and current all at once.

Boyfriend Bob

Blunt, chin-length, and just a little rebellious, the boyfriend bob is this fall's answer to the classic bob — sleek enough to look intentional, relaxed enough to feel low-maintenance.

With all five looks pointing toward the same idea — texture over precision, and ease over effort — it's clear this season's hair moment has less to do with reinvention and more with rediscovery.