10 Hairstyles Everyone Will Want In 2026

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Hair is the ultimate fashion accessory, and like all accessories, there are trends that come and go. From the short bobs of the '20s to the feathers of the '70s, along with the big bangs of the '80s, every decade has had its own defining moment. Depending on your age, that means your hair may have already had more eras than a Taylor Swift tour. However, like Swift, hair is continually evolving, and in 2026, it's about all about reimagining some of these retro styles in ways that feel fresh and new. The key is working with your hair — not against it. "The shapes are simple: bobs, lobs, clean layers," Lindsay Victoria, cut director at Spoke & Weal, told InStyle. "And we're cutting for how you actually wear your hair, making it easy to look finished without spending a lot of time." 

Few things can make or break your self-esteem like your hair. A good hair day can make you stand taller, smile bigger, and feel like you can take on the world. A bad hair day, however, well that's another story. The most important thing to remember is that, while the right style can take you from feeling "ho-hum" to "hot girl" faster than you can say blowout, it all starts with a healthy head of hair. "People just want their hair to look shiny, dimensional, and expensive without feeling high-maintenance," colorist George Papanikolas told InStyle. "It's that polished and seamless yet effortless look." We're "hair" for it!

The sophisticated, slicked back style isn't going anywhere, perhaps because it's a relatively easy way to look pulled together and polished. Equally suited for sweating at the gym or strutting down a red carpet, this style exudes confidence by allowing you to put your best face forward. It plays well with both bold makeup and bare faces, instantly elevating your basic pony to power pony status. "Slicked-back hair is timeless," Hare & Bone hair salon owner Sam Burnett told Elle, adding that it works for both curly and straight hair. "It's got that effortless blend of polish and attitude." 

While it might look simple, the slicked back style does take some care to create, especially since pulling hair tight can cause damage and even hair loss. Plus, depending on your type of hair, it may require a lot of product to keep it looking sharp and sleek, which can cause excess build-up. Burnett said it's best to layer products starting with something for light hold and control, and then finishing with something that keeps it all in place and tames any unruly flyaways. One of his favorite tricks? Using a conditioning treatment like Davines Oi All-in-One Milk mixed with mousse in place of gel. "It gives a sleek, hydrated feel with a more natural hold," he explained. Another must have for your sleek hair arsenal is a boar bristle brush. Although it's an investment, those in the know swear by Mason Pearson brushes for keeping strands smooth. 

Hair accessories are back in a big way, but before you resurrect your teeny tiny plastic butterfly clips from the '90s, you should know that today's hair accessories have more sophistication. In fact, they now prefer to be called hair jewelry, thank you very much! To be clear, we are not talking about bows, scrunchies, or the once viral chunks claw clip. Today's accessory is not an afterthought for a bad hair day, it IS a hair day! "In 2025, hair jewelry feels less like an accessory and more like an extension of the overall look," Stephanie Angelone, master stylist at RPZL in New York City explained to Real Simple. "It's part of the outfit, the vibe, the image." Eddie M. Parra, senior hair stylist at New York City's Benjamin Salon, agreed and added, "Hair jewelry tends to be more detailed, while showcasing craftsmanship and delicacy into each of the pieces which makes them exquisite."

No, you don't have to drop a small fortune on something sparkly for your hair, unless of course that's your thing, but you should treat hair jewelry like any other accessory. In other words, don't gild the lily. Choose pieces that complement the occasion or ensemble rather than compete with it. Nestle a sparkly stunner into a glamorous updo, weave a metallic ribbon through a braid, or add a sleek metal cuff tie to add elegance to a low pony. The key is balance, but the sky's the limit! 

Hair as art isn't a new concept, but hair as architecture? Well, that's next level. During New York's fashion week, models strutted the catwalk with hair that had been carefully molded into dramatic buns, bows, waves, and knots in what is being deemed by celebrity stylists like Cynthia Alvarez as "sculptural hair." Celebrities like Margaret Qualley have also embraced the trend, showing up on red carpets with elaborately coiffed 'dos. Alvarez defined the trend to Real Simple as a style that "goes beyond traditional hairstyling by focusing on defined shapes, intricate textures, and sometimes even gravity-defying silhouettes." In other words, this is not hair that looks soft enough to run your fingers through. On the contrary, it often appears stiff, wet, or lacquered. 

It also looks complicated, so kids, don't try this at home without first arming yourself with all the tools of the trade. Pomades, bobby pins, and a strong hold hair spray are musts here. Artistic talent or a background in hair styling wouldn't hurt either! For the beginner, a product like Bumble and Bumble Sumotech is a popular choice for its flexible hold and almost matte finish. When it comes to actually molding and shaping the hair, one Google search will return hundreds of tutorials designed for everyone from the beginner to the advanced hair artist. The most important thing to remember if you do choose to DIY is that it doesn't have to be perfect. Remember, this is about artistic expression and creating something unique. If you mess it up, chances are only you will know. 

Boho fashion will never go out of style, nor will the long, flowing waves synonymous with the look. This year's iteration of "hippie hair" is the "ghost wave," and if quiet luxury was a hairstyle, it would look like this. "Barely there waves that undulate in a soft 'S' shape" is how professional stylist Tom Smith (who coined the term) described the look to Glamour. "The term comes from the fact that it's an undetectable technique," he explained to Who What Wear. "This is a style that can be ideal for daytime and casual events, but can also add an edge of cool to a glamorous outfit or event," he told Glamour.

Anyone can achieve the effortless look that is synonymous with "it girl" cool, though it may be more "effortless" for some than for others. If your hair is naturally wavy, for instance, you are at a distinct advantage. Simply add mousse, gel, or a cream-based product (depending on your hair type) and let it air dry. Straight hair will need more coaxing in the form of a hot styling tool. Smith said he likes the ease of the GHD Triple Barrel Waver. "It's a really big, chunky one, and [the barrels] are slightly cornered rather than completely round, so it gives a more natural-looking wave," he said. Because ghost waves are supposed to look unstructured, there's really only one way to mess them up. "Brushing it is going to make it too puffy," cautioned Smith. Shake the waves out instead, so they keep their shape.

The modern shag is undoubtedly the haircut of the moment. In fact, not since "the Rachel" has the hairstyle seen such a surge in popularity. Why? Because it is a versatile style that can work on almost every hair type with minimal effort. "There are so many versions of [the shag] — there is always the right style version for you," Ryan Trygstad, hairstylist and cofounder of Mark Ryan Salon in New York City told Glamour. So, what makes this iteration different than the version made famous by Jennifer Aniston? Several factors come into play, including length. Today's modern shag isn't always a collarbone grazer. In fact, some shags can dip well below the shoulders. Another modern twist is the addition of a fringe of curtain bangs. "The wafty bang is a key element of the new shag," Trygstad explained. "It feels more fluffy and conjures up a Farrah [Faucet] vibe."

The shag can be soft and feminine or edgy and rock 'n' roll depending on how it's cut and styled. Make sure you seek out a stylist who knows how to make a shag haircut work for your face shape and can strategically place layers to enhance your best features, or add volume to create balance. Once you've worked together to determine the right version of the universally flattering cut, keep it looking its best with the right products. Trygstad recommended using volumizing products, including the Shu Uemura Muroto Volume Shampoo, Christophe Robin Volumizing Conditioner, as well as a root lifting product, such as the Color Wow Root Spray to keep layers from going limp.

If there's one thing that people aren't "on the middle of the road" about, it's the center part. It's been around for centuries, but Gen Z has recently taken such ownership of it that they slammed an entire demographic of Millennials who still prefer their parts on the side. But what does your hair style say about you when it comes to choosing a middle part versus a side part? Does it really give away your age? Some experts say no. "Whether a side or middle part is best depends more on your face and head shape than your age," beauty guru Eva Scrivo of Eva Scrivo Salon told Modern Luxury. "Hair styles are not only a form of self-expression," she continued. "They are also about geometry and, when designed correctly, balancing asymmetry in our facial structures." For those who don't believe her, check out these celebs who look so different with their hair in a middle part.

If you are ready to rock this look, there are a few things to consider. First, to keep it from looking harsh or dated (à la Cher circa 1970s), add some loose curl or ghost waves to the hair for movement and a more youthful feel. Try the season's hot bang trend to soften the severity of the style, or simply add some face framing layers. Finally, pay attention to your makeup. A bold lip or a strong eye work well here, but the best thing you can pair with this style is confidence.

If the shag is your edgy new bestie, the bob is your ride or die, the equivalent of that person you turn to for unwavering support and the ability to make you feel better about yourself. It's consistent in its appeal and can be both playful and powerful depending on how you wear it. In other words, it has staying power, which explains why every season some version of it makes an appearance on runways and red carpets. 

Although there's no wrong way to wear a bob, "it" girls everywhere have embraced a shorter version that some have referred to as the back-to-school-bob. "This is the bob that makes you feel confident and ready to take on the year," hairdresser and Olaplex ambassador Samantha Cusick told Elle. "It's a chic, one-length cut that sits between the chin and collarbone. Powerful, modern and timeless all at once. It's the kind of haircut that instantly elevates your mood and your style." 

The length may define the trend, but from there, anything goes. Think of the short bob as a canvas upon which to experiment with the season's other trends like ghost waves, shaggy layers, and bangs. "A back-to-school bob just works," said Cusick. "Chop away tired ends and suddenly everything looks healthier and more stylish. It's low maintenance, super versatile, and has that effortless vibe even when you've barely styled it." What more could you ask for? 

Can't afford a Birkin handbag? Get Birkin bangs! Yep, the elite Hermès handbag isn't the only thing to bear the name of actor and style icon Jane Birkin. Now her moniker is used to describe a very specific and very chic way of wearing bangs. We know, we know, bangs are a controversial topic and should never be cut in a moment of weakness or crisis (remember when Reese Witherspoon got post-divorce bangs?). But the Birkin bang feels less likely to backfire thanks to the longer, flirty length, and slightly wispy texture. "Birkin bangs are popular because of their low maintenance, easy, feminine aesthetic," editorial stylist Peter Gray told Real Simple. Rather than a straight-across style, Birkin bangs gradually get longer as they go across the forehead. "They are shorter in the middle, and longer and sweeping on the edges," hairstylist Chlöe Swift told Cosmopolitan. 

We know there are a lot of flattering bangs for every face shape, but the Birkin tends to be a one-size-fits-all thanks to the soft, wispy style that works with a variety of hair lengths and textures. The trick is in how you style them. "I love to dry my bangs using a hot brush like the Dyson Airwrap with the smoothing attachment, lifting for some volume and tucking and rounding underneath," Swift said. "And then I like to flick out the edges of the bangs using a curling tong or a straightener, just to bevel the edges backward so the hair kicks and flicks out." Instant chic! 

Remember the dramatic jellyfish haircut with its sharp, geometric layers? Meet its softer cousin: the butterfly. The butterfly (or octopus) haircut is a soft style that maximizes volume without sacrificing your long locks. "It allows for an illusion of short hair while maintaining length, offering a safe space for change," hairstylist Sunnie Brook, who is credited for creating the style in 2010, told Allure. "It's a layered cut that creates movement and volume," premier hair colorist and stylist Temur Hamilton, who owns TEMUR on Manhattan's Upper East Side, told Maire Claire. "The shorter layers add lift and shape, while the longer layers stay intact to maintain overall length."

Not only is this style favored by celebs like Kaia Gerber, but it's also a great way to grow out bangs with minimal fuss. Teryn Tucker, a hairstylist at Alchemy Salon in Orlando, told Allure it was the "natural next step." Plus, it's easy to style. According to celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimmons, all you need is volumizing spray and a heated blowout brush. "Pull the hair away from the face to achieve a voluminous blowout," he explained to Marie Claire. You will, however, need to get regular trims to help the style retain its shape. "Since this style relies on precise layering for volume and movement, skipping trims can cause the cut to lose its structure and look heavy," noted Hamilton. As the name implies, it's the perfect transformation for those who are craving change but don't want a big chop.

Whether you're team middle part or team side part, you're in luck because both are big trends. Much to the chagrin of Gen Zers everywhere, the side part is front and center again, and it's not just for the Millennial set. "Side partings have been growing in popularity once more, and leading the way have been various celebrities throughout fashion week and awards season," Tom Smith, trend forecaster and hairstylist, told Harper's Bazaar. So, why the sudden side hustle? Smith credited the growing obsession with "snatched" jawlines, high cheekbones, and other angular features. "Wearing a sleek side parting is a great way for one's hairstyle to contribute to a sharper, more contoured appearance by adding more angles and height to the face," Smith explained. Professional hairstylist Jennifer Korab says it's a trend toward a more natural style. "The side part, with its ability to add volume and movement to the hair, offers a fresh alternative to the rigid, polished middle part that was once ubiquitous," she told The Everygirl. 

There's an undeniable sex appeal about the way side parted hair often falls lazily over one eye and the va-va-voom volume it creates. It harkens back to a time of Hollywood glamour and screen sirens like Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe. Does this mean it's back for good?  Celebrity hairstylist Valery Joseph of Valery Joseph Salons said that it will always be in style. As he told the New York Post, "The side part is back in a major way because it's a chic, sexy and forgiving look that will never go out of fashion."