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Though only two months into 2026, the year of the Fire Horse has quickly set itself apart from ages past in terms of style. New York Fashion Week established the (polarizing) return of skinny pants, animal-striped manicures, and bold aughts beauty (yes, even side bangs), but the latter is what the beauty-minded are fixated upon right now. Hair doesn’t go through nearly as tight a trend cycle as the fashion and makeup industries, but we can’t deny the style shakeup happening as we step further into 2026—and the experts are here to corroborate.

“Two thousand twenty-five was such a vibe moment for iconic silhouettes—from the Italian bob to the ultra-’90s theatrical blowout—but hair trends evolve fast,” says celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein. This year, the stylist expects the style set to trade these softer, more voluminous shapes for something that feels more real. Think: played-up texture, French-girl ease, and tendril-strewn updos. “Today’s [trends are] less about perfection and more about personality—texture, softness, and shape that feels effortless rather than engineered,” she adds.

Below, the rest of the hairstyles shaking up 2026—and the ones worth leaving in your rear-view.

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