Each year, some of our junior team spend time researching hair trends for the upcoming season and the remainder of the following year. They do this by watching the latest runway shows and discovering what was hot in the northern hemisphere given they are a couple of seasons ahead of us. This year, Mikyla and Richelle took on the research and presentation project. Both salons had some great discussion also, offering their own insights. This year there was a lot of talk about the recent Victoria Secret runway show where a lot of these trends were present. As well as some new styling trends, some of the same trends carry over from 2025 although we are more sure they will stick around, and they are bolder than previous years.
Colour trends
Enhancing grey
As a society there was, and still is, a stigma on allowing women to embrace aging. In recent years women have bravely stood up against this and embraced aging, showing the world just how beautiful it can be. We will see even more natural grey in the salons in 2026 and some of this will be through transformations from previously dyed hair, to natural grey. Grey hair will be enhanced and uplifted to brighter shades than can’t usually be achieved naturally.
Rich and glossy
This trend really took off in 2024, with the hype of social media and the ‘clean girl’, ‘natural beauty’ and skin and hair care routines becoming viral. The trend for rich colour and glossy texture is here to stay a little longer. We will see more guests coming in for top-up colours, especially the high gloss results from Redken ShadesEq and the new Acidic Colour Gloss homecare range.
Beige honey blonde
It’s all about warmth for 2026. Embracing the warmth comes back to people welcoming and enhancing ‘natural beauty’ trends. Summer’s blonde will be beige honey with it’s rich sophistication and natural ‘believable’ hair. This shade gives effortless ‘looking’ hair and it is a modern take on the 90’s it-girl hair.
Cutting trends
The bixie
Short hairstyles are making a resurgence for women. Short hair for the longest time was seen as the most desirable, where as today long hair is the standard. Short hair is now seen as rebellious and fun. The bixie is a cross between a bob and a pixie haircut and usually comes with a tousled fringe. The style is sure to make a come back as we have seen short hair styles slowly creeping back in recent years. Popular in the 90’s thanks to celeb’s like Winona Ryder.
Straight blunt cut with a middle part
We will see a modern take on the simplicity and elegance of the blunt cut, popular in the 00’s and 70’s. There will always be a place for layers, but we will see a move to more blunt cuts over the next year. Blunt cuts remove wispy ends and give the impression of thicker, more healthy hair, again aligning to the hair health trend. The added benefit of a blunt cut, is how straight forward it is. Our junior team are well-practised in these cuts and are an alternative option when economic conditions mean people are looking for low-maintenance, and lower cost beauty.
The ultra-short bob
With the recent resurgence of the classic bob, it’s only natural for the hair to become shorter and edgier in the coming year as those already rocking the bob look for something different. The bob style will be given a unique flair and move towards more French girl vibes.
Styling trends
The side part
With the continued theme of ‘natural beauty’ over the recent years, the mild side part expresses the natural and effortlessness of the new ages. With heavy influences from the 90’s and the y2k era very much present, we will see partings move over slightly from a middle-part, and we could see the sweeping side part from the 90’s return.
Mermaid tousled waves
Popular in the 00’s and 70’s mermaid waves will return in a more tousled fashion. The surge in hot tools offering a wave solution has brought about this trend and the homecare products that are being developed with these products mean the waves are much longer lasting. The GHD Wave tool and Curly Ever After product are a classic example and we have found the salon team are loving the look created by this tool and product as well as the longevity of the waves.
We would love to hear your predictions for hair trends in 2026. Come in for a chat and we can help you with your cutting edge fashionable hair.
