Annual trend forecasts are still my guilty pleasure, even though I make crazy New Year’s resolutions and very specific “in and out” lists. It’s important to recognize how short-lived micro-trends affect both personal style and the environment, but trends still give us a good idea of where culture is going.
What Haircut Styles Will Be Popular This Year
I recently looked into how Pinterest’s “poetcore” prediction shows that more and more people want to unplug from screens and reconnect with the real world. FJ senior editor Lara Daly wrote another piece about fragrance trends connecting scent to the Lunar New Year and noting a shift away from vanilla toward richer, more expressive notes.
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What will happen to hair in 2026?
People have different ideas about hair. Will the bob haircut stay in style? Is the Sabrina Carpenter blowout over Trend forecasts aren’t set in stone; the best haircut is always the one you like. Still, I talked to four hairdressers to find out what haircut trends are likely to shape 2026 for those who are interested in what will happen next.
A Focus on the Fringe
Tara-Lee Mitchell, who owns the Melbourne salon Mitch Studio, thinks that the fringe will be big in 2026. “We’ve seen some changes lately, but the modern fringe is going to be shorter, bolder, and more daring,” she says. “Think of hair that is sexy and inspired by Gucci.”
Tara suggests Dakota Johnson in Materialists for a long, straight fringe and Odessa A’zion for those with wavy or curly hair. She says, “A fringe instantly makes you look better.” “It’s also perfect for adding shape while growing your hair—just make sure your stylist works with your natural texture.”
The Growth of the Grown-In Side Fringe
Remi Jeffers, a cutting teacher at Edwards and Co., thinks that the grown-in side fringe will come back. These long, softly blended side bangs fall between the cheekbone and jaw and give the face shape without making a long-term commitment.
Remi says, “Ask for long side bangs that blend in with the layers that frame your face.” “It’s flattering, low-maintenance, and perfectly suited to 2026’s relaxed beauty mindset.”
Why Scandi Bangs Will Never Go Out of Style
Supporting both Tara and Remi, Edwards and Co founder Jaye Edwards sees Scandi bangs maintaining their popularity. “They’re the easiest way to refresh your look with minimal commitment he says. “Soft, wispy, and feather-light, they’re slightly shorter in the centre to highlight the eyes and cheekbones.”
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Jaye recommends requesting airy, face-framing bangs that blend naturally into the haircut rather than anything heavy. “They’re incredibly versatile—wear them softly parted for a clean Scandi feel or tousled for a more undone, French-girl aesthetic.”
The Return of Long, Feminine Hair
Becc Snow, hairstylist and founder of Melbourne salon Alchemy views 2026 as a shift away from rigid gender norms in beauty. “In recent years, many women and femme-presenting people embraced more masculine styles to reclaim control over how they’re perceived,” Becc explains.
“Now, I see a move back toward embracing femininity with longer, whimsical hairstyles paired with bangs.” She also predicts a strong comeback for hair extensions.
Pixie, Bixie, or Somewhere in Between
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Becc also expects a surge in shorter cuts. “I think this will be the year of the femme pixie crop—opening up the face and not hiding behind hair,” she says.
Remi adds that the bixie bob—a blend of a bob and a pixie—will gain traction. “Falling between the jaw and collarbone, it combines structure with light texture through the ends. It’s shorter and more directional than a classic bob but softer than a pixie, delivering movement shape and edge without severity.”
To achieve this look, Remi suggests asking for a precise bob length with soft internal layering and a subtle pixie-inspired texture around the perimeter. “What I love most is how effortlessly cool it feels.”
