The Top Haircut Trends of Spring/Summer 2026

In 2026, spring and summer haircuts are moving in a softer, more wearable direction. Instead of overly bold shapes or heavily styled finishes, the top hair pros predict that cuts will be personalized, air-dried, movement-focused and easy for clients to maintain between appointments.

“Haircuts that communicate soft architecture” will define the year, says Bumble and bumble. Director of Education Matt King (@mistermattking). “A lot of people are growing out haircuts that were defined by strong shapes or bold statements, so the next logical step for change is softening those shapes.”

That shift shows up across every major category this season: bobs are becoming airier, pixies are growing out into softer bixies, shags are feeling more bombshell than mullet and curly cuts are being designed to enhance natural texture—not fight it.

1. The Airy, Lived-In Bob

The bob is still the haircut to watch for 2026, but the summer edition is less about one exact silhouette and more about customization. Taking inspiration from the voluminous bobs of the 90s, we’ll be seeing variations of lived-in bobs, micro bobs and textured, French-inspired shapes that can be tailored to each client’s density, texture and styling habits.

Formulas

Photo Credit: Instagram via @miloszhairstylis

Matt shares, “Cut for movement first and structure second. The goal is a great air-dry.” That means stylists should consider how the cut behaves outside the salon. To support that, Matt recommends layering products intentionally. His 2026 survival guide includes: 

• A primer like Bb.Prep or Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer
• A stronger styler such as Thickening Spray, Grooming Creme or Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Long Last Styling Cream
• A finisher like Dryspun, Does It All or Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil.

Formulas

Ayo Edebiri | Photo Credit: Instagram via @ursulastephen

2. Curl-Respecting Lobs and Midlengths

For curly and wavy clients, spring 2026 is all about shorter shapes that celebrate the natural pattern. Cassie Siskovic (@cassiskovic), Moroccanoil® Academy Director, calls the Curly French Bob one of the leading silhouettes of the year: “A bold, short bob that celebrates natural curl and movement. Adding a fringe elevates the look while making curls easier than ever to wear effortlessly.”

The key is designing around the curl, not forcing the curl into a pre-set shape. Cassie’s best advice: “Let texture lead. Movement comes from intentional design, not over-thinning or over-layering.” 

• Product Pairings: Cassie recommends Moroccanoil® Hydrating Styling Cream and Moroccanoil® Treatment Mist to support hydration, definition and softness.

Formulas

Photo Credit: Instagram via @michellethompsonhair

That same texture-first philosophy is exactly what celebrity hairstylist and OLAPLEX Global Ambassador Vernon François (@vernonfrancois) is seeing for 2026. “Cuts that respect the hair’s natural pattern” will dominate, he shares. “I’m seeing more people leaning into volume, length and movement, particularly with curly hair, rather than cutting against it.”

Formulas

Ayo Edebiri | Photo Credit: Instagram via @vernonfrancois

For Vernon, maintenance starts with care, not constant reshaping. “Cut with the hair’s behavior in mind, not against it,” he says. To support curl shape between appointments, he recommends hydration and protection first: 

• OLAPLEX Nº.6 Bond Smoother for softness and control
• Paired with OLAPLEX Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum to shield hair from daily stress while enhancing natural flow

Formulas

Photo Credit: Instagram via @vernonfrancois

Bumble and bumble. Artist Ashlee Norman (@ashleenormanhair) also sees texture becoming a bigger part of the trend conversation. “We’re not necessarily blowing out curly hair anymore,” she says. “We’re more celebrating those big curl pops.” 

Formulas

Photo Credit: Instagram via @ashleenormanhair @sofiakelly_lv

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3. The Shaggy Pixie and Textured Bixie

Short hair is having a major moment, but the spring 2026 update is softer and more grown-in. Instead of sharp pixies or disconnected crops, artists are pointing to shaggy grown-out pixies, choppy mod cuts and bixies that still leave clients with styling flexibility.

ARC™ Scissors Ambassador and salon owner Stephanie Carrillo (@themodestspotcarrillo) predicts that pixies and bangs will continue having a moment as hair shifts toward something “effortless and unfussy rather than over-styled.” Her inspiration comes from Paris street fashion: hair that is never overdone, with intentional shapes that speak for themselves.

Formulas

Photo Credit: Instagram via @modestspotcarrillo

Stephanie’s go-to technique for this kind of airy texture is slide cutting. “It allows me to remove weight while creating space, so the hair moves freely and feels lived-in rather than overworked,” she says. 

• For detail work: Stephanie reaches for ARC™ Scissors The Curve, especially on curly and textured hair.
  • Why she uses it: The Curve allows her to customize each curl without disrupting the natural pattern.
• For wet, dry, precision and slide cutting: She uses ARC™ Scissors PHANTOM II.
  • Why she uses it: The blade moves smoothly through the hair without pushing or pulling.

Ashlee sees the bixie evolving, too. “It’s becoming more of a round graduation shape,” she says. “It’s not so much like a pixie with a curtain bang anymore.” 

• Razor cutting tip: Control the stroke of the blade to control the finish.
• For softness: Use a broader stroke to create more shorter-to-longer pieces and a softer line.
• For precision: Use a shorter stroke when you want the shape to feel more controlled and precise.

Formulas

Photo Credit: Instagram via @ashleenormanhair

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4. The Modern Shag and Soft Wolf Cut

The shag is still going strong, but spring’s version is becoming softer, sexier and more salon-friendly. ARC™ Scissors Ambassador Holly Vatter (@hollygirldoeshair) says the wolf cut “reigns supreme” for 2026, describing it as a mid-length rocker shag that falls forward to frame the face and tapers around the lower neck and shoulders. “The look is achieved with lots of textured layers throughout, with bangs and temple pieces all cut to flow and frame the face seamlessly,” she says.

Formulas

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hollygirldoeshair

Holly’s biggest tip? Texturize with intention. “When I want to remove weight, I look for the specific places in the hair that look bulky or feel like weight is stopping the flow of movement,” she says. “The goal is to be intentional.” Using her ARC™ Scissors PARAGON II scissors, she creates negative space in small, fluid sections, starting at the bulkiest point at least two inches away from the root.

Formulas

Ashlee agrees, as she sees the shag moving away from its heavier, mullet-inspired past. “I think ’90s bombshell is more in than ’70s,” she says. “The face-framing and layering is not so mullet-ish anymore—it’s a little more bombshell.” 

Formulas

Photo Credit: Instagram via @ashleenormanhair @hair.juancarlos

Ashlee’s Cut and Color Considerations

• Use razor channels with intention. Razor channels can create softness and movement, but chunky internal removal can affect how the hair behaves during color services.
• Consider the client’s color plan first. If the client gets lived-in color, shorter internal pieces may get teased up or blown out during the color process.
• Why it matters: If the haircut and color are not planned together, those shorter pieces can create chunkier color placement instead of a soft diffusion.

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5. Long Layers and Fringe

Long hair remains important for spring 2026, but the trend is shifting toward invisible movement, healthy fullness and blowout-friendly shapes instead of extreme layering.

Formulas

Photo Credit: Instagram via @nazir.hair

Formulas

Mika Abdall | Photo Credit: Instagram via @bykileyfitz

Gilad says timeless glam layers are continuing because clients are learning how to style their hair at home. “Long layers make it easier to create volume and movement that doesn’t fall flat right away,” he says. For long, thick hair, he reaches for the ARC™ Scissors 6.5” PARAGON II because it gives him the strength and precision needed for channeling and refining layered shapes.

Formulas

Products Used

Hairdresser's Invisible Oil

Styling

Bumble and bumble.

Thickening Full Form Soft Mousse

Styling

Bumble and bumble.

Bb. Thickening Dryspun Finish

Styling

Hairdresser's Invisible Oil UV Protective Dry Oil Finishing Spray

Styling

Bumble and bumble.

Does It All Light Hold Hairspray

Bumble and bumble.

Hydrating Styling Cream

Styling

Moroccanoil®

Treatment Mist

Moroccanoil®

Olaplex No.6

Haircare

Olaplex

OLAPLEX No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum

Haircare

Olaplex

ARC™ Scissors Paragon II

Shears

ARC™ Scissors

THE CURVE- Made For Curls

Cutting Curls/Texture

ARC™ Scissors