Text Esther

Beauty Editorial · Hair Trends

The Hair Trends for 2026

Fresh looks. Modern styles. Timeless you. The color, highlights and haircuts I’m most excited about this year, and how to make them work for you.

By Esther KleinL’Oréal Professional Master Stylist & Colorist · Maurici Salon, South Palm Beach · 5 min read

A stylist combs through a client’s long hair with soft, blended brunette-to-blonde balayage in a bright salon.
Soft, blended balayage: brightness without a harsh line at the root. Photo: Adobe Stock.

Hair in 2026 is all about balance: effortless style, healthy shine and individuality. This year, we’re seeing a beautiful mix of classic icons and fresh, modern twists. The focus is on styles that are easy to maintain, look amazing in real life and work with your natural texture.

Whether you’re ready for a bold change or just a subtle refresh, here are the top trends to watch (and wear) for 2026 and beyond, with a few notes from my chair on who each one suits and how to keep it looking its best.

Color is everything

Color in 2026 is warmer, richer and more dimensional. Think creamy blondes, amber brunettes, copper tones and soft, blended highlights. These shades add glow, create depth and make hair look healthier and fuller.

Dimensional brunette is a favorite for good reason: ribbons of warmth woven through a rich base catch the light and grow out softly. Blondes are creamy and buttery rather than icy. And soft, blended highlights or balayage give brightness without a harsh line at the root.

A stylist holds a hair color swatch card beside a client’s long, light-brown hair to compare shades.
Choosing a shade against a swatch card, before any color is mixed. Photo: Adobe Stock.

In my chair, every color is personal. I mix each shade for your skin, eyes and hair, and finish with a glaze for mirror shine. Many of my clients love color first, then highlights: an all-over shade for richness, then highlights for light and movement.

For a modern edge, peekaboo color, face-framing highlights and pastel accents are also making a big return, perfect for those who love a little extra personality. You can see everything I do on my hair color page.

These are the looks I see clients asking for most, from easy classics to playful color.

  1. Woman with a sleek, shoulder-length blonde bob and a center part.
    A sleek, blunt bob at shoulder length. Photo: Adobe Stock.

    The glossy bob

    Chic, sophisticated and easy to style. The sleek bob is the ultimate power look for 2026.

    From my chairShine is the whole point. A precise cut at the right length for your face does most of the work, and a gloss or glaze after color gives it that mirror finish.

  2. Woman with wispy curtain bangs and brunette hair pulled back, looking over her shoulder.
    Wispy curtain bangs that frame the eyes. Photo: Adobe Stock.

    Soft layers & curtain bangs

    Face-framing layers and wispy bangs add movement, soften your features and give effortless volume.

    From my chairBangs are a small change with a big effect. Before we cut, we talk about your face shape, your hair’s natural direction and how much time you like to spend styling. My guide to haircuts for your face shape is a good place to start.

  3. Woman with long, loose brunette waves with soft caramel tones.
    Long, loose waves with lived-in texture. Photo: Adobe Stock.

    Beachy texture

    Natural waves and lived-in texture are still going strong. It’s relaxed, fresh and works for every hair type.

    From my chairHere by the ocean, it’s the most natural look of all. The trick is a cut that lets your own wave do the work, plus moisture so sun, salt and chlorine don’t dull your color.

  4. Smiling woman with a short, textured auburn pixie cut and side-swept bangs.
    A soft, textured pixie with side-swept bangs. Photo: Adobe Stock.

    The modern pixie

    Short, stylish and bold: the pixie is back, with a softer, more feminine feel.

    From my chairToday’s pixie keeps a little length and softness on top and around the face. It needs regular trims to keep its shape, so it suits anyone who loves a quick morning routine. See women’s haircuts.

  5. Woman with long, vivid copper-red hair in loose waves.
    Rich copper with plenty of shine. Photo: Adobe Stock.

    Rich & warm colors

    From creamy blondes to copper and chocolate tones, warm, dimensional color brings out your natural glow.

    From my chairWarmth should look like your own glow, not a filter. That’s why I mix every shade for your skin, eyes and hair, and why many clients choose L’Oréal INOA ammonia-free color for its beautiful, natural shine.

  6. Woman with a short, pastel-pink cut and a long, side-swept fringe.
    Soft pastel pink on a short, choppy cut. Photo: Adobe Stock.

    Pastel & bold accents

    Soft pinks, lavenders and subtle peekaboo color are turning heads and adding a playful, modern twist.

    From my chairIf you’re curious, start small: a peekaboo panel underneath or a single face-framing streak. Pastels usually need a lightened base and fade quickly, so plan on a refresh. Fantasy color is on my menu and prices.

  7. Woman with voluminous, bouncy blonde curls, seen in profile.
    Big, bouncy volume with a retro feel. Photo: Adobe Stock.

    ’70s-inspired styles

    The butterfly cut, the shag and retro layers are back with a fresh, modern update.

    From my chairThese cuts are all about movement and volume, with softer edges than the originals. They’re a great choice if you want body and bounce without going much shorter, and a round-brush blowout shows them off beautifully.

  8. Black-and-white portrait of a bearded man with tousled, textured hair.
    Tousled, natural texture for men. Photo: Adobe Stock.

    Textured men’s cuts

    The textured crop, the modern mullet and relaxed, natural styles are big for men in 2026.

    From my chairGentlemen are welcome in my chair, too, for cuts and color. A textured cut works with the way your hair naturally grows, so it looks good with very little product. Book a visit with a quick text.

  9. Back view of a woman with a loose, textured updo and soft tendrils at the neck.
    A loose, undone updo with soft tendrils. Photo: Adobe Stock.

    Effortless updos

    Loose buns, soft braids and undone styles are perfect for day-to-night versatility.

    From my chairThey’re a favorite for weddings and events, in the salon or on location, where I come to you by request.

  10. Smiling woman with very long, straight, glossy dark-brown hair.
    Long, glossy, healthy-looking hair. Photo: Adobe Stock.

    Healthy, shiny hair

    The ultimate trend is hair that looks and feels healthy. Shine, strength and hydration never go out of style.

    From my chairEvery look starts here. In the salon I use Kérastase treatments, and a keratin smoothing treatment can help tame frizz in our humidity.

How to choose the right trend for you

A trend is a starting point, not a rule. Here is how I help clients decide.

  1. Start with a conversation. Your consultation is always free. I listen first: how you wear your hair day to day, how often you’d like to come in, and what you love (or don’t) about it now.
  2. Bring pictures. Photos of looks you love, and ones you don’t, tell me more than any description.
  3. Be honest about upkeep. A glossy bob or a pixie needs regular trims to keep its shape, while lived-in color and soft layers grow out more gently. Here is how often to refresh color.
  4. Plan for Florida. Sun, salt and humidity are part of life here, so I build in moisture, shine and frizz control from the start.
  5. Put healthy hair first. If your hair needs some love before a big change, a treatment or a gloss can be the best first step.

The bottom line

The biggest trend of 2026? Confidence. The best hairstyle is the one that makes you feel like the most authentic, beautiful version of yourself. Whether you’re drawn to a classic bob, soft layers, a bold color or your natural texture, the key is choosing a style that fits your lifestyle and your personality.

Because great hair isn’t just a trend. It’s a feeling.

Esther Klein smiling in her salon, wearing black, with orchids and product shelves behind her.
Real photo of Esther, retouched for light and color.

About the author

Esther Klein

Esther Klein is a L’Oréal Professional Master Stylist & Colorist with 35 years behind the chair, in Greenwich, Connecticut and Palm Beach, Florida. She trained with Vidal Sassoon and Paul Mitchell and was voted Best Stylist in Palm Beach Best 2024. She works one-on-one at Esther Klein’s @ Salon & Style Bar, also called Maurici Salon, on South Ocean Blvd in South Palm Beach.

About EstherAward & credentialsClient reviews@estherkleinhair on Instagram (opens in a new tab)

Ready for your next look?

Whether you’re dreaming of a bold new color, a fresh cut or simply a little self-care, I’ll help you find a style that fits your life, your beauty and your goals for 2026 and beyond.

At Maurici Salon, I create custom looks that bring out the best in you, from the latest trends to timeless classics.

Esther Klein’s @ Salon & Style Bar · Maurici Salon South Ocean Blvd, South Palm Beach, FL 33480 Monday to Saturday, 10 AM – 6 PM · Sunday closed · by appointment

561-631-6462

Text preferred. Esther replies personally.

Text EstherCall 561-631-6462

Your consultation is always free. Premium hair color and cuts in the salon, or on location and in your home by request. See the menu and prices and how booking works.

Keep reading

All hair tips from Esther

Photo credits

Trend photos are licensed from Adobe Stock under the Adobe Stock Standard License and show models, not Esther’s clients. The author photos are real photos of Esther, retouched for light and color.

  • Opening photo (balayage in the salon): Adobe Stock #385550217
  • Color swatch photo: Adobe Stock #284506730
  • The glossy bob: Adobe Stock #374337827
  • Soft layers & curtain bangs: Adobe Stock #561062456
  • Beachy texture: Adobe Stock #404312049
  • The modern pixie: Adobe Stock #378007407
  • Rich & warm colors: Adobe Stock #70350191
  • Pastel & bold accents: Adobe Stock #300412563
  • ’70s-inspired styles: Adobe Stock #566152982
  • Textured men’s cuts: Adobe Stock #355869111
  • Effortless updos: Adobe Stock #170046428
  • Healthy, shiny hair: Adobe Stock #417122415
Text Esther Call