The haircut trends set to dominate this year
photography by Nicole Squelch via Mitch Studio
words by daisy henry
Bangs, extensions and the bixie.
Along with overly ambitious New Year’s resolutions and ultra-niche ‘in and out’ lists, yearly trend predictions are my guilty pleasure. Though it’s important housekeeping to highlight the damage that micro-trends can have on personal style and the environment, I find that trends are an interesting insight into the current state of the culture.
Just recently, I wrote about how Pinterest’s ‘poetcore’ prediction hints at a yearning for getting offline and returning to the physical world. Another recent piece, written by FJ’s senior editor Lara Daly on fragrance trends, suggests a parallel between scent and the Lunar New Year, with people ditching vanilla and craving more dynamic notes.
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When it comes to our hair, the jury is out. Will the bob reign supreme for another year? Has the Sabrina-Carpenter blowout had its moment? Of course, predictions aren’t a definitive in or out list – the best haircut is the one you want, after all. But if you’re curious about the forecast, I spoke to four hairdressers for their predictions on the haircuts set to dominate in 2026.
A moment for the fringe
According to Tara-Lee Mitchell, founder of Melbourne hair salon Mitch Studio, 2026 is going to be the year of the fringe. “We’ve seen iterations of it more recently but I think that the modern fringe will be shorter and more daring,” she tells me. “Think sexy, Gucci-inspired hair.”
For inspiration, Tara points to Dakota Johnson à la Materialists, for a long, blunt look, and to Odessa A’zion (of I Love L.A and Marty Supreme) for those with curly or wavy hair. “A fringe is a way to instantly update your look,” she explains. “It’s also a great way to add in some shape if you’re growing your hair. Just make sure to ask your stylist to work with your natural texture!”
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The ‘grown-in side fringe’
Remi Jeffers, the cutting educator at Edwards and Co, adds to this, but instead forecasting a return of the ‘grown-in side fringe’. Think long, softly blended side bangs that sit between the cheekbone and jaw, adding shape without commitment. “Ask for long side bangs that seamlessly connect into face-framing layers,” Remi instructs.
“This fringe feels flattering, low-maintenance and perfectly aligned with 2026’s relaxed approach to beauty.”
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The enduring appeal of the Scandi bangs
Echoing Tara and Remi’s sentiment, Edwards and Co founder Jaye Edwards make the case for the continued dominance of scandi bangs. “Scandi bangs are the ultimate low-commitment way to refresh your look,” he says. “They’re soft, wispy and feather-light, sitting slightly shorter through the centre to open up the eyes and cheekbones.”
To get them, Jaye suggests asking for airy, face-framing bangs that blend into the haircut, rather than anything blunt or heavy. “What I love most about Scandi bangs is how adaptable they are, wear them softly parted for that clean Scandi minimal vibe, or mess them up a little for a more undone, French-girl feel,” he says.
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Long locks
Becc Snow, hair-stylist and founder of Melbourne salon, Alchemy, sees 2026 as the year that people pushback against gendered beauty standards. “Over the past few years I think women and femme-presenting people have been wearing their hair more masc, to take back control of their looks and how they are perceived,” Becc says. “Now I see a push back to the other side and they’re taking back ownership of their femininity and wearing their hair super girly.”
According to Becc, this will see a move to long, whimsy hairstyles, paired with bangs. It might also see hair extensions return in a big way.
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The Pixie versus the Bixie
Perhaps this really is a year of contrasts. At the other end of the spectrum, Becc also sees people going in the polar opposite direction and cutting their hair. “I think this year will be the year of the ‘Femme Pixie Crop’, opening up the face and not hiding behind the hair,” she says.
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Remi builds on this, predicting a surge in popularity surrounding the bixie bob cut – a hybrid of the bob and bixie. “Sitting between the jaw and collarbone, this cut blends internal structure with light texture and softness through the ends. It’s shorter and more directional than a classic bob, but not as cropped as a pixie, giving shape, movement and edge without harshness.”
To ask for this style Remi says to request a precise bob length, with soft internal layering and a ‘subtle pixie-inspired texture through the perimeter’. “What I love most about this cut is how effortlessly cool it feels.”
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