Cut it OUT: The Chopped to Chic Era
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3 min
Hair has been LOUD lately… too loud. Here are 8 hair trends that are going to eat in 2026 (with class, obviously).
Lily Collins 'French Bob'
Dakota Johnson 'Curtain Bangs'
The ‘main character’ trope has been one heck of an era.
Extreme visual transformations, dramatic lifestyle changes, and complete reinventions; a grand gesture of self-love and exemplary act of putting our desires first over anything or anyone else. A trend designed less for longevity, and more for virality - haircuts that looked incredible on Instagram, but were a nightmare to maintain for your wallet and busy day-to-day schedule.
The energy has shifted in 2026 - hair is sobering up, and quite frankly, we’re HERE for it! It’s officially the era of 'Chopped to Chic'… less drama, better decisions, and a classy hair toss to top it all off.
Hello, Old Hollywood:
The Hair Revolution
(Performative? Ick.)
Billie Eilish 'Bleach Blonde'
Lana del Rey 'Bambi Blonde'
Put bluntly, the 2024-2025 beauty era was performative. Hair had to do something and be the moment - a big poofy blowout, a liquid contour bob, a vanilla-honey-bambi blonde… A personality trait or entity in itself.
The pendulum has swung.
Classic silhouettes, smarter execution and a healthy finish has returned and it’s giving 60s bangs, 80s swoopy side parts and bobs from the 90s are back but better: made for your face, visual weight and busy modern schedule (helloo low maintenance!)
The Cut
(Structure is The Foundation of A…)
Hailey Bieber 'French Bob'
Sabrina Carpenter 'Butterfly Cut'
Daisy Edgar Jones 'Curtain Bangs'
It’s not about cohort-lived shack value, but rather, strategy. Strategic because… The goal is to look ready even when the rest of your life is falling apart.
For round, long or rectangular faces:
The French Bob - softer than the sharp bob, with face-framing layers and a length that sits somewhere between the jaw and collarbone. It’s chic air-dried or styled, and gives off-duty model who ‘woke up like this.’
For oval and square faces:
The Butterfly Cut - long but intentional. The magic about this style is it frames your face and adds softness and volume without sacrificing length! The anecdote that saves you time every morning before work.
For all face shapes:
Curtain Bangs - yes, it’s still here. #winning. It’s the safest way to change your look without spiralling about your accidental bowl cut, and draws attention to your eyes and cheeks for that true female-gazed look.
The Colour
(Depth, Warmth & Dimension - Not Frizz.)
Dove Cameron 'Espresso Brown'
SZA 'Cherry Mocha'
Suki Waterhouse 'Colour Melting'
If cuts are about structure in 2026, then it only makes sense that we pull the reigns on colour (be kind to your hair I BEG). Richer tones, facial harmony and an emphasis on health is - and looks like – wealth!
For high contrast faces:
Museum Tones - for the girls with light eyebrows and strong eyebrows or features, it’s time to look luxurious. Espresso brown and dark chocolates for that striking but elevated old-money look (and shine!)
For gold jewellery or brown eyed girls:
Cherry Mocha or Burnt Copper Highlights - red is back, but she's all grown up! She’s more lowkey, lays over your brunette base, and adds warmth that’s perfect for summer.
For low visuals and low commitment:
Colour Melting - if you have commitment issues, I’m here for you. There’s no need for big changes yet - melt into your brunette era without overpowering your delicate features and ease into newness.
And Style!
(High Impact, Low Effort)
Bella Hadid 'High Pony'
JENNIE 'High Pony'
Olivia Dean 'Side Part'
Styling is about to be fun without long-term consequences (yay!!).
For glam occasions:
Sculpted High Pony - this is hair, tailored. It lifts, sharpens, and photographs so beautifully that you’ll look photogenic from every angle without needing to fry all your hair or prep the night before!
For EVERYONE:
The Side Part - yes. Really. The deeper, the better. Millennials, my hands are up on behalf of the Gen Z population; she delivers cute volume and bounce, and suits all hairstyles (unless you’re rocking a buzz).
Zara Larsson 'Side Part'
Kali Uchis Side Part''
I’d like to preface, this isn’t about playing it safe - we’re just making conscious decisions for the wellbeing of our hair’s health, and thinking about what will actually best suit our features (aka. prefrontal cortex is developing)!
Here’s to a year of more gloss, more shape, more nuance, and styles that elevate without demanding your soul.
Good riddance frizz & frazzled, Beauties x
