I have finally succeeded in growing out my coils just long enough to pull into an updo without needing to stretch them with heat, but my hair has officially entered its awkward length stage (and honestly, I deserve an award for all the styles I’ve been able to pull off in the meantime). With that being said, I’ve begun to get that familiar itch to go short again and return to my my bob era. So far, it looks like 2026 will be dominated by short styles, and I’m already staying ahead of the trend cycle by hunting for potential styles.
Sunnie Brook, a celebrity hairstylist and Biolage global ambassador with over 20 years of experience in in the beauty industry, tells us 2026 won’t be “just another year of the bob.” Instead, she predicts ‘intentional duality’ will be the buzziest trend—hair that feels polished or undone, short or secretly long, based on how you wear it. You can also expect to see short hairstyles with nostalgic touches. “There’s also a real echo of 2016’s strong, graphic bob era coming back, but reworked through a 2026 lens that prioritizes texture, ease, and personalization,” Brook explains.
Below, I’m taking a deep dive into the seven copy-worthy short hairstyles that will go on to define 2026, and are 100% worth saving for reference the next time you’re feeling bold enough to try something new (plus, the best styling products that will help bring these looks to life without needing to book a salon visit). Scroll on for style hairstyle inspiration before picking up the scissors and going in for a chop.
Which short cuts will be on trend in 2026?
We’ve seen our share of Italian bobs and textured pixies over the past couple of years, but in 2026, Brook is detecting another cut gaining traction: the ‘chillet’. “It’s a softer, more wearable evolution of the mullet,” Brook continues. “Short and face framing, but relaxed and fashion forward rather than. extreme. Beyond specific silhouettes, there will also be a notable uptick in hidden structures and dual length cuts. “[It] will be the one of the most exciting conversations in short hair. People want flexibility and options built into one haircut,” she adds.
Enter: Brook’s signature Gemini cut, which is designed with medium to thick hair in mind. To create it, the underneath is cut into a clean bob that sits above the shoulders but below the chin. Leaving the top one length below the shoulders and veils over the the undercut to give the illusion of longer hair when worn down and, when worn up, it reveals a bob. She tells us the cut is, “for someone who wants to go short without feeling limited, and it photographs beautifully because it has a strong shape and a hidden element of surprise.” Brook also loves this cut for curly hair.
Which short hairstyles will define 2026?
This year, Brook says we’ll be heading into a new era of individualized bobs, with shaggy bobs coexisting with eye-catching blunt shapes and flipped ends. “It’s less about one dominant look and more about choosing the version that fits your energy and lifestyle,” she says. Brook also predicts a return of retro structures, albeit in a quieter way than we’ve seen in past years. “Sculpted bends, controlled waves, and glossy finishes are coming back, but with restraint so they feel modern instead of costume driven,” Brook adds. Unlike 2025, which was filled with polished bobs, this year will mark a prominent shift towards movement, versatility, and better grow out. “There’s more emphasis on texture, softer silhouettes, and styles that look intentional without feeling overworked,” says Brook.
How Do I Style Short Hair?
There are many ways to style short tendrils, but having the right products on hand can make sure every bob, lob, and pixie cut is salon-worthy. “With short hair, products matter because there’s nowhere to hide,” Brook tells us. To sculpt strands without stiffness, she uses the Biolage Styling Gelée ($30) or Mousse ($28) with hand-wrapping technique. “Hair has the most memory when it goes from wet to dry, so working a small amount of gel into damp hair and sculpting a bend at the roots or around the face creates a soft, modern wave without heat,” she says. Once the hair is dry, Brooke recommends shaking it out with your fingers.
For blowouts on short hair, Brook advises starting with Biolage’s All-in-One Multi-benefit Spray ($27), then layering it with their body boosting mousse ($28) for lift and bounce. Next, she applies oil, and finishes with a hair styling balm and and texture spray for a lived-in, editorial feel by Chris McMillan. “One pro tip that makes a huge difference is going one size smaller with your round brush than you normally would,” Brook says. “That extra tension creates more body and gives you that wow shape that lasts all day.” Scroll on to see every short look hairstylists and beauty editors are expecting to spot from Los Angeles to Amsterdam.
Top 2026 Short Hair Trends
Flipped Bob
Flirtatious retro-inspired hairstyles have been spotted recently on stylish celebs like Ayo Edebiri and Kendall Jenner, but we’re especially besotted with flipped bobs like the one above worn by Rose Byrne to attend this year’s Gotham Awards. The cropped cut frame her face beautifully, while the flipped ends adds the perfect amount of flair.
Get the Look:
Oribe
Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment
ghd
Chronos Styler 1″ Flat Iron
Moroccanoil
Treatment Mist
Layered Lob
Voluminous, shoulder-grazing lobs will be everywhere like the one Lori Harvey wore on a trip to New York City last fall will be all over your FYP come spring 2026. The chocolate shade is a color we’ve been gushing over for months, but we’re itching to recreate its long layers and soft waves.
Get the Look:
Roz
Santa Lucia Styling Oil
ghd
Duet Blowdry 2-in-1 Hair Dryer Brush
Living Proof
Frizz Smooth Styling Cream
Vintage Bixie
Brook highlights retro structures like this chic bixie (a hybrid cut blending short layers with the definition of a bob) as also being on the rise for 2026. Jourdan Dunn’s textured, slicked-back take on the style is reminiscent of the 1920’s with the kiss curl detailing.
Get the Look:
L’Oréal
Absolut Repair Oil
Bio Ionic
10x Pro Styling Oil
R+Co
Vicious Strong Hold Flexible Hairspray
Sculpted Bob
Sculpted bobs, a modernized version of the bold and graphic cuts of 2016, are predicted to capture our interest this year with it’s movement, polish, and softness. Ryan Destiny’s interpretation of the trend combines a side part, rounded ends, and kiss curl near one year. Playful and elegant, this is the style for all your special occasions.
Get the Look:
Color Wow
Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
Chris McMillan
The Major Shine Hairspray
Bumble and Bumble
Grooming Cream for Subtle Hold + Smooth Finish
’90s Lob
Hailey Bieber got this collarbone-grazing cut in December, and we’re expecting to see much more of it this year. Hairstylist Justine Marjan, who created revealed in an Instagram post, that it has slight fae framing and a point cut around the front. It also includes flipped ends, another one of 2026’s biggest trends.
Get the Look:
Oribe
Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse
Dyson
Airwrap ID Multi-Styler and Dryer
Davines
This Is A Perfecting Spray
Choppy Bob
(Image credit: JC Olivera/Getty Images)
Emma Stone posed for the cameras with this bob on the red carpet of the 83rd Annual Globes, and we’ve been dreaming of it ever since. This bob’s softly cut layers and flipped ends make the texture used for this short hairstyle even more delicious.
Get the Look:
Olaplex
Volumizing Blow Dry Mist
T3
Curling Straightener 2-in-1 Styling Iron
Modern Mullet
When Hill isn’t wearing a polished bixie, the model knows how to style a modern mullet to perfection. The style combines her soft, textured curls with short, face-framing strands and a longer length in the back. It’s a fashion-forward, “clean” take on the mullet we can’t wait to spot in 2026.
Get the Look:
Kenra Professional
Dry Texture Spray
R+Co
Bleu Smooth and Seal Blow Dry Mist
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