SS26 Hair Trend Report
What are insiders and hair experts saying about Spring/Summer 2026 trends?
Spring/Summer 2026 is all about hair that looks polished, glossy and put-together - without feeling overdone.
Across salons, social media and the runway, the same trends are emerging: soft, bouncy blow-dries, richer brunette tones, warmer blondes and effortless, face-framing fringes. The focus has shifted towards hair that feels healthy, natural and easy to wear, while still delivering that “expensive” finish.
But this season isn’t just about what’s trending - it’s about how you can actually achieve these looks in real life. With platforms like TikTok and Pinterest shaping what we see, save and shop, hair trends are now more accessible than ever.
In this report, we break down:
- The biggest hair trends for Spring/Summer 2026
- The cuts, colours and styles everyone will be asking for
- Expert insights from our global ambassadors
- And the products you need to recreate each look at home
Think of this as your go-to guide for the season ahead - whether you’re looking for a subtle refresh or a full transformation.
What does “effortless, elevated hair” really look like in 2026?
The defining mood for Spring/Summer 2026 is effortless, elevated hair. It’s about styles that feel wearable day-to-day but still look refined - glossy lengths, soft movement and natural texture replacing anything too stiff or overly styled.
As Beauty Works Global Ambassador Jack Luckhurst explains, “Polished but effortless styling is the big vibe for 2026… hair that looks glossy, soft and put-together without feeling overstyled.”
This shift reflects what clients are really asking for right now: hair that fits into real life, but still feels premium.
Why is everyone opting for softer, more natural-looking colour?
Colour for Spring/Summer 2026 is taking a noticeably softer turn. Instead of high-maintenance, icy tones or overly bold shades, we’re seeing a shift towards warmer, more wearable colour that enhances natural hair rather than masking it.
Blondes: warm, creamy and low-maintenance
Warmer blondes are leading the way this season, as we move away from the icy, cooler tones that dominated winter. For Spring/Summer 2026, it’s all about softer, more wearable shades that feel fresh and natural - often referred to as the rise of “Hampton’s Blonde”, a sun-kissed, effortless blonde.
Think butter blonde, honey tones and creamy finishes that add warmth and dimension without looking overly processed.
“Warmer blonde shades are taking over,” says Jack Luckhurst, “with creamy, honey and butter-toned blondes giving a softer, more natural look that’s also easier to maintain.”
These shades grow out more seamlessly and give that healthy, sunlit finish - perfect for summer.
If you’re looking to try a warmer blonde without committing to colour, extensions are the perfect option. They allow you to add brightness and dimension without dyeing your natural hair, helping to avoid unnecessary damage. Some of our most popular warm shades include Bohemian Blonde, Calabasas, Honey Blonde and St Tropez Blonde, with plenty of options to suit different tones and finishes.
And if going fully warm feels like too much of a change, you can easily blend these shades with more neautral tones for a softer, more subtle look. Some of our most popular blonde shades include Barely Blonde, Champagne Blonde & Sunset Boulevard.
Brunettes: Rich and Glossy
Brunettes are going deeper and richer for Spring/Summer 2026. This season, it’s all about enhancing your natural colour rather than changing it completely - creating that “expensive”, high-shine finish.
Think Kardashian inspired shades; chocolate browns, espresso tones and multi-dimensional colour that catches the light and adds depth. Instead of flat, one-tone colour, we’re seeing a move towards blending shades for a more natural, glossy result - especially in the sunlight, where these tones really come to life and shine.
Extensions are a great way to add depth and richness to brunette hair, especially when mixing tones. Combining deeper shades with softer browns helps create that seamless, salon-finish look with added dimension and movement.
We have a wide range of rich brunette shades to choose from, with some of our favourites for the season including Raven, Espresso Brown, Hot Toffee, Chocolate and Arabia Doll.
PS: If you’re opting for this glossy brunette look this Spring/Summer, our Mirror Shine Spray is an absolute must-have for enhancing shine and giving that reflective finish.
Natural colour: enhancing what you already have
We’re seeing a strong shift towards people embracing their natural hair colour for Spring/Summer 2026, with many moving away from heavily dyed looks and opting for shades closer to their natural tone. This is closely linked to the rise in hair health awareness and the continued popularity of the “clean girl” aesthetic - where glossy, healthy, low-maintenance hair is key.
Rather than full transformations, the focus is now on subtle enhancements - working with your natural base colour and elevating it with added shine, dimension or fullness. This creates a softer, more effortless finish that still feels polished and put-together.
A perfect example of this is Saffron Barker, who has moved away from her bleach blonde locks and is now embracing a colour much closer to her natural shade.
For those looking to add dimension while keeping their colour natural, our Double Wear® Reversible Weft is the perfect option. Designed with two complementary shades - one on each side - it creates a multi-tonal, blended finish, giving you the most natural-looking dimension. With ten shades available, it’s an easy way to enhance your colour while keeping it soft, seamless and true to you.
Which haircuts are trending for Spring/Summer 2026?
Haircuts this season are all about softness, movement and shape that feels effortless. We’re moving away from anything too blunt or heavy, and instead seeing more relaxed, wearable styles that enhance your natural hair and fit seamlessly into everyday routines.
The longer, luxe bob
The bob continues to dominate for 2026, but with a softer, more elevated feel. Sitting slightly longer, this season’s take blends the longer luxe bob with more soft, sculpted shaping - creating a look that feels polished but still effortless.
“Bobs are still very much the haircut, but they’re sitting a little longer,” says Global Ambassador Ed James. “Styled with soft flicked ends or a really luxe blowdry with that 90s body.”
We’re seeing styles inspired by the likes of Maura Higgins and Syndey Sweeney, where the bob is worn with natural movement, subtle volume and a glossy, face-framing finish.
This cut is perfect for summer as it’s lightweight, versatile and easy to style - whether you’re going for something sleek, softly waved or more undone.
If you want to try the longer, luxe bob but you feel like your hair isn’t quite thick enough or lacks the volume to achieve this, adding a few tape extensions or Invisitips® is a great way to fill it out and enhance the shape - extensions aren’t just for length, they’re perfect for adding fullness and structure too.
The Midi-Chop
Sitting right at the shoulders, the midi chop is one of the most wearable cuts for Spring/Summer 2026. Seen on the likes of Hailey Bieber, it strikes the perfect balance between short and long - offering enough length to style while still feeling fresh, lightweight and easy to manage for the warmer months.
This cut works beautifully with soft waves, a bouncy blow-dry or a more natural, air-dried finish, making it ideal for everyday wear. It’s also incredibly versatile - easy to dress up or down depending on the occasion.
Soft, expensive layers
Long, soft layers are firmly in for Spring/Summer 2026, bringing movement, bounce and that effortless “expensive hair” finish. Rather than anything too choppy or overdone, this season’s layers are subtle and blended - designed to enhance your natural texture while keeping the hair looking glossy and healthy.
If you don’t naturally have the length or thickness to achieve this look, extensions can help you achieve this look. They’re perfect for adding both length and fullness, helping layers fall more seamlessly and hold their shape.
We offer a range of clip-in extensions if you’re looking to achieve this look for specific occasions, giving you instant transformation when you want it. And if you’re looking for a more everyday solution, our professional methods - including wefts, pre-bonded extensions, micro-ring extensions and tapes - are ideal for creating long-lasting, natural-looking volume and length.
Are fringes still in for Spring/Summer 2026?
Fringes are definitely staying for Spring/Summer 2026 - but with a soft, effortless feel. This season, it’s all about light, airy shapes that move naturally and work with warmer weather, rather than anything too heavy or blunt.
“Softer, low-maintenance fringes are in, with wispy, blended shapes that frame the face beautifully and grow out effortlessly,” says Global Ambassador Jack Luckhurst.
Think soft, wispy fringes with light, feathered ends that frame the face without feeling heavy. Longer, 70s-inspired shapes that sit around the cheekbones are especially flattering, blending seamlessly into the rest of the hair for an effortless, grown-out finish. They add softness and movement without feeling overly styled, making them perfect for everyday wear.
If you’re not ready to fully commit, our clip-in fringe pieces are the perfect way to try the trend. The Barely There® Bangs are ideal for a soft, wispy, lightweight finish that mimics a natural fringe, while the Custom Clip-In Fringe Topper offers a fuller, more versatile look with added density and coverage. Because it’s custom-cut, you can achieve a range of styles - from soft curtain fringes to more defined shapes - all with a seamless, natural blend.
What hairstyles will define Spring/Summer 2026?
Styling for Spring/Summer 2026 is all about that effortless, “done but not overdone” finish. The focus is on soft movement, natural texture and hair that looks polished but still easy and wearable day-to-day.
The modern blow-dry
The modern blow-dry is one of the defining styles for Spring/Summer 2026 - think bouncy, voluminous hair with a softer, more relaxed feel. It’s less about overly structured curls and more about glossy, brushed-out movement that feels effortless and wearable day-to-day.
This look is all about volume through the lengths, soft flicked ends and that high-shine, “expensive hair” finish. It’s polished without looking overdone - as seen in the video above, where the hair has natural movement, subtle bounce and a glossy, face-framing shape that works perfectly for everyday wear.
To recreate this at home, tools like the XXL Volume Hot Brush (38mm) or the Beauty Works x Molly-Mae XXL Volume Hot Brush (32mm) are ideal for building smooth volume and shape, helping you achieve that signature bouncy, salon-style finish with ease.
Soft, romantic waves
Alongside polished blow-dries, softer, undone waves are a key look for Spring/Summer 2026. This is all about that relaxed, lived-in texture that feels easy but still put-together - perfect for everyday wear, holidays or warmer weather when you want your hair to feel lighter and more natural.
Inspired by looks like Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights-inspired hair, these waves are less about precision and more about softness - gently tousled, airy and full of movement through the lengths.
To create this look, tools like The Waver or The Jumbo Waver are perfect for building soft, uniform waves quickly, giving that effortless, flowing texture through the hair. Finish with a Texturising Spray to add light hold and separation while keeping the hair soft, touchable and full of movement.
Glossy, brushed out curls
This look is all about smooth, polished curls that are brushed out to create a soft, seamless finish. Unlike more textured or undone styles, the focus here is on control, shine and a refined shape that feels elevated and put-together.
The curls are structured at first, then softened out to create that signature flowing effect - giving the hair a fuller, more sculpted appearance while still maintaining movement. It’s this balance of structure and softness that gives the look its “expensive” feel.
To create this look, use the Beauty Works Professional Styler to form smooth, defined curls, then gently brush them out to achieve that soft, blended finish. For an extra glossy, high-shine effect, finish with the Mirror Shine Spray, enhancing the hair’s natural shine and giving it that ultra-polished, salon-quality look.
How do you keep your hair looking healthy all summer?
Healthy, glossy hair is the foundation of every Spring/Summer 2026 trend. With increased exposure to heat, sun, sea and styling, maintaining your hair’s condition is key to achieving that soft, polished finish.
Incorporating simple steps into your routine - like using a Heat Protectant Spray before styling and a Detangling Brush to minimise breakage - can make all the difference in keeping your hair looking its best. Make sure to read our blog on How to Keep Your Hair Extensions Healthy During Summer for tips on how to maintain your hair during summer.
Stay ahead of the trends
Keeping up with the latest hair trends has never been easier. For daily inspiration, expert tips and real-life transformations, follow Beauty Works on Instagram and TikTok - where we share the newest styles, trending looks and how-to content as they happen.
And if you’re ready to refresh your look for the season, don’t forget our Refer a Friend programme. When you refer a friend, you’ll both receive £10 off - the perfect excuse to upgrade your hair routine together.
