These Are the Most Popular Haircuts Around the Country Right Now

You may think summer is too late to observe the “new year, new hair” tradition, but you’re wrong. As we pass the midway point of 2026, consider this your sign to refresh your look with one of this year’s trendiest haircuts for women.

If you’re ready for a change but haven’t landed on a length or style yet, allow us to share some hairspiration from across the country. We’ve spent months chatting with stylists to the stars and hair experts from across the country about this year’s rising trends. We’ve taken notes from celebrities, red carpets, and runways—now it’s time to book the appointments.

Whether you’re flirting with an itty-bitty bob or pixie cut, hoping to add some movement to your length, or looking for a cut that lets your curl routine shine, there’s a trending 2026 haircut with your name on it. Ahead, stylists share the most requested styles at their salons—from lived-in shags in London to textured lobs in Austin and edgy bangs in New York City.

Scroll on for the best haircuts for women to try well into fall and winter 2026, plus expert tips on how to style them at home—and while we’re at it, don’t forget to stock up on some must-have products to keep your hair looking fresh between appointments.

Yes, we’re still feeling the impact of Leslie Bibb’s bob from The White Lotus season three. Eddie M. Parra, celebrity hairstylist and senior stylist at Benjamin Salon New York, says Bibb is one of the most popular celebrity hair references he’s seeing from clients. “We’ve been in a long era of midlength to long hair, and now clients are excited to try something that feels fresh and empowering,” NYC hairstylist Jennifer Korab says.

To get the look, ask your stylist for blunt precision and ends in line with your jaw. Need further convincing? “This cut is a statement,” says Jon Reyman, owner of Spoke & Weal salons, who works out of LA and NYC. “Cool is more important than sexy right now—or rather, cool is the new sexy.” The super-short bob works for any hair texture—thin hair or thick hair—but if yours is dense, ask your stylist to thin it out first.

Pro stylist and hair educator Jesse Marriott cut loads of curtain bangs in 2025 but says 2026 is all about blunt, straight-across fringe. According to Marriott, clients are “experimenting with shorter lengths and really getting brave with committing to a strong, powerful look with your fringe.”

LA hairstylist Tim Dueñas says baby bangs are especially big right now. “This short statement fringe typically follows the hairline temple to temple, to create a dramatic, short, open feel,” he says. “These work great for petite features to open up your face.”

If you have long hair, adding some thick, cascading layers could be a game changer. You can wear this cut sleek or textured, and for a trendy take, turn your ends under (toward your face). Sheila Guillermo, stylist at NYC The Team hair salon, founded by Michelle Hong, recommends asking for heavy layers—but not too many—to preserve density in the lengths.

“Use a volumizing mousse at the roots, and blow-dry with a brush, creating rounded ends,” she says. Glamour experts are partial to Virtue Volumizing Hair Mousse for Fine Hair and Ouai Air Dry Foam.

Chicago hairstylist Alex Brown says to expect lots of long hair with long, breezy layers, especially heading into summer. “I’m loving natural-looking waves with layers around the face that add movement.” she says. “Ask your stylist for face-framing layers starting below the chin.”

In 2026 shoulder-length cuts aren’t the awkward in-between; they’re the main event. Hailey Bieber entered the new year with an off-duty lob that inspired countless shoulder-skimming chops in the months since.

“The soft, structured style is a long bob that hits around the collarbone, but instead of sharp, blunt ends, the edges are slightly softened and curved,” says Boston-based pro stylist Sean Michael. “The overall look is smooth and clean, just not overly precise.”

Guillermo also recommends soft collarbone-length lobs with subtle layers. “Not overly choppy or too blunt, this cut intentionally falls somewhere right in the middle,” she says. Pro tip for styling: “Blow-dry the front, giving some volume; let the rest air-dry; and finish with a nice texture spray.”

The Tinkerbell haircut has taken off on social media recently, loved for its soft and whimsical shape. “The Tinkerbell pixie is much softer and more whimsical than a classic pixie,” says Korab.. “It has those longer fringe pieces, lots of movement on the top, and feathered, wispy edges.”

When asking for this cut at the salon, Korab recommends emphasizing texture, wispy edges, and longer layers in front to frame the face. When styling, opt for and medium to light-hold products. “The Tinkerbell pixie is about softness and a touchable texture, so your products should enhance movement without stiffness,” Korab says.

Celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos never gets sick of shag haircuts but notes that the throwback style got a sleek upgrade in 2026. “My version is refined with layers and a little rock 1star energy without looking messy,” he says. “It gives hair movement, looks amazing in photos, and has that editorial edge I love.”

The secret to styling a curly shag like Sandra Oh’s? Product, says Amber Maynard Bolt, master stylist at LA’s Nine Zero One salon.

“Find something that will keep your hair soft but allows for a small amount of hold,” she says. “I really love the combo of using In Common Magic Myst to start the moisture process. Then I add a combo of Ouidad Curl Quencher and Featherlight Styling cream. Depending on how big or subdued you want your hair, you can choose to air-dry or diffuse. Once hair is dry, go back to the Magic Myst to reactivate and eliminate any frizz.”

Flipped, layered ends are back in a big way, and they’re the easiest styling hack to give your haircut a cool, retro feel. This look works especially well on short and mid-length hair, which has enough length to style, but not so much weight that your ends will lose shape. At this length, flipped-out ends “work well on oval, heart, and square face shapes, as the soft edges balance and flatter facial features,” Korab says.

To get the the look, ask for long chunky layers and use a large curling iron or a heated round brush to curl ends under section by section, and use plenty of hairspray to lock in your shape.

This year, expect extra-long and extra-shiny hair to go hand in hand. Giannetos is styling his celebrity clients’ hair “waist-length, glossy, poker-straight, and very glamorous,” and guarantees that this look will stay in the mainstream for the rest of 2026. He cites his regular client (and Glamour Woman of the Year) Demi Moore’s reflective locks as a common reference.

The key to making length look healthy, not scraggly, is asking your stylist for a blunt-bottom cut with barely there long layers. Then there are a few steps to getting that super-sleek look at home.

“Straight out of the shower, you want to add a serum when your hair is still super wet—that way it’ll lock in moisture and keep your hair smooth,” says LA-based celebrity hairstylist Aviva Perea. “I love the Extra Strength Serum from John Frieda. It has bamboo extract, which helps my hair stay hydrated while also minimizing frizz.”

The Italian bob is equal parts low-maintenance and chic. “The Italian bob is a classic short hairstyle that originated in Italy, inspired by the chic yet powerful aesthetic of the 1960s,” says celebrity hair stylist Rossano Ferretti.

To get the look, request the following from your hairstylist: “A chin-length bob cut that typically features minimal layering, resulting in a clean and structured look,” says Ferretti. “With a mix of glamour and nonchalant charm, the haircut is perfect for embracing la dolce vita.”

According to Helen Reavey, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Act+Acre, retro styles like Daisy Edgar Jones’s Jane Birkin–inspired bangs are on the rise. “We’re seeing a resurgence of Old Hollywood and vintage-inspired haircuts because there’s a craving for timeless elegance and glamour,” she says.

Depending on your hair type, you can cut your Birkin bangs more blunt for a modern take on the trend. “With the fast pace of trends today, many are drawn to these iconic styles that evoke a sense of nostalgia and sophistication. It’s versatile and polished while still standing out,” says Reavey.

According to celebrity hairstylist Danielle Priano, who created the whisper pixie for model Taylor Hill, the name “was inspired by the idea of combining something delicate and ethereal (whisper) with something playful and magical (pixie),” much as the classic pixie cut itself does.

Should you want a similar style, Priano says it’s important to communicate with your stylist. “Mentioning key elements like ‘short and layered with a soft, feathered texture around the edges’ can give a clear idea.”

Celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena created this easy-breezy lob for Madelyn Cline. “Maddy and I were inspired by the beaches of Barcelona, so we wanted to create a look that was versatile and had a beachy vibe,” Mena says. “But at the same time, we needed something that was super low-maintenance and easy to deal with at home.”

This haircut is designed to be effortless and can be worn with a middle part or tousled side part. It’s also long enough to be pulled into an updo, like a ponytail or low bun. Mena recommends creating angles with face-framing layers. “The top layers and texture will keep it from falling flat,” he says.

Old Hollywood hair has been one of the best hairstyles on the red carpets—and for good reason. “One of the great things about these vintage-inspired cuts, especially the lob, is that they can be tailored to suit almost any face shape,” says Reavey. “A longer bob with a slight wave or a side part can soften angular features, while a sleek, straight lob elongates rounder face shapes.”

“A lot of people are looking for more versatile styles that can be easily adapted for different occasions, and longer bobs and midlength cuts offer more styling options,” says Reavey. “It’s a great in-between length—short enough to feel fresh but long enough to be styled in curls or waves. As we head into cooler months, people also want the flexibility of pulling hair back or layering it under scarves and coats.”

Brown is seeing women in Chicago ask for thicker, ’90s layers—think a modern take on the Rachel. “I love how this makes wearing your hair up feel so much more styled and fresh,” she says. “Ask your stylist to give you a thicker chin-length layer around your face.”

If you’ve been dealing with scraggly ends, botched color jobs, or just generally blah hair, a midlength cut is for you. “This length looks so chic and can help fine hair appear thicker when cut with a blunt line,” says Brown, who has been giving a lot of these looks to her Chicago clients. “Ask for a one-length cut just above your bust line.”

“The midi works with all textures,” says Xavier Velasquez, a hair stylist at Jenna Perry Salon in NYC and a Virtue hair ambassador. “It’s a great length that grazes the collarbone, give or take an inch or two.” The best thing about this cut is that it feels like a fresh start without taking off too much length. If a one-length chop feels a little too severe, have your hairstylist create some longer, face-framing pieces—but not layers all around—for a touch of movement.

“There is something so fashion-forward about a one-length bob that sits just above the shoulders,” says Brown, who says this look is trending all over. “It’s super easy to style and can still be pulled back. Ask your stylist for a one-length cut roughly one to two inches below the chin but above the shoulders.”

Blunt doesn’t have to mean “straight,” and the short cut looks so pretty with some loose texture as well. Siobhán Quinlan, a hair stylist at Cutler West Hollywood, is seeing a major increase in clients asking for bobs in LA too. She says, “People have been growing their hair for the past few years and are ready for a change.”

Leysa Carrillo, a Redken ambassador based in Miami, encourages clients to lean into the humidity and an active lifestyle, not fight it. Embracing loose waves and playing around with braids and other lived-in looks is the way to go.

“Whether you have super-curly or wavy hair, you can achieve this look, but you have to prep your hair with a really good, super-high-performing leave-in conditioner,” says Perea, who likes the John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner to coat hair and lock out frizz. “When my hair is wet, I section my hair so the product can be dispersed evenly. Then after it’s completely saturated, I give my hair a few gentle twists to encourage the loose, effortless wave I’m after.”

Want bangs without the effort? Curtain bangs are about as low-maintenance as they get. “Curtain bangs are the gateway to bangs, because they’re super versatile,” says Emily Heser, stylist at Cutler Salon in New York City. “They’re long enough to grow out or pin back if you want, but they can also be cut into a shorter look.” If you’re undecided when it comes to your cuts, consider this your match. (For more of our favorite types of bangs, click here.)

Haley Benjamin, owner of Lili Salon Spa in Edina, Minnesota, says “curtain bangs with heavy layering throughout” are a major trend there. Ask your stylist for longer bangs that start at the cheekbone and angle longer into the rest of the hair, says Brown.

Not sure what to do with your hair? Add bangs, says Alan Vuong, owner of Salon Blanc in Honolulu, who says they are popular on all lengths but especially when paired with long layers. “Together they flow seamlessly alongside the contour of your face, with the bangs bringing out your eyes,” he says.

He notes that soft side-swept bangs, curtain bangs, and middle-part bangs are all trending, but he especially likes middle-part bangs paired with his signature chandelier-layer cut (the long, soft layers you see in the photo here). To get the same look, he says to ask for “long layers at the back and smooth, graduated layers to frame your face.”

“A lot of women are doing their hair at home; therefore, easy, effortless looks will be a go-to,” says Naeemah LaFond, Amika’s global artistic director, who is based in NYC. “Women may take the opportunity to embrace their natural texture more than ever now since they don’t have as much access to the salons as they previously did.” A short, cropped cut like this one on Lupita Nyong’o is a beautiful way to embrace your texture.

While the term layers may bring to mind flashbacks of a choppy cut that needed heavy styling, the technique has had an overhaul in recent years and is now so much less work. Invisible layers are the secret for adding that whole cool-without-trying thing to your haircut in a totally modern way, no harsh layers in sight.

“The most modern variation of layering is a slight angle around your face, usually starting around your chin and working its way down to the length,” says Brown.

The trick is to keep the layers long and seamless to take out weight; this adds texture and volume without looking too obvious. “Blending the layers is very important,” she says, which she is always sure to do for her Chicago clientele. “They have to be cut properly to look seamless.”

“I think the best haircuts will be all about structure—out with the messy texture; in comes the polished structure,” says Riawna Capri, co-owner of Nine Zero One in LA. She says that fuzzy, bedhead hair is being traded in for more sleek styles of all lengths and you can expect to see “more blunt, thick lines in haircuts instead of shattered, piecey texture.”

“Lately all we hear is ‘Save length but give me lots of layers,’” says Robin Sjoblom, owner of Southern Curl in Atlanta. For natural-looking layers, Sjoblom and her stylists use a technique called a Rëzo cut, which helps maintain volume and length but doesn’t give curls any shelflike layers.

According to Sjoblom, the secret to nailing a curly cut like this one is to make sure your stylist dry-cuts your hair, which helps curls look more natural. And as with any cut, she says to bring in plenty of photos to reference.

The shag is still going strong in Miami, but stylists are giving it an update with long layers. “This cut is awesome for any length, hair texture, and face shape,” says Rossana Rojas, stylist at Miami’s Junior & Hatter Salon, adding that it’s been her top requested cut for the past year due to its effortless look.

“New Yorkers are drawn to this kind of messy, casual, yet still healthy and shiny-looking style,” says Stephen Knoll, a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Stephen Knoll New York Salon. Keep all your length but add some choppier layers around your face as Halle Berry did here. Embrace the mermaid feel of this cut by air-drying with plenty of salt spray.

Bangs can be a scary word, but when you tweak the term and instead say “face-framing layers,” it sounds a lot more manageable. Dhiran Mistry, who splits his time between his salon, The Carriage House, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and NYC, says that women in these cities like versatility.

It’s all about being able to wear the hair up but keep the face-framing pieces down (which you can see aren’t like typical bangs; the front pieces are just a little shorter than the rest). “People like to have that option of having something in front of their face, especially with the hair tied back.”