After several seasons of razor-sharp bobs and glass-smooth finishes, hair is finally loosening up. This fall, stylists are most excited about cuts that trade precision for personality, featuring layers that move, bangs that look better a little messy and shapes designed to work with your natural texture instead of against it. That doesn’t mean polish is totally out, though. The evolved bobs still have strong lines and the long layers still feel luxurious, but everything is softer around the edges and easier to style.
Curl expert Brendetta Ashley sums it up well. “Fall 2026 is all about sculpted texture, embracing natural curls, creating intentional shape and letting movement become the statement,” she says. Hairstylist Nick Stenson, founder and CEO of Nick Stenson Beauty, feels similarly, predicting fall 2026 haircuts will be “defined by touchable, lived-in texture and movement that feels effortless.” Celebrity hairstylist Clayton Hawkins agrees, putting it simply: “Fall hair is getting a little sexier and less precious.”
Ahead, the five fall haircuts they say will define the season.
1 / 5
The Evolved Shag
All the experts we spoke with are confident this will be a big season for shags. “I’m loving really textured shags with tons of movement, fringe and that slightly slept-in feeling,” says Hawkins.
“The shag hasn’t disappeared; it’s simply becoming less literal,” says R+Co Vice President of Technical Education Adam Federico. “We’re borrowing its principles—short-to-long layering, movement, separation and freedom—and applying them to everything from longer shapes to bobs, crops and pixie-shag hybrids.”
IGK Hair Care co-founder and celebrity hairstylist Leo Izquierdo says the evolved shag cut is “perfect for naturally wavy, curly or textured hair, though it can also add movement to straight hair.” To get the look, he advises asking for “a soft modern shag with a blended curtain fringe, airy movement and wearable texture, not heavy choppy layers.”
Stenson foresees a kind of soft rebel shag taking over. “Rather than an aggressive rocker shag, we’re moving toward longer, softer layers with airy fringe and cheekbone framing,” he says. “This look is free and fun while giving you an effortless edge.”
Texture spray is the key to nailing the undone finish. Izquierdo recommends IGK Beach Club Touchable Texture Spray ($28) for lived-in movement. Stenson also suggests a lightweight formula, like his Texture Finishing Spray ($34), to encourage natural movement. Meanwhile, Hawkins advises spraying Sexy Hair Surfer Girl Dry Texturizing Spray ($23) upside down throughout your hair for the perfect amount of volume and grit.
Courtesy of Clayton Hawkins
2 / 5
Soft, Sculpted Bobs
Stenson thinks we’ll see an uptick in slightly undone bobs that hit between the jaw and collarbone. “The difference from the super-precise bobs we’ve seen recently is that this one has soft shattered texture, subtle layering and movement,” he explains. “This cut looks best tucked behind the ear or air-dried rather than perfectly coiffed.” This more laid-back take also leaves room for curly bobs to shine, and Ashley predicts they’ll be a big trend.
Photo by Anastasiya Nekhaeva on Unsplash
3 / 5
Long Layers
For layers this fall, “think long sweeping layers, face-framing pieces beginning around the cheekbone or jaw and substantial fullness through the bottom,” says Stenson. “This cut offers movement without sacrificing density. If you want to make a statement, you can throw in a textured bang to complete the look.” Ashley thinks people with curls will also lean toward longer layers this season.
Courtesy of Clayton Hawkins
4 / 5
La Linda
“This cut is a shaggy bob, very short, cut just below the ear. It reminds me of the times when I would cut Linda Evangelista’s hair in the ’90s, and it had such flexibility. You could slick it back, wave it, set it,” says Garren, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of R+Co and R+Co BLEU.
“What I like about this cut is that the neck is exposed and the jawline is strong. Everyone feels lankier. It’s very androgynous, yet very sexy.” He recommends combing R+Co BLEU Essential Air Dry/Blow Dry Crème ($49) through this style to air-dry, then tucking the hair behind the ears with a side part.
Photo by Roland Denes on Unsplash
5 / 5
The Luxe Italian Bob
“The bob continues to evolve because it’s no longer about one particular shape. I’m interested in maintaining a cut with a strong perimeter and then disrupting the interior and creating softness, separation and movement,” says Federico. Cue the luxe Italian bob.
“People continue wanting cuts that feel elevated but easy to style. The Italian bob grows out beautifully and offers versatility whether worn sleek, tucked behind the ears or with soft bends,” says Izquierdo. To get the look, Izquierdo recommends asking “for an Italian-inspired bob with a blunt outline, soft internal texture and movement rather than heavy stacking.”
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