{"id":3341,"date":"2026-10-13T00:56:35","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T16:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/the-5-haircuts-stylists-say-will-define-fall-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T00:56:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T16:56:35","slug":"the-5-haircuts-stylists-say-will-define-fall-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/the-5-haircuts-stylists-say-will-define-fall-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 Haircuts Stylists Say Will Define Fall 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

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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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Curl expert Brendetta Ashley sums it up well. \u201cFall 2026 is all about sculpted texture, embracing natural curls, creating intentional shape and letting movement become the statement,\u201d she says. Hairstylist Nick Stenson, founder and CEO of Nick Stenson Beauty, feels similarly, predicting fall 2026 haircuts will be \u201cdefined by touchable, lived-in texture and movement that feels effortless.\u201d Celebrity hairstylist Clayton Hawkins agrees, putting it simply: \u201cFall hair is getting a little sexier and less precious.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ahead, the five fall haircuts they say will define the season.<\/p>\n

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The Evolved Shag<\/h2>\n

All the experts we spoke with are confident this will be a big season for shags. \u201cI\u2019m loving really textured shags with tons of movement, fringe and that slightly slept-in feeling,\u201d says Hawkins. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe shag hasn\u2019t disappeared; it\u2019s simply becoming less literal,\u201d says R+Co Vice President of Technical Education Adam Federico. \u201cWe\u2019re borrowing its principles\u2014short-to-long layering, movement, separation and freedom\u2014and applying them to everything from longer shapes to bobs, crops and pixie-shag hybrids.\u201d<\/p>\n

IGK Hair Care co-founder and celebrity hairstylist Leo Izquierdo says the evolved shag cut is \u201cperfect for naturally wavy, curly or textured hair, though it can also add movement to straight hair.\u201d To get the look, he advises asking for \u201ca soft modern shag with a blended curtain fringe, airy movement and wearable texture, not heavy choppy layers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stenson foresees a kind of soft rebel shag taking over. \u201cRather than an aggressive rocker shag, we\u2019re moving toward longer, softer layers with airy fringe and cheekbone framing,\u201d he says. \u201cThis look is free and fun while giving you an effortless edge.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Shag<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Clayton Hawkins<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Soft, Sculpted Bobs<\/h2>\n

Stenson thinks we\u2019ll see an uptick in slightly undone bobs that hit between the jaw and collarbone. \u201cThe difference from the super-precise bobs we\u2019ve seen recently is that this one has soft shattered texture, subtle layering and movement,\u201d he explains. \u201cThis cut looks best tucked behind the ear or air-dried rather than perfectly coiffed.\u201d This more laid-back take also leaves room for curly bobs to shine, and Ashley predicts they\u2019ll be a big trend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Photo by Anastasiya Nekhaeva on Unsplash<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Long Layers<\/h2>\n

For layers this fall, \u201cthink long sweeping layers, face-framing pieces beginning around the cheekbone or jaw and substantial fullness through the bottom,\u201d says Stenson. \u201cThis cut offers movement without sacrificing density. If you want to make a statement, you can throw in a textured bang to complete the look.\u201d Ashley thinks people with curls will also lean toward longer layers this season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Long<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Clayton Hawkins<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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La Linda<\/h2>\n

\u201cThis cut is a shaggy bob, very short, cut just below the ear. It reminds me of the times when I would cut Linda Evangelista\u2019s hair in the \u201990s, and it had such flexibility. You could slick it back, wave it, set it,\u201d says Garren, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of R+Co and R+Co BLEU.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I like about this cut is that the neck is exposed and the jawline is strong. Everyone feels lankier. It\u2019s very androgynous, yet very sexy.\u201d He recommends combing R+Co BLEU Essential Air Dry\/Blow Dry Cr\u00e8me ($49) through this style to air-dry, then tucking the hair behind the ears with a side part.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Photo by Roland Denes on Unsplash<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The Luxe Italian Bob<\/h2>\n

\u201cThe bob continues to evolve because it\u2019s no longer about one particular shape. I\u2019m interested in maintaining a cut with a strong perimeter and then disrupting the interior and creating softness, separation and movement,\u201d says Federico. Cue the luxe Italian bob. <\/p>\n

\u201cPeople 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,\u201d says Izquierdo. To get the look, Izquierdo recommends asking \u201cfor an Italian-inspired bob with a blunt outline, soft internal texture and movement rather than heavy stacking.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Italian<\/p>\n

IG: @rickymotahair<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n