Trending 18th June 2026 by Stellar Magazine

Bye, Bye Slicked Back: Hair Is Going Big For Summer ’26

The slicked backs are out ladies

Summer 2026 has a new hair philosophy – the era of overly slicked, ultra-tight styling is quietly loosening its grip, making way for movement, softness and intentional glamour.

From bouncy blow-dries to lived-in texture, hair is becoming expressive again rather than controlled. Across runways, red carpets and TikTok feeds, the message is consistent: healthy, touchable, character-filled hair is the ultimate luxury.

This season, the most fashionable thing you can do is let your hair feel like itself – just elevated. Here are the 5 emerging hairstyles this summer season.

Bobs are Flourishing

The bob is leading summer 2026. The bob continues to evolve rather than disappear, reappearing in sharper, softer and more wearable iterations.Also known as the French “carré,” this crop has become a global favourite, embraced by Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, Lupita Nyong’o and Emma Stone.

Its appeal lies in its duality: it feels both expensive and effortless. Beyond aesthetics, the big chop signals renewal – healthier ends, stronger strands, and a reset that feels as psychological as it does visual.

 

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The Big Bouncy Blow-Dry Revival

Big hair is officially back in conversation, and the blow-dry is its headline act. Once associated with 90s supermodels like Claudia Schiffer and red-carpet glamour, the bouncy blowout has returned with a modern gloss thanks to tools like the Dyson Airwrap and Shark FlexStyle.

The result is gorgeous flow-y volume . Celebrities such as Sabrina Carpenter are championing this polished revival, while stylists note a growing desire for shine, thickness and face-framing shape. It’s a shift away from “undone” toward knowingly styled glamour.

 

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The Allie Hayes Bangs Effect

The fringe has found a new cultural reference point in the Allie Hayes bangs trend, inspired by Mica Abdalla’s character in Off Campus. Across TikTok, the look has been recreated with a DIY spirit-soft, slightly undone bangs that sit between playful and romantic.

Unlike harsh micro-fringes or overly structured cuts, this version feels youthful and wearable, especially for summer. It frames the face without overwhelming it, adding instant personality to even the simplest styles. These bangs are a small change that delivers a gorgeous look.

Lived-In Texture: The Natural Wave

In direct contrast to high-gloss styling, lived-in hair is having its own quiet luxury moment. This is the realm of air-dried waves, natural bends, messy buns and salt-sprayed texture that looks like it belongs to the wearer rather than a styling chair.

Inspired by figures like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in the FX limited series Love Story, this aesthetic is about flowing locks over rigidity. There’s something so electric about the “perfect undone” look, a style more authentic, hair that moves, frizzes slightly, and is effortless.

Curls, Texture and the Return of Natural Volume

Natural curls are no longer being tamed, they’re being celebrated. From 70s-inspired volume reminiscent of Nina Simone to modern icons like Olivia Dean, curls are reclaiming centre stage with softness, shape and personality. Dean’s signature waves have even sparked countless TikTok recreations, proving that texture is now aspirational rather than something to “fix.”

There’s also a broader cultural shift: Black women in particular are embracing coils and curls with renewed visibility and pride, challenging older beauty hierarchies. Think series volume, but reimagined through a more inclusive, texture-first lens.

 

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Say goodbye to ultra-slick finishes and overly controlled strands. Summer 2026 hair is leaning into softness, movement and more effortless styles.

Social media trends are showing that women are gravitating towards the ultimate undone looks and embracing natural styles. Happy styling!

Words by Robyn Jane Lawlor