"Princess Buns," Pixies, & More Must-Know Winter Haircut & Hairstyle Trends

"According to pros, this is the season of all things big - blowouts, updos, accessories, texture - even if the cut itself is shorter. "This winter, hair is definitely coming off," says Benjamin Mohapi, celebrity stylist and owner of the Benjamin Salon. "There's a collective sense of shedding." Not everyone's going short, but face-framing pieces and layers give hints of a chop."

"All in all, retro vibes are the throughline of winter's top hair trends. Dionysiou, a senior stylist at the Benjamin Salon, has been getting flooded with requests for '90s everything, while celebrity hairstylist Alex Pardoe swears the bouncy blowout will have everyone in a "chokehold" by the end of the year. "I'm seeing all over TikTok that this Christmas is going to be a Ralph Lauren Christmas," he says. "And nothing feels more Ralph Lauren to me than a polished, voluminous blow dry.""

"Updos are also staging an unexpected comeback. Pamela Anderson-style "princess" buns and modern French twists have been everywhere, from Kylie Jenner to Hailey Bieber to The Row runways. And as hairstyles loosen up, sophisticated accessories are taking over - think gold cuffs on ponies and oversized headbands. Still, not every look is high effort. "This is the season of fluffy volume and embracing your natural texture," says Pardoe. "Even my extension clients are requesting wavy hair so they can air dry.""

2026 winter hair emphasizes bold volume and retro-inspired styles, prioritizing large blowouts, textured waves, and structured updos. Face-framing pieces and layers create movement and suggest shorter cuts without full-length commitment. Middle parts are loosening as partings shift to softer silhouettes. Nineties influences inform many looks, with polished, voluminous blow-dries channeling a Ralph Lauren aesthetic. Updos range from Pamela Anderson–style 'princess' buns to modern French twists, often paired with sophisticated accessories like gold cuffs and oversized headbands. Many styles celebrate natural texture, fluffy volume, and air-dried wavy finishes, including wavy extensions for low-effort styling.

Read at Bustle