The biggest fall 2026 hair trends are big, undone volume, bridal-style braids, the bubble blowout and low, messy "bed head" ponytails, according to ELLE's reports from the Fall/Winter 2026 New York runways. Makeup follows the same lived-in mood, with smudged liner, sleepy skin and blurred "just-kissed" lips.
Fall 2026 hair trends at a glance
| Trend | What it looks like | Seen at |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-high volume | Teased, fluffy height; a textured top knot | Collina Strada, Gabe Gordon, Anna Sui |
| Bridal braids | Loose Dutch braids, braided buns with pins | Alice + Olivia, Cult Gaia, Rio |
| Bubble blowout | Full blowout with rounded, flipped ends | PatBO |
| Bed head chic | Low ponytails, undone waves, big bows | LoveShackFancy, Proenza Schouler, Coach |
| Polished side part | Slicked roots, side-parted bobs | Christian Cowan, Sandy Liang, Ralph Lauren |
Is big hair back for fall 2026?
ELLE's headline said it plainly: "Grab Your Bumpits." Collina Strada used towering, square-shaped wigs. At Gabe Gordon, hairstylist Davey Matthew teased every hair type for a "fluffy, high-impact" result. At Anna Sui, Garren created a Bardot-inspired top knot that kept natural texture.
How to wear it: backcomb at the crown, set with texture spray, and leave the lengths a little rough.
What are the trending braids?
- Alice + Olivia: Lacy Redway created a loose Dutch braid and a braided bun studded with pearl and crystal pins
- Cult Gaia: Evanie Frausto wove three braids around the crown
- Rio: Kien Hoang styled two bold French braids
Redway's tip: braids are a good fix when hair is at an awkward length while growing out.
What is the bubble blowout?
A full blowout with soft, rounded, bouncy ends. Stylist Dimitris Giannetos told ELLE it adds movement and a lived-in feel. At PatBO, Oribe's Mandee Tauber flipped the ends slightly to stop the hair from falling flat. Use a large round brush and finish ends over the brush.
What makeup trends are in for fall 2026?
| Trend | Seen at |
|---|---|
| Sleepy skin: a blush halo around the eyes, little concealer | Sandy Liang |
| Imperfect eyeliner: smudged, "slept-in" liner | Tory Burch, Christian Cowan |
| Sharp, extended cat eye | LaQuan Smith |
| Double-winged kohl | Sergio Hudson |
| Coloured liner in plum or teal | Ulla Johnson |
| Blurred, "just-kissed" lips | Boy London, Proenza Schouler, Altuzarra |
At Coach, lead hairstylist Guido Palau let hair run loose with light crimps and frizz, which pairs naturally with the smudged eye.
How do these trends fit the season?
The beauty looks echo the clothes: fall 2026's runway trends mix dark romance with '90s minimalism, and this season's nail trends lean dark and glossy. If you prefer a shorter cut, see our guide to the Scandi bob.
Published Monday, October 19, 2026. Trend reporting and stylist quotes are from ELLE's Fall/Winter 2026 runway beauty coverage.
