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Autumn/Winter 2026 Hair Trends with Principal Stylist Lamphane

September 18, 2026

Autumn/Winter 2026 Hair Trends with Principal Stylist Lamphane

What will we ask our hairdressers for this Autumn/Winter? From the return of ’90s layers and statement fringes to softer bobs and high-gloss styling, Principal Stylist Lamphane, shares the cuts, finishes and celebrity inspiration he predicts will define AW26.

Q. What do you predict will be the biggest haircut for Autumn/Winter 2026?

Lamphane: I think the bob that has dominated recently will stay, but it’s going to lose some of its sharpness. For Autumn/Winter 2026, I predict a softer, more grown-out silhouette with layers, movement and a slightly undone finish.

The Bixie, which has been such a strong summer look, is already pushing us in that direction, and I think it will evolve into something longer and more versatile.

But the big hit for the coming season will be the return of the ’90s layered haircut. Think fuller, bouncier layers, face-framing pieces and a more effortless, lived-in finish, somewhere between Cindy Crawford’s iconic supermodel blow-dry and a modern, tousled style.

Ultimately, I don’t think the next big haircut will necessarily be about a completely new length. It will be about movement, texture and personality.

Q. Which celebrity haircuts are inspiring you at the moment?

Lamphane: My next-season celebrity haircut crush has to be Daisy Edgar-Jones and her ’90s-inspired layers. There’s something incredibly chic about the cut. It has the sensuality and movement of ’90s supermodel hair, but still feels distinctly modern.

The face-framing layers create that effortless, undone glamour, while the length gives it beautiful versatility. For me, the ’90s layered-hair revival will be one of the defining looks of Autumn/Winter 2026.

Zendaya and Emma Stone are also two celebrities I always watch closely. Both have an instinctive ability to make a haircut feel current without ever looking overly styled.

What’s particularly interesting is seeing them embrace the softer, more grown-out silhouette I mentioned earlier: length, movement and a sense of effortless ease. For me, it’s a strong indication of where the next chapter of hair is heading.

Q. What makes a haircut look modern and expensive?

Lamphane: A modern, expensive-looking haircut is ultimately about precision without looking overworked. It’s about creating a beautiful shape that moves naturally, rather than a cut that simply looks good from one angle.

Shape, movement and condition are everything. The most luxurious haircuts work with the hair’s natural texture and behaviour, so it falls effortlessly into place rather than fighting against it. When a cut is truly bespoke to the individual, it can make the hair look healthier, fuller and infinitely more polished.

That’s the philosophy behind the Michael Van Clarke Diamond Dry Cut. The diamond refers to the distinctive sectioning pattern used to create the shape, allowing the stylist to see and refine the haircut as it naturally falls. It’s incredibly precise, yet the result is effortless: balanced structure, natural movement and a finish that feels completely individual.

That, to me, is what makes a haircut feel expensive.

Q. For someone who wants an Autumn update without dramatically changing their length, what would you recommend?

Lamphane: I’d look at introducing a fringe. Fringes are having a major fashion moment for AW26, from soft, wispy Birkin-inspired fringes to fuller, more graphic statement shapes.

It’s one of the easiest ways to completely shift the personality of a haircut without sacrificing length. A fringe can make long hair feel instantly fresher and more directional.

Think of it as the ultimate seasonal reset: a relatively small change with a surprisingly transformative effect.

Q. Are there any classic hairstyles being reinvented for Autumn/Winter?

Lamphane: Absolutely. We’re seeing a return to the ’90s classics, but nothing feels quite as it did the first time around.

The ’90s blow-dry is back with a softer, more touchable finish, while the Pamela Anderson up-do is becoming more fluid and undone.

Bobs are also being revisited, moving away from ultra-sharp silhouettes towards softer shapes with movement and texture. The real modernisation is in the finish – there’s more personality.

I think that’s what makes these familiar styles feel relevant again. They aren’t nostalgic recreations; they’re elevated versions of hair we already know, adapted to feel healthier and distinctly modern. It’s about looking polished without looking like you’ve tried too hard.

Q. How should someone decide whether a trending celebrity haircut will actually suit them – and should we be asking ChatGPT?

Lamphane: The best way to decide whether a trending celebrity haircut will suit you is to look beyond just the face. A great haircut is never only about face shape; it’s about the relationship between the cut, your hair’s natural texture, density and growth pattern and, perhaps most importantly, your lifestyle.

I personally take a strong interest in the individual’s features and proportions. I look at where the hair naturally falls, the density through the lengths, its movement and texture, and whether the haircut will work with the client’s natural hair rather than constantly fighting against it.

Celebrity images can be incredibly useful during a consultation because they help communicate a mood or direction. But I always encourage clients who bring in a picture to use it as inspiration and a reference point rather than a prescription.

And yes, AI tools such as ChatGPT can be useful in moderation. They can help you explore why a particular haircut works or how certain elements might translate to different hair types. But there are things your stylist can assess in person that an image simply can’t tell you, rom the way your hair naturally falls to its density, condition and growth patterns.

Ultimately, the most expensive-looking haircut isn’t necessarily the trendiest one. It’s the one that feels completely right for you, your features, your hair and your life.

Q. What will we be seeing when it comes to styling and finish this season?

Lamphane: I think styling is becoming much more about finish and intention. We’ll see high-gloss, sleek hair alongside bigger, bouncier blow-dries and enhanced natural texture, but the common thread is that nothing should feel overly done.

Glass-like shine will still have its moment, particularly with sleek lengths and polished, sculpted shapes, but what I’m more excited about is expensive-looking movement: volume, softness and texture that appear effortless.

The ’90s blow-dry is a perfect example – full, glossy and glamorous, but with enough movement to feel modern.

For clients, I’d encourage them to ask their stylist not simply for a trendy finish, but for one that works with their cut, texture and lifestyle. The right haircut should make styling feel achievable at home.

To recreate these looks, I’d reach for Van Clarke Thicker Quicker Volumising Blowdry Spray at the roots when extra volume is needed.

This would be followed by Eureka Blowdry Balm for heat protection, smoothness and hydration.

Finish with a few drops of Magic Oil through the lengths for gloss and polish, and Holding Spray to keep everything in place without sacrificing movement.

Q. Is there one hair trend you think we’ll be leaving behind this Autumn?

Lamphane: Yes. I think the ultra-sharp, overly polished bob is the look we’ll start to move away from.

The bob itself isn’t disappearing, but after seasons of very blunt, geometric, almost architectural shapes, hair is becoming softer, more grown-out and less rigid. I think clients will increasingly be asking for movement, texture and layers rather than a cut that looks freshly engineered.

It’s not about abandoning the bob; it’s about letting it evolve. And that’s exactly why the return of ’90s-inspired layers feels so relevant for AW26.

Thanks so much Lamphane.

You can book an appointment with Lamphane or any of the Van Clarke team via the tab to the right of your browser.



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