5 Of The Best Curly Hair Trends To Try In 2026

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Like other hair staples that are popular year in and year out, curly hair has never totally left the conversation. But in 2026, we're tweaking the way we style our curls, and jumping on some new trends that speak to the larger shifts in the beauty industry. Namely, there's a move away from the overly curated and polished looks of the 2010s — the structured 'dos where there wasn't a hair out of place are totally outdated hairstyles in 2026. Now, we're embracing natural-leaning and low-effort curly cuts, in line with Gen Z's laidback approach to styling.

To find out where curly hair is going this year, we reached out to Tiffanie Richards, master colorist at Louise O'Conner Salon. Along with some helpful product recommendations, she tells Glam exclusively that one of the biggest trends is the embracing of lived-in, soft curls with an air-dried texture, as opposed to the crunchy, stiff ringlets that have dominated in the past. This is good news for anyone with naturally curly hair, since not a lot of styling is required to stay on top of this trend. But even if you're creating curls on naturally straight hair, it's easier to form loose, imperfect curls than uniform ringlets that have to be the same size and shape throughout the whole head. 

In terms of cut, Richards notes that both short and long curly styles are trending in 2026, and bangs can also fit in nicely to the style equation, but they're not compulsory. For those looking to amp up the personality in their beauty game, there are a few updos — or half updos — that are also big this year. The most important thing to remember when styling your curls in 2026, whether you're wearing your hair up or down, is that volume and body are the goals. 

If you have naturally curly hair, you'll love this trend, since it basically requires you to get out of bed and nothing more. "Touchable, effortless curls that aren't overly defined or crunchy," Tiffanie Richards explains in our exclusive chat. "This trend is great because it's flattering on almost everyone and embraces what your hair naturally wants to do." Since lived-in curls are so individual, you can't really get this look wrong. Whether you have naturally tight ringlets or looser curls that border on wave territory, it all works as long as the general vibe is "laidback" rather than "trying too hard."

By all means, you can still add products to define your curls, and Richards recommends Xmondo Curl Cream to that end, which she describes as "a lightweight styling cream that helps define curls, reduce frizz, and add soft moisture without leaving hair stiff." To nail this look, it's really important to avoid overloading your locks with anything that will leave them feeling crunchy, as our expert reveals that air-dried texture is the other side of this trend, which is a great hairstyle for super curly hair. "The goal isn't perfection anymore," she confirms. "It's hydrated, defined curls that still look like hair, not crunchy noodles (no offense)."

For those styling naturally curly hair with a curling iron, or perhaps creating curls from scratch, you might want to aspire to renaissance curls, which are also trending in 2026 as part of the whimsical, romantic aesthetic that's taking over the beauty space. You'll want to build volume at the top of your head, and then brush out your curls for loose, wave-style ends. Essentially, the goal is to look like you just stepped out of a Botticelli painting.

Curtain bangs have been the style du jour for a minute now, and it looks like they're not letting up as we move through the second half of the decade. But as Tiffanie Richards shares exclusively with Glam, we're wearing them curly in 2026. "They're giving me major '90s energy in the best way," she says. "When they're cut correctly, they frame the face beautifully and make curly hair feel instantly cooler and more playful." If you're struggling for inspo here, look no further than pop princess Sabrina Carpenter, who's mastered the sultry fringe style with her glamorously curled hair.

To jump on this bandwagon, you'll unfortunately need to do a little more than just wake up like this. If you don't have curtain bangs already, a trip to the salon will be required. (Yes, you can cut and style your own curtain bangs at home, but it's risky if you don't know what you're doing). "Invest in your haircut," Richards suggests. "Curly hair trends make or break by the shape of the cut. The right layers will do more for your curls than 10 styling products ever will." If you're not feeling curtain bangs in particular, there are other curly bangs styles to consider, including the retro-inspired feathered fringe, which is also having a moment in 2026. This soft style features wispy bangs and is the perfect balance between gentle and choppy. Unlike curtain bangs, a feathered fringe is usually full (without the heaviness of blunter styles).

Curly bangs can be difficult to style with heat tools, so it makes sense to rely on products here. Richards recommends Olaplex Curl Cream, which "smooths, hydrates, and enhances curl shape while helping protect against frizz and damage."

Curls and layers absolutely mix, as do curls and shorter cuts. When it comes to the former, Tiffanie Richards recommends a curly shag, a retro style in the mullet family that features feathery layers cut short around the face. "We're seeing a lot more movement and layering with this style," Richards tells Glam exclusively. "Taking weight out of curly hair can completely transform it, giving curls more bounce and shape without needing hours of styling." Given the nature of the cut, this is a good choice for anyone who's sick of navigating thick, dense curly hair that takes too long (and too much product) to style. You could also opt for a curly wolf cut for something a little edgier; while these 'dos feature the same short layers, wolf cuts are usually choppier with more significant contrasts in their layering.

The other option, if you want to go in for a chop, is to go all out with a bob. Contrary to popular belief, bobs don't have to be sleek and straight to work; there's nothing cuter than a curly bob in 2026. The box bob is on-trend this year, featuring few layers so the hair sits bluntly by the chin or jawline, creating a bulky, box shape. When paired with curls, this look is super bouncy and fun without being overwhelming. And if you want to go even shorter, both the curly pixie and the curly bixie are also winning style points this year. Naturally, curls at these lengths come down to your natural hair texture (unless you want to throw it back with a perm). But if you have natural curls and prefer a fuss-free style, curly pixies and bixies are chic in 2026.

If you want to embrace curly trends in 2026, go big. This year, it's all about height and body, as Tiffanie Richards confirms: " ...don't be afraid of volume. Big hair is in." The beauty of creating volume with your curls is there are so many avenues to take, many of them rooted in retro styles of the past. 

"The '90s are back," Richards shares exclusively with Glam. "Instead of flattening curls or stretching them out, we're leaning into soft volume at the crown and fuller hair overall. Curly hair shouldn't always be controlled, sometimes it works better a little wild." To nail the '90s curly look, you might pair barrel curls with a bouncy blowout, getting in touch with your inner supermodel. But that's just one way to ride the volume wave; there are several other eras to inspire your take on this trend. For example, brushed-out '70s waves and disco curls are also huge in 2026. And if you want to go really vintage, you could even incorporate pin curls into the hair around your face, finishing the look off with disco curls at the ends. 

Besides going larger with your curls, there are other ways to create volume. Try flipping your hair to the side to build volume at the crown, or even backcombing for an '80s look. If you are going to tease, make sure to counteract any frizz with something like the Bounce Curl Hydra-Lite Curl Defining Cream. Richards notes this is "ideal for fine to medium curls that need hydration and definition with lots of movement." And to eliminate the wrong kind of volume, Richards recommends drying your hair with the Kitsch Microfiber Hair Towel, which "helps reduce frizz and breakage by gently absorbing water without roughing up the hair."

We're generally moving towards softer, less perfect curls across the board, but nailing this aesthetic doesn't mean you have to wear your curls down. There are lots of trending updos this year, whether you need a more formal hairstyle for a special event or just want to have fun styling your hair. The low pony is on-trend, and this particular updo can be as sophisticated or as relaxed as you like. Keep it low-key with a loose hair tie and tendrils falling out, or make it fierce by slicking it back and teasing the curls in the pony. Then there's the twisted top knot, which takes it back to the noughties with a curly bun and falling curls. For daytime looks, you could go for a half-up half-down curly style, or a half pony with loose face-framing coils. 

Though these styles have the hair swept off the face, the actual curls are still the star of the show, so it's important to define them properly. Tiffanie Richards suggests Verb Lightweight Curl Defining Cream, which is "great for adding lightweight moisture and enhancing natural texture without weighing curls down." She also warns against "overworking your curls," telling Glam exclusively, "Apply products while your hair is soaking wet, scrunch them in, and then leave them alone. Most frizz happens because we can't stop touching our hair before it's dry or are over drying them with a diffuser."

To get the best curly updos, it's vital to protect your curls overnight, so Richards also recommends the Kitsch Satin Sleep Bonnet. "A silk or satin bonnet or pillowcase will extend your style so much longer," she points out. "You don't need to completely rewash your hair every morning, a light refresh with water is usually enough."