The harshness of winter may be approaching, but that doesn’t mean your hairstyles have to weigh you down. This season is serving up styles that are soft and refreshing, as well as effortless and bouncy. In 2026, you can keep your hair full of movement, even under a hat and scarf.
The following trends are perfect inspiration if you want to embrace long, wispy bangs, rich, color-drenched strands, or seamless layers that look and feel ethereal.
Bring the Drama with Color Drenching
Apparently, color drenching doesn’t just apply to interior design trends. A single bold or intense color is also a commitment you can make with your hair. It’s one solid color from roots to ends. Imagine striking red and other rich jewel tones, dark espressos, and pastel blondes. A single shade can be extremely flattering, especially if it has a nice shine to it. Color-drenched hair makes a statement that says you know what you want.
Use Color-Safe Products
The first step in preserving your color-drenched hair is to use color-safe shampoo and conditioner that won’t fade or strip your hue. For example, a high-quality toning purple shampoo and conditioner that’s non-toning for blonde beauties or gray-haired queens can help keep tones bright and hair looking healthy and hydrated.
Talk to your stylist to see what they recommend for a weekly toning purple shampoo and daily non-toning purple conditioner (plus a daily shampoo for no-tone days), and browse salon-quality options online as well.
Bangs: A Quick Style Refresh
If you don’t want to commit to a new color or even a whole new haircut, you can refresh your look with bangs (just don’t cut them yourself unless you want uneven micro bangs). Bangs may be the answer to hair boredom, and they need a professional touch.
This winter’s bangs are looking effortless and soft, subtly drawing attention to the eyes and framing the face in a different kind of way. Get a quick refresh with perfectly cut bangs. Here are two attractive winter styles:
Bouncy Bobs
You know what else pairs nicely with bangs? Bouncy bobs. A chin-length bob continues to stand out among the big haircuts of 2026. There are so many directions you can take them in, but if you’re ready for a chop, this is your sign. The style you choose may depend on your hair texture, personal taste, and the shape of your face. However, one of the good things about bobs is that there is one for every face shape out there.
Ladylike soft bobs, relaxed box bobs, and the classic one-length bob are just a few of the cuts women are owning this season, but they’re easily customizable as well. A fresh and chic bob cut is relatively low-maintenance, requiring regular trims and effortless styling products to bring out the best in your style.
And if you have a blonde bob like Sydney Sweeney, you need a pro-level toning purple shampoo and conditioner that’s non-toning to keep your locks looking shiny, healthy, bright, and light.
Bob Meets Pixie: The Bixie
The fusion of a bob and a pixie has been evolving over the past few years. It’s such a fun and edgy cut that often has face-framing pieces and choppy layers. There’s plenty of movement and texture with this cut, but for the new year, the look is more natural in appearance and easy to style, taking into account your natural hair texture, too. You want people to think you just woke up with the perfect head of hair.
The Cherub Cut
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, you’ll probably be seeing more cherub haircuts, which are downright adorable. This style is neither bulky nor boxy, but rather light and wispy, almost creating a halo-like effect around the face. If you have wavy or curly hair, this is a great style for you.
Why Is It Trending Now?
The cherub cut has a nostalgic feel, which is something people are longing for right about now (cuts from the ‘70s and ‘90s). But they are putting a modern take on it. If you’re having a hard time imagining this cut, think of the youthful-looking angelic figurines with their hands folded against their face and soft curls with rounded edges.
Mermaid Cut
For all of those who refuse to let go of super-long hair, the modern mermaid cut is for you. Long layers are strategically added, along with thoughtful, face-framing layers that add softness to the look. In fact, the whole style should appear soft and effortless. The cut has lots of movement and should feel seamless. Do you long to have tousled waves and swim with the sea sirens?
Big Blowouts on Long Layers
If short bobs or really long hairstyles aren’t what you’re going for this winter, shoulder-length looks are also on-trend right now. This versatile length is perfect for voluminous blowouts with tons of soft movement and shine. With a round brush, an excellent blowout crème, and a touch of argan-infused oil for shine, you can bring out the bounciness in mid-length locks.
Shiny, Healthy Hair Tips for Winter
Dull or dehydrated strands, flyaways, frizz, and flat, lifeless hair are a thing of winter’s past. This is your year to invest in easy-to-use, high-performance hair care products for your hair type and texture.
Here are a few suggestions to make the most of the hair you have:
The winter months are as good as any to refresh your cut or color. And this season is particularly primed for fuss-free styling, effortless and chic cuts, soft layers, and anything that adds warmth to an otherwise cold season.
About UNITE Hair
Transforming your hair into the locks you’ve been dreaming of starts with a tailored routine. UNITE Hair is a celebrity-hairstylist-founded brand offering over 50 high-performance maintenance and styling products. With a lineup including everything from the non-toning BLONDA™ Daily Purple Conditioner to the 7SECONDS™ Detangler for all hair types, UNITE can help you address your hair’s unique needs. Whether you’re ready to refresh your routine or elevate your styling skills, turn to UNITE.
Give your 2026 hair a helping hand with professional products from UNITE Hair at
https://unitehair.com/
