2026 Hair Forecast: What’s Coming Next Year

The beauty industry never stands still, and neither do we. As 2025 comes to a close, stylists at Craft Collective Salon Group in North Hills are already looking ahead to what 2026 will bring in hair color, cuts, and care.

From futuristic gloss finishes to sustainably-driven haircare, next year’s trends are all about authenticity with an edge. Think elevated simplicity, healthy shine, and personalization that celebrates your unique texture and tone.

Here’s your exclusive 2026 hair forecast, straight from our salon chairs to your feed, because in Pittsburgh’s ever-changing climate, we believe great hair should be both timeless and forward-thinking.

1. The Return of Natural Glamour

2026 will celebrate understated luxury, effortless styles that emphasize health and movement over high-maintenance perfection.

Gone are the over-styled curls and harsh color transitions. Instead, clients are embracing natural texture, soft waves, and subtle layering that bring out their true essence.

At Craft Collective, we’re seeing a shift toward “lived-in elegance”: hair that feels polished but not overdone, paired with radiant shine that reflects wellness and self-care.

Pro Tip: Keep this look healthy and manageable with a glossing treatment every 6 to 8 weeks and regular bond repair sessions.

2. Hyper-Personalized Color Formulas

Generic hair color is out. Custom formulation, based on skin tone, undertones, and lifestyle, is defining the next generation of hair artistry.

Stylists are blending multi-dimensional hues to mimic how natural hair reflects light. Expect tones like:

• Candlelit blonde: creamy gold and pearl fused.

• Modern mocha: espresso base with cool caramel ribbons.

• Blushed copper: a sophisticated nod to 2025’s copper craze.

Using advanced pigment mapping, our team crafts colors that evolve gracefully between seasons. (Explore how this process works in Custom Color Formulation in North Hills.)

3. The “Soft Edge” Haircut Era

The new year’s most exciting haircut movement blends precision with personality.

Expect soft geometry, bobs with curved edges, long layers with movement, and fringe that feels light and wearable.

The invisible layering technique continues to dominate, sculpting shape without visible lines. It’s ideal for clients who want easy styling with professional polish.

For texture lovers, razor shags and lived-in layers remain top-tier, effortlessly adaptable from classroom to boardroom.

4. Gloss and Glaze Everything

2026 is officially the Year of Shine.

Every major runway and editorial trend is embracing liquid-gloss hair, high reflection, glassy smoothness, and touchable softness.

In Pittsburgh’s shifting climate, this trend isn’t just aesthetic; it’s protective. Glossing seals the cuticle, guards against humidity, and locks in color vibrancy.

We anticipate most clients will pair their regular cut or color with a glaze or gloss add-on. It’s fast, affordable, and visibly transformative.

5. Sustainable Beauty Becomes Standard

Eco-conscious styling isn’t a niche anymore; it’s the norm.

At Craft Collective, sustainability is built into every service. Our forecast predicts an industry-wide shift toward:

• Refillable haircare packaging

• Plant-based color systems

• Salon waste recycling through Green Circle Salons

• Water-saving back-bar practices

Clients will increasingly choose salons that align with their values, making our Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Salon North Hills initiative more relevant than ever.

6. Texture Freedom: Curls, Coils, and Waves Take the Spotlight

Next year celebrates individuality, especially when it comes to texture.

Gone are the days of hiding curls under flat irons. 2026 is all about embracing natural texture with enhanced definition and minimal heat styling.

Craft Collective stylists are tailoring hydration routines and curl-by-curl cutting methods to maximize bounce and shape.

Must-Have Products:

• Leave-in conditioners for moisture balance.

• Light oils and serums to seal curls without heaviness.

• Humidity-resistant stylers to lock in definition.

7. Dimensional Brunettes Take Center Stage

Blonde may have ruled the last few years, but brunettes are having a major moment in 2026.

Rich, complex shades like smoked espresso, sable brown, and toffee glaze will dominate Pittsburgh salons.

These tones are low-maintenance yet stunning, perfect for clients wanting warmth, shine, and longevity.

Pair this color trend with a glossing toner to maintain that velvety finish all year.

8. Low-Maintenance Color Evolution

“Effortless upkeep” continues to be a top client priority.

Techniques like balayage, root smudging, and melting transitions will remain staples because they grow out seamlessly between appointments.

This makes them ideal for Pittsburgh clients juggling work, family, and travel. Your hair still looks fresh months later.

For those easing into new tones, we recommend our Lived-In Color & Low-Maintenance Blends in North Hills guide.

9. Tech-Driven Haircare

Technology is redefining haircare. 2026 will see a surge in AI-powered consultations, digital shade matching, and smart scalp analysis, tools that help stylists create precision results.

At Craft Collective, we’re already integrating tech to customize color formulations and track hair health over time.

Soon, clients will receive data-driven hair reports detailing moisture levels, porosity, and UV exposure, making every appointment a collaboration between artistry and science.

10. Scalp Health = Hair Wealth

Healthy hair starts at the root, literally.

2026 trends prioritize scalp wellness with exfoliating scrubs, probiotic serums, and micro-mist steam treatments.

In Pittsburgh’s dry winters, we’ll see more clients incorporating scalp massages and hydrating oils to counteract indoor heating.

This shift aligns with the “skinification” of hair, treating your scalp with the same care you give your face.

Learn more about Hair Treatments & Health in North Hills.

11. Minimal Heat, Maximum Impact

Sleek looks are trending, but not at the expense of health.

2026 will lean into low-heat styling techniques: air-drying with leave-ins, cold blowouts, and smart styling tools that monitor temperature.

To protect your strands, always use a heat protectant and alternate with no-heat styles like braids, buns, or twists.

Stylists will also prioritize product layering, sealing hydration before heat for shine that lasts days, not hours.

12. The “Reset and Restore” Year

Post-2025’s experimentation with color and trend shifts, 2026 will be the year of reset.

Clients are returning to the basics, structure, shine, and strength. Salon visits are becoming more about long-term maintenance than quick transformations.

We predict an increase in custom treatment memberships, where clients come in monthly for glossing, hydration, and toning touch-ups.

Because the real trend in 2026? Consistency. Healthy hair, season after season.

13. Pittsburgh’s Local Spin on Global Trends

Every city interprets trends differently, and Pittsburgh is no exception.

In 2026, we’ll see:

• Softer, richer blondes reflecting the city’s cool climate light.

• Dimensional coppers and golds inspired by fall foliage.

• Smooth, frizz-resistant finishes perfected for our unpredictable humidity.

At Craft Collective Salon Group, our North Hills team stays ahead of the curve, adapting global runway inspiration for the lifestyle and weather realities of Western Pennsylvania.

Book Your 2026 Hair Forecast Appointment

The future of hair is personal, sustainable, and endlessly beautiful, and our stylists at Craft Collective Salon Group in North Hills are ready to bring it to life.

Whether you’re planning your next transformation or simply want to refresh your current style with what’s trending next year, we’ll help you enter 2026 feeling confident, radiant, and uniquely you.

Book your 2026 hair trend consultation in Pittsburgh today, and step into the new year with the perfect balance of artistry, innovation, and effortless style.