If you want to know the autumn hair ideas that are dominating the trends right now, you've come to right place. We reached out to top hair stylists, combined with our own predictions to put together an edit of the need-to-know styles.

Hibernation season calls for a refocus. Hair health and restoration are top of the agenda, making the condition of our hair just as important as the cut. And, if there were ever a season to “let our hair down”, it's autumn. Colder days lean into cosier hairstyles, so you probably won't be surprised that fringes, free-flowing curls and plushy blow-dries will make an increased appearance. That said, updos aren't out. In fact, there's one style in particular that's about to be everywhere.

Hair cuts will be getting more intentional, too. “Autumn always feels like the season people finally commit to a haircut. We are less daring with our styles until autumn comes around,” muses Amika hair stylist, Tobias Bell. As for key themes? “The biggest haircut trends for autumn all have a strong ’90s influence,” notes Nata Bumford, Stylist at Hershesons Belgravia.

We've lined up the autumn hair ideas to know below…

Not new, but a forever favourite for autumn is the fringe. Fringing obviously ups the ante as we head into the colder months and can tolerate our hair down around our face, but it's one of the quickest and easiest ways to add personality to a cut and level up the cool and cosy vibes in equal measure. “Fringes are a major trend in their own right,” for autumn says Nata. But where curtain fringes have ruled the last few seasons, this autumn, variety and versatility will keep things interesting. We love the ‘90s inspired curve bangs, that fall somewhere between a chunky tendril and a skinny curtain bang. Elsewhere, full, trad French-Girl bangs are gaining momentum, as are slightly wispier Birkin bangs, Butterfly Bangs are newly trending and we'll also see shorter bangs and side-swept styles.

Updos in the autumn tend to evolve from the beachy buns or cool-girl slick-backs of summer into something a little more glam. Nata predicts ’90s-inspired updos and French twists will gain momentum, “particularly when finished with a glossy shine,” she says. The latter has already been building a fan base after It-Girl fashion brand, The Row, put French twists on its runway and back on the map. The style manages to feel equal parts elevated and effortless at the same time (plus it pairs perfectly with a roll neck), so expect to see a lot more of them styled with preppy autumn outfits.

If you want to go further than a fringe for added texture in autumn, the soft shag is the way forward. This is not about crown-length layers that are a nightmare to grow out (although if that's your jam, we're here for it), 2026's soft shag calls for lightly choppy layers tailored to your hair type and desired finish. Unlike ‘90s layers, this cut is brought alive by lots of natural curly, wavy and coily texture (or you can scrunch, plait or add a wave with tongs if you’re naturally straight). In fact, Pinterest has seen searches for the curly shag rise by 109%.

“These layers are designed to endorse a natural texture and movement within the hair. The layers and fringe can work beautifully with your overall hair length, giving volume and plenty of individual waves," notes Philip Downing, Bed Head Creative Director and hair stylist. As for ensuring the choppiness stays within your comfort level, “it’s key to talk to your hairdresser about ‘target lengths’ when you go for heavy layers," notes Philip. "Target lengths are key to ensuring that the shortest layers fall in harmony with one’s head shape and curve structure. This adds harmony between the layers and length, as you’re not removing too much weight, thus making the ends wispy. ” As for versatility, the soft shag is “also great in an updo,” says Philip "as the cut gives a loose and piece-y softness to play with.”

Bobs are a forever favourite, but since they can be harder to tie up and out the way when it's hot, autumn offers up a perfect time to take your hair above the shoulders. We anticipate them getting chunkier and fuller, which can be achieved by bluntly slicing the ends at your hair's thickest point (usually around jaw-length) before it starts to get sparser. "I think we’ll see loads of blunt bobs," notes Tobias. But the cut allows for loads of flexibility and personalisation so you can land on a rendition that works for you. “The bob remains the most versatile cut, ranging from short and sharp to softer, collarbone-grazing lengths, with side-swept fringes and face-framing pieces giving it a more personalised feel,” notes Nata.

Autumn is a perfect time to shake curls loose from protective styles and concentrate on nourishing the shape and condition of each curl and coil. “We’re seeing a shift toward cuts that celebrate individuality, with curls, waves, and textured looks taking centre stage,” says Ryan Forsythe, Artistic Education Director at Trevor Sorbie. One of the most popular ways to wear curls? The curly butterfly cut has been building its fan base, and according to Pinterest, searches for the style are up 464%. Taking it's inspiration from the shape of a butterfly, the cut sees shorter, voluminous layers at the crown and framing the face, paired with longer layers at the bottom giving length (a bit like the top and bottom wings of a butterfly).

The chop does a beautiful job of celebrating pretty texture. “The butterfly cut is a great choice for curly girls because it enhances the natural shape, movement and volume of curls while keeping overall length,” explains Brendnetta Ashley, Dippity-Do Curly Hair Expert.

As for ensuring your curls are as healthy as possible, "in low humidity hair may become dry and flyaway, so rebalancing the moisture levels will retain the shape and manageability of the curl," says Redken and Pureology Education Manager, Thea Blight. Likewise, because curly coils make it harder for the hair's natural oils to coat and moisturise each strand, Thea recommends, replenishing dry areas with a leave in conditioner which will also increase manageability when it comes to styling. "After conditioning, don’t rinse the product out completely – leave a little in," advises afro hair specialist, Charlotte Mensah. "Apply curl cream to damp hair and twist sections around your fingers. Let hair dry naturally for super glossy curls," she says.

Long hair will get more polished…but not too polished. “Big, bouncy blowdries aren’t going anywhere, but they’re becoming a little softer and more wearable” predicts Tobias. His advice? “Stop overcomplicating it. A good blow dry with a bit of volume at the roots instantly makes any haircut look better,” he says. As we mentioned above, "healthy hair is definitely the trend right now," says Tobias. “Don’t underestimate shine. Healthy, glossy hair always looks better than a complicated style,” he adds. “Soft face-framing layers and longer, more expensive-looking shapes” will rule. “It’s less about loads of choppy layers and more about healthy, polished hair that still feels effortless,” Tobias summarises. And Nara agrees. We'll see “soft, touchable movement rather than anything that feels overly styled,” she says. “Bouncy, movable volume remains a classic, while sleek, straight hair with a subtle bend at the ends is also having a major moment,” she confirms.

As for the game-plan at your next hair appointment, “ask your stylist to maintain the overall length, as this is key to achieving a signature drape. The cut should begin with face-framing layers, tailored to accentuate your features. The remaining hair is then overdirected towards the face, helping to preserve weight and create longer layers through the back for a soft, velvety finish,” explains hair stylist & Bed Head Creative Director Philip Downing.

If you're considering a big chop, soft crops are the way forward, and the bixie is continuing to lead the way. “It's a hybrid of a bob and a pixie, and it's one of the most flattering cuts we're seeing right now. What makes it different from a classic bob is the added graduation through the back and the softer, more face-framing shape through the front,” explains Lilli Bridger, hair stylist at Larry King. “By removing some of the weight and lifting the corners, you create a silhouette that feels lighter, fresher and more modern than a traditional bob,” she adds.

“The bixie and pixie are becoming more structured but remain soft around the edges, with a mix of elongated front pieces, micro fringes and heavier, bouncy bangs,” agrees Nata.“For the shorter cut, Zendaya is a standout – her bixie shows just how versatile the shape can be, moving between natural texture, relaxed ’00s flicks and a more polished glossy finish,” she adds.

Lastly, one of the easiest, softest and romantic details you can add to an autumn hairstyle, is to pull out some face-framing tendrils to add some texture without committing to a fringe. You don't even need to cut the pieces down to jaw or chin length, you can stick to the length you've already got. We've seen them styled really organically with the lengths tumbling well below collarbones. It looks beautiful paired with low braids, ponytails or even just hair tucks, or you could even couple it with those '90s updos and French twists we mentioned earlier.