Gone are the days of precision blow-drying: these seventies waves spotted at Chloé are the most desired hairstyle of the summer.
This summer of 2026, an unexpected hair trend is taking over the catwalks and streets. The waves inspired by the 70s, are back with a vengeance, driven by a desire for natural, slightly unstructured hairstyles. The question is how to adopt them without spending hours in front of the mirror.
The most desired hairstyle of 2026 seems not to be a hairstyle at all
The era of the “clean girl” and her meticulous brushings is clearly coming to an end. From now on, the natural, imperfect, bohemian movement dictates the rules. Baguette hair, so popular in recent seasons, is giving way to something freer.
California waves, also known as “Canon waves”, are making a comeback. But they haven’t simply been copied since the seventies. They can also be read through a more modern approach, with a real mastery of texture.
On the latest catwalks, at Chloé, Aje, Zomer and Mossi, “jump out of bed” hair reigned supreme. Hairstyles with a coiffed/décoiffé effect are clearly leading the way this season.
Mika Abdalla and the Off Campus series: a strong signal
The craze surrounding Mika Abdalla ‘s haircut in the hit series Off Campus also helped revive this trend. Her relaxed, wavy look quickly circulated on the networks. What’s more, it fits perfectly with the general spirit of the season.
This hair trend draws on the bohemian heritage of the seventies. It features the loose, “wild” hair of the icons of the era. The result is a fluid blend of nostalgia and modernity.
“What if your hair is naturally wavy? Then you’re in luck. The best thing is to scrunch the waves on dry hair and let it air-dry.” – Celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak, interviewed by Byrdie.
Why there’s nothing sloppy about this look
Mistaking this trend for neglect would be a mistake. The 2026 version of seventies waves is not the result of an abandoned hair routine. On the contrary, they require a real method.
Celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak proves it by example. She reworks certain strands with a wide iron, then deliberately breaks up the result with a texturizing product. The aim is to avoid a too-curly, too-clean, too-perfect effect.
The aim is to obtain an imperfect, irregular, slightly undone wave. The aim is to achieve a beach-beach effect, recreated at home. What’s more, each strand can vary slightly, enhancing the naturalness of the overall look.
- Scrunch lengths with a texturizing cream or spray, on damp or dry hair.
- Leave to air-dry for a natural look.
- Use a wide iron only to correct certain strands.
- Break up the result of the iron with a texturizing product to avoid too much curl.
- Finish with a light spray to maintain movement without freezing.
Naturally wavy hair: a definite advantage
According to Mara Roszak, naturally wavy hair starts with a head start. For them, all you have to do is scrunch the natural waves on dry hair and let it air-dry. The result is effortless.
For other hair types, however, a few extra steps are required. The wide iron then comes into play, but only to create gentle curves on certain targeted strands. The texturizing product then does the job of “undoing” what has been created.
How to reproduce Canon waves at home, step by step
The routine begins with damp or dry hair, depending on the texture you want to start with. We apply a texturizing cream or spray to the lengths, then scrunch the strands between our fingers. Air-drying is then an integral part of the process.
If certain areas lack movement, a wide iron with a large plate can be used to create a few extra curves. But it’s not about straightening or curling: we work with ample, generous waves. This result is then broken up with a texturizing product, applied by scrunching the strands.
A light spray closes the routine. It sets the movement without weighing down or stiffening the hair. As a result, strands remain supple, lively and slightly untidy, like after a day in the sun.
This hairstyle adapts to all lengths, from mid-length to long hair. What’s more, it’s suitable for a wide range of hair textures, as long as you adjust the products used according to the nature of the hair. The seventies wave trend looks set to be one of the most accessible of summer 2026.
