“A hybrid between the bob and the pixie”: the haircut Zendaya is already embracing makes its mark for summer 2026
Before your next hair appointment, here are six must-know haircuts forsummer 2026. Trends spotted by expert hairdressers and confirmed by data from the most widely followed platforms.
The Bixie Cut: the hybrid haircut that’s causing research to soar
Among the soaring hair styles, the Bixie is already establishing itself as one of the season’s most desirable. On Pinterest, searches for this haircut have jumped by 176%. Celebrities like Zendaya and Gracie Abrams have already taken the plunge.
“It’s a hybrid between the bob and the pixie, and one of the most flattering cuts we’re seeing right now,” confirms Lilli Bridger of London salon Larry King. What sets it apart from a classic bob is the added gradient at the back and the softer shape around the face at the front. So, by removing some of the mass and raising the corners, you get a lighter, more modern silhouette.
The cut also works on different textures. Whether on curly or straight hair, it adds volume and movement. What’s more, the highlights that frame the face flatter your features.
“For both styles, a small amount of Larry King Social Life is ideal for highlighting texture, defining shape and creating that effortless finish, without weighing hair down.” – Lilli Bridger
Cup Cut: volume and blended gradients
Cup Cut blends chin-to-clavicle lengths with the bounce of a bob. Gradients of different lengths hug the face to emphasize the features, while the tiered effect refines the hair and adds volume at each level, like an upside-down coffee cup.
Carl Bembridge, Color Wow ambassador, advises asking your hairdresser for “soft, blended highlights around the face, starting somewhere between the cheekbone and the chin”. The key, he points out, is for the gradations to be perfectly harmonious and slightly rounded inwards. “It’s a bit like a modern, bouncier version of the Rachel Cut,” he adds.
The likes of Kaia Gerber, Camila Morrone, Hailey Bieber and Laura Harrier have already adopted this trend. In addition, Janae Roberts, Josefine Vogt and Tova Elneskog deliver inspiring street-style versions.
- The Bixie Cut: a bob-pixie hybrid with +176% searches on Pinterest
- The Cup Cut: blended gradients from chin to collarbone, modern Rachel Cut style
- The Butterfly Bob: soft, floating layers between jaw and shoulders
- Textured Midi: shoulder-lengths that enhance natural texture
- Twists, braids and accessories: worn hairstyles that complement the 2026 trends
The Butterfly Bob and the Textured Midi: two highly anticipated haircuts
Butterfly Bob is taking off this summer. Google Discover and Pinterest have both recorded a spike in interest in this style as summer approaches. It follows in the footsteps of the Butterfly Cut, a cut with cascading gradations, shorter and fuller on top, longer in the lower lengths, designed to evoke the wings of a butterfly.
The Butterfly Bob takes up the same idea, but in a shorter version. Gradients begin around the lashes or cheekbones, while the base length falls somewhere between the jawline and shoulders. Looser than a traditional bob, it abandons sharp points in favor of soft, floating layers.
Textured Midi, meanwhile, is back to basics. Lilli Bridger predicts “a return to shoulder-length hair, with a real emphasis on natural texture and individuality”. Women like Alexa Demie, Odessa A’zion and Rosalía are already embodying this shift towards cuts that look effortless, but are actually incredibly bespoke.
The key detail of this style is the presence of shorter curls or locks at the front, cut around the face. This creates the illusion of a fringe, without the commitment of real bangs. It’s a modern, highly personalized haircut that’s exactly where hair trends are heading.
Wearable accessories and hairstyles: summer bonus trends for your haircut
In addition to haircuts, hair accessories are also making their mark this summer. Silk scarves, already a fashion trend, are making their way into hairstyles, tied bandana-style at the nape of the neck or worn in a vintage spirit, tied under the chin. Crab clips, too, add an adorable touch: floral models, shell versions or classic jumbo clips.
When it comes to worn hairstyles, twists and braids win the day. From French twists and romantic chignons to XXL braids and box braids, twisted hairstyles are a must. Yet these styles don’t replace structured cuts: they extend and enrich them.
So, whether you opt for a radical haircut like the Bixie or a softer transformation with the Textured Midi, Summer 2026 offers options for every craving and texture. Each style presented here has been validated by hairdressers and confirmed by the latest trend data.
