Take Note: These Bob Hair Trends Will Be the Most Sought-After in Salons This Season

      Yes, that's correct. The bob is definitely sticking around in 2026. As one of the most significant hair trends from the last few years, short hair continues to lead the way this January. However, there are noticeable changes in style. The beginning of 2025 introduced sleek, polished, and anything but effortless bob hairstyles that could take hours to achieve. Moreover, the trend shifted towards micro-bobs, requiring frequent visits to the salon for trims. While I appreciate how these short styles look, I personally don’t want to commit so much time to my hair this season. Fortunately, this year is about opting for more relaxed styles. I recently spoke with Izzy Warren, a stylist at Hershesons Fitzrovia, one of my favorite salons, to discuss the upcoming bob trends for 2026. Warren shared that the following six styles are set to be everywhere, and I was thrilled to see some trendy and practical options. Curious? I thought you might be. Below, I’ve listed details for each bob hair trend alongside my favorite products to achieve the look. If you’re considering a haircut or want to change up your short hairstyle for the new year, keep reading.

      **Article continues below: 6 of the Biggest Bob Hair Trends of 2026**

      1. **The Beach Bob**

      If chilly weather has you feeling down, the beachy bob trend is sure to brighten your mood. Warren says this relaxed short hairstyle is expected to be a major hit in 2026. "[The beachy bob] is a low-maintenance bob with ends that are kicked out," she explains. "It's ideal for lazy beach days." However, you don’t need to be at the beach to rock this style; all you need is a quality texturizing spray to give your hair a tousled look with movement at the ends.

      **Get the Look:**

      - This product will give your hair that fresh-from-the-ocean look (in a stylish way).

      

      - Create beautiful beachy waves effortlessly with this innovative tool from Hershesons.

      2. **The Shaggy Lob**

      As noted, relaxed, slightly longer bob hairstyles are very much on trend this year. Next, we have the shaggy lob. "[Think] shoulder-length with curtain bangs and movement in the ends rather than a blunt silhouette," Warren suggests. "[This trend] feels lived-in and aligns perfectly with the fresh vibe of 2026." This style flatters a variety of hair types and is a great in-between option if you want to avoid going too short.

      **Get the Look:**

      - **JVN Complete Air Dry Cream** - This cream helps define the texture of your shaggy lob.

      - **Arkive Headcare The Movement Dry Texturizing Spray** - Use this lightweight spray to add a natural-looking movement.

      3. **Tuft Bob**

      I foresee the tuft bob becoming a major trend in 2026. I’ve spotted this style all over social media, and celebrities are embracing it too (Jessie Buckley’s tuft bob is a personal favorite of mine). I describe it as a blend of a blunt bob, a pixie, and a mullet, featuring a short, choppy finish with small tufts flicked outward. To me, it looks effortlessly stylish.

      **Get the Look:**

      - **GHD Hair Mini Slim Hair Straightener** - This smaller straightener is perfect for flicking out the ends of your tuft bob.

      - **Moroccanoil Molding Cream** - This workable cream adds definition and texture.

      4. **Slicked-Back Bob**

      How stylish is the slicked-back bob? “[This is] quite a bold look that showcases more of the outline,” Warren notes. She explains that it’s very versatile for styling, allowing for either a wet-look effect or added movement and height for a more casual vibe. It's definitely shorter than a lob, but I'm really loving the sleek appearance.

      **Get the Look:**

      - **Eco Style Olive Oil Styling Gel** - A gel is essential for achieving a slicked-back look.

      - **Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Sleek Stick** - I like to keep a stick like this handy for taming flyaways on the go.

      5. **The Hollywood Bob**

      Arguably the most polished bob trend, the Hollywood bob is a classic. “This is a timeless red-carpet style, often styled with a side part,” Warren explains. “It exudes an ‘old money’ vibe with a slight vintage touch.” This bob will require more styling time, but a powerful hot brush and some rollers should help. Don't forget to finish with a shine spray for a glossy finish.

      **Get the Look:**

      - **Babyliss Thermo-Ceramic Rollers** - These rollers will create bouncy, Hollywood-like curls in no time.

      - **Color Wow Extra Mist-Ical Shine Spray**