The Most Low-Effort 2026 Hair Trends For An Easy-To-Maintain Look

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Low-maintenance hair girlies, 2026 is your time to shine! “This year’s hair trend is all about healthy hair, versatility, and styles that look elevated without requiring hours in front of the mirror,” Jewell Hingorani, professional hairstylist and founder of Jewell Clip luxury hair extensions, tells Women exclusively. That means embracing hairstyles that are easy to recreate and even easier to maintain.

But don’t think just because low-maintenance manes are having their moment in the sun that every hairstyle that’s hot this year will have you looking undone or unkempt. Far from it. “You can look polished with almost no effort,” Luna Viola, hair and makeup artist, exclusively assures Women. The best part, though? Regardless of whether you have thick and curly locks, thinner straight tresses, or anything in between, there’s an easy hairstyle for you that will have you looking gorgeous all year long without rigorous prep or a massive time investment.

One of 2026’s easiest hair trends is the messy low bun. Luna Viola exclusively tells Women that this style is officially back, thanks to the return of boho fashion trends. To keep this hairstyle modern, Viola recommends really leaning into the boho influence, which means keeping things loose and flowy — never stuffy and rigid. “[Leave] the ends out of the bun and [add] a little texture around the face,” she suggests, as this will stop your ‘do from looking too unkempt but will still give a comfortable, slouchy vibe. “It’s worth trying because it’s fast and easy, minimizes heat styling, and works for all textures,” she continues.

This trend is also great because it can easily be dressed up or down. Viola recommends adding hair accessories for a more formal event. A sparkly clip can make a messy low bun more appropriate for weddings and parties, while a claw clip can ensure it holds during a more casual get-together or a day running errands. Messy, low buns are also ideal for in-between wash days when you want to look put together but don’t want too much of your hair on show. Just apply a little dry shampoo to the front (such as Batiste Original Dry Shampoo or Dove’s Dry Shampoo Spray) and tuck the rest of your locks away. You’ll need medium to long locks to make this look work, or a handful of bobby pins to tuck in your shorter strands.

Another 2026 hair trend for those looking for a quick and easy hairstyle is the sleek ponytail, which is a great option for those with medium to long locks of all textures. “A sleek ponytail never goes out of style. It’s sleek, chic, and sophisticated,” Jewell Hingorani exclusively tells us. To ensure you’re getting that smooth and sleek aesthetic, Hingorani recommends applying a very small amount of gel over the hair on the scalp to keep flyaways at bay. You won’t need anything too strong (we’re going for sleek, not necessarily the wet hair look), so try the likes of the Samnyte Hair Wax Stick for Flyaways or the Cantu Weightless Smooth + Hold Gel to keep your hair from looking too stiff or crispy.

To nail the look, Hingorani recommends lining up your ponytail with your cheekbones for the most flattering look. “[This will create] a naturally lifted effect that almost mimics a facelift,” she explains. She also suggests adding a bow, as that can take your pony from basic to elegant. A more decadent scrunchie or embellished hair tie can also make a sleek pony more appropriate for formal events and gatherings.

For the women who struggle to get volume in their hair and want instant length, Jewell Hingorani recommends trying 2026’s royal blowout with clip-in extensions trend. “For timeless glamour, add in [clip-in extensions] and style them with a large barrel iron for a voluminous blowout,” Jewell Hingorani exclusively advises us. She recommends using the Jewell Clip Clip-In Extensions, on which you should apply heat protectant first and then style with a heat tool that will create more of a wave rather than a curl, no hotter than 350 degrees Fahrenheit. “This look is classic, feminine, and effortlessly sexy,” Hingorani says. It’s also very Kate Middleton, hence the royal moniker, as Middleton’s hair transformation has sparked hair extension speculation multiple times.

What makes this look so low effort is that you don’t have to spend hours trying to get extra volume; the clip-ins do the work for you. You also won’t have to spend months trying to grow out your tresses, either, so it can work with almost any hair length. “Unlike permanent extensions, clip-ins don’t place constant tension on the roots, making them a healthier option for achieving instant length and volume,” Hingorani adds.

Similar to the royal blowout but requiring even less effort, beach waves are back in 2026. This trend gives similar volume to a royal blowout, but can be a little messier than the wavy style while still looking ‘done.’ “[Beach waves are] perfect for easier daily maintenance, create shape without much styling, [and] give fine hair more volume automatically,” Luna Viola exclusively shares. Because the aesthetic is designed to give an effortless, undone vibe, your strands don’t have to look uniform, making this style a major timesaver.

There are multiple ways to get beachy waves, no matter how long or textured your hair is. “Instead of curling the whole head, use your straightener to bend only a few front pieces, shaping them into an S and locking the shape with heat,” Viola recommends (just don’t forget the heat protectant spray first). “Use texture spray to finish the look for a very undone sexy wave,” she adds. Try Style on Steroids Texture Spray from Color Wow or TRESemmé Dry Texturizing Spray. You could also try a three-barrel curling iron to get the look, such as the Alure Three Barrel Curling Iron Wand Hair Waver or the Bed Head Wave Affair Jumbo 3 Barrel Hair Waver. For those who want less heat on their mane, try braiding your wet hair before bed, then enjoying instant beach waves when you wake up. This style is perfect for a beach day or a sunny BBQ with friends.

Another big 2026 hair trend that can work for a wide array of textures and lengths is curly hair with a deep side part. “Nothing says volume quite like curls paired with a deep side part. This style is low maintenance, humidity-friendly, and perfect for creating a soft, glamorous look,” Jewell Hingorani tells Women, exclusively. With this style being almost immune to humidity, it makes for a simple and easy vacation look if you’re heading somewhere hot. It’s also ideal for almost all events (as well as day-to-day living) for those who live in humid climates.

This trend is ideal if your locks are naturally curly, too, as it will enhance your texture. Hingorani suggests starting by applying mousse or gel to the hair to define your curls. Try the OUAI Air Dry Foam or SheaMoisture Curl Mousse. “Then, enhance a few sections with a small curling iron. Curling just 15 to 20 pieces throughout the hair adds extra definition and creates that polished, editorial finish,” Hingorani adds. If your hair isn’t naturally curly, try one of our heatless curl hacks to keep your hair healthy, then create your side part using a comb and apply texturizing spray and hairspray to mimic the volume of natural curls.