KITBAG

PARTY Like it’s 2026

INANCH LONDON

Gone are the days of perfectly done curls for party season, now it’s all about lived in textures, editorialised styling and gorgeous runway-inspired looks.

Undone instead of polished

Party hair has traditionally been seen as polished perfection: think sleek ponytails or updos with not a single strand out of place. Today, we are seeing an increase in client requests for hair that’s more unrefined and undone. Chloe Houston, Houston Hair, Ballymena, Newcomer of the Year, agrees, stating: “For me, this party season is all about hair that feels glamorous but still looks effortless. I’m also expecting to see a return to more texture and volume, rather than everything being too perfect.”

OSMO Ambassador Lestyn Griffiths, adds: “We’re moving away from hair looking too perfect. It’s not about being lazy with styling, it’s actually the opposite.” But that’s not to say it’s time for being slapdash. “The hair still needs a beautiful shape and structure, but you’re almost breaking that perfection afterwards. That’s what makes it feel cool.”

REMI CACHET EXPERT JAMES EARNSHAW

Fashion-led hair

Celebrity red carpet hair has always influenced trends, but now with 24/7 celebrity coverage and influencers making aspirational looks feel more attainable, going-out hair is now driven more by fashion than by classic party hair looks like curls and low buns.” Remi Cachet Expert, James Earnshaw, explains, stating: “I think we’re moving away from perfectly polished updo’s and towards hair that feels sexy, effortless and a little more fashionled. I’m loving exaggerated shapes at the moment, whether that’s a
big, bouncy blowout with loads of movement, a sharp bob with flipped-out ends or a really glossy, slicked-back ponytail.”

Big and fluffy

Big hair is back, with extra cool points if you make it fluffy. Inspired by the
resurgence of ‘90s hair and trends, a time period when hair featured more volume and texture, this has led to women moving away from pin-straight locks to hair that has a bit more density and natural texture. Petteri Rantaeilola - EU Education Manager, Innersense Organic Beauty, says: “The trending ‘fluffy silk press’ is a heat-styling technique for natural hair that preserves volume, bounce and body, rather than creating a super straight finish. This is a perfect effortless style for festive party looks, reminiscent of Chloe AW26 hair.”

HAIR: JOSH WOODMAN PHOTOGRAPHY: DESMOND MURRAY

Glossy and wet

We’re beginning to take more of a whimsical approach to hair at the moment – hair is a lot more experimental, tactile, and sensory. Our experts predict that hair will be glossier, wetter, and multi-textured throughout the autumn/winter, making it a perfect standout partyhair style from traditional updos. “We’re seeing the return of the wet look and dual textures,” says Denman Creative, Josh Woodman. “If you can create a beautiful shape that can be totally deconstructed with a wet look but still look beautiful, that’s
such a skill.”

PARTY PREDICTIONS FROM THE PROS

PETTERI RANTAEILOLA, EU EDUCATION MANAGER, INNERSENSE ORGANIC BEAUTY

“The key to longevity is to avoid overloading or weighing hair down too early in the styling process. For a smooth, shiny finish, Innersense Overnight Repair Serum smooths the hair while helping to repair it.”

NXT

HOLLY BULLOCK, NXT BRAND AMBASSADOR

“In the NXT Autumn Winter 2026 campaign, the hair styling is an elevated mirror of the colour. For example, reds and copper tones seen in the Molten Copper look evolve into loud, big, voluminous styles whereas the use of natural tonal colours such as the Smoked Silver Blend are styled more softly.”

MARIE NIEUWOUDT, GROUP EDUCATION MANAGER, CLOUD NINE

“Magical Remedy is my must-have for creating a beautifully polished foundation, while the Airshot gives airflow and control needed to build volume
and movement. And for polished bends and waves to the foundations of a structured updo, my Original Iron won’t leave my kit bag.”

SHEREE GOUGH

SHEREE GOUGH, ASP GLOBAL AMBASSADOR AND BRIDAL & COMMERCIAL HAIR EDUCATOR

“Clients are increasingly bringing celebrity and
red-carpet references into the salon, so as stylists, it’s about taking that editorial inspiration and making it feel modern, wearable and individual. For party season, I think the mood is definitely less
‘occasion hair’ and much more ‘red carpet after dark’.”

PAUL CORBETT, DIRECTOR OF ADVANCED EDUCATION, FRANCESCO HAIR SALONS

“Party hair doesn’t have to mean changing the shape – temporary colour can become part of the look. Wella Professionals Perfecton or Color Fresh Mask can be placed deliberately to emphasise shine, movement or the structure of a strong haircut. Vibrant wefts, taped or bonded into the hair, can also introduce flashes of colour, exaggerate shape or add thickness for a more individual finish.”

TONI&GUY Global Creative Director Cos Sakkas led the TONI&GUY Session Team at the Paul Costelloe AW26 show. This look is perfect for the party season; see below for tips on how to recreate it for your client.

GET THE LOOK: THE ARCHITECTURAL CHIGNON

Step 1. Create a deep side part and comb hair into a sleek ponytail at the nape of the neck, leaving out a front section on the heavier side of the part. Use LABEL.M Fashion Edition Hairspray to smooth flyaways and create a polished, glossy foundation.

Step 2. Twist the ponytail tightly, then wrap it around itself to form a compact chignon. Pin strategically to create a smooth, rounded shape.

Step 3. Apply more hairspray to the remaining front section and backcomb at the root.

Step 4. Use LABEL.M Titanium Pro Curling Tong on the front section and sweep into a soft, sculpted wave above the ear. Pin in place, before joining into
the bun.

Step 5. Finish with a generous mist of hairspray to lock in the sleek, runway-ready
finish.