From voluminous blowouts and couture-inspired updos to romantic waves and rich autumnal colours, our hair expert Marie reveals the must-have hair trends for Autumn/Winter 2026.
As the seasons change, hair is entering a new era of individuality, glamour and creative expression. From the sculptural chignons at Chanel’s Autumn/Winter 2026 show in Paris to the polished twists at Richard Quinn and Conner Ives during February’s London Fashion Week, this season is all about technical craftsmanship, beautiful movement and luxurious finishes.
We sat down with Marie Nieuwoudt, Cloud Nine’s professional hair expert, to talk through the key trends to look out for thisseason and how to wear them while keeping hair health front of mind.
The Return of the Power Blowout
Drawing on the glamour of the 1970s and the bold silhouettes of the 1980s, big, bouncy blow-dries are back and making a statement. Think sweeping fringes, brushed-out curls and effortless volume, all with plenty of movement.
Marie’s advice: “A beautiful blowout is all about creating volume at the roots and movement through the lengths. Use the Cloud Nine Airshot Pro and Volumizers to build shape, and allow each section to cool before brushing out. This helps create that gorgeous, long-lasting bounce.”
Sculptural Styling and Sleek Minimalism
From architectural updos and polished French twists to sleek bobs and glossy, straight finishes, precision styling is taking centre stage. At Chanel’s AW26 show, hairstylist Duffy added striking metallic accents to sculptural chignons, while Richard Quinn and Conner Ives sent out beautifully structured twists and high-shine finishes.
“I love the return of precision styling because it really celebrates the skill behind beautiful hair,” says Marie.
“Whether you’re creating a sleek bob or an elegant updo, the secret is in the preparation. Smooth, well-conditioned hair and controlled heat are essential for achieving that polished finish.” For that glass-like result, a Contouring Original Iron is the perfect place to start.
Romantic Waves and Natural Texture
For a more relaxed take on autumn styling, soft, undone waves, loose tendrils and lived-in textures are everywhere. Natural curls, coils and waves are also firmly in the spotlight, with the focus on enhancing your individual texture rather than disguising it.
Marie says: “One of my favourite things about this season is the celebration of individuality. Not every style needs to look perfectly polished. Embracing natural texture and creating soft, effortless movement can be just as beautiful. It’s about working with your hair, rather than against it.” If that sounds like you, The Airshot with Diffuser is made for enhancing natural texture.
The Return of Vintage Copper
This season’s colour palette is all about warmth, richness and dimension. Whiskey Copper and Vintage Auburn lead Marie’s seasonal picks, bringing sophisticated amber, cinnamon and golden-red tones to the fore. Iridescent Amber adds luminous, multidimensional warmth, while Deep Damson and Black Cherry offer a darker, more romantic alternative.
“Autumn is the perfect time to experiment with richer, warmer tones, and I’m particularly loving whiskey copper and vintage auburn,” Marie explains.
"The key is finding a shade that complements your complexion and natural hair colour. For colour-treated hair, being mindful of your styling temperature is especially important to help maintain healthy-looking, glossy results.” A gentle, glossy finish with The Wide Iron helps show off those rich tones.
Hair Health Meets High Fashion
Whatever the trend, we believe beautiful styling should never come at the expense of hair health. With innovations including Variable Temperature Control, Revive Mode® and Sericite®-infused plates, Cloud Nine tools are designed to support gentler styling while delivering stunning results. You can read more in our expert’s guide to Revive Mode® and our exclusive hair health technology.
As Marie puts it: “The most exciting thing about this season is that there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re embracing your natural curls, creating a statement blowout or experimenting with a new colour, understanding your hair’s individual needs is always the starting point for beautiful styling.”
Meet Marie, Cloud Nine’s Hair Expert
Marie is head of Cloud Nine’s professional hair education team, helping to bridge the gap between high-fashion inspiration and achievable everyday styling. With a passion for hair health, technical styling and professional education, she champions a personalised approach to haircare, encouraging everyone to embrace their natural texture and choose techniques and temperatures that suit their hair.
Through her work with Cloud Nine, Marie shows how innovative styling technology and professional technique can work together to deliver beautiful results without compromising on hair health.
Looking to upgrade your styling tool, or give someone the gift of healthier hair? Start building your Cloud Nine wish list today and discover what to expect from our biggest ever offers this Black Friday.