{"id":1265965,"date":"2026-01-17T00:18:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T21:18:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1265965"},"modified":"2026-01-17T00:18:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T21:18:38","slug":"the-top-natural-hair-trends-of-2026-prioritize-low-tension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1265965","title":{"rendered":"The Top Natural Hair Trends of 2026 Prioritize Low Tension"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hair<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Top Natural Hair Trends of 2026 Prioritize Low Tension<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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This year is all about doing less pulling, heating, and manipulating.<\/div>\n
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By <\/span>Annie Blay-Tettey<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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Collage: Briana Rengifo; Source Images: Getty Images & Jaime-Lee B<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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I\u2019m not doing my edges this year. I know that\u2019s a bold statement, but after years of slicking them back into tight buns and meticulously styling them into swirls when I have braids, I\u2019m ready to hang up my beloved knotless braids and sew-ins (for now).<\/p>\n

According to natural hair experts, I\u2019m not alone in making this decision. They foresee 2026 as the year of low-tension, undone styles that lean into the natural pattern of textured hair. Susan Oludele, a hairstylist and braider in Los Angeles, has noticed that more of her clients are requesting styles with less gel and tension. This is a notable departure from previous years, when people preferred tighter styles with more product because they looked neater and lasted longer. \u201cEveryone wants to grow their edges and their hair now,\u201d says Oludele.<\/p>\n

Many creative styles came out of 2025: Looks that combine cornrows and sew-ins were heavily requested; freestyle cornrows were all over the feeds; even braids that mimic the appearance of straightened hair. This year, though, \u201cpeople will be doing a lot of hairstyles with their own hair,\u201d says Oludele. Expect to see mini twists and Sisterlocks done on natural hair or with kinky human-hair extensions for added length.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t mean we\u2019re completely foregoing sleek looks, though; we\u2019re swapping polished ponytails that pull on the scalp for glossy pixies and coils that give the same shine and luster without the tension. Stylists predict those with short natural hair will lean into sculpted styles (like finger-coils and finger-waves), while those who have long hair will flex their inches with soft, fluffy silk presses that require minimal heat.<\/p>\n

For those focused on growing their hair and retaining length, Ivy and Tanavoho braids tuck your strands away without tugging too hard on your scalp. (Both styles prioritize minimal gripping at the roots and a natural finish.) Ahead, experts share their predictions for 2026 natural hair trends.<\/p>\n

Wavy Pixie<\/h2>\n
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\"Kehlani<\/span><\/div>\n
Jaime-Lee B.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Pixies had a moment last year, with stars like Keke Palmer, Teyana Taylor, and Zo\u00eb Kravitz getting in on the crop. (I even chopped my hair into a cute little coily pixie.) Stylists say the crop isn\u2019t going anywhere, but it will likely get a glossy update. Taylor and Kehlani both have sleek, wavy pixies.<\/p>\n

Taylor\u2019s pixie, in particular, is accentuated by shiny, fluffy waves. To get the look, form tiny waves with a mini flatiron, like the RevAir Micro Edge Styler (which is about 0.3 inches), and apply a lightweight oil for a slight sheen. Nikki Nelms used Shea Moisture Smooth & Shine Hair Oil on Taylor at the Golden Globes (a product I also use and love). The 4U by Tia Multi-Use Oil is another great lightweight oil that adds subtle shine and reduces frizz.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Teyana<\/span><\/div>\n
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Kehlani has made appearances with her hair slicked down and sculpted to highlight her waves. The wet look is equal parts sensual and cute, and it\u2019s easy to re-create at home. Just work a medium-hold gel, like Eco Style Gel, throughout your hair, followed by a copious amount of mousse (you can count on Mizani Styling Foam to be flake-free). Before everything dries down, use a narrow-tooth comb to define your waves. Finally, set your style with a durag or scarf.<\/p>\n

Ivy Braids<\/h2>\n
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\"Black<\/span><\/div>\n
Susan Oludele<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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\"Zazie<\/span><\/div>\n
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Boho braids reigned supreme for the past few years, but there\u2019s a new box braid style in town: ivy braids. Oludele accidentally created the now-viral hair look while freestyling braids on actor Zazie Beetz in 2025. Keeping a lived-in look in mind, the braider began with traditional box braids: \u201cI started experimenting with the braiding hair, in a sort of back-combing method,\u201d Oludele explains, ultimately landing on a perfectly undone braid style that feels more down-to-earth than traditional knotless box braids.<\/p>\n

After the photo shoot, Oludele\u2019s inbox blew up with people wanting to know more about ivy braids\u2014and it\u2019s still one of her most requested styles. People love that these braids are easy on the scalp: \u201cIt finally feels like a style we can do that doesn’t require much tension,” says Oludele.<\/p>\n

To create ivy braids, start with clean, natural hair. You can skip the gel because fuzzy roots are key to giving these braids their lived-in effect. \u201cBraid really loose at the root,\u201d says Oludele. \u201cImagine you\u2019re three years old: How would a three-year-old braid? With a very loose hand.\u201d Using regular Kanekalon braiding hair to create this style is ideal, but if you want an even more textured look, you can use Afro-kinky hair.<\/p>\n

Tanavoho Braids<\/h2>\n
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\"Jackie<\/span><\/div>\n
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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You may not see this style often now, but it wasn\u2019t always uncommon. This look was worn by single women in the Sakalava Tribe of Madagascar, which formed the country’s first major kingdom in the 16th century. The style resembles a crown, with braids that end with a puff framing the head in a circular shape.<\/p>\n

Rihanna wore the look on her British Vogue<\/em> cover in 2020, and the style gained minor global traction after that, but Oludele says, 2026 is the year that Tanavoho braids will become mainstream in the United States. \u201cA lot of the old hairstyles from Africa are resurfacing again,\u201d she says. \u201cPeople want more cultural and artistic looks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tanavoho braids start as box braids (or locs) at the root, then get plaited down to about the length of a bob before ending with round puffs of kinky hair. \u201cYou can use regular braiding hair or Afro-kinky hair and create the balls by matting the hair with a teasing or back-combing method,\u201d says Oludele.<\/p>\n

Some stylists use a hairnet to secure the puffs and create a more rounded shape, while others prefer to leave them a little undone.<\/p>\n

Fluffy Silk Press<\/h2>\n
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\"Chase<\/span><\/div>\n
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The fluffy silk press had a trending moment in 2024, and it\u2019s making a comeback as people strive to do less to their natural hair in 2026. This soft style has already had a major red carpet moment on Chase Infiniti at the Golden Globes. The actor\u2019s long, airy hair flowed behind her like a cloud, while her face was neatly framed by a middle part with hair tucked behind her ears.<\/p>\n

Ariana Greene, a hairstylist in New York City, says her go-to technique to achieve a voluminous, fluffy blowout is using a blow-dryer brush. She recommends the Kitsch Large Thermal Round Brush. And the Kristin Ess Volumizing Blowout Brush, which has a paddle brush, easily glides through my detangled coils, giving me a soft blowout in a matter of minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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This style doesn\u2019t use as much heat as a traditional silk press (it doesn\u2019t require a flatiron), but Greene still recommends using heat protection. She loves the Kenra Blow Dry Spray and the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum. Both products reduce frizz when applied to damp hair before blow-drying. As your fluffy silk press begins to get old, you can plait your hair in four to six jumbo braids. Take the braids out after a day, and you\u2019ll have an airy braid-out.<\/p>\n

Finger-coils<\/h2>\n
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\"Image<\/span><\/div>\n
Annie Blay-Tettey<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Yes, we’re manipulating our hair less this year, but this notoriously time-consuming hairstyle has benefits you just can\u2019t pass up. Iandra Regalado, a hairstylist in New York and Jersey City, says she\u2019s been getting more requests than ever for this look.<\/p>\n

Regalado, who did my finger coils in December, says the style is especially popular among clients who are transitioning from permed or damaged hair to natural hair. \u201cMany of them are dealing with heat damage and aren\u2019t ready to cut all of their hair off yet,\u201d she says. \u201cFinger-coiling helps train the hair to do what it\u2019s naturally supposed to do, even when there\u2019s still some damage present. Over time, it can help encourage a more uniform curl pattern and make the strands appear more evenly curled.\u201d<\/p>\n

When creating your finger coils, Regalado says, pay attention to the size of each coil. \u201cSmaller sections create more defined, longer-lasting coils, while larger sections give you a bigger, softer curl,\u201d explains Regalado, who created small, tight coils on my hair. Of course, creating smaller sections will take longer\u2014it took about an hour to finger-coil my whole head.<\/p>\n

Products that offer both hydration and hold will give you the best results with this style. Regalado recommends first using a leave-in, like the Crown Affair Leave-In, that hydrates the hair, followed by a strong-hold gel (I love the Olaplex No. 10 Curl Defining Gel) to create defined coils.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A key step in creating finger-twists is sitting under a hooded dryer after finishing the coils. \u201cThis helps lock in moisture and set the hold,\u201d says Regalado, \u201cwhich is especially important if you want the style to last longer and maintain its definition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sisterlocks<\/h2>\n
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Maya Smith<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Sisterlocks are far from new, but Maya Smith, a hairstylist in South Carolina, says they\u2019re definitely having a moment. The style involves interlocking natural hair from root to tip by creating teeny comb coils or tiny twists, known as starter locs. After your roots start to grow out, you\u2019ll need to revisit the stylist, who will re-loc your roots to match the rest of your hair.<\/p>\n

As your hair grows and you continue to re-loc, it will eventually look like this coveted style. The process can be tedious, which is why getting this style is often referred to as \u201ca journey.\u201d Smith warns: \u201cLocs require commitment and intentionality, especially in the beginning, while they\u2019re still forming. If you\u2019re someone who doesn\u2019t want to be bothered with styling and caring for your natural hair, this isn\u2019t the look for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Due to how tiny the locs are and how meticulous the process is, be sure to ask your stylist if they are specifically licensed to do sisterlocks. \u201cYou want to make sure whoever is doing your locs knows what they\u2019re doing and understands natural hair in its entirety,\u201d says Smith, \u201cso they can determine the best sizing, technique, and products to use to achieve the best foundation and longevity of your locs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mini Twists<\/h2>\n
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Instagram \/ @dippedinshanelle<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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If you\u2019re not ready to commit to a look like Sisterlocks, mini twists (simple, two-strand twists) are an equally trendy alternative. They have a similar vibe, but can be taken out after a few weeks.<\/p>\n

Plus, you can easily do mini twists on yourself at home, which I\u2019ve done many times. You\u2019ll need a parting comb, gel, and kinky extensions (if you want added length). Starting with clean hair, begin parting into small (pencil-width) sections and applying a dime-size amount of gel to each section before twisting. I love The Doux Big Poppa Curl Defining Gel, which gives my twists a long-lasting hold without causing too much shrinkage or leaving a crunchy cast.<\/p>\n

If you want looser, less springy twists, or just longer twists, try blow-drying your hair before twists to stretch out your natural curl pattern.<\/p>\n

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Discover more 2026 trends:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  • Bangs Are Getting Bolder in 2026<\/li>\n
  • The Biggest Hair Trends of 2026 Bring the Drama<\/li>\n
  • Makeup Is Getting a Colorful Vibe Shift in 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    Now, watch Olandria’s beauty routine:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

    Source URL: https:\/\/www.allure.com\/story\/2026-natural-hair-trends<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hair The Top Natural Hair Trends of 2026 Prioritize Low Tension This year is all about doing less pulling, heating, and manipulating. By Annie Blay-Tettey January 16, 2026 Collage: Briana Rengifo; Source Images: Getty Images & Jaime-Lee B I\u2019m not doing my edges this year. I know that\u2019s a bold statement, but after years of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1265967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[52],"class_list":["post-1265965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-allure-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1265965","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1265965"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1265965\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1265967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1265965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1265965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1265965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}