What Are 'Love Layers' and Why Are they Trending?

Love layers are set to be the hair trend of autumn 2026, with searches surging by a huge 519% in the last three months. 

Fresha, the booking platform for hair salons, has revealed the top five autumn hair trends of 2026 with Annabelle Taurua, beauty expert at Fresha, sharing her findings. 

Image credit: Aveda, Antoinette Beenders, Britt Dion and Kristina Paris

The 5 hair trends to watch this autumn

1. Love Layers - 519% 3-month search increase

A romantic haircut that is soft, voluminous, and face-framing. It works best with a clean middle part and is achieved by cutting curved, inward-flicking layers that mimic the outline of a heart, giving the trend its “love layers” name. Gigi Hadid has been seen multiple times sporting the trend. 

Image credit: 

Hair: Jude Taylor, Lesley Stitt, Carol Ritchie and Brodie Raeside
Make-up: Katie Moore
Photography: Liam Oakes

2. Halo braids - 174% 3-month search increase

A crown-like effect created by wrapping French or Dutch braids around your client's head perimeter. An “ethereal” hairstyle, they work well as an elegant updo for weddings, but they also work well as an effortless, everyday style if you gently loosen the sections for a more “lived-in” effect. 

3. Boyfriend bob - 140% 3-month search increase

The boyfriend bob is a relaxed take on a traditional box bob - it can sit anywhere between jaw and mid-neck length. To nail the trend keep it short, sharp and blunt. This hair trend is versatile and suits most face shapes because the length can be easily tailored to your client. You can style it sleek and straight or soft and tousled. 

Annabelle Taurua, beauty expert at Fresha, comments:

“Autumn 2026 hair trends seem to be focused on longer hairstyles. Even the bob is following suit, with the boyfriend bob offering a slightly longer, more relaxed take on the classic short cut. I always find it quite wholesome that our preferred hairstyles match how we want to feel in the season; some might say longer hairstyles feel cosier. They add warmth to the body and make us feel wrapped up.

“I expect these hairstyles to be matched with seasonal colours that also give a cosier feel. I sense rich auburns and deep red tones coming through, making us feel warm as we move further into autumn and winter. Colours that will undoubtedly match our fashion for the coming seasons.”