It’s time for the fall reset button to work its magic: new notebooks, new classes, new GCs…why not a new ’do, too? These looks give maximum reward for minimal effort—no more sacrificing the school bus for a good style.
The Modern Lob
Equal parts polished and low maintenance, this breezy cut looks good on literally everyone. So what makes this lob (aka “clavi cut,” since it hits your clavicle) modern? It should have “textured ends that dance around the shoulders,” explains hairstylist Kimberly Michelle.
Strand swap: Ask your stylist for collarbone-grazing length with soft movement through the ends. As for styling, blow-dry with a round brush for subtle body and curl, then shake hair out, loosening it with your fingers. Finish with a texture spray at mid-lengths for an easy look that will last through tomorrow’s homeroom.
Try: Dae Fairy Blaster Dry Texturizing Spray, $16, sephora.com
The Defined Coil
Keep coils crisp (not crunchy) with hydrating products and low-heat habits. “A curl gel or cream-to-gel and a good detangling brush are key when you want a more polished, defined look,” explains Michelle.
Stand swap: Apply an argan or jojoba oil-based curl cream to clean, soaking wet hair. Run a brush with long, sparse bristles through hair to help set the curls, then lock in place with a wet-to-dry diffuser. Keep things sleek by applying a nourishing oil to your ends.
Try: Pattern Palo Santo Curl Gel, $29, patternbeauty.com. Rizos Curls Collapsible Hair Diffuser, $20, rizoscurls.com
The Side Part Revival
If stylists for luxe brands like Hermès and Acne Studios know what’s up, then a steep side part is back. The ’90s trend was seen all over spring runways.
Strand swap: Starting with damp hair, create your part where it feels most flattering, then blow-dry roots in different directions to build staying power. “Styling the side part from wet to dry will create memory at the scalp level,” says Michelle. For extra lift, use a volumizing spray at the crown of your head. Tuck the offset side behind your ear for a face-framing effect.
Try: Eva NYC High Rise Root Lifting Mist, $16, eva-nyc.com
The Choppy Fringe Frame
Face-framing fringe is one of the fastest ways to change your whole look without losing length. “Choppy long bangs give an edgy street vibe,” says Michelle.
Strand swap: “These pieces add movement and keep longer hair from feeling too heavy,” shares stylist George Fragkioudakis. Ask for textured bangs with uneven ends for softness. When styling, lightly mist your fringe with water, then blow-dry side to side using a fine-tooth comb to keep strands smooth. Finish by piecing out the ends with a styling pomade for that cool girl effect.
Try: INH Hair No Fly Zone Super Hold Hydrating Hair Pomade, $18, ulta.com
The Midi Blowout
This softer spin on the bouncy blowout gives hair some extra body and shape. “This style works especially well on cuts with some layering,” says hairstylist Chad Cook.
Strand swap: Prep damp hair with a volumizer at the roots and a smoothing cream through mid-lengths and ends. Using a blowout brush, dry sections away from your face, guiding hair up at the crown. While hair is still warm, twist pieces loosely to let them cool before gently brushing through. Get glossy with a light mist of shine spray on top.
Try: L’ange Hair Le Volume Brush Hair Dryer, $50, target.com. Mirror Glaze Super Sleek Shine Spray, $18, glazehair.com
The Feathered Flip-Out
Playful, polished and just a little bit nostalgic, flipped- out ends keep this look light and bouncy. “When the hair is turned, it can move more,” explains Michelle. Try it on shoulder-length cuts and layered styles.
Strand swap: Blow-dry hair first. Then, working in two-inch sections, use a hot brush or flat iron to bend only the last inch out and up (you also can use a dryer brush). Want more volume at your roots? Apply a little dry shampoo at your roots. A dusting of flexible hairspray helps hold shape without stiffness.
Try: Amika Fluxus Touchable Hairspray, $15, ulta.com
The Soft, Undone Curl
For days when you want your curls to feel softer and more lived-in, this airy style delivers without looking overdone. “This look is less about perfection and more about ease,” says Cook.
Strand swap: Apply a lightweight curl mousse to clean, damp hair, then diffuse until strands are just about halfway dry. Let the rest air-dry for a softer, more relaxed look. Once fully dry, gently separate sections with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
Try: Odele Curl Defining Foam, $12, target.com. Solar Eclipse Handpainted Pocket Comb, $28, anthropologie.com
Hey, girl! Just to let you know, this originally ran in our August/September 2026 Issue. Read our print mag for *free* today when you click HERE!
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Images: @haileybieber, @maudeapatow, Gilbert Flores/Getty Images, @annacathcart, @bykileyfitz, @avantika, @haileesteinfeld
