Thinking about a new hairstyle? Searching for a trend that also feels right? We spoke to Dieter Bonnstädter in Berlin, a true seismograph of the zeitgeist.
The hairstylist Dieter Bonnstädter is one of those names that commands respect. He represents a beauty aesthetic that delights and convinces. For looks that reveal personality rather than hide it. His career has been shaped internationally: as lead makeup artist for Yves Saint Laurent Paris, Monteil New York, Paco Rabanne, Trussardi and Versace Milano, he has worked at the intersection of fashion, art, and theatrical presentation. Add his work across film, TV, and print, and it’s no wonder an impressive roster of personalities in politics, media, and fashion trust him implicitly.
In the trend laboratory that is Berlin, Bonnstädter senses a renewed hunger for self-expression. “It’s about coolness and attitude,” he tells us. Beauty can – and should – feel naturally effortless. In 2026, this ethos translates into hairstyles that are clear, expressive, and never rigid.
The Up-Do Revival
“Up-dos are making a comeback in 2026,” Bonnstädter predicts. Gala glamour is welcome, but with a twist. The new up-dos are intentionally imperfect: loosely pinned, full of texture and movement, with a generous splash of glamour. A style that looks lived-in, not polished. The toolkit is refreshingly minimal – a brush, bobby pins and a reliable hairspray – yet the result is undeniably impactful. For volume and grip: Bonnstädter’s styling philosophy is simple: texture, movement, and effortless shine. A touch of volumizing powder gives grip, a fine mist of hairspray locks the style in place, and a whisper of nourishing oil on the ends creates a healthy, luminous finish. The result? Hair that feels as alive as it looks modern.
Wet Look: Shine Without Restraint
One of the season’s most striking trends is the wet look. “What I love most is that you can actually see the product in the hair,” Bonnstädter notes. Hair can shine, almost appear oily – capturing that fleeting moment between the sea and your sun lounger.
Pro tip: Massage a nourishing serum generously into the roots and comb through – not on freshly washed hair, but on day two or three. Alternatively, apply just before a day at the beach. A tip worth remembering – because we’re all about beach-ready shine. Mare, mare, mare.
The French Bang
Even bangs are getting a 2026 update. “We’re moving away from long curtain bangs,” Bonnstädter explains. Instead, the look is shorter, textured, and distinctly French. The timeless It Girl Jane Birkin – iconic with Serge Gainsbourg in the late ’60s and early ’70s – serves as inspiration. For a modern twist, contemporary It Girl Soo Joo Park embodies the same effortless cool.
The new bangs fall loosely across the face, letting the forehead peek through. From the middle of the eyebrows, they lengthen gently, blending softly into the facial contours. A cut that suggests lightness while remaining impeccably precise. The perfect finish? Blow-dry the bangs while still damp using a large round brush, directing it backwards. Once dry, it naturally falls away from the face.
Long Hair: The Ultimate Accessory
A standout look: model Emily with a fiery long red mane, reminiscent of young Milva. Powerful, iconic, sensual. A style that proves hair can be an extension of personality.
His non-negotiable? Heat protection. The foundation of modern haircare, it should be applied daily – much like sunscreen for the face. Bonnstädter personally favours the Color Lustre Protecting Spray by Shu Uemura. To finish, work a small amount of oil through the lengths. The final touch that perfects the look.
Hairstyles in 2026 are more than trends – they are expression, attitude, and identity. Fewer rules, more character: confident, elegant, untamed and uniquely you.
PHOTO CREDITS
- All photos courtesy and © Günther Weig at glamourfaces.de
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