2026 Curly Hair Trend Report: What Defined 2025 and What's Coming

Curly hair evolves every year - and 2025 was a pivotal moment for education, science-led routines and performance first styling. In the GCC, environmental factors like humidity, dry air and hard water continue to shape the products and techniques that deliver the best results.

As a curl authority in the region, Emerson analysed the shifts seen throughout 2025 and identified the five trends we believe will lead and define curly hair care in 2026.

Trend 1 - The Base Gel/Top Gel Era is Here to Stay

2025 cemented one curly hair truth: no single styler can deliver everything your curls need. Slip, softness, elongation, definition and hold simply cannot be engineered into one product formula without compromise. This is why the Base Gel / Top Gel pairing continues to grow in popularity, particularly in heightened humidity.

The Doux 808 Base Gel

Let's explain why this how and why this paring works well particularly in Dubai and the wider Middle East region.

Base Gel → moisture cushion and first layer of definition and elongation
Top Gel → provides a firm hold and humidity resistant top coat for style longevity.

This is the ultimate curly hair hack for definition that lasts in the Middle East. Pairing the gels requires knowledge of product formula compatibility, to avoid costly trial and error.

One of our favourite combinations as featured in our seasonal Summer Curl Edit (Quench for High Porosity) is Uncle Funky's Daughter Curly Magic paired with Innersense I Create Hold - the results sculpted definition and elongation, especially for tighter curls that holds beyond Day 3.

We expect this trend to remain a staple in 2026.

The key is to adopting this method correctly and not blinding. Adopting this without adjusting for curl porosity, density or product compatibility. This is where most people misapply trends.

Our 2026 Curl Translation Guide explains how to layer stylers without stiffness, flaking or dryness.

Trend 2 - Scalp Care Steps Into the Spotlight

We've finally seen a major shift in scalp care in 2025, particularly with the rise of Cecred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops. This is not to say Cecred were the first to do it, however with their large, captive audience they have been able to dominate this space which has been underserved for years due to lack of education.

The curly hair space has finally realised that hair oils do not equal magic hair growth. We've highlighted this for several years that water based scalp serums should be applied first to hydrate the scalp and allow for better growth results, this train of education is now gaining momentum.

For sensitive scalps, lightweight penetrative formulas are essential, clogging your scalps pores before hydrating will leaded for further scalp inflammation which can kick start an endless cycle.

2026 will bring more scalp led education, more routines combining serums and oils (in the correct order) and a rise in non-irritating hair growth solutions. We believe this sets the stage for scalp care to feel less like a separate category and more like the foundational layer in curly hair routines, especially in the Middle East.

Trend 3 - The Hair Foam Renaissance

After years of gel-first styling, modern hair foams have made a strong return in 2025.

Unlike their drying, alcohol loaded foams of the past, todays foams formulated for textured hair include more moisturising ingredients and offer:

Lightweight definition
Volume without the stiffness
Faster styling for quick styling routines
A bouncy, breathable finish ideal for hot climates.

A foam that has set the standard in 2025 - The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam

In 2026, we expect more people to choose foams for every day, soft texture styling - particularly for wash 'n' go routines.

Trend 4 - Haircare Like Skincare

2025 blurred the line between haircare and skincare in many respects, particularly with the use of actives in product formulations. We are so pleased to see this level of innovation being introduced in the curly hair care space, it's been long overdue.

Actives such as peptides, ceramides, caffeine, charcoal now appear in targeted treatments and solutions.

Curly and textured hair deserves:

Real, measurable results
Ingredient transparency
Solution led innovation
Increased focus on scalp health as the foundation for healthy curls

We're certain this trend will accelerate in 2026, especially with more research backed formulations entering the curly hair market. The key is actives with the right context, no hype.

Trend 5 - The Curly Pixie is Poised for A Comeback

We're calling it: 2026 may be the year of the curly pixie.

Mid to long curly lengths have dominated for years but with fashion cycles leaning towards bolder silhouettes and more women embracing shape and freedom, short curls are poised for renewed attention.

If the curly pixies rises - remember who said it first!

Curly hair is continuously evolving for different patterns, cuts , so are product, routines and methods to support them. If you're navigating your curly hair journey and based in the Middle East, known what's next gives you the advantage of smarter more intentional curl care.

2026 isn't about chasing what's new. It's about choosing what works, intentionally.