Anyone with an eagle eye will have noticed that hair trends have been slotting into two camps for summer 2026. On the one hand there’s a serious demand for short, low-maintenance crops that take seconds to style (read: hairdryers and hot tools have been banished for the foreseeable) and won’t get slicked down with sweat at the back of your neck (delightful, right?). On the other, celebrities are making a strong case for a Y2K revival, with some of our favourite #TBT cuts – including the Posh bob and the ‘Rachel’ – sneaking back into circulation.
It was only a matter of time until we got a combination of the two – and trust Hannah Waddingham to nail it in the chicest way possible. Days after sporting a sophisticated bouffant updo at Wimbledon last weekend, the actor took it all the way back (two decades, to be exact), debuting a nostalgic swoopy bob in New York yesterday.
Call it the best of both all worlds. The look combines a retro shape (see the ‘flicked-out’ ends that were once all the rage) with a flattering midi length that's short enough to be styled in a matter of minutes, without demanding a commitment to a crop. While the flicky ends soften the jawline and enhance movement, the deep, asymmetrical side parting swoops across the forehead, giving the illusion of fullness in fine or flat hair.
With a rich, buttery blonde thrown into the mix, Hannah’s style is practically a masterclass on looking put-together during a heatwave.
Recreating it is as easy as air-drying the hair (the swoopy bob is designed to lean into natural texture) and applying a few pumps of a lightweight volumising mousse at the roots for maximum lift. Carve out the iconic side part (dealer's choice as to which side) and once the hair is dry, use a straightener to simply curl the ends upwards. Spritz with a strong-hold hairspray, and voila. The swoopy bob, á la Waddingham.
If the mention of a straightener sends a chill (and already, a bead of sweat) down your spine, fear not. With a mid-length bob, that step should have you brandishing a heated tool for no longer than thirty seconds, max. Consider your heatwave hairstyle sorted!
Beauty Assistant Urmi works across Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, Red and Prima.
She fell into the world of beauty following a Masters in Magazine Journalism, and has been knee-deep in maximalist makeup, seasonal nail trends, and skincare myth-busting ever since. Both in and outside the office, she is best recognised by her signature red hair and elaborate set of acrylics.
