It’s 2026, and choosing what to do with our hair feels more uncertain than ever. With endless styles to pick from, deciding on a cut can be overwhelming. From the antique bob to the airy pixie, recent trends have consistently encouraged us to go shorter, trimming away length bit by bit.
If you love staying on trend but don’t want to sacrifice your hair length, there’s a smart alternative: the shattered fringe. For anyone with fine hair who assumed a fringe would never work, this style changes everything. You don’t need thick, heavy hair to carry off a fringe successfully.
“A shattered fringe is lighter through the centre and far more textured than a traditional full fringe,” explains Sam Burnett, founder and creative lead at Hare & Bone. “Rather than a solid block sitting across the forehead, it’s intentionally broken up, with uneven movement that feels modern, piece-y and slightly airy. At Hare & Bone salons, we cut it to feel ‘lived in’, so it looks effortless rather than overly polished.”
This style moves away from the fluffy, ultra-straight fringes that have dominated past trends, making it far more adaptable. “It works beautifully on straight to wavy hair because the texture really shows, and it’s perfect if you want a fringe without added heaviness,” says Burnett.
The shattered fringe is especially appealing if you have fine hair and struggle to create volume, no matter how many thickening products you try. “Fine hair responds really well to this cut because it adds shape without taking away too much density,” Burnett explains. It can also suit curly hair, though he offers one important caution: “With very curly hair, it needs a specialist approach. Shrinkage and curl pattern must be considered carefully so the fringe doesn’t end up too short or too wide.”
One of the biggest advantages of this style is its versatility across different face shapes. With small adjustments to length, it can be tailored to suit almost anyone. “It’s particularly flattering on round and heart-shaped faces, as it softens features and highlights the eyes and cheekbones. For longer face shapes, it helps visually shorten the face without the heaviness of a full fringe. On square faces, keeping it slightly longer and more broken at the edges helps soften strong angles,” says Burnett.
Unlike traditional full fringes that demand precise styling, the shattered fringe is refreshingly low-maintenance. In fact, a slightly undone finish works best. “The key is keeping it light and separated rather than perfectly smooth. I always recommend blow-drying the fringe first, even if the rest of the hair is air-dried, because it sets the overall look. Dry it from side to side for control, let it fall naturally, then separate it using your fingers. A gentle bend with a round brush can enhance that modern, shattered effect,” he advises.
For added texture and lift, Burnett suggests using a small amount of texturising spray or dry shampoo at the roots. This creates a piece-y finish without weighing the fringe down.
If the shattered fringe feels like the perfect match for your style, these insights will give you all the inspiration you need to confidently discuss it at your next salon appointment.
