ELLE Names 18 Hair Picks for Its 2026 Future of Beauty Awards

ELLE selected 18 hair products for its 2026 Future of Beauty Awards, including a slick-back gel with heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and a prep product rated up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit.

ELLE testers sprayed leave-ins, massaged scalp scrubs and styled with gels and creams to evaluate the field. ELLE framed the results as part of hair’s move toward multistep, skin-care-style routines.

Which repair and scalp formulas earned a place?

• Medium-hold curl gel: ELLE reported that a thin layer defined curls without sacrificing movement, encouraged them to clump and tamed frizz for hours. It left hair soft, shiny, humidity-resistant and touchable, with results holding beyond wash day. One tester said: “This gel keeps my curls defined from first-to-second-day hair,” adding, “Usually it’s a mess by day two.”

• Professional-grade scalp serum: The formula contains 50 billion exosomes. ELLE called it a boon for hair loss. One tester would buy it again: “I chopped off three inches a month ago and there seems to be about half an inch of growth already.” ELLE recommends a DIY scalp massage to distribute it evenly through the roots.

• Overnight repair serum: An ELLE tester experienced with repair products said the sleep-time formula hydrated and fortified strands while boosting shine. It “made my hair softer and appear less damaged” and was “more effective than others I have tried.”

• “Liquid Crystallizer”: ELLE said its liquid crystal amino acids rebuild broken cuticle bonds and strengthen the cuticle. After one use on damp hair, the tester reported, “it felt refreshed and healthier,” with strands “back to my pre-bleach days.” The hair felt plumper and stayed clean when used dry; she still loved it after several showers.

• Bond-building pre-shampoo treatment: The tester felt “hooked from the moment I first used this product.” It made hair buttery and hydrated, was easy to use, smelled good, rinsed out well and stayed lightweight despite generous application. ELLE said the brand’s signature bond-building technology rebuilds damaged hair from the inside out, targeting damage and split ends; apply it before shampooing.

Slick-back stick: On a humid day, one tester used it on a bun; it added shine, controlled flyaways and kept hair in place without a greasy film or repeated showers. “I was really impressed with how little residue it left and the immediate result.” ELLE lists shea and mkani butters to seal moisture; cranberry extract and oil smooth hair and add shine.

Three-minute in-shower mask: Left on for three minutes after shampooing instead of conditioner, this balm mask left hair “quickly silky, shiny, and less frizzy.” Although she expected grease, the tester found it better than her typical conditioner and praised its scent.

What did ELLE’s cleansing and scalp picks demonstrate?

• Clarifying shampoo: Used twice a week, the shampoo left hair “very clean and free of build-up,” and the tester’s hairdresser remarked on its shine. “Did I know there were metals in my hair? No,” she said, adding that microplastics also exist in brains. She loved the scent.

• Acidic bonding treatment: The tester’s hair appeared healthier and softer; coworkers asked what she used, and her ends were less dry. ELLE said the acidic bonding complex seals split ends.

• Salt-scrub shampoo: ELLE reported a thick cream beneath the salt layer that produced a robust lather and served as shampoo. “I’ll admit I was skeptical that a salt scrub would actually serve as a shampoo replacement, but I am a convert now!” the tester said. Its Big Sur-inspired scent is green and fresh without overpowering.

• Heat-protective prep product: It protects hair up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit and smooths frizz through amla oil and plant actives. The tester found hair pliable and hydrated without residue after blow-drying and ironing; the soft, shiny finish lasted several days without frizz or greasiness.

• Nourishing scalp serum: ELLE listed hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, rosemary extracts, biotin and vitamins A, C and E. The oil felt lightweight and helped reduce thinning around the tester’s temples.

• Density and gray serum: ELLE said rice proteins, yeast, einkorn wheat and vitamins help the formula make hair look denser and restrain grays. Rather than feeling drippy or sticky, it had a silky, soothing texture that quickly relieved the tester’s scalp and hair anxiety.

Which styling and finishing picks completed ELLE’s 18-product edit?

• Strong-hold slick-back gel: ELLE linked the gel to Beyoncé’s slick backs. Polymers, plant lipids and black honey fermentation protect hair up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit; the brand’s desert-plant-oil blend moisturizes it. A weekly slick-back user praised its strong, nonsticky hold without flaky residue and with a smooth finish, not a hard, crunchy one.

• Scented root mist: ELLE reported that rice water and niacinamide purify the roots without residue. The tester used it after the gym and found a fresher, non-crunchy refresh, although it did not fully absorb oil.

• Hair gloss: “I am in desperate need of a cut, but with this, you wouldn’t even be able to tell!” the tester said. ELLE said the formula’s bioidentical keratin adds luminosity, while its watery texture adds moisture without weight.

• Tangle Teezer brush: ELLE described Tangle Teezer as an expert at gently detangling wet hair; its new brush adds shine and smoothing. Mini, pointy cones sit diagonally to minimize damage and ease snarls. “I have a very fragile scalp and other brushes often feel too harsh,” the tester said. It felt gentle and left hair ultrashiny.

• “Sealing water”: ELLE reported that hyaluronic acid and white orchid extract hydrate hair, add shine and protect against heat damage. The tester called it a “forever routine” step: “it’s super light, smells amazing, and makes my hair feel protected without weighing it down or greasing it up.” Her hair never looked shinier.

What do the 2026 results mean for shoppers?

Going into 2026, ELLE’s clearest buying signals are heat-protection limits, curl hold, bond repair and scalp support. Its 18-product shortlist gives shoppers a functional benchmark for choosing among the year’s hair launches.