Celebrity Hair Stylist Paul Nebres on 2026’s Biggest Hair Care Trends
Hair care used to revolve around dramatic transformations. But, somewhere along the way, it’s finally stepping into the same space as self-care and has become something slower and more intentional. The focus? Moving beyond styling and towards healthier strands, scalp massages, and restorative routines that are never rushed.
Celebrity Hairstylist Paul Nebres is seeing this shift firsthand and is at the forefront of making hair care more than just a trend.
In an exclusive conversation with The Beat Manila, he shares the emerging hair care trends that are currently shaping 2026 — and how his newly founded brand, BETTERHAIR, has tapped into this new era where hair care and self-care go together.
Less on Styling, More on Prep
If there’s one shift becoming clear across social media, it’s the growing focus on hair preparation and overall hair health — and it’s a welcome one. According to Paul, this marks a huge change from how people once approached hair care. In the past, many believed that using the right shampoo and conditioner was more than enough.
Now, the conversation is shifting towards knowing what your hair needs and building a strong foundation: scalp care, heat protectants, leave-in conditioners, and the right prep before styling.
At the same time, some long-standing haircare misconceptions in the country still need to be constantly addressed. One of the biggest? The belief that frequent hair washing automatically leads to healthier hair.
It’s an understandable habit, especially in a climate as hot and humid as ours. However, overwashing can actually strip the hair of its natural oils, which may lead it to produce more oil to compensate. Over time, this can disrupt the scalp’s balance rather than improve overall hair health.
To this, Paul said that the focus should ultimately be on balance. “Using the right products to maintain moisture, manage oil, and protect hair from humidity, while learning how to care for their hair even on the days they don’t wash it.”
Social media, too, has played a significant role in shaping how people approach hair care today. But according to Paul, it’s a double-edged sword. “On one hand, it has made it easier for people to discover new techniques, products, and trends from around the world. But at the same time, there’s also a lot of misinformation,” he explained.
“If people blindly follow advice from unverified sources or use products incorrectly, it can actually damage their hair. So while social media is a powerful tool for discovery, it’s important to be mindful and rely on credible information from trusted brands and professionals.”
Still, despite the never-ending streams of trends online, hair care is becoming more personalized than ever. As a hairstylist, Paul has always tried to balance both creativity and hair health for his clients, and quite thankfully, the two are no longer conflicting.
“In fact, many creative trends today actually revolve around better hair health. The idea of proper hair prep and styling has become part of the aesthetic itself. So following trends today often means building a healthier routine rather than compromising the condition of your hair.”
Why Hair Care Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Proper hair care isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” situation. According to Paul, the best routine is one that aligns with both your lifestyle and your hair’s specific needs.
“For example, someone who goes to the gym frequently will have very different hair concerns compared to someone who spends most of their day in an office,” he explained. “People with naturally oily scalps will also need a different routine from those with dry hair. Once you understand your hair’s needs — whether it’s oil control, volume, hydration, or smoothing, you can build a routine around those priorities.”
Another key factor to consider when building an effective hair care routine is the climate. With the Philippines’ hot and humid weather, hair can easily end up feeling greasy, heavy, or flat. For many, finding the products that truly work with these conditions has always been a challenge — an expensive one at that.
That’s exactly the gap Paul Nebres hopes to address with his new hair care brand, BETTERHAIR, which is designed with both hair health and the local climate in mind.
BETTERHAIR: The Philippines’ Newest Premium Haircare Line for Filipinos, By Filipinos
While many global hair care brands offer products suitable for Filipino hair, options specifically designed with local needs in mind are still surprisingly limited in 2026.
After years of working with celebrities like Nadine Lustre, editorial shoots, and fashion campaigns, Paul Nebres has built a career around understanding how hair behaves both in front of the camera and in everyday life. His approach has always balanced creativity and artistry with practicality — focusing on what truly works for his clients and hair.
BETTERHAIR aims to fill that gap. Created by Paul Nebres, alongside photographer BJ Pascual and fashion designer Vania Romoff, the new premium hair care line is formulated for Filipinos, considering the local hair types, daily routines, and the country’s hot and humid climate.
“We wanted to prove that a Filipino haircare brand could match international brands in quality and innovation while being designed specifically for our hair and climate,” shared Paul. “Based on the response so far, I think we’ve proven that there’s a real demand for that in the Philippines.”
The launch of BETTERHAIR had been a long time coming. What makes it even more meaningful for Paul is that the brand was created alongside longtime collaborators and close friends.
“Have you seen their hair? They’re the perfect co-founders!” joked Paul.
The idea for the brand, he recalls, actually started during a casual dinner conversation. “Most of the products I used professionally had to be sourced from the US or Europe,” he explained. “We began wondering: what if we created a premium haircare brand designed specifically for the Philippines, combining my experience in haircare with BJ and Vania’s strong creative vision?”
One thing Paul Nebres — and BETTERHAIR as a whole — is particularly proud of is the brand’s obsessive attention to formulation, design, and innovation.
Take its Slide & Slick Hair Wax, for example. The product combines two tools in one, designed to make styling flyaways easier while helping create sleek looks quickly and effortlessly.
Another detail Paul highlighted is that BETTERHAIR products are “Designed in the Philippine Islands.”
“While many brands emphasize being formulated abroad, we believe there’s real value in designing products specifically for our environment and lifestyle,” said Paul. “Hair behaves very differently in humid climates like ours, so we really took the time to make sure every product performs well in real Philippine conditions.”
Self-Care, Hair Care, and Confidence
Ultimately, hair care goes seamlessly together with self-care and confidence. For Paul, it plays an important role in how people feel about themselves.
“Hair is another canvas for self-expression,” he shared. “That philosophy is really at the heart of BETTERHAIR: helping people build simple daily rituals that make them feel more confident in their hair.”
As a hairstylist, Paul’s work has always centered on helping clients feel their best. And often, that confidence begins with hair that looks good and feels healthy. That’s exactly where BETTERHAIR hopes to make a difference.
“Ultimately, I hope people feel more confident in their hair. When people feel that their hair looks good and is healthy, it naturally boosts confidence. My goal is for BETTERHAIR to help people feel confident in caring for and styling their hair every day.”
Shop BETTERHAIR on Shopee and Lazada. Follow BETTERHAIR on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Follow Paul Nebres on Instagram.
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