The poof is back. Yes, the little bump of hair pinned above your forehead. The one that immediately makes you think of bobby pins, Bumpits and getting ready with way too much hairspray.
Apparently, that hairstyle still has plans.
The poof hairstyle, also spelled “pouf,” has been working its way back into beauty coverage for a few years. In 2026, it has red-carpet appearances to back it up, too. The part worth borrowing is the lifted front section. How high you take it is entirely your business.
The poof has been showing up on red carpets again
Anne Hathaway wore a voluminous half-up hairstyle to the March 2026 Oscars.
Then came Charli XCX’s textured half-up look at the Met Gala. Her hairstylist, Matt Benns, told NewBeauty that he wanted to keep her natural, lived-in style. He gathered the upper section at the crown for height, built up the texture and finished with teasing and styling sprays.
So the comeback has room for both a neat little front bump and a much bigger, curlier half-up look. You don’t have to commit to the tallest hair in the room.
What makes a poof a poof?
It’s that raised section of hair swept back from the front, with enough lift to make a visible bump instead of lying flat. Prose’s guide to the style explains that the volume can come from your natural texture or teasing, and you can wear it with loose hair, a ponytail, a bun or braids.
The fun is in the proportions. A small lift with the rest of your hair down looks very different from a tall, sculpted front section. Same basic idea; very different level of commitment.
How to try a smaller poof
For an approachable starting point, hairstylist Sophie Sugarman’s pinned-back styling method shared with GLAMOUR keeps the shape smooth and controlled. Here’s a simplified way to approach that look:
- Start with dry, styled hair. If you’re blow-drying or using a hot tool first, apply an appropriate heat protectant.
- Separate the front section. Gather the face-framing hair you want to pin back, leaving the rest loose.
- Choose your height before you pin. Sweep that section back toward the crown, keeping a little lift at the front instead of pulling it completely flat.
- Secure it and tidy the surface. Use pins or a small barrette, then a little hairspray to hold the shape and settle flyaways.
Start small so you can see whether you like the shape from the side as well as the front. You can always loosen and reposition the section before adding more hold.
You can keep your curls
A poof doesn’t require straightening every strand. The lifted section can sit above loose curls, or become the front of a ponytail or bun. If you want a softer look, keep some of that texture instead of brushing everything into a perfectly smooth shell.
Try the smallest version with the pins you already have. The Bumpit shopping can wait.
