Thinking about revamping your look in the New Year? A chic haircut or colour refresh can make all the difference, whether it’s a dramatic transformation or a subtle tweak to your usual style.
If you’re looking for inspiration, a host of stylish celebrities and influencers are ahead of the curve, and hairdressers say the cool cuts and sumptuous shades they’ve been rocking recently will be everywhere next year.
We asked hair industry experts to talk through their predictions for the hottest hair trends of 2024…
1. The Nineties bob
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Last year, Hailey Bieber’s wavy bob inspired many a haircut, and now we’re seeing variations on the short, sharp chop.
“Harking back to the Nineties is the blunt bob that is continuously evolving, now more so into a chin-length style,” says celebrity hair stylist Paul Edmonds.
He recommends trying the style with a soft fringe: “It’s all about shorter bangs and keeping the outside edges long. The cut-through fringe with the centre being shorter than the edges provides flexibility.”
2. Golden blondes
“Warm golden tones are replacing the long-standing preference for ashy blondes and cool brunettes, with a shift towards gold and honey hues,” says celebrity hairdresser Edward James.
Inspired by celebrities like Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Blake Lively, the best way to achieve multi-tonal golden hues is with balayage: “For darker blondes and mid-to-dark brunettes, it creates depth and will reflect more light, making your hair look incredibly glossy.”
3. The kitty cut
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We’ve had the wolf, the octopus and the jellyfish – the next animal-inspired, layered ‘do that will be all over your social media feeds is the kitty cut.
“The kitty cut is longer than a bob with hair falling between the shoulders and collarbone,” explains hair stylist Adem Oygur, founder of Adem salon.
“Cut with subtle ascending layers throughout, it’s face-framing without being too short or choppy.”
The great thing about this mid-length style is that it can be tailored to every hair type and face shape: “Around the face, the layers can begin from the cheekbones or jawline – it is versatile, with many styles such as curled, beachy waves, shaggy or straight.”
4. Glass hair
“I love that we’re moving into a more glamorous era,” says Charlotte Reid, celebrity hair and make-up artist and Bristows ambassador.
But that doesn’t mean complicated updo’s. On the contrary, she’s noticing a trend towards poker-straight, ultra-glossy locks worn long and loose.
“For premieres and red carpets we’ll be seeing more Nineties, glass-straight hair – that is all I’m being asked to do at the moment,” Reid says.
Case in point? British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley swapped her usual glam waves for super-straight tresses at the Fashion Awards 2023 in December.
5. Red hot hues
Countless celebrities jumped on the copper bandwagon in 2023, and now the red trend is hotting up.
“The natural development of this trend is into the brighter and less ‘natural-looking’ red tones,” says hair stylist and trend forecaster Tom Smith.
“Glossy, intense, deep and bright, true reds will bring a fiery nature into 2024 for those wanting to stand out from the crowd. We’ve been seeing this already on tastemakers such as Dua Lipa and Megan Thee Stallion.”
Robbie Purves, hair stylist and Ffør ambassador, agrees that rich reds will rule next year: “Cowboy copper is the latest trend to hit salon chairs, characterised by its versatile and warm leathery tones. I predict that clients are going to opt for deeper red tones, moving towards plum red and even violet hues.”
Scarlet shades are notorious for fading fast, so if you’re going down the red route, you’ll need to stock up on a pigment-packed product to keep it looking vibrant.
Smith says: “Thankfully, simply using a red-toned conditioner when washing one’s hair is enough to keep the hair healthy and glowing hot red. My go-to is the Evo Fabuloso Colour Boosting Conditioner.”
6. The ‘mixie’ cut
Pioneered by the likes of Miley Cyrus, Kristen Stewart and Emma Corrin (who rocked the look on the Miu Miu catwalk), the choppy, edgy ‘mixie’ cut is short at the front and longer at the back, and has been gaining traction recently.
“A mix of pixie cut and mullet, this trend is perfect for those who want a daring transformation,” says Tasha, senior stylist at Paul Edmonds.
“The mixie makes a bold statement without sacrificing a touch of femininity, creating a fashion-forward look that exudes confidence and a hint of rebellion.”
