The 2024 hair trends we can't wait to try
A new season is afoot. Temperatures have dropped; sweater dresses are back; we're dusting off our Rouge Noir. If you're anything like the team at Red's HQ, the itch for change is beginning.
And why not start with a hair refresh? Inspiration is everywhere: the fashion weeks are underway, and the VMAs and Emmys provided celebrity hair inspiration aplenty. To help you on your way, we've consulted with the experts on what's hot in hair right now (and what will be later, too). We've got insight from Tom Smith, aka 'The Hairvoyant', BaByliss ambassador and stylist Syd Hayes, and Cara Delevingne's colourist, Harriet Muldoon.
Here, meet hair's hottest new colours, cuts and styles. Your new season refresh starts now.
The hairstyle trends to know
Hollywood volume
Call it the Sabrina Carpenter effect. Big, bouncy blow-drys are on the up; one look at the VMAs red carpet will show you. Recent beauty launches also speak to the demand for them, and while are Carpenter's style for the VMAs took six hours to create, new tools are much speedier to use.
'You can get that big, bouncy volume in one hand with BaByliss' Air Wand', says ambassador and stylist Syd Hayes. 'Use the volume attachment on full power and maximum heat. Once you've curled and heated each section, curl the hair around your fingers and pin it into place. They'll set big and bouncy.'
A French twist
Richard Quinn's SS25 show will give a good indication of where up-dos are going this season. Super stylist Sam McKnight created soft and pretty styles with a French flair. 'We created some sculpted silhouettes with French twists and chignons,' he said of the looks. Wear your chignon low at the nape of the neck and slicked back to keep it looking modern, à la Anna Sawai at the Emmys.
Cloud curls
One from 'The Hairvoyant' Tom Smith, cloud curls use the hair's natural texture to create 'a halo of intentional fluff that brings an ethereal and carefree energy,' says Smith. 'Use your natural texture (if you have it), or create a similar style by braiding your hair after rough drying. Section with your fingers, and finishing with a texturising spray and shake your hair upside down for an airy, fluffy finish.'
Global gloss
At Red HQ, we've never loved the wet-look hair that makes an appearance at every fashion week, but gloss is something we can get behind. And this gloss is not reserved just for the mid-lengths to ends: at Del Core SS25, hair looked glossy and healthy from root to tip.
Don't be quick to reach for something rich like an oil or mask; instead, try one of the new gen glosses and rinses, like the Oribe Supershine Mirror Rinse. Concentrate the bulk of the product on the mid-lengths and ends, but run the product leftover on your hands on the hair near your roots. Hair looks shinier and healthier after one use.
The (new) romantic waves
The waves appearing on the runway are soft and pretty, but they're also very deliberate (look at the billowy movement at the ends of the hair on Private Policy's models). Use a wide barrel curling tong or roller to create thick, romantic curls that have just the right level of polish.
The throwback fringe
You'll see plenty of fringes – aka bangs – in the upcoming months, but our favourite is the throwback fringe, which gives a gentle nod to a '70s style. There's not Farrah Fawcett levels of volume here, but instead, a cut that's a little piecey and shaggy. Tibi gave us a masterclass at its SS24 show.
Bob hair trends we love
The laser-cut bob
Another prediction from Tom Smith, we anticipate seeing a lot of bobs this season. The laser cut is as precise as it sounds. 'It's a perfectly measured, sharp, one-length bob that sits between the very top of the shoulder and jaw,' says Smith. 'It's best styled straight or with minimal texture. It's great for those with fine hair as it'll add the look of some density and thickness.' Among those who have opted for this cut are Jessica Biel, Lily Collins and the long-term devotee, Karlie Kloss.
The tousled midi bob
If you're not quite feeling brave enough for a laser-cut bob, take inspiration from Victoria Beckham and Alicia Vikander, who have chosen something a little longer. VB's bob grazes her shoulders, while Vikander's is just a touch shorter. Styling it with some undone waves feels a tad more wearable than the laser-cut straightness, making the tousled midi bob an excellent entry into shorter hair.
The hair colour trends to know
The copper contrast
Marlon Hawkins is a L'Oréal Professionnel Artist and the Creative Director at Brooks & Brooks. The colour to look out for this season? Copper, but with a twist. 'This season we're seeing a rise in earthy, rich shades of copper but worn with a natural undertone,' says Hawkins, which he thinks makes the shade really wearable on all skin types. Mixing the two different tones gives the shade dimension that looks more natural.
The terracopper
Terracotta and copper meet here to create a fiery and intense shade, as coined by stylist Tom Smith. 'It can be achieved as 'global' (all over) colour, or done with a semi-permanent gloss on top of highlights or balayage,' says Smith. 'It's great on those with fairer skin who have pink undertones. The warmth of it helps the skin look more golden and rich.'
Parisian blonde
We've written about Parisian blonde before, and it's showing no sign of slowing down; Cara Delevingne has kept the colour, and Suki Waterhouse is also sporting it now. Created by Harriet Muldoon, Senior Stylist at Larry King South Kensington, it's completely chic: sandy and cool, with just the right amount of blonde. Muldoon created the look on Cara by adding some 'teasy light shades for a grown-out highlights effect'.
Toffee brunette
Another from hairstylist Tom Smith, this shade looks expensive. 'It's rich and intense, and works well on deeper bases too,' says Smith. 'They're warm tones that combine chocolate, caramels and intense golds to give a reflective and youthful shine to hair.' Look to Kamala Harris, Sofia Vergara and Brie Larson for inspiration. Tom recommends keeping gloss and shine levels high with weekly conditioning masks.
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