Spring's biggest hair trends according to London's top stylists

After one of the gloomiest winters on record, spring is finally within reach. And what better time to consider a hair overhaul than the season of change?

We’ve asked some of our favourite London hairdressers and trend predictors what the hottest cuts of the season will be. With two months under our collective belts in 2025, the pros have had countless manes under their care already, so they’ve seen some of the same styles requested over and over again (clue: yes, bobs are as big as ever).

From the Lip Line French Bob to Letterbox bangs, here’s their predictions of the top cuts. Plus, we’ve asked for their expert intel on who these leading looks suit best (are you a low-maintenance gal or a lover of a seven-step regime?), and how to ensure they stay in tip top condition between appointments.

The Lip Line French Bob

Jake Unger, who works out of Larry King’s recently opened Marylebone salon, and was named London’s hairdresser of the year for 2025, predicts more short cuts this year and that a daring style of bob called the lip line French bob will be a key cut.

"2024 was about dipping your toe in the water and trailing subtle curtain bangs or a little more layering around the front. As we move into 2025 we will start to see clients become more comfortable with going shorter and shorter,” reckons Unger.

He predicts: “Clients with one-length bobs will move to a lip line French bob.” To picture this daring style, think model Nara Smith or influencer Taylor Lashae. “It’s a textured and choppy so allows you the freedom to wear your hair in different ways, effortlessly. Its all about working with your natural texture. For finer hair keep it less layered to build up weight and for thicker hair more layering will give a more lived in feel."

Unger suggests letting the cut air dry while gently placing the hair behind the ears “to give the front pieces a sexy flick. “

“A diffuser can help to speed up the process,” he says. “Just remember not to touch the hair whilst drying as this will help to eliminate frizz.” Larry King’s My Nanna’s Mousse (£22 for 150ml, cultbeauty.co.uk) is his go-to product to add texture to hair once dried.

Mark Smith at Nicola Clarke seconds how ubiquitous this cut will be and how low-maintenance it is: “It’s not about the cut being technically perfect as this adds to the coolness,” he says. Plus another bonus is “It grows out really well and will evolve into something nice when it’s longer.”

Bixie Cut

Seconding Unger’s prediction of shorter cuts being big, Nata Bumford, who is a stylist at Hershesons Belgravia salon, says a low-maintenance pixie cut will be one of the biggest of the year. She calls it the bixie.

“It’s the perfect blend of retro 1990’s vibes with modern edge. It’s bold, effortless, and back in a big way. This fusion of a bob and pixie has been embraced by celebrities such as Winona Ryder, Meg Ryan, Julia Garner, Mathilda Gvarliani, and Florence Pugh over the years,” she says.

You can wear it sleek or textured she says, and suggests using a cream, wax, or texturising spray at home to enhance your natural hair type and layers. If you have fine hair, try K18’s new patented reparative AstroLift spray, which works on towel-dried hair. It’s one of the few products out there that is this lightweight and doesn’t need heat to activate it. The reparative formula also keeps hair in top condition while adding volume that lasts.

Letterbox Bangs

If you’ve decided that spring is the time to trial a fringe, trend forecaster and creative director for Evo Hair, Tom Smith, says letterbox bangs are the look to know. “Fringes will be customised to frame the eyes with softly textured and choppy lengths,” he says.

And you’ll be pleased to hear that the style is a low-maintenance one. “These softer styles will grow out gently and at angles meaning they don’t require regular trimming.”

While fringes typically work well on wider foreheads, or can be used to balance a longer face, this look is super versatile as it’s soft, lightweight and won’t look blocky. Smith recommends “asking your stylist to suggest what would flatter your face – consider the size of your forehead, whether you want to show off your eyebrows orcheekbone and ensure you’re willing to tweak them every morning. You’ll need to reset this area of your hair every day, so while it can be done quickly, it does require some daily maintenance.”

He advises using some pre-emptive dry shampoo each day applied to the back of the hair to give the fringe it’s “piecey” look. Try Olaplex’s Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo (£28 for 200ml, spacenk.com).

Micro Braids

Everyone from Zoe Kravitz to Beyoncé, as well as Cynthia Erivo in her role as Elphaba in the Wicked movie have been flying the flag for micro braids recently. Smith describes them as “Similar to box braids but tinier,” meaning they are “protective style and behave in a similar way to straight hair with an added depth of texture.”

Another added bonus of the style is its versatility: “Worn with a middle parting, micro braids can be a very easy to wear look that can be tied up, secured in a bun or twisted further into various ornate styles. While the initial installation and take down process can be long, its worth it!” says Smith.

Wearing a silk bonnet or wrap at night will help to protect the braids and prevent friction to keep hair in top condition. Silke’s versions have a cult following (£50, cultbeauty.co.uk).

The Hime haircut

This cut has roots which are centuries old, worn by noblewomen in Japan’s imperial court. Hime translates to princess and the cut is defined by a blunt fringe and face framing side pieces for a regal look. It had a major moment in the 1970’s, when it was popularised by popstars such as Magumi Asaoka, as well as Cher. And now, many hairdressers are witnessing its return as it becomes highly requested style in their salons.

Simon Buller, Co-Founder of Buller + Rice salons notes that is renewed popularity has been confirmed after Blackpink and White Lotus star Lisa wore the style, as well as Lady Mariko in hit show Shōgun. Then a clutch of celebrities wore differing takes on the cut at the Grammys — from Lady Gaga to Billie Eilish and Miley Cyrus.

“The sharp, disconnected style can be styled to look edgy, but equally sophisticated, with layers that define cheek bones, and a distinct separation into long, straight hair,” says Buller.

He also points to how versatile the look can be: “You can highlight the front disconnected layering by tying it back, allowing the shorter pieces hang down, so it looks like you have a bob (like Billie Eilish) or equally you can tuck the shorter pieces behind your ears to highlight the longer parts of the hair. The shorter pieces can also create softness around the face if you love to tie your hair up on a day to day basis.”

Use Sam Mcknight’s weightless Love Me Do oil to smooth flyways or frizz and give a glass-like sheen to dryed hair. (£32 for 50ml, sammcknight.com).