Our inner old person may be silently screaming, ‘How is it 2018 already? Where does the time go?’ but our outer most fabulous person is saying, ‘Oh hey new hair’. Because a new year brings with it a whole host of new hairstyles and hair trends just waiting to be experimented with.
Whether it’s the return of hair bands and school girl plaits, or working a bob with a fringe (it works, trust me) the new year brings with it the perfect opportunity to test out the most coveted...
Keep the curls
With 2017’s obsession with curly and natural textured hair not going anywhere, 2018 is all about upping the ante and getting those curls bigger and even better. Leave the relaxer at home and embrace your kinks and coils - curly girls this is your year.
‘Avoid brushing textured hair when styling it, if you want to preserve the curl pattern, unless you’re deliberately going for an undefined look,’ says celebrity hairstylist and Solange’s go-to guy Vernon Francois. ‘Instead, use your fingers or a three in one style pick.’
Big and bouncy
Hold the press! The big, bouncy, blowdry has had a triumphant return to fashion week shows and celebs everywhere. No longer, ‘uncool’ , glossy, glamorous hair that looks seriously healthy is back in.
‘Fashion’s nod to 80s heritage brands is bringing back our beloved early 80s disco vibe and hair naturally has to follow,’ says Margot Robbie’s go-to hairstylist Paul Edmonds. ‘I like to think big is back but it has manageability, it’s not as set looking (no 80s rollers!) but is textured with volume, curls that are broken with a soft flick front. Think Cindy Crawford in her white T and jeans.’
Scrunchies
Did someone say 90s? Yup, scrunchies are officially back thanks to Mansur Gavriel. Use the throwback hair tie to secure loose ponytails for a look that says understated rather than retro.
‘To keep it looking modern, avoid having a massive scrunchie,’ says backstage hairstylist Adam Reed. ‘Go for a style that’s simple like a really smooth, really sleek, low pony and secure it with a scrunchie. Keep the colour plain - nothing patterned or metallic!’
School girl plaits
2018’s take on the braid, school girl plaits hark back to the undone, messy ‘do that took you two minutes to achieve before your first class. The good news? This time they’re Ports 1961 approved and still take no time at all.
‘The more pristine, shiny, symmetrical and tidy it looks the more girlish it will seem.,’ says Alexa and Rosie H-W’s go-to hair guy George Northwood. ‘You want to keep this lose and a bit untidy - think the opposite of last years boxer braids. Use super simple hair elastics so they are hardly visible - hair bobbles may be fun but there is no way you are going to look sophisticated with a plait/bobble combo, leave that to kids.’
Silver hair
Last year we were obsessed with dirty pastels and grey hair, but for 2018 it’s all about adding a little luxe to the situation. Enter silver hair. A super shiny, metallic finish transforms matte grey hair into something a little more magical.
‘Silver is the new grey because metallics are really hot right now, from make-up and clothes, right through to hair,’ says award-winning colourist Jack Howard. ‘Silver is the shiner incarnation of the flatter looking grey.
To work it for 2018, you can either do a tempting gloss to give you a gorgeous shimmer or go full throttle and have it super extreme.’
Dirty blonde
From Selena Gomez to Lily Collins, dirty blonde is the new A-list hair colour trend du jour. Keep the roots dark, and the lengths a warm golden blonde to get the trend bang on.
‘It used to be about getting your hair whiter than white because it was so unattainable,’ says BLEACH creative director and rainbow hair pioneer Alex Brownsell. ‘Golden shades with warmer tones all over is the new platinum.’
Flyaway fringes
Not feeling your new bob with fringe? Or fancy a romantic updo? Then the flyway fringe is 2018’s hair trend for you. Sported by everyone from Jennifer Lawrence to K Stew, the whimsical ‘blown away’ side sweep is this year’s cool girl way to wear an updo.
‘My favourite thing at the moment is the soft layered flyaway fringe, but with that textured look.’
Undone wet look hair
Wet look hair might not be anything new but there’s a 2018 twist on the look you need to know about. Once poker straight and stuck to your head, wet look hair has been set free and given an injection of texture. Leave it loose and tousled for this year’s update.
‘Wet look curls are great’, says hairstylist Larry King. ‘Scott Ade at Larry King recently styled Arizona Muse’s wavy hair for the serpentine ball, it’s a softer version and less harsh than poker a straight finish.
Hairbands
Whether golden and embellished at Dolce, accessorised with oversized bows at Delpozo or had an athletic twist at Miu Miu, there’s no denying hair bands ruled the runways. The easiest way to update your hair for 2018, it’s time to get yourself a hair band.
‘Hairbands are a great way of making any style look preppy like the look at Anya Hindmarch SS18,’ says celeb hairstylist Aaron Carlo. ‘The bolder the print, the better and they work really well with a fringe or a low ponytails as well.’
Bobs with fringe
One of the scarier trends to try in 2018, we guarantee you’ll be seeing bobs with fringes everywhere. Round face? Never fear, the look is surprisingly wearable, just avoid a blunt cut block fringe and opt for an undone situation instead. It looks way more casual.
‘I like to keep my own fringe on the longer side, below my eyebrows which is a lot more versatile,’ says Kim K’s BFF and hairstylist Jen Atkin. ‘ If you decide you don’t like it anymore you can just tuck it away behind your ears. Also, always go for a lighter fringe, a block fringe can feel heavy with a lob.’
