Top 10 Trends for Hair 2024

When it comes to predicting the hairstyles that will be popular in 2024, there’s no better resource than salon professionals! We asked top hairstylists around the country to weigh in with their thoughts about the looks and trends that will shape the category next year.

“Lived-in, bespoke looks will be in big demand in 2024,” said Paula Schwartz, owner of PS Hair Studio in Benecia, CA. “We’ve been through so many trends over the past few years—just a few months ago, everyone was asking for the Victoria Beckham trend. Now, it’s all about individuality.”

It’s also about simplicity and strength. Many actresses and models known for their beauty are now making headlines by forgoing the traditional glam-squad finish. For example, Pamela Anderson recently made headlines for going makeup free at Paris Fashion Week to “challenge beauty,” because “beauty does come from within,” she proclaimed. She received much applause for her “bravery,” including from another beauty icon Jamie Lee Curtis, who today is embracing her natural gray hair and declared that a “natural beauty revolution” has begun.

“Today’s woman is strong enough to stand in her own skin—and hair—and working with, instead of against, her own texture,” added Schwartz. “I see myself as a strong woman. My hair is gray and that’s fine with me. The key is keeping your hair heathy with salon treatments and using products at home in between. I recommend Olaplex Restorative Blow Dry #2 in the salon and then Olaplex #3 Hair Perfector for home use.”

To help her clients find their comfort zone, the salon consultation is key. “I discover how clients see themselves, so I can help them embrace how they present themselves to the world,” said Schwartz. “I want to know not only how they want to look, but how they want to feel. I listen to who they are. Then through my creative vision, I recommend the customized cut that fits them.”

For styling, bespoke looks, Schwartz loves Frederic Fekkai Volumizing Spray, which she says is perfect for adding fullness to fine, thin hair. She recommends her clients carry Olaplex No. 4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo, Frederic Fekkai Full Blown Volume Texturizing Spray, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray or Kenra Platinum Texturizing Taffy 13 with them to dress up their hair on the go.

Schwartz says she would love to see a brand develop a leave-in conditioner or prep spray. Consumers could use it when co-washing that can be sprayed in the hair on the days they just wet it down to keep their hair healthy and hydrated, while normalizing their natural texture.  

“Self-care is where it’s at, especially with hair,” said Marco Pelusi, celebrity haircolorist and owner of Marco Pelusi Hair Studio in West Hollywood, CA. “We must take care of ourselves—and especially the health of our scalp and hair. My motto for 2024 is to maintain the quality, integrity and condition of our hair.”

Marco Pelusi

Pelusi adds that 2024 will also be the year of the brunette, with richer, deeper, healthier browns, as well as deeper reds and deeper blondes as they transition out of platinum.

“To support the richer, healthier colors, we need good quality hair care products, especially a leave-in conditioner. I love my Marco Anti Frizz Leave-In Conditioner for leaving the hair smooth and frizz free,” noted Pelusi.

He adds, “I’d love to see a completely non-toxic smoothing treatment for in-salon use, as well as hair extensions that cause absolutely no damage. Big dreams!”

“We saw tons of braiding on the runways, which is bringing all kinds of braids and plaits back in a big way,” declared Bianca Rose, owner of The Bianca Rose Salon in Fairfield, OH. Braids can be dressed up or down and are convenient for second- and third-day hair, as consumers shampoo less frequently.

In addition, she agrees with Schwartz, saying her clients are also embracing their natural texture. “My clients are asking for tips and techniques to help them embrace their natural texture as part of their overall look to complement their fashions,” says Rose.

To that end, Rose loves Eleven Australia’s Sea Salt Texture so much that she uses it personally “when I want to rock my natural waves. It’s not sticky, so it’s a flexible product to work with, and it smells yummy!” she adds. 

“For me, style is always personal, and beauty is at once subjective and objective,” said David Kinigson, a.k.a. David K—a former New York City salon owner who currently lives in West Palm Beach, FL. Kinigson is also the author of The Haircutter’s Handbook, as well as an inspirational speaker, educator and coach. “Your hairstyle is your most important accessory, so it is important that your stylists design a couture style that complements your outward appearance, as well as your lifestyle needs. We’ve seen long hair for some time now, and while women are currently enjoying very cool long haircuts, like shags, the timing is right for a return to shorter haircuts.”

In fact, Kinigson is heralding the “return of the haircut” for 2024. “We will see more haircuts above the shoulders and shorter still around the face.

Bianca Rose

These cuts will be influenced by geometric lines, along with softer deconstructed styles; even combinations of both. Since color trends encompass everything from a classic influence all the way to faerie, mermaid and unicorn color, haircuts will start to get even more creative and avant garde than they have been in the past.”

According to Kinigson, “asymmetry will play a big part in these shorter haircuts. Since beauty itself is a relative illusion, asymmetry guides the viewer’s eye to flattering focal points of the face, rather than forcing the eye to subliminally divide the face in equal and less flattering halves.”

Kinigson also points to the street for inspiration, leading to more creative lines, disconnections, fringes and individualized, so-called anti-fashion haircuts. 

“Anti-fashion ideas will play a big role for another important reason. Reminiscent of the 1960s, young people are more cynical about politics, conventions and our traditional institutions. Historically, they will rebel, becoming more inclusive, blending and blurring the boundaries with gender-bender styles. Androgyny and minimalism will become more and more relevant in everyday fashion, beauty and style choices,” he explained.

Kinigson loves clean, boutique products exclusively available to and by hairdressers. His three favorites are from the Wilson Collective product line—Calm Down, Volume Up and Sacha Inchi Oil. Of course, he uses his own signature line of David K Wet & Dry Fusion Swivel Shears with finely honed blades and an ergonomically sound swivel thumb.

Kinigson would love to have a spray-on, fast-drying heat protectant for use with a round or flat iron. “A little inside secret, this May 2024 I will be unveiling my new line of Pin-Hedz, the only hairpin a long-haired girl will ever need.”

“Younger clients are rocking the ’90s vibe,” says Anna Walt, creative director, Design 1 Salon Spa in Grand Rapids, MI. “Any cut we do, we’re adding tons of layers for a shag effective on short, medium or long hair,” Everything has been one length for so long with tiny layers on the bottom. Now, clients who haven’t had layers for years are coming in with pictures of the Butterfly or the Octopus cuts. We’re keeping the length, and then adding lots of layers on top.”

David Kinigson      Photo Credit: Nick Berardi

She says that even men are getting into the game, wearing their hair a little longer, but shorter and permed on top. “It’s the TikTok effect,” says Walt. “Think of it as a fade, with a bowl-cut on top, that’s worn either slicked back or with volume.”

Walt says that everything “shaggified” needs volume and hold, so she recommends mousses and texture products like Moroccanoil Beach Wave Texture Mousse. She also loves the L’Oréal Professional Curl Line, heat protectors and primers for hair health, and lightweight volume sprays like Amika Bombshell Blowout and L’Oréal Volumetry.

“Since the pandemic, I’ve never seen so many clients with significant hair loss that mimics post-partum hair loss,” says Walt—and they’re spending time online researching solutions. “One I love is the Redken ABS Acidic Bonding Concentrate to keep the hair you have strong. I personally lost so much hair during covid, and I’ve even seen kids with hair loss!”

She’s also seen more autoimmune-related, eczema and psoriasis on the scalp. “It’s important to refer those clients to a dermatologist to discover the cause and start treatment,” she says, “then to get them on a scalp exfoliation program with the go-ahead from the doctor.”

How big is scalp care right now? “My 11-year-old daughter asked for a scalp scrubber because she saw it on TikTok,” laughs Walt.

As for products she’d love to see developed, Walt said more sustainable scalp products, for starters. “Clients don’t care as much about sustainability with styling products, but they definitely want sustainability, “everything” free and completely natural products for their scalp.”

She’d also love aloe-based scalp care with light formulas, especially for clients who are growing out broken platinum locks, and a flyaway stick—like wig sticks—with healing properties for the front hairline that both tames and repairs at the same time. She says aloe, with its healing properties, is a trending ingredient in scalp care.

Finally, she’d love to see backbar products in sustainable pouches. “We waste so much product trying to refill our backbar from gallons,” she sighs. “We would love a solution.”

Anna Walt

“Balayage will still be popular, but with a much softer, more subtle result,” says Houston-based Cherry Petenbrink, creative/education director for Lisap Milano USA and artistic director for Olivia Garden. “Tone-on-tone dimension rather than big level shifts will be hot. Color is warming up, transitioning from platinum to golden blonde, honey, apricot, strawberry blonde for lighter hair or caramel, mocha, chestnut and raspberry for darker hair and brunettes.”

Longer-haired ladies will ask for face-framing enhancements, such as lots of layers or none at all with no in-between for longer hair, while those with short and medium lengths are going for choppy bobs and textured pixies. 

She adds that consumers are turning to clean natural products that are free of SLS, SLES and parabens.

To keep her clients’ and models’ hair in the best health, Petenbrink loves Lisaplex Bond Saver and the Lisap Lmallar line as vegan options. Olivia Garden’s new Super Hp Dryer has smart technology that is self-cleaning and designed to keep hair shiny and healthy by locking in moisture for a long-lasting, frizz-free finish. 

“Waves that move and sleekly glide throughout your hairstyle will be the texture story,” says George Alderete, the Atlanta-based celebrity hair stylist and educator who is global color ambassador for Keune Haircosmetics, North America. “I love that more and more people are going natural and embracing their beautiful texture!”

Alderete loves the Keune Confident Curl system that helps to keep all curly textures healthy and shiny. 

“With a diverse clientele like mine, the trends in curly hair care have grown to accommodate today’s needs for services your clients request,” he adds. 

Jayne Morehouse is a beauty industry expert and president of Jayne & Company Public Relations.