Hair is a deeply personal experience. It’s a part of your identity and how you present yourself to the world, and the slightest change can either make you feel euphoric or send you spiraling (who hasn’t cried because of a bad haircut or coloring job?). Entrusting a stylist to deliver your desired results is a gamble, equally as risky as trusting yourself to find a hairstyle you’d feel confident in. Enter: ELLE.com’s guide to the best hair trends of 2024.
We’re in the throes of a new year, so what better time than now to switch up your signature look? In the past year, TikTok users have spawned a barrage of hair trends, from Sophie Richie-inspired buns to ’70s-style fringe curtain bangs. As we look towards 2024, there are a variety of trends to look out for, so we compiled a guide to six of the best ones to make your new signature style.
In order to gather our top six hair trends of 2024, we observed product releases, watched the runways and red carpets, and consulted seven hair stylists and experts who know their way around a salon chair. Maximalists, minimalists, and everyone in between are sure to find a trend they connect with. Who knows? Maybe you’ll want to add volume to your hair with hair extensions or bleach your hair, too. The possibilities, as always, are endless.
Volume, Volume, Volume
“With the mob wife aesthetic continuing to be popular, I think voluminous styles will stay a huge trend for 2024. I see big bouncy blowouts and intentionally messy updos continuing to be popular this year,” says Laura Polko, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles. If 2023 was about tight, slicked-back buns, 2024 is the year of letting it all loose. Justine Marjan, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles, also predicts “layered cuts with lots of volume. We see many more bouncy blowouts and naturally looking voluminous curls that need a soft layered cut to support the added texture and root lift.” If you have fine hair that resists teasing, Marjan recommends extensions like the ones from Great Lengths to add some fullness. Just make sure to lock in any voluminous style with plenty of hairspray to keep it all in place.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hair Spray
Kenra Professional Volume Spray 25
Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler
Now 17% Off
Au Naturale
If you’re tired of regular salon visits and your hair is begging for a break, this is set to be your year. According to Cody Renegar, a celebrity hairstylist who splits his time between Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Arkansas, the coming months will be all about falling in love with the hair color and texture your mama gave you. “Au naturale, classic looks, but with a personal edge, will be trending in 2024. I see people returning to their roots—pun intended. People are really leaning into the low-maintenance thing right now,” he says. So whether you’re letting your roots grow in or learning to work with your curly hair, you can trust that you’re right on trend. “I’m seeing more and more wanting to embrace their natural texture. If you have a great haircut, all you need is a little product to assist—whether to de-frizz or encourage curls—and you should be able to have a beautiful air-dry,” Kelly Macedo, a stylist and the owner of Interior Hair in Los Angeles, explains.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-in Conditioner
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OLAPLEX No.7 Bonding Oil
Bumble and bumble Surf Spray
Rebel Pixie
Harry Josh, a celebrity hairstylist and the creator of Harry Josh Pro Tools, says, “I see a big, rebellious cut, like the one Florence Pugh is known for, becoming popular in the coming months. We are seeing a lot of short, dramatic haircuts replacing the long, wavy look that we have ruled the media for the last 10 years.” Chopping your hair is an easy—albeit dramatic—way to switch up your vibe in a flash, and it might be time for those wanting to make a bold change to finally take that step. Amy Abramite, a stylist and the creative director at Maxine Salon in Chicago, recommends salon visits for touch-ups every four weeks when sporting this style. “Daily styling is low maintenance—no hot tools required. Push up and off the face with wax for a mussed-up matte finish and hold,” she adds.
Oribe Rough Luxury Molding Wax
Living proof Amp Texture Volumizer
Ouai Matte Pomade
Bleach Blonde
Not everyone is into low-maintenance looks. Bleaching your hair is still very much en vogue, as evidenced by celebrities like Beyoncé and Rihanna. And it’s not just platinum blonde hair that’s getting all the love. “Warm colors are also becoming popular. Think honey and golden blondes,” says Renegar. If you try this yourself, be sure to use bond-supporting products that help to reduce and repair damage if or when it happens.
Kerasilk Strengthening Bond Builder
Kérastase Blond Absolu Cicanuit Conditioning Hair Serum
Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Shampoo
Bob Up
Chin-length bobs have always been stylish (Twiggy’s hair in the 1972 film The Boy Friend immediately comes to mind), and everybody’s catching on. “Maybe it’s because it’s the first of the year, but many clients are coming in wanting a chop to the chin right now. It’s timelessly chic and always in style,” says Macedo. It’s pretty easy to style at home, too; use a touch of heat and a little product, and you’re out the door. Plus, a quick spritz of dry shampoo in the morning keeps it bouncy and fresh in the days following wash day.
ghd Classic Curl Hair Curling Iron ― 1″
Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream
IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo
Bond Girl
L’Oréal Professionnel and Kerasilk are entering the molecular bond repair game and for good reason, it just works. “Users can see and feel the noticeable improvements in hair strength, texture, and appearance. Thanks to innovation and social media, there’s an increased awareness about hair health and the effects of coloring, thermal styling, and environmental stressors. When paired with the in-salon treatment and at-home care, the results are impressive, as damage and breakage are addressed with this scientific approach,” explains Min Kim, the global ambassador of L’Oréal Professionnel. These formulas don’t just work on the surface of your strands; instead, the amino acids within them repair the inner structure of each hair, effectively reversing damage and leaving you with silkier, healthier hair.
L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Rinse-Off Serum for Very Damaged Hair
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask Treatment to Repair Damaged Hair
Redken Bonding Treatment for Damaged Hair Repair
Meet the Experts
Laura Polko is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles.
Justine Marjan is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles.
Cody Renegar is a celebrity hairstylist who works in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Arkansas.
Kelly Macedo is a stylist and the owner of Interior Hair in Los Angeles.
Harry Josh is a celebrity hairstylist and the creator of Harry Josh Pro Tools.
Amy Abramite is a stylist and the creative director at Maxine Salon in Chicago.
Min Kim is the global ambassador of L’Oréal Professionnel.
Carol is the Associate E-Commerce Writer at ELLE.com, where she covers all things beauty. Before joining ELLE.com, she was an editor at Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine. She’s always on the hunt for the perfect lipstick and watches the same few comfort sitcoms (Frasier, Cheers, Seinfeld, New Girl, etc.) over and over again.