New year, new 'do! Before you run off to the stylist's chair, take a look at these trendy haircuts that are destined to be It styles for 2018. Our celebrity stylists filled us in on what cuts we'd be seeing a lot of this year, as well as who they work best for and how to style them once you leave the salon. Whether you're in a "go bold" kind of mood or want to keep things subtle, you've got plenty of options here!
Designer Buzz Cut
The cut: Designer Buzz Cut
Celebrity inspiration: Kate Hudson [1]
Description: "This style is short and close to the scalp at the nape with a slightly loose texture on top. It's surprisingly versatile,” said Joseph Anthony [2], a global artist with SEVEN Haircare and NYFW veteran who’s worked with Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani, and Monique Lhuillier.
Style it: After your favourite shampoo and conditioner, spritz a beach texturizing spray on damp or dry hair to add a bit of playful texture. Try IGK Beach Club Texture Spray [3] ($29). For more grip and definition, use Seven Haircare’s Fibre [4] ($28).
Who it works for: “After so many seasons of long hair, going this short may require a leap of faith, but this cut looks great on almost everyone,” said Anthony. “If you’re questioning if it’s good for you, find an online preview tool or an app like Hair Salon [5] to test it out before you chop. However, if you have a great, trusting relationship with your stylist, just chop it!”
Rock N’ Roll Shag
The cut: Rock N’ Roll Shag
Celebrity inspiration: Lady Gaga [6]
Description: This mid-length shag comes with tons of texture and layers incorporated throughout. The thick curtain of bangs really adds to the rock and roll, glam-grunge effect.
Style it: “You can achieve this look by prepping hair with a thickening mousse, section by section, and blow-drying into the hair to create the fullness of the bold fringe and foundation of the shape. Then simply hit with a flat iron to create desired waves and textures,” said Grace Kim [7], a stylist for Cutler Salon.
Who it works for: Lady Gaga’s hair is super thick, but “this works for all hair textures,” said Kim. Thinner hair will want to utilize styling creams, pastes, and sprays to incorporate more of that rock and roll volume and texture. Kim recommended Shu Uemura Volumizing Mousse [8] ($39) and Redken Wind Blown 05 Finishing Spray [9] ($19).
Long, Layered Lob
The cut: Long, Layered Lob
Celebrity inspiration: Kerry Washington [10]
Description: This cut hits just below the shoulders and incorporates long, subtle layers throughout to create lightness and texture. The long and angled bang adds a slight asymmetry and softens the face.
Style it: Here, Kerry’s hair is soft, voluminous, and ultra-shiny. For a similar effect, wash with your favourite shampoo and conditioner, apply a heat protecting blowout cream, such as MorocconOil’s Smoothing Lotion [11] ($12) and blow dry. Anthony said, “Mist SEVEN’s Heat Defence lightly on each strand of hair prior to curling with a medium size curling iron to create those glossy, flowing waves. Tousle with your fingers to get some extra play and set with hairspray.”
Who it works for: “Most people can wear this long-layered bob. It’s the forever forgiving length,” said Anthony.
Sleek, Asymmetrical Bob
The cut: Sleek, Asymmetrical Bob
Celebrity inspiration: Lucy Hale
Description: “This is a blunt bob that’s slightly asymmetrical, as it’s longer in front,” said celebrity stylist Rodney Cutler [12], whose client list includes Emma Watson [13] and Toni Collette. It has uniform length and precise, razored ends that require an expert stylist’s hand.
Style it: “For this super-sleek look, blow dry hair straight using a dryer with a nozzle for directional drying. This will help to seal the cuticle of the hair and avoid frizz,” said Cutler. “Finish with a straightening iron for the extra sleek effect and a light-hold hairspray for hold and shine.” Try R+Co’s Outer Space Flexible Hold Hairspray [14] ($29).
Who it works for: “It can work on most hair types and face shapes” said Cutler. Just note that if your hair is curly or textured and you prefer this sleek styling, it’ll take some upkeep, he noted.
Midi + Princess Bangs
The cut: Midi + Princess Bangs
Celebrity inspiration: Kirsten Dunst [15]
Description: These centre-parted princess bangs feel au currant when paired with a classic midi cut. And they’re versatile, too! Throw your hair into a ponytail, a low chignon, add a bit of texture or curl, or keep it straight.
Style it: Add a tiny bit of styling cream to your bangs and blow dry with your fingers to create the shape you want. After several washes and styles, your part will begin to fall naturally in the centre.
Who it works for: Anthony said, “This look is great for someone with a rounder face who is ready to rock a fringe. The centre part helps create length on the face.”
Rapunzel Locks
The cut: Rapunzel Locks
Celebrity inspiration: Ciara
Description: Call it what you want: Cher hair, Rapunzel locks, hair that never ends — dramatically long locks are definitely an “it” style for 2018. What makes this style stand out is a centre part, and super straight and shiny locks with very few (if any) layers. It also has blunt, razored ends that keep it looking modern and fresh, versus overgrown.
Style it: “Prep the hair with a smoothing cream that also has a heat protection and use rat tail comb to give dead centre part,” said Kim. Next, slowly blow dry with a round or flat brush and follow up with a flat iron. Finish up with a light oil to seal the ends, such as Living Proof’s No Frizz Nourishing Oil [16] ($38). On days two, three, four, and beyond, spritz dry shampoo at the root, dry conditioner (or oil) on the ends, and use a straightening brush. Try Amika's Polished Perfection Mini Straightening Brush [17] ($35).
Who it works for: This haircut can be elongating for the face, so it works especially well with round and square shapes. If you don’t have a lot of hair, opt for temporary or permanent extensions!
Grown Out Pixie
The cut: Grown Out Pixie
Celebrity Inspiration: Cara Delevingne
Description: “This is a longer version of a classic pixie,” said Cutler. It's also a great option if you want to seamlessly, and thoughtfully, transition from your designer buzzcut into something longer.
Style it: “This cut looks great with a bit of texture. I like Saturday's NYC Clay Pomade [18] ($24) to add texture and slight hold.” said Cutler. Warm up a tiny amount between your hands and work it through your hair.
Who it works for: Cutler said that this haircut, and other versions of a pixie, are “best with straight to wavy hair types, and suit oval face shapes.”
Curly Shag
The cut: Curly Shag
Celebrity inspiration: Alanna Arrington
Description: “This is a shag, with bangs, cut on curly hair. The key to this cut it working with the natural curl of the hair to enhance it,” noted Cutler. The bangs are slightly thinner than the rest of the hair, but still feel voluminous.
Style it: “This cut looks best with lots of volume and defined curls, so it’s best styled with a diffuser, or air dried, to bring out the natural curl,” said Cutler. Use a curl-enhancing product, like Tigi Catwalk Curls Rock Amplifier [19] ($19) or Redken Curvaceous Full Swirl Cream Serum [20] ($19), on damp hair to nix frizz and create soft, non-crunchy curls.
Who it works for: Cutler said this works on any face shape, but you’ll need already curly hair to really pull it off.
Long and Tousled
The cut: Long and Tousled
Celebrity inspiration: Kourtney Kardashian
Description: Kourtney’s chest-length tresses fall just right thanks to subtle layers and thoughtful shaping. Hair that's much shorter than this has some realistic options, too. Extensions are super affordable and easy to come by, and hair growth supplements can expedite the process (and make for thicker, shinier locks).
Style it: Anthony said to wash and condition per usual, then apply a mousse that amplifies natural texture and definition. Blow dry and curl heat-protected ends with a medium barrel curling wand. Let curls cool and then tousle with your fingers.
Who it works for: “Anyone who loves their long, nearly one-length hair can rock this look. Although it works particularly well on fine hair, a variation of the look can work on most hair textures,” noted Anthony.
S-Wave Bob
The cut: S-Wave Bob
Celebrity inspiration: Selena Gomez [21]
Description: This above-the-shoulders ‘do is fresh and versatile. Selena’s natural texture creates a soft “S-Wave” that adds soft texture and dimension.
Style it: “Taking diagonal sections and using 1-1/4 inch curling iron, wave hair in the form of an ‘S' taking small sections. Make a deep side part to create illusion of side fringe,” said Kim. “This look appears to be on the wet and crunchy side, so I would opt to use a stronger more polish/shine base finish hairspray, like Redken Control Addict 28 [22] ($6).”
Who it works for: This works best for medium to fine hair,” said Kim.