Long Haircut Inspiration 2018
The Best Long Haircuts For 2018, According to Pros
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Whether you're contemplating extensions or looking for a fresh update on your current back-grazing locks, we're about to throw some major hairspiration your way. We hit up celebrity stylists for the DL on what long haircuts are trending, and asked them to share how to request the look, along with which face shapes and hair types the cuts flatter most. Trust us — Rapunzel doesn't have anything on the long hair these celebs are rocking on the regular, and they're bound to inspire your next visit to the salon.
Long, Blended Layers
The Cut: long, blended layers
Celebrity Inspiration: Rihanna
Description: "Even though the length is extremely long, the cut is layered throughout and blended. The shortest sections go just past the chin," said celebrity stylist Laurie Heaps, who styles Rowan Blanchard, Danielle Fishel, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Style It: On towel-dried hair, apply a curling mousse, such as Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Coconut & Moringa Oils Curl Whip Styling Souffle (£19) to create spiral definition that's silky and soft. "The key is to work the product in section by section," said Heaps. "Start by separating hair into four main areas — crown, both sides, and nape — and apply mousse accordingly. Air dry or use a diffuser for quicker styling. Once dry, [use] BioSilk Silk Therapy With Organic Coconut Oil (£9) for weightless shine and extra protection against frizz. Finish with Redken's Wind Blown 05 Dry Finishing Spray (£11) for hold and flexible fullness."
Who It Works For: "This cut is perfect for anyone who is committed to maintaining such long hair and those with natural curls," said Heaps. It will require regular trims and lots of deep conditioning.
Long With a Curtain Fringe
The Cut: long with curtain bangs
Celebrity Inspiration: Sofia Vergara
Description: Curtain fringes are the go-to hair trend for 2018, and Sofia looks damn good wearing them. "This haircut is all about the fringe," said celebrity stylist Temur, who you can find at the Sally Hershberger Salon. "The centre part fringe allow for so much play — they match any style. Here, Sofia's layers are soft and wavy."
Style It: "Add a drop of styling cream to your fringe and blow dry them first before the rest of your hair in order to create the base for the style you want," said Temur. "Then finish off with a texture spray to create the tousled waves. Sally Hershberger's 24K Beach Glam Mineral Wave Spray (£20) is my favourite."
Who It Works For: "Someone with a rounder face will wear the fringe well," noted Temur.
Mid-Length Bob
The Cut: mid-length bob
Celebrity Inspiration: Jennifer Lawrence
Description: If you don't to go too long, try something more moderate, like this mid-length bob that makes Jennifer Lawrence look so good. "This cut utilises an ultra-long fringe to give the illusion of layers on one side," said Heaps. "It begins with a blunt cut finished by notching into the ends for a shattered effect."
Style It: "To achieve this sleek smooth finish, mist dry hair with White Sands Liquid Texture Medium Thermal Styling Spray (£14) and brush through. When paired with the heat of a flat iron, this spray makes hair shinier as more heat is applied. This glass-like shine is humidity resistant with the straight style lasting until hair is shampooed," said Heaps. "For taming fly-a-ways and an extra smooth finish, warm a small amount of BioSilk Silk Polish (£15) in your palms and run your hands over the surface and ends."
Who It Works For: "This cut is ideal for any face shape with adjustments to the side part to compliment," said Heaps. "Shoulder length hair is actually one of the few universal hairstyles that look great on any face shape."
Wavy and Layered
The Cut: wavy and layered
Celebrity Inspiration: Anne Hathaway
Description: "This is a long, layered blunt cut that allows for curls and waves to explode with volume and lift. The cut begins with a blunt bottom, followed by creating long layers," said Heaps.
Style It: Great curls and waves begin with the right products and tools. Heaps recommended applying Redken Curvaceous Ringlet Shape Perfecting Lotion (£14) for frizz control and a soft hold with shine. "To bump up sections that need a bit more definition, use the BioSilk Titanium 1 1/4-Inch Curling Iron (£86) for silky smooth curls that last. Once cooled, use your fingers to rake out the curls. Finish with White Sands Infinity Hairspray for a flexible hold."
Who It Works For: "This cut is great for thick, natural waves. The closer to the shoulders your cut is, the better, since thicker hair will be weighed down by the length," noted Heaps.
Well-Blended Extensions
The Cut: well-blended extensions
Celebrity Inspiration: Ciara
Description: "This is a look which includes extensions," said Joel Warren, a globally recognised stylist and founder of NYC's The Salon Project. "It is very important to blend the extensions with the natural hair, as the blending and layering make this look work the best. Also, choosing the proper length of extensions that work with your own length is crucial."
Style It: "Styling this look works best when natural hair is blown out to match the texture of the extensions," said Warren. "Once the hair matches the extensions, adding waves with curling iron works great. Braids are a great option for this length, as well as updos for a formal look or fun half-up styles."
Who It Works For: "This cut always makes the face look longer, so anyone who is looking to achieve that would be suited for this look," said Temur.
Face-Framing Layers
The Cut: face-framing layers
Celebrity Inspiration: Zoe Saldana
Description: "Zoe's cut is long and layered and has some framing around the face. The layering gives her hair some movement without doing anything too drastic," said Temur.
Style It: When your hair is wet, use Virtue's 6-in-1 Styling Cream (£26) and finish off with Sally Hershberger's 24K Beach Glam Mineral Wave Spray (£20). Either air dry or diffuse, then grab a curling iron — such as Hot Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron (£65) and use it to create soft waves that accentuate the built-in layers, advised Temur.
Who It Works For: He said this cut works well for longer lengths — especially if you've got thick, coarse, or wavy hair — but can really be adapted to fit anyone.
Long, Varied Lengths
The Cut: long, varied lengths
Celebrity Inspiration: Gigi Hadid
Description: "Gig's hair is cut with a varied length technique. You can see that the bottom line is not so straight. I like this technique on long hair that has texture," said Warren. "The front is cut at an angle and the hair is brought forward from the back. This creates light layers that create movement."
Style It: There are lots of ways to style this cut, noted Warren. You can work in an anti-frizz cream and then let it air dry or gently diffuse it. Another option is to play up the beach waves with a large-barrel curling iron and texturising spray.
Who It Works For: "This haircut is for all textures that have the ability to grow hair long," said Warren. "Fine hair tends to look thinned out at the bottom, so I don't recommend it. Naturally curly and wavy hair also works great."
Gentle, Sweeping Layers
The Cut: gentle, sweeping layers
Celebrity Inspiration: Salma Hayek
Description: "This cut is all about gentle, long layers to play up on texture," said Temur. "Because of Salma's texture, the stylist needs to be more careful with layering. It should be approached by a stylist who understands texture and can approach the cut with gentle layers."
Style It: To amplify that natural texture, use an anti-frizz cream for curly hair on damp hair. We like R+Co Twister Curl Primer (£21). Let hair air dry or diffuse it — try DevaFuser Universal Diffuser For All Curl Kind (£36) — and then work in a smoothing product focusing on mid-shaft and the ends, such as Wella Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil (£8)).
Who It Works For: Temur recommended this cut for people with thick, curly, or natural hair.
Long With Razored Ends
The Cut: long with razored ends
Celebrity Inspiration: Shay Mitchell
Description: "This [is a] long, blunt cut that's achieved by cutting it for an all one-length style. Instead of shears, the cut is done with a razor for a soft finish to the ends," Heaps said.
Style It: "Start by spraying towel-dried hair with Redken Satinwear 04 Thermal Styling Blow Dry Lotion (£13). Using the BioSilk Titanium Blow Dryer (£86) and a medium round brush, lift and twist one to two inch sections around the brush to create soft waves," said Heaps. Finish with a styling spray that adds a bit of texture for a tousled beachy look. Try Moroccan Oil's Dry Texture Spray (£17).
Who It Works For: "The cut can accentuate almost any face shape as the middle part can suit all. It is also great for those who love a more carefree look," said Heaps.
Ultra-Long and Piecey
The Cut: ultra-long and piecey
Celebrity Inspiration: Kim Kardashian
Description: "Kim's style starts off with a blunt cut for an even length. Next, the ends are thinned to give the perfect piecey look," said Heaps.
Style It: Styling is key for rocking hair that's this long. Heaps said to prep the hair with a product cocktail of leave-in hair oil and thermal styling spray. We like Kiehl's Smoothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Concentrate For Dry or Frizzy Hair (£20) and IGK Call Time Styling Primer ($27). From there, blow dry straight with a large paddle brush. For wave definition, use a 1" barrel iron, such as DryBar's 3-Day Bender Digital Curling Iron (£105), starting at the mid-shaft and leaving the ends alone.
Who It Works For:"This is definitely a cut that long hair lovers yearn for," said Heaps. "Not to mention, it is perfect for anyone committed to caring for their long locks."
