ANN/THE STAR – Low-maintenance hairstyles and the embrace of natural tresses have become the “quiet luxury” hair trends of 2024.
Styles that demand frequent salon visits or daily use of curling or straightening irons are falling out of favour. Instead, the focus is on fuss-free looks that require minimal upkeep, allowing hair to be worn in its natural state – whether curly, wavy, or straight.
Explore these and other popular hairstyles currently making waves.
HEPBURN AND BIRKIN BANGS
What did actresses Hepburn and Jane Birkin have in common? Apart from being known as film and fashion icons, both Brits spawned eponymous hairstyles, which have made a comeback this year.
Sported by the likes of actresses Zendaya and Zoe Kravitz recently, “Hepburn bangs” are seeing a huge revival.
This style, according to Glamour, has an airy appearance, is light and layered to make it less heavy.
Current versions are short and choppy, and while they require touch-ups to maintain the style, they’ll look perfectly fine if they grow out.
Birkin bangs, popularised in the 1960s, are a blunt-cut style that aren’t as full as normal fringe, and can be styled into a variety of lengths – at the eyebrow level, just above or just below.
To get the look, they should be slightly scruffy and sparser at the ends, adding dimension and texture around the face, according to wwd.com.
EMBRACE THE WAVES
This year is all about accepting every type of curl, from defined, to loose and messy. Whether you have tight ringlets or romantic waves, there are countless products designed to enhance your natural texture.
Styles to try include a short, curly fringe, long tendrils framing your face in a sleek ponytail or bun, or voluminous romantic, or even tight curls.
If you have natural ringlets, you’ll be thrilled to see the likes of singer-songwriter Ciara proudly posting photos of herself in this style on Instagram.
For styles that require extra volume, consult your stylist to find out the best way to elevate your curls.
KEEP IT SHORT(ISH)
More women are chopping their long locks off in favour of low maintenance ‘dos, but if you’re not really to experiment with a pixie cut, there are several bob styles to try out.
From the undone bob to the “lob,” there are countless variations of the bob cut, but in general, a bob is a short hairdo that typically aligns with the jawline and is cut at the neckline.
In recent years, however, the bob has evolved, with many stylists including the shoulder-length lob, or long bob, in the bob category.
One of the more popular bob styles seen on celebrities is the midi bob.
Elle Fanning, Jessica Biel and Katy Perry have been spotted sporting this elegant trend, defined by its length – just skimming the shoulders.
A departure from the chin-length Italian bob, this style suits all face shapes and hair textures, with proper styling.
THE RACHEL REVIVAL
Speaking of chic midi bobs, if you grew up in the 1990s, the “Rachel” will ring a bell.
Named after the character from sitcom Friends, played by Jennifer Aniston, the craze over this style has been said to be on par with the popularity of Farrah Fawcett’s 70s bouncy, feathered cut.
This year, “Rachel” herself brought it back, appearing at the Golden Globe awards’ red carpet in the classic cut, propelling searches for the hairstyle to shoot up online.
A great style to frame the face, it is accentuated with a side-parted fringe, and has been referred to as a shag or bob cut.
Styled to “flick outwards”, the hairdo is renowned for its feathered, voluminous shape.
SUPER SHORT STYLES
From the classic pixie cut to more daring styles with long, side-swept bangs or super-short fringe, short hair is here to stay.
Rihanna played a huge part in making the pixie a big deal in 2007, and recently appeared in a similar short ‘do, albeit with a few minor changes – including softer-looking fringe.
Not long after, she embraced another style: super short, curly hair, which brings us to the next hair craze of 2024 – buzz cuts.
All the rage right now, this style is an excellent choice if you need to remove damaged hair and promote healthier growth.
However, to keep hair healthy, it’s recommended that one uses leave-in moisture treatments to keep the new growth strong.
The great thing about buzz cuts is that as your hair grows out, you can easily transition to a trendy punky pixie.
Do this by simply buzzing your hair down to a three or four length with clippers, or better yet, visit a professional for a stylish restyle.
FLY STYLES FOR GUYS
Year after year, it’s great to see men having fun experimenting with hairstyles as well. The “comma”, popular among Korean pop stars, is a medium-length curtain style where the fringe is cut so that it turns inwards to resemble a comma, a versatile ‘do that works with most textures, but looks best on straight hair.
Another trend to try out is the wavy mullet, perfect for loosely curled or wavy hair, offering a unique blend of flair and sophistication. Perfect for a casual yet polished look, the waves add texture and movement, creating a dynamic appearance.
For styling, let your natural waves take centre stage or enhance them with hot styling tools beforehand. It’s the ideal choice for an effortless and striking contemporary look.
One particular style that stands out is the arch fringe and scissor taper, which involves having a longer fringe that tapers off towards the end – guys have been rocking this with curls too!
While it’s a cool style to attempt, make sure you find a barber or stylist who knows their way around a pair of scissors.
Thanks to the likes of Timothee Chalamet, mid-length waves are very popular among men right now, encouraging them to embrace their natural texture.
A trend that gained momentum last year, it continues to grow in popularity in 2024, as it gives out a chilled, beachy vibe.
Finally, the man bun maintains its solid spot as one of the top hairstyles for guys, and whether it’s worn to manage an overgrown mane or as a style statement.
This effortless style offers versatility: a high, neat bun works great when you’re going for a more professional look, while a low, loose version is perfect for casual days. – Nasa Maria Entaban
