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Will it Stay or Will it Go? Trend Predictions for 2013

By Erin Joseph

From wild haircolors to Miley Cyrus-inspired undercuts, 2012 was a year packed with unconventional hair styles. Some looks were highly celebrated—others remain intensely debated. So which trends will stick around for another year, which will be revamped and which have worn out their welcome? To get some answers, we asked our industry experts to share their predictions for the must-have (and must-go away) looks for 2013.

Will Ombré Stay?

Although the world did not end in 2012, some stylists wish that high-contrast ombré could have been wiped off the map. Ted Gibson, owner of Ted Gibson Salons is not a fan of the “need to get your roots done” look and sees something new on the horizon: “The new haircolor trend will be gradient color, which is a much more subtle and soft shading effect.” Rona O’Connor, Celebrity Colorist and owner of Lakaro Salon in Beverly Hills agrees that extreme ombré has had its day in the sun, and that a more understated version will take center stage this year, “I see [extreme ombré] phasing out, as it has been overkill. The look will go back to a prettier “sun-flicked” accent [á la Gisele Bundchen].” Janine Jarman, Sebastian Professional Lead Stylist, suggests that ombré doesn’t have to stick to its traditional brown to blonde graduation in the New Year. Instead, she suggests, “how about red to orange to yellow?”

The Verdict: Ombré lives on! This year we’ll see a much more delicate take on the trend.

Creative Color

And what is the fate of eccentric haircolors like the lavenders and violets of 2012—what does 2013 hold for them? Jason Backe, Partner at Ted Gibson Salon NYC and L'Oréal Professionnel Celebrity Colorist reveals, “I still love it. I think it is still modern, youthful and playful. It too is evolving and has become quite wearable on so many different women.” Also a fan of these “cool pastels,” Color Specialist at Maxine Salon in Chicago tells us that “the shade is now robot colors such as Grey-Blue. It will show up as all-over color and in the form of highlights.”

Though last years looks are still popular, 2013 has lots more innovative color trends in store for us! Rona loves the emerald hue selected as Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year, “Turquoise will be a new trend shade. I see the emerald green (My favorite trend now) as winter going into spring and then adjusting to turquoise for a more summery look.”

For yet another twist, she suggests that, instead of rainbow-colored highlights, we will see more refined pigment pops: “They will transform into pastel highlights which are funky but a bit more subtle.” Joico International Artistic Director, Damien Carney has a similar vision for the new direction of creative color, “I see delicate, brighter colors that are soft yet somewhat strong. But only in areas of the head, not all over.” Doug MacIntosh, Celebrity Stylist at John Sahag NYC agrees that the most prevalent trend will be “bright jewel tones – getting away from the drab and creating major pop will make a gorgeous statement!” This type of application, adds TIGI USA Technical Color Specialist Richy Kandasamy, will “bring elegance to the trend while having fun at the same time.”– subtlety is key!

Beguiling Bobs

All of these fabulous colors will be awfully lonely without a stylish cut to match! So which cuts will be en vogue this year? Celebrity Stylist Marcia Hamilton gives us her prediction: “the Bob will be the trend cut of 2013.” Sarah Conner, Celebrity Colorist and Stylist at Neil George Salon in Beverly Hills agrees, “2012 has been a year of overly long hair so I'm sure Miley and Anne Hathaway’s sporty short crops and pixie cuts will inspire a wave of short ‘dos to come. I'm also loving broomstick blunt straight bobs...looks amazing on super blondes!”

Like celebrity styles, the cuts of fashion models also inspire the masses. Karlie Kloss, the typically long-haired beauty, is now sporting a short cut dubbed “The Chop” for the New Year. Amy Abramite, Creative Director of Maxine Salon in Chicago gives us the inside scoop: “during New York Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2013, I worked on Odile Gilbert's team for Kerastase backstage. We were styling short, choppy, layered chin-length wigs on the models for Olivier Theyskens' Theory. This particular cut seems to have caught on with the fashion elite because Karlie Kloss and Arizona Muse are now sporting it. It's worn air-dried, mussed and free!”

Style Forecast

More and more clients are heading into the New Year with a tight salon budget. With this in mind, Damien lets us know what the people want in 2013: “haircuts that last longer and haircolor that lasts longer, with minimal regrowth—something that is affordable and easy to upkeep…the economy does affects trends.” It seems this mindset carries over into styling trends, too. Sarah Conner also recognizes the growing popularity of “effortless looking hair.” She tells us that more clients will be “embracing a more natural texture while still looking polished.” To doll up these organic styles, Candy Shaw Codner, Owner and Educator at Jamison Shaw Hairdressers suggests that “accessories will be all the rage in hair: scarfs will replace flowers and braids will replace buns.” Marcia adds that bows and eccentric headbands will be making more appearances this year. Amie Breckenridge-Goltz, Director of Field Education for Scruples agrees “The best accessories are headscarves - tied tightly around the front and letting the back of the scarf flow.”