Pure Wow August 15, 2024
PureWow
Beauty
‘Bitty Bangs,’ ‘Snow White Bob’ and 8 Other Fall Hair Trends That Are Going to Be Everywhere Soon
The predictions are in
This summer called for hydro bobs and deep side parts, but September is bringing a whole new set of haircuts and hairstyles. Fall is my favorite season, so I chatted with three of the coolest hairstylists in the biz to find out exactly what trends they’re most looking forward to seeing soon. If you want to get a head start on your next look, here are the top 10 fall hair trends to request at your next appointment, from ‘Bitty Bangs’ to the ‘Snow White Bob.’
Meet the Experts
Marissa Marino is a celebrity hairstylist and brand ambassador for OGX. She has over a decade of experience, specializing in color, cutting and styling. Her work has been featured at red carpet events, editorial shoots and TV productions. Her celebrity clientele includes Selena Gomez, Reneé Rapp, Olivia Holt and Rachel Zegler.
Gregory Patterson is a celebrity hairstylist and a DIY Color & Styling expert for Sally Beauty. He’s based in New York City and has previously worked as a lead stylist for Project Runway. His previous clients include Britney Spears, Anne Hathaway and Julianne Moore.
Amy Abramite is a creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. She has over 26 years of experience as a stylist, creative and educational director. She specializes in cutting, styling and special techniques like Japanese thermal straightening. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Marie Claire, Allure and Glamour.
1. Sleek Low Ponytail
This low-maintenance style will be very popular this fall (and is a fave for Meghan Markle, who is often sporting the look). As Lewis explains, “The low pony is a polished, sophisticated hairstyle where the hair is pulled back and smoothed down on the sides for a clean, chic look. It’s going to be popular in fall because it provides a refined look that works well with the structured and layered styles of fall fashion.” All you need is a few drops of serum or gel to tame frizz and flyaways before using a brush to smooth down your hair. Then, gather all your hair at the nape of your neck and secure it with a hair tie to complete the look.
2. Layered Bob
I’m not surprised that bobs continue to dominate every season—they’re extremely versatile. Just look at the latest ‘Mom Cut’ for proof. But the one style that’s set to take over this fall ? The Layered Bob. “For the first time in a while, I’m seeing a different kind of bob [this season.] This one is bouncy, has lots of layers and face-framing [pieces],” says Marino. Similar to Rose Byrne’s look above, the layers will be determined by your hair type and texture. For example: If you have straight and/or fine hair, a stylist will add more layering at the crown to create a fuller appearance overall. When it comes to styling your layered bob, Marino suggests applying a hair serum or oil on the ends to add some shine without weighing things down too much.
3. Bouncy Blowouts
Patterson and I agree that the ever popular bouncy blowout isn’t going anywhere this season. He shares, “[This look] has sleek, shiny layers that can be styled into bouncy curls or care-free waves.” If you need a boost after a few days, the stylist suggests using a heat tool (like ion Luxe 4-In-1 Autowrap Airstyler) to add a bit more wave and body back to your locks, especially during those transitional weather changes. “This season is all about that low-maintenance, free flowing, go-anywhere hair. Take ‘Brat Girl Summer’ into an effortlessly ‘Cool Girl Autumn,’ and don’t look back—unless it’s to show off your bouncy blowout.”
4. The Shangri-la
Speaking of blowouts, Abramite predicts this voluminous haircut will be a popular contender this fall. “The ‘Shangri-la’ is the ultimate bombshell look with curtain bangs and long layers. The curtain fringe gives the signature cut some style, while the long layers keep weight and density at the bottom,” she shares. To show off the shape of cut, Abramite suggests using a round brush and blow dryer before setting your hair up in Velcro rollers for maximum volume.
5. Bitty Bangs
Move over, curtain bangs, there’s a new fringe in town. “Bitty bangs are tiny, curled bits of hair that sit on the forehead, which adds a vintage playfulness to textured or curly hair without having to commit to a full bang. They’re fun and blend easily into the rest of your hair, which gives them versatility,” says Abramite. Whether you have fine or thick hair, this fringe can be customized to your liking. “Make it clear to the stylist that you’d like very wispy pieces and not a full bang. The singular curls should feel random, yet balanced, creating some separation,” she adds. If you want to style your new fringe like Chappell Roan’s, Abramite suggests applying a leave-in conditioner on damp hair before air drying or using a diffuser to bring out your natural texture.
6. Loose Waves
Who says beach waves are only for summer? According to Hurtado, loose waves will be all the rage this season. “It’s a low-maintenance style that can be styled with minimal effort, especially if you have naturally wavy hair,” she says. However, if you aren’t blessed with impeccable waves like Dua Lipa, the stylist recommends using a 1.25 inch curling iron to create bends throughout your hair. Once curled, she suggests applying a few drops of hair oil before combing out each section for a looser curl.
7. Headbands
I previously mentioned that bows were having a moment. Well, they’re taking a backseat to headbands this fall. From Sydney Sweeney to Selena Gomez, headbands have been cropping up on the heads of many well-coiffed celebs and are projected to become one of the hottest accessories this season. “Headbands can jazz up your style. I like them because they’re very feminine, and they dress up any outfit,” shares Hurtado. Whether you’re rocking a short hairdo or long locks, this accessory is great for all hair types and lengths. You can use it to push back your hair or section out a few layers around your face for a more playful look.
8. Snow White Bob
Disney recently gave us a sneak peek of the live action Snow Whitemovie that’s coming out March 2025, so it only makes sense that the princess’s signature bob is causing a stir this fall. “This bob is a fun, versatile haircut that all hair types can wear. Inspired by the classic Disney character, it features more volume on the ends,” says Townsend. Depending on your face shape and texture, a stylist will snip a few inches at or below the chin, while keeping the ends blunt and trimming light layers on top for volume and movement. As for styling the Snow White bob, Townsend suggests misting a volumizing spray throughout damp hair before blow drying with a round brush, creating a slight bend at the ends so they frame the face.
9. Half Up, Half Down
This hairstyle isn’t new by any means, but it’s having a major resurgence this season. As Townsend explains, “This half up hairstyle is romantic yet completely modern. It takes the majority of the hair from the top up and away, while keeping the bangs out and allowing a few layers to fall around the face.” I’ve seen this hairstyle pop up on everyone from Dakota Johnson to Rachel Zeigler. To wear the look yourself, gather a large section of hair and wrap it into a high ponytail (or bun). You can even take things up a notch by using a curling iron on the bottom half. Townsend also notes that teasing the crown will give the look extra volume.
10. Kitty Cut
The Kitty Cut was a hit this spring and it’s making a huge comeback this fall. “It’s almost like a Butterfly Cut and a Bob cut had a baby. Clients are wanting to go shorter, and the extreme chop phase has left a lot of us realizing that maybe a smaller change will do the trick,” says Vincilione. Use a texture spray to add movement and a hair oil to help tame frizz. The stylist suggests air drying or going in with a hair tool (aka Dyson Airwrap) to further define your hair.
Additional Experts
Alfredo Lewis is a hairstylist and brand ambassador for Tangle Teezer. He has over 25 years of experience in the industry, specializing in balayage, hair painting and styling. He is also a global hair artist, educator and hair activist. Lewis is most known for going viral for fixing bad dye jobs on TikTok.
Raven Hurtado is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. She has 15 years of experience working in haircare, specializing in tousled, beachy styles. She pulls heavy inspiration from magazines and social media to create her looks.
Mark Townsend is one of the most highly regarded hairstylists in the industry. His work has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar and countless other publications, and his roster of clients includes stars like Dakota Johnson and Mary-Kate, Ashley and Elizabeth Olsen.
Justin Toves-Vincilione is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist and a design team elite stylist at Ulta Beauty. He has a decade of experience, specializing in hair styling, coloring and cutting. He educates aspiring stylists on the latest hair trends, haircut transformations and helpful tutorials.