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Experts Predict the Top 11 Hair Trends for 2022

 

Shade and style inspo ahead.

A new year beckons new changes. For you, that could mean organizing your closet, scheduling your big travel plans post-COVID (hey, we can dream), or better yet, switching things up with a brand new hair color. If you've already experimented with winter hairstyles and haircuts and want to do something a little more momentous, you've come to the right place.

According to experts, the hair color trends for 2022 are going more natural. "I think COVID has encouraged people to take care of their hair a little more, using less heat and more treatment-based products, but most importantly, embracing their natural textures," says Nicole Kae, hairstylist and member of evo's Australian creative team. "In my opinion, this is long overdue. Moving forward, it's important that stylists recommend the correct products to help our clients embrace and style a more natural look. Lots of waves, curls, and saltiness, and wetter, shinier finishes to come."

But don't worry—bold hair moves aren't going anywhere. "As we head into the newness of 2022, we will see a continuation of emerging trends from the last 12 months," says oVertone Ambassador and London-based hairstylist Craig Purves. "This means styles are getting colorful updates and going warmer."

Whichever direction you're feeling, here are the hairstyle and hair color trends the pros are predicting will boom in the new year.

Rebel Cuts and Power Bobs

Soft layers and timid trims, be gone. In 2022, hard-to-miss hair—from mullets and octopus haircuts to bob cut wigs—will be among the most-requested styles. "2022 will be the year of the chop," says Joseph Maine, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Trademark Beauty. "The grown-out tresses of the past couple of years will be a thing of the past. People are ready for a change and open to cuts that require a bit more maintenance."

Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon, adds that HBO's Succession is fueling the emergence of the 'power bob.' "This one-length haircut is free of all layering for sleekness at the top and a strong, clean, and blunt line at the bottom with an angle forward," says Abramite. "The length is worn at or below the chin for a swingy shape on straight textures. To keep ends fresh, a trim will be needed every four to eight weeks to maintain the haircut."

Pin-Up Pony

This ponytail and curtain bang combo is inspired by '60s bombshell Brigette Bardot. "Known for her tousled bouffant styles, this casual pony will dress up long hair paired with turtlenecks and scarves," says Abramite. To achieve the look, part fringe in the center and curl hair away from the face with a large barrel iron. Spray a dry texturizing powder throughout to remove slip from the hair, then backcomb the crown with a cushion brush and secure the pony in the nape with an elastic. Allow loose pieces to fall and frame the face for softness, gently pull on the crown to increase extra volume, and finish with a light hold hairspray to keep in place.

Chocolate Cherry

In case you haven't noticed, winter hair colors are going dark. However, very warm highlights where the lightest color is a variation of reds (rose, red, and coppers) can be achieved with highlights or balayage and a very rich brown as the background color. "It works well with layers through the interior and curtain bangs where you can add an extra pop of color around the face," says Lorena Martinez and Rex Jimieson, colorists at Maxine Salon in Chicago. "When talking to your colorist, you should ask them for a rich brown with ribbons of red to suit your skin tone. Depending on your starting point, you may need highlights or balayage to achieve this look, but it can be done with minimal lightener so it tends to be healthier for the hair."

Winter Flannel

According to Martinez and Jimiseon, this new winter look—dubbed winter flannel—creates ribbons of color while still maintaining dimension. "These chunky highlights frame the perimeter around the face and look great styled with a round brush for movement," they say. "The benefit is that you have a pop of color while still maintaining a high dimension look. To achieve the look, ask your colorist for ribbons that pop and to leave a lot of background color to ensure the color stands out."

Gypsy Moth Blonde

Despite the temporary surge towards darker tones, blonde isn't set to go anywhere. Reminiscent of the moth, rich natural tones are predicted to boom in 2022. "Warm blond foil highlights should be placed up to the top or near the top," says Martinez and Jimiseon. "Ask your colorist what warm shade looks good with your skin tone—think tones like red, yellow, and orange."

Retro Hair Revival

It's not just workplaces that are opting for a hybrid model—according to Yelp's 2022 beauty trend forecast report, the infamous '70s mullet is making a comeback. "Lil Nas X and Florence Pugh are just two of the many stars reviving the 'business in the front, party in the back' style," says the report. "Yelp searches for 'mullet' are up 73 percent—a trend we expect to continue in 2022. Curtain bangs, another disco-era favorite, are exploding in popularity with an increase of 828 percent in search."

Very Peri Hair Color

In case you haven't heard, Pantone's Color of the Year is Very Peri, a vibrant shade of periwinkle blue with energizing violet-red undertones. But we're not just seeing this trendsetting hue on walls; according to Tom Smith, celebrity hairstylist and European creative director for evo hair, shades of lavender are commonly requested in salons, and Peri is bound to become extremely popular, especially for those with already blonde hair. "Very Peri is a great color to translate onto hair. It can look great on any skin tone because of its cooler blue tone; by comparison, it will make the skin look warmer and richer," he says. "The most important factor to consider when trying Peri is to make sure the base color of your hair is perfectly even and light enough—if the hair base color is too dark or too golden, Peri will not show up."

Keep in mind that once Peri is left to fade out, it will gradually turn into a paler lavender, then to a cool, silvery blonde, settling at a neutral creamy blonde shade. That means it's a great choice for those who like cool, platinum blonde shades since it can look just as good fading out as it did when it was fresh.

PRF Injections

In case you're not aware of the treatment, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment that doctors use to accelerate healing in various areas of the body, particularly the scalp. Platelet rich fibrin, aka the cousin of platelet-rich plasma, is used to treat signs of aging on the scalp and face. With searches for the treatment up 44 percent, Yelp is predicting that these treatments go mainstream in 2022. When it comes to hair loss, the theory is that platelets injected deep into the scalp to reach the bottom of the hair follicle can help stimulate hair growth.

Bottleneck Bangs

This hairstyle takes inspiration from the neck of a bottle; starting slim and short in the middle, curving longer around the eyes, and then longest following the line of the cheekbone. "This allows the length and angle to be adjusted depending on whether you want to make your cheekbones appear wider or stronger," says Tom Smith, celebrity hairstylist and European Creative Director for evo hair. "Many people don't suit a classic 'fringe' (the solid horizontal line across the face), but most can wear bottleneck bangs to add softness to the face."

To get bottleneck bangs, Smith says to "ask your hairstylist for longer bangs that skim your cheekbones at an angle that flatters your face, curving around to create a layer that sits somewhere between your cheekbones and jaw." Then, ask for the central part to be cut shorter, keeping the cutting line soft and choppy, with the shortest part in the middle and getting longer on the edges.

Liquid Hair

As temps get cooler, people are trading in their beach waves for ultra-shiny sleek hair that still has a bit of movement. ​​Unlike the wet hair trend, liquid hair doesn't actually appear wet. Rather, think ultra-shiny, reflective hair that's full and soft to the touch. Its super-sleek appearance makes it reflect the light like water does (hence the name). The final result rests between stick-straight, flat-ironed strands and a voluminous, salon-quality blowout.

Sleek Upstyles With a Middle Part

Middle parts have been a 2021 favorite—according to Maine, 2022 continues that trend by bringing it into an updo. This one is simple enough—instead of combing all your hair back like you normally would, keep the part intact and smooth over flyaways with a paddle brush and some styling gel.