If your 2022 New Year resolutions involved health, success, or cleanliness, we can’t relate. Our 2022 resolution list was jam packed with all things beauty, including the trendiest nail art we’ve been attempting, the soft pastels we’ve continued to reach for, and even the best beauty trends for our 2022 horoscope. One area in particular we’ve been trying to switch up for 2022: our hair.
In the spirit of checking in on your New Year’s resolutions, we spoke with three industry pros for their top 2022 hair trends and rounded up a list of the 19 styles, cuts, and colors that for you to try out while you’re embracing your resolution. Keep scrolling for 2022’s biggest hair trends you’ll be bringing to your next appointment.
Justine Marjan is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist. Her clients include Khloé Kardashian, Olivia Culpo, Kristin Cavallari, and Ashley Graham.
Meri Kate O’Connor is a celebrity colorist and stylist at Copper Salon in West Hollywood, California.
Brooke Jordan is the creative director and co-owner of the Brooklyn-based hair salon The Bird House.
Good news for all you millennials. Your junior high flatiron skills are about to come in handy. “Long, sleek hair with a middle part is making a big comeback and has been seen everywhere from celebrities to the runways,” says celebrity colorist and stylist Meri Kate O’Connor. You’ve definitely seen the look on Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Kasey Musgraves, and, of course, Cardi B above. For this ultimate sleek style, prep work is key. Work a frizz-fighting leave-in, like BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Farewell Frizz™ Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioner, through your damp hair before you blow-dry.
O’Connor and celebrity stylist Justine Marjan agree that rich brunette hair color is about to have a big moment. Warmer, richer hues (like Mandy Moore’s above) make hair look instantly healthier and shinier. “If your hair is dark, ask for a rich chocolate brown,” says Marjan. “If it’s lighter, try an auburn or chestnut shade. Not only will this help hair to restore vibrancy, but it helps to bring some warmth to the skin, too.”
Time to grab your round brushes and blow dryers (or at least your blow-dry brushes) because the ‘90s-era bouncy blowout is back in a major way. You’ve probably seen this trend all over your Instagram feed already, and it’s only getting more popular. Ask your stylist for long layers throughout and a few face-framing pieces near the front. The more movement in your cut, the better this style will look. Pro trick: Air dry your hair as much as possible before going in with a blow dryer to cut down on dry time and heat exposure. We love how ACT+ACRE Intelligent Head Towel gently absorbs excess water without creating any unnecessary friction or frizz.
“Say goodbye to super bright blonde hues,” says Marjan. “We’re going to see darker blonde tones take the limelight in 2022.” Ignore what you might have heard on your TikTok FYP about blonde being cheugy, and just opt for richer, warmer, deeper tones with dimension to keep the color fresh. “Think Hailey Bieber’s gradually darker hue,” adds Marjan.
If you are anything like us, you probably still have a supply of adorned headbands and jeweled hair accessories stashed somewhere from back in your Blair Waldorf wannabe days. Needless to say, we’re beyond excited to see hair accessories have a resurgence. “We will see lots of rhinestone adornments, pearls, bows, velvet, and ribbons to decorate the hair,” predicts Marjan.
2022 is all about super long hair. Healthy hair grows the fastest, so try adding in an oil for hair growth, keeping your scalp in tip-top shape, and adding a hair mask, like ROSE + QUARTZ Hair Mask, to your weekly routine. “If your hair just won’t grow, or you don’t have the patience to get extreme length, hair extensions are your best friend,” says Marjan. “I love Great Lengths tape-ins or individual custom extensions to add instant length and fullness for a temporary fix that will last a few months.”
Look, we’re not saying shiny hair has ever gone out of style, but the glossy, glass-like shine we’re seeing emerge is on another level. “Keep hair looking its best by using moisturizing shampoo and conditioners, sleeping on a silk pillowcase, taking vitamins, and using non-damaging hot tools or heat styling at a minimum,” says Marjan. “Make sure to get your ends trimmed every couple of months. You can even try a clear gloss at your salon for even more reflection.” Need a quick fix for next-level shine? Work BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY Macadamia-Oil: 100% Concentrate for Hair & Body from mid-length to end on damp or dry hair.
“There's something about a blunt bob haircut that is always so classic, but what I love about this specific look is that it's a super-modern take on the classic. It's got a center part and a super straight sleek look, and it's cut almost to the chin. I also love this bob with a horizontal flatiron wave,” says hairstylist and co-founder of The Bird House, Brooke Jordan. Not crazy about the stick straight look? Roll your ends inwards with a round brush while you blow-dry for that classic, face-framing flip.
Calling all 90’s fans, the statement headband is back (and the cast of Clueless would 100 percent approve). “With trends being very 90's-centric right now, I love the thick ribbon, slightly covering the ears, giving us 60's-but-make-it-90's-but-make-it-now vibes,” says Jordan. Need help keeping yours in place? “Sometimes I find it hard to get a ribbon to stay in place when it's tied all the way around and knotted at the nape, so to make this easier, try grabbing a structured headband covered in a ribbon (something like this) to give you a similar feel but with the security that it won't slip off,” Jordan adds. Pair this look with any length hair, from a short pixie cut, to a long bob, to long layers.
A recurring hair trend theme this year is ease, minimalism, and versatility. That’s why we’re obsessing over this wind-blown (in a good way) take on textured bangs. This look is effortless, and low maintenance, and it’s an easy way to take stick-straight bangs to head-turning levels while playing up your natural texture or if you‘ve got curly hair. “I love this fringe because it's versatile. You can wear it all forward and wispy as pictured, or you can wear it split in the middle for a curtain bang, and the look is super cute either way. Putting just a tiny bit of paste —try Oribe's Rough Luxury Soft Molding Paste—at the ends of the bangs will help keep them a bit separate without taking away the wispy vibe,” says Jordan.
And that brings us right to our next badass bang trend—curtain bangs. This look is a major 70s vibe (think Farah Fawcett, Stevie Nicks, and the OG Charlie’s Angels). Nowadays celebs like Camilla Cabello, Priyanka Chopra, Dakota Johnson, and Gigi Hadid are major curtain bang fans, rocking the look on repeat. “The curtain bang is a trend that I desperately hope never goes out of style. They can be sexy, cute, edgy, chic, you name it. There are very few people who don't look good rocking them. I love a curtain bang styled silky and straight, I love a curtain bang styled flippy and pinched, and I love them styled soft and blown out, a la Brigitte Bardot,” Jordan adds.
You don’t have to be a Friends fan to recognize this throwback. These 90s-inspired layers are back and (hopefully) here to stay. These face-framing layers flatter almost anyone and everyone with medium-length to long hair and (even better) it’s super easy to style while flattering virtually any face shape. “Everyone wants “The Rachel” again and we are HERE for it. Try modernizing this look with a middle part and slightly softer layers throughout (read: not "mushroom" layers). Using a medium to strong hold mousse—Oribe's Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse— is clutch here to get that iconic bouncy blowout,” says Jordan.
It's no secret that the center part is having a major moment. Pair it with a slicked-back bun, and babe you’re rocking one of the most trending looks of 2022. Take a hint from serial center-part wearer, Bella Hadid and recreate this look for any life plans. Start with second or third day and run a smoothing mousse (we like R + Co. Aircraft Pomade Mousse) through hair from roots to ends. Then, using a comb create a center part. Comb your hair back on both sides of your part and gather at the nape of your neck, securing into a low, messy bun. Then, grab a clean toothbrush, spritz with shine spray, and lay any baby hairs down for a smooth, sleek look.
Protective hairstyles are beyond gorgeous. From box braids, to cornrows, to twists, and colorful embellishments, we’re forever in awe. So naturally, we’ve got major heart emojis for these goddess braids, a type of Black braided hairstyle that features super thick cornrows starting closer to the scalp and raised higher, creating that goddess-like effect that can be worn in countless ways and styles. Style yours half up, half down leaving your ends in twists for instant #braidenvy.
There’s no look more perfect for hot summer weather than a super shiny, slicked back, just-hopped-out-of-the-shower wet look. Celebs like Zendaya, Nina Dobrev, Kaia Gerber and the Kardashians are all fans of wet hair glam. Want to create the look without running through a sprinkler (however fun that sounds)? Follow this newbie-approved wet hair look how-to.
Remember barrettes? Yup, they’re back and still just as cute as ever. Grab a pair of simple metal-finish clips for a simplistic take, or go the embellished route for a modern twist fit for any occasion. Use them to clip back your layers or stack them on the sides of your ponytail to secure rogue strands.
If you’ve been looking for a reason to dabble in shades of red, this is it baby. Warm, rust-red hair hues have been a thing since the weather warmed up and we consider it a go-to for the rest of 2022. The best part about going red is the wide range of red hair shades that your colorist can customize to suit your hair and your skin tone. When it comes to any shade of red, from strawberry to copper hair, to deep crimson, the key is upkeep. Skip the daily shampoos and wash your hair 2-3 times a week, and see your colorist every 6 weeks for touch ups.
Ever get bored and catch yourself weaving tiny braided tendrils into your hair? Well, that too is a total 2022 hair vibe (that’s been around forever) but also re-emerging in popularity as part of the Y2K beauty trend movement—and there’s nothing boring about it. Micro braids aka baby braids are not only ridiculously cute, they’re so fun to wear, they’re protective, and leave room for tons of creativity. Get yours braided by a pro or braid a few into the bottom layers of your hair and absolutely have fun with beads, colored ribbons, barrettes, and more.
We consider this the most fun 2022 hair trend of all because it pretty much brings out the kid in all of us. Hair gems (the kind that you literally stamp onto your hair) have been owning TikTok and we’re absolutely here for all the inspo. Grab yourself a stamp kit (we love Blinger Hair Gems Blinger Deluxe Set) that makes adorning your ‘do easy and fun. Just grab a section, stamp, and go.
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