There’s something about this time of year that always makes me want to book into the salon for a hair change. Whether it’s choosing a new autumn hair colour trend or opting for a brand new haircut, the possibilities are endless at the hands of a hairdresser. I’ve always worn my hair long, but I’m really feeling a hairstyle change this season. My appointment for balayage is booked, and I’m also considering some face framing bottleneck bangs to switch things up a little. It’s fair to say that my Instagram Saved folder and Pinterest boards are filled with autumnal balayage and forever timeless bob haircuts. While I might not be brave to take the plunge just yet, I’m still totally obsessed with those shorter styles.
However, if like me you’re just all too indecisive when it comes to changing up your hairstyle, then help is at hand. To help me decide on what I should go for, I enlisted the help of some of the busiest and booked-up hairdressers that I know to get the lowdown on the the trending autumn haircuts that the fashion set are booking in for. Whether you’re looking for a subtle seasonal switch-up or a complete hair transformation, there’s plenty of inspiration ahead. Now all that is left to do is to book that all important salon appointment in your diary.
“Similar to curtain bangs, bottleneck bangs are about one to two inches of wispy, lash-skimming bangs with angled, cheekbone-framing pieces on each side,” says Jordanna Cobella, Wella Professional craft expert. “However, they resemble the shape and slope of a bottleneck because they start shorter at the top and graduate to longer pieces that curve around the eye and cheek line.”
Showcase bottleneck bangs by tying your hair back and leaving your fringe to make a statement.
Paired with lots of layers, bottleneck bangs are a great way to add body and movement to your hair. Plus, they’ll grow out seamlessly.
Shaping bottleneck bangs is made a breeze with the round brush attachment on the Dyson AirWrap.
“Bobs will always be a classic haircut that works on everyone and will always be on trend,” says Robert Eaton, Wella Professionals technical director. They can be adapted to all face shapes and jaw lines. The number one rule is understanding your hair texture and how the hair naturally falls. For example, if you have natural curl or movement the hair will jump up, so make sure you opt for a length that works when you style your hair or leave it naturally.”
“Having a cut that is high maintenance and requires constant heat styling may not work for your lifestyle, so always bear this in mind,” says Eaton. “That said, if ever there was a year to go for a striking haircut, this is it.”
Soft waves give body and movement to the bob haircut. We love this jaw-length bob on Aïda.
This cordless waver adds instant glossy waves to bobs in a matter of minutes.
As seen on Selena Gomez and Suki Waterhouse, Corella touts the ‘barely there’ wispy bang to be popular in salons this season. Unlike a blunt fringe, these tend to feature feathery pieces that give a more effortless look. This is another step up from the bottleneck bang if you want more of a statement, and without the commitment of a full fringe.
A wispy fringe looks great paired with longer lengths and face-framing layers.
We’re a big fan of French-inspired haircuts, and wispy bangs fit the bill.
Fringes can be prone to getting greasier more quickly than the rest of your hair, so a dry shampoo will help give second-day hair a new lease of life.
With eighties hairstyles making a return, it’s only natural that hairstylists are seeing more clients embrace their naturally curly hair, or are looking to enhance it with a perm. “I believe the perm is making a return in connection with more people than ever embracing natural curls,” says Mason Josh, senior stylist at Hari’s for L’Oréal Professionnel. “I think the perm is the way it always has been, but the way we are wearing our hair and styling it is completely different,” he notes. “In the ’80s, people would perm their hair, add mousse for full volume (and making it firmly crispy!) whereas now, people won’t use those types of products. Instead, they’ll use softer products to allow their hair to fall as if it was curly naturally,” he says.
Shoulder-length cuts allow curls to remain bouncy and defined, without being weighed down. Plus, we’re taking this chic curly fringe straight to the salon.
Switch your parting to the side for instant volume and lift at the roots.
The new generation of hair mousses won’t leave curls crispy—just bouncy and defined.
While longer lengths have reigned in more recent Yeats, hairdressers are tipping shorter styles to make a huge comeback. Enter the crop—it’s a haircut with a capital H. “There is definitely more of a focus on structured haircuts this season,” notes Eaton. “Long hair has reigned supreme for so long now, so it is very refreshing to see bold shapes and strong cuts. If you do go for the chop, the trend is very much about classic strong shapes. Crops are back, so don’t be afraid to have a statement haircut, especially if you team it with a pop of colour,” he says.
A pixie haircut is a chic option if you’re looking to go shorter, especially paired with a choppy baby fringe.
A cropped pixie looks equally chic.
Part page boy haircut and part bob, this cropped haircut is so stylish.
Define shorter styles with a texturising paste, which will give structure, hold and texture to shorter haircuts.
“I have received so many requests for wolf cuts over the past few months,” says Olly Ay, senior stylist at Hari’s for L’Oréal Professionnel. “I believe it’s a sign of the current season—fun, carefree and untamed —hence its name! The wolf cut is essentially a cut that gives textured layers to a complimenting length of hair that is face-flattering and framing, giving a sexy, shaggy and choppy appearance,” he says.
“Styling should be as effortless as it looks, rough dry hair to 80% before applying products, as this prevents diluting the strength of the product.” he says. Try a holding product such as mousse, I love L’Oréal Professionnel TECNI.ART Full Volume Extra or styling spray, and a salt spray for texture.”
Enhance the choppy layers of the wolf haircut with a mousse. This one gives lengths hold and volume without weighing down hair.
