Summer is just around the corner, and naturally, we always start planning how we might switch up our hair for the warmer months at the slightest ray of sunshine. There’s something about summer hair that gets us excited. Whether it’s sun kissed balayage that reminds us of holidays (thankfully those are back on the agenda this summer) or going for a blonde bob look that feels lighter and care-free for the warmer temperatures, we love nothing more than saving hair inspo for our next salon visit.
You might be wondering what the summer 2022 hair trends might be, but hairstylists and hair colourists alike have sensed a shift in how we feel about hair.
“For summer 2022, I think we are going to see a real mix of styles, with people thinking less about trends and more about what they feel is right for them and in turn, making style choices that suit their personality,” says hairdresser Max Andrea at Claxton Hair, Crawshawbooth.
This summer, it’s all about embracing a look that feels right for your style, personality and look. Read on below to see what the top hairstylists and hair colourists’ summer 2022 hair trend predictions. And don’t worry, there’s plenty of hair looks to bring to your next salon appointment.
“Flicky ends are having a real resurgence, it’s a trend that feels like it’s been gone for a while so it feels really fresh, clean and perfect to add a little spring to your step,” says expert hairdresser Larry King. “It takes inspiration from the 60s, but with a more modern, smoothed-down finish and just a little lift at the crown,” he adds. “It feels young, modern and energetic. It works brilliantly on a jaw length bob.”
Experiment with flipping the ends outwards or inwards to change up your look. We love these outward flicks on this bob.
Ask your hairdresser for lots of layers throughout the lengths of your hair. This gives the hair body and really makes those floppy ends stand out and last for longer, too.
Use a round brush while blow-drying and twist inwards to set the flicks into your lengths.
Brunette tones are one of the biggest summer 2022 hair trends. Think mutli-toned brunette tones with sun-kissed ribbons throughout the hair. “In our salons we’re really seeing a focus on brunettes at the moment,” says Larry. “Our clients are enjoying embracing rich, luxurious browns. Although they’re moving away from balayage, we’re loving adding some really chic face framing at the moment just to soften and highlight the face,” he adds.
If you’re naturally brunette, some natural-looking ribbons of multi-toned brunette colour can add dimension and depth to the hair – and is a failsafe way to create the illusion of thicker hair too.
We love these subtle ‘babylights’ through Hailey Bieber’s lengths. Placed around the hairline and in minimal amounts, these ribbons of blonde create a natural ‘summer spent on the riviera’ look.
Keep brunette colour looking expensive with a hair oil. Gisou’s is guaranteed to add lustre to the hair.
“The trend for spiced cinnamon red hair isn’t going anywhere. A lot of models are embracing it (like Kendall Jenner), along with the fashion crowd (such as Sydney Sweeney and Barbie Ferreria),” says Zoë Irwin, Wella Professionals UK Colour Trend Expert. “It works really well with the seasonal tones, and feels like something fresh and uplifting, and when the copper and red tones become more golden based, it makes them extremely flattering for many skin tones so it’s a shade that can become very wearable,” adds Zoë.
Ribbons of copper pop on a cinnamon base.
We love Kendall’s glossy cinnamon tones.
Want something more muted? This peachy-gold hue is a winner on Sydney Sweeney.
“The thing I love about this colour is the way you can refresh it at home,” says Zoë. “Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask has a gorgeous palette of shades, and there are two I would recommend – Red or Copper Glow.”
More of a hair mood than a trend, this is about embracing your own hair but experimenting with exaggerated proportions, says Larry. “I’m also loving bold shapes, whether that means being bold with your hair cut, teasing out coils into bold 90s inspired shapes, or making braids super long lengths. For me, if you’re going to go down any path with hair at the moment, be bold and decisive with it,” he says.
Thinking about going short? It’s never felt more chic – and hairdressers agree. “Short hair is in! For a long time, long hair has been as symbol of femininity, but I think this view is starting to shift and is becoming a lot more inclusive, with shorter hair being the style of choice for lots of influential women,” says hairdresser Hannah-Mae and Lensman’s, Northhampton.
“From the tousled bob to the more elfin styles and shorter French chic styles, these cuts are stunning and perfect for the warmer months,” says Farah Naz at Farah Naz Hair, Manchester.
No matter your haircut, texture or colour, everyone can reap the benefits from a regular mask to keep lengths looking fresh.
Much like the riviera brunette hair colour trend, blondes are also being taken into new dimensions. “The trend within balayage now is the double-hued or triple hued blonde, where different toners are used to create multi-tonal blonde adding light, warmth and shine to the hair after lightening,” says Zoë. The result? Three-dimensional blonde.
“A big change is that my clients have far more of their natural root than they would have seen before,” explains Zoë. “This has led to their desire to work with their natural hair colour more, with balayage becoming more requested than the traditional “to the root” highlighting with foils method of lightening. I love doing this technique on textured hair,” she adds.
“Emulating natural lightness in hair that appears during the summer months will be extremely sought after as we approach the warmer months,” predicts Zoë.
Bleach can leave lengths vulnerable, so keep blonde colour looking salon fresh with a purple shampoo.
Looking for a summer 2022 hair trend that’s a little more adventurous? The Jagger Crop looks so cool. “I’m really loving looking back at grown-out men’s haircuts from the 70s, think a young Mick Jagger,” says Larry. “This is a grown out crop with a fringe, natural texture, an irregular curl pattern and soft flicks and kinks and heavier around the ears and neckline. It’s cute, androgynous and by embracing that natural movement, little flicks and semi curls it still feels feminine and new,” he says.
A longer length helps you edge out of your comfort zone if you’re thinking of going for the chop.
This cut looks equally chic cropped.
“This trend is best done using ‘My Nannas Mousse’ for adding plumpness and shine, using just your fingers to tease our natural texture under the hairdryer,” recommends Larry. A mousse is one of the best products to achieve more body and volume in your hair.
After lockdown, we all experienced growing longer lengths as salons were closed. But, we’ve become accustomed to the new-found length, and many are opting for hair extensions for length and volume. “Our master extensionist at Larry King, Vicky Demetriou, is seeing a focus on more obvious extensions. We’re all reminiscing about the 00s at the moment and these extensions were more XXL, more obvious, chunky versions of the hidden more natural versions we’ve been having over the last few years,” says Larry.
Now’s the time to grow your hair out long – or opt for extensions for the illusion of length and thickness.
Extra-long braids feel so fresh for summer.
Cotton pillowcases can roughen hair cuticles, leaving hair prone to frizz and knotting. A silk pillowcase is less damaging – ideal for preserving longer lengths.
“Unlike a balayage that is blended from root to tip. The 90s slices are pieces scattered but left raw so they really stand out,” says Larry. These face-framing pieces work like a ring-light on your features and are great way to update your blonde for summer.
“I wanted to work with the cut that was created and how Mia Began wears her hair,” says Harriet Muldoon, colourist at Larry King, on how she created this look. “My main goal is to not over do it and put too many slices as it takes it away from the ones in place. This look is all about complimenting the natural base,” she says.
This hair colour trend looks so good if you’ve opted for bottleneck bangs or a curtain fringe this summer. “Creamier blondes will also be popular this summer – gone is the ashy blonde, we’re here for the beachy, warmer tones,” says Farah.
A blonde shampoo helps neutralise brassy tones in between hair colour appointments.
Since lockdown, so many have grown out their grey hair. But, top colourists up and down the UK say that this doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with colour while growing it out. “Those who have grown out all of their colour over the last two years and are feeling like they want to have some fun, but not go back to square one, are introducing darker flashes of colour and beautiful mink or biscuit blonde pieces, which are really low maintenance to give a modern twist to their gorgeous natural great tones,” says Larry. “After all grey is the perfect canvas to create any colour.”
Model Andie MacDowell leads the mink trend – her grey hairs sparkle on her darker base.
Grey hair can often grow through coarser and drier. This leave-in mask helps to keep repair hair from the inside-out and leaves a brilliant shine, too.
When in doubt, a printed silk scarf will always look chic and on-trend for summer.
A silk scarf can be worn so many different ways. Just tie around a bun to instantly elevate your hair.
A longer scarf also looks cool worn on the top of the head, letting the lengths flow free at the bottom.
Not only do silk scarves look stylish, but they can help extend your hair-wash for one more day by disguising roots.
This silk scarf can be worn so many ways in the hair for summer.
