12 Hair Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Fall/Winter

hair

fall/ winter hair

After a summer of sun-kissed strands, fall presents an opportunity for change. It could be major, in the form of a substantial cut (bobs are having another moment; consider this option below), or minor, in terms of a few face-framing highlights.

You could also embrace the season and go full-on pumpkin spice vibes with a pumpkin cream color overhaul or a touch of toffee. And for those of you who want to take a walk on the dark side, there are inky black locks to ponder as well.

We asked the experts for their fall/winter hair predictions and what’s in for cuts, styles, and colors in the months ahead. Now the only question is which one to choose…

Fall/Winter 2021 Style Trends

Androgynous Cuts

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“I love that androgynous hairstyles are on trend for fall/winter because they allow everyone – regardless of gender – to be expressive through their hair,” explains Hung Nguyen, a senior barber with Fellow Barber. “For a lived-in look, apply a texture spray on damp hair like Fellow Barber Mineral Spray, $28. “You can also add a layer of Fellow Barber’s Styling Cream, $25 for additional moisture.”

Neck-Length Bob

“A neck-length bob is timeless, but also super trendy,” says Clariss Rubenstein, celebrity stylist and R+Co Collective Member. “Not a move you’ll ever look back and regret!” This cut can be worn on many hair textures, blown out or worn natural, and is always the epitome of chic. Perhaps you’ve seen Kourtney Kardashian rocking it? “Great move Kourt!”

Natural Curls

Embrace your texture, because natural curls are here to stay. Here’s curly hairstylist and owner of Evan Joseph Salon, Evan Joseph‘s fool-proof curl routine for any texture:

  1. Cleanse with a gentle cleanser like the Hydrate Cleansing Conditioner, $28. Working from root to end for a full cleanse. Rinse.
  2. Condition with Hydrate Conditioner, $28. Rinse.
  3. Work through Amplify Conditioner, $28. Its gel-like consistency makes it a great styler for curls.
  4. Squeeze out excess water, forming curls. Add Amplify Mousse, $25, for added hold without being heavy or sticky.
  5. Diffuse at roots or air dry. Finish with Glow Touch, $25, for added shine.

Pro tip: Embrace frizz and flyaways to keep your curls looking modern and effortless.

Curtain Bangs

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Curtain bangs for everyone! Rubenstein loves this trend because it’s soft and elegant. “Curtain bangs can be worn with different cuts and with all different textures of hair – you can also play with the length a bit so they can flatter any face shape,” she adds. Pro tip: For a naturally dried curtain bang look, apply R+Co COOL WIND pH Perfect Air-Dry Crème, $29.

Invisible Layers

Trying to reboot summer-fried strands? Opt for IGK Hair Care founder Franck Izquierdo‘s go-to style: invisible layers. “This is my signature haircut, and it helps keep hair looking healthy and effortless,” he says. “You can keep your length, it gives your hair body and movement, and it also helps keep dry ends at bay.” PS, give your hair its best life with IGK Best Life 100% Plant-Powered Nourishing Hair Oil, $32. Moisture, softness, shine – instantly.

Messy Top Knot With “Growing-Out” Curtain Bangs

Director of education for ColorProof, Erica Conan, relies on this look for lazy hair days – and more formal days when dressed up with accessories. To DIY, part your fringe on your side when hair is dry and apply ColorProof CrazySmooth PlushLocks Leave-In Smooth, $12.50, roots to mid-shaft, then secure into a high pony. Spray ends with ColorProof TextureCharge Texture + Finish Spray, $32, expand with your fingers, and secure into your top knot. Finish with a small amount of PlushLocks to smooth, and if you want to glam up the style, add a few baby barrettes.

The Wet Look

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The wet look is going nowhere! Los Angeles-based hairstylist and founder of REVERIE, Garrett Markenson, forecasts we’ll see many more wet styles. Luckily these drenched ‘dos aren’t actually wet, because winter, but rather created using leave-in treatments or lots of oil and gel. “REVERIE’s Ever Recovery Hair Oil, $52, works for this – simply apply in sections, then brush evenly and style as desired,” he instructs. “You can also cocktail in Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-In Nourishing Treatment, $42, for more weight and hold.”

Fall/Winter 2021 Color Trends

Shiny Black

According to Richy Kandasamy, colorist and R+Co Collective Member, black is back! “This season, we are going to see inky black with a shiny, warm glaze,” he predicts. “We’re also going to see a lot of natural, warm-infused red undertones that give a multi-tonal look and added dimension to black hair color.”

Peachy Rose

Also on Kandasamy’s radar: peachy rose locks. Perfect for anyone with blonde or platinum hair as a base, he thinks we’ll be seeing “delicate peach and warm rose tones that will light up everyone’s faces during fall.”

Subtle Golden Face Framing

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“This is all about the technique and placement of subtle golden hues around the face” explains Kandasamy. “For those of you embracing your natural regrowth, this can add a seamless, sun-kissed contour placement.”

Pumpkin Cream

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Anything pumpkin hued is obviously on trend for fall and Kandasamy is here for it. “Pumpkin cream hair color is medium blonde to light blonde hair with copper, gold, and red undertones – reminiscent of a pumpkin,” he says. If you are going to ask your colorist for pumpkin cream hair, use his guidelines: cool skin tone and pink/fair complexion, try pumpkin cream hair with copper and orange tones; warm skin tone and olive/rich complexion, go for pumpkin cream hair with honey and amber tones; if you already have old balayage highlights, you can just tone those blonde pieces to brighten up your pumpkin cream hair.

Touch of Toffee

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“This is two-dimensional color with lots of tiny woven highlights throughout,” says Karissa Schaudt, senior colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “The deeper tone is a warm brunette, while the lighter highlights are closer to a medium toffee tone. Ask your colorist for a tint and full-lite and make sure to ask for fine highlights to achieve this look.” Heads up: stay away from anything chunky. Schaudt notes this is a color trend that works best on dark blondes or brunettes who have straight to wavy hair.

For more fall trends, check out these celeb-approved nail trends to inspire your next manicure.

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