A Celebrity Hairstylist Told Me These 6 Summer Hair Trends Are the Only Ones That Matter
We're fully in the swing of summer, and even if the British weather isn't playing ball yet, we're channeling the warm weather by embracing the latest summer hair trends. For 2024, we've seen hair trends such as the concave haircut and bob hairstyles reign, as well as summer hair colours such as copper make a comeback, but I was curious to find out what other summer hair trends we can expect this season. So, I tapped celebrity hairstylist and BaByliss ambassador Syd Hayes (who tends to the hair of Kate Moss, J.Lo, Iris Law and Charli XCX to name but a few) to find out what summer hair trends are set to dominate next, as well as some tips for keeping your hair looking it's best during the summer.
How to Care for Hair During the Summer
With sun, holidays and dips in the pool or the sea, summer can be a challenging time for your hair. But, Hayes has some pointers to help keep your hair looking a feeling good. "I tend to steer away from heat styling in the summer months, so a great portable air-powered dryer on holiday is key," says Hayes. "My favourite right now is the new BaByliss Air Wand (£120) which is light has amazing power and two different attachments so you can dry, straighten and give volume to your hair."
It's also a good idea to nourish your hair from the inside out with a healthy diet and support your hair with supplements. "Grab yourself some Glowwa Hair Food, which is a multi-award winning vegan hair supplement containing biotin to help keep your hair strong throughout the summer season," says Hayes.
Keep scrolling for the six summer hair trends that you need to know about, according to Hayes.
6 Summer Hair Trends to Try in 2024
1. The Beach Bob
According to Hayes, "bob girl summer" isn't over yet. "This summer there’s still some huge trends in the bob with some cool variations," he says, with this beachy bob at the top of his list with salt-swept lengths that graze the collarbone.
"Think Daisy Edgar Jones Bangs with a razored edge below the jawline, which creates enough length so you can still get an undone beach wave leaving the ends out so a curl doesn’t bounce back into its form," says Hayes.
Get the Look:
Ouai's Wave Spray is a great option if your hair has a natural curl or wave already to add beachy texture.
Embrace air-drying this summer with JVN's cream which enhances your hairs natural texture without having to reach for a hair tong.
2. Pixie Cuts
Everywhere we look, models are opting for ultra short cuts like the pixie, and we're here for it as a timeless summer haircut trend.
"Recently, I've cut both models Saskia De Brauw's and Iris Law's hair, and we’re constantly changing the shape slightly," says Hayes. "We took it tight into the nape of the neck, and added in a choppy jagged fringe which styles in lots of fun ways."
Get the Look:
As the name suggests, this hair cream does it all, but it's really great for adding texture to short and choppy haircuts.
Oribe's Texturising Spray is an icon for a reason—it adds weightless texture to all hair lengths.
A pomade adds definition and hold so you can shape shorter choppy hairstyles into place.
3. Halo Hair
Less of a trend and more a movement, we're seeing natural hair textures being celebrated this summer. "An homage to the '70s disco groove scene, halo hair is perfect for that summer night out, and it’s great for all types of coily textured hair types," says Hayes.
"The diffuser is the most important part when it comes to halo hair. I always love to twist the hair around my fingers using a great curly hair creme like Evo’s Liquid Rollers (£23). Turn your head upside down so the roots get maximum lift, and dry on a medium heat setting and medium power," he says. "A secret tip—once the hair is fully dried take a BaByliss Tight Curl Wand (£30) and wrap the hair in different size sections on random bits that need a little extra finish."
Get the Look:
Fenty Hair's curl defining cream leaves curls shaped and defined.
The narrow wand allows you to create tight curls for wherever you want to add definition and bounce.
4. Athleisure Braids
From Zendaya's tenniscore press tour styles to the Paris Olympics, there is no denying the sporty effects on hair. "With the Olympics close upon us, hair will be worn up and back with big braids, skinny braids and knots, all off-set with different hair accessories like bows or clips," says Hayes. "Perfect for the gym or even straight to a night out."
Get the Look:
This gel gives a nourishing yet flexible hold when braiding coily hair textures.
This look calls for a sleek finish, so smooth any flyaways with this cream pomade and brush.
From smoothing edges to adding a slick look to ponytails, you'll reach for this hair wax stick all the time—and it's so easy to apply more on the go.
5. Scandi Blonde
"Think an ash blonde base that turns into sexy sun-kissed ends—what’s not to like? Delicately blended artistic balayage can help work that Scandi blonde into your hair," says Hayes. We're taking our inspiration from Elsa Hosk and Sabrina Carpenter this summer.
Get the Look:
Price shown is members' price.
A purple shampoo helps to counteract brassy tones for a brighter blonde.
Hard water is often the culprit of turning coloured blonde hair brassy, so investing in a shower filter like Hello Klean's will help prevent the build-up that turns hair lacklustre.
This glossing treatment adds an expensive-looking shine to reboot colour between appointments.
6. Midnight Rouge
Whilst copper tones dominated last summer, we're seeing a bright red revival this year. "Celebrities like Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish have been paving the way for a midnight rouge hair colour. It’s vibrant, bold and cool. We’re seeing a huge increase for these beautiful tones on set for photoshoots to salons all over the UK," says Hayes.
Get the Look:
Want to dip a toe into red? This semi-permanent gloss adds a tint of red to auburn and light brunette hair colours.
Red hair is notoriously prone to fading quickly, so using a good colour shampoo is key.
Want to experiment with wash-out colour or top-up your hair colour? This colour-depositing mask injects hair with vibrant colour that gradually fades.
Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner and her miniature dachshund.
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