- Blonde is back!
- Glamorous, poolside styles with a wet-look finish are on trend for summer.
- Shine serums are the go to product of the season.
- Short geometric cuts with lots of texture are on the rise.
- Brunettes will go for subtle, sun-kissed balayage.
Summer in Australia may conjure up images of beach-style blondes with long tousled locks frolicking in the surf, and while this rings true for some girls, there are a lot more colour, style and cut hair trends making their way on to the scene this summer. We talk to a number of top hair directors to discover the hottest looks for this season.
Inspiration
Similar to fashion, a lot of hair inspiration comes from overseas. Many Australian hair trends come from international markets, as they are ahead of us in seasons,” says co-creative director Joey Scandizzo. Historically, [the] USA, Paris and London have been strong influencers of Australian hair and fashion trends, but with the advent of the internet, we are able to access trends and forecasts on a global basis - seeing what people are embracing and wearing from all over the globe.”
But while we are highly influenced from overseas, Australians are known to put their own twist on the trend. Every country has its own trend and this is normally related to lifestyle,” says founder Kevin Murphy. Australia has its own micro trend, taking on what the world offers. Hair in Australia is more played down or has a relaxed accent to it. The whole world gets the same ideas at the same time and we put our own stamp on it.”
international artist Scott Sloan believes hair stylists can find inspiration anywhere. My team and I often look to overseas blogs, photographers and fashion innovators to obtain inspiration which can then be translated onto the salon floor. Celebrities are also a huge area of inspiration for hair trends in Australia - by the time the celebrity is wearing it on the carpet, that initial trend has been translated and that’s often when our clients come into contact with it and start to think of an interpretation to suit them,” explains Sloan.
Colour
Blonde
While we’re no strangers to blonde hair in Australia, this summer it’s revelling in the limelight. Blonde is back! Being blonde, any blonde is in right now,” says Murphy. My favourite blondes are the peaches and corals. I saw an incredible amount of blonde on the overseas runways. Everything from peach to silver, but lighter was definitely the trend. It does not have to be super blonde, but gold blonde or very light golden brown,” says Murphy. Clairol expert colourist Belinda Jeffrey adds, The coming trends for summer are definitely still the really light blondes, either all over bleach look - think Miley Cyrus, Pink and Gwen Stefani - or the buttery, creamy highlighted look, more natural like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson.”
Blondes of all shades have been spotted across international fashion weeks.
Pastels
It’s not just about the blondes this summer, with pastel tones also big news in colour. The catwalks were full of pastel colours, pretty florals, prints, very feminine. This, of course, translates to hair too. Glossy, shiny, pastel colours such as pale blue, candy pink, lilac and apricot,” says haircare technical and creative director Neil Cleminson.
ghd hair director Alan White believes the resurgence of punk and grunge in fashion has released a feeling of freedom and self-expression. The cool amongst us are into vibrant hair colour, bold but understated,” says White. Alternative soft punk hair colours in pastels that have a hint of neon or fluoro in them gives colour an edge. Faded purples, blues with a hint of crimson or pinks that fade into apricot fuchsias are hot for this summer. The colour needs to be a little worn in, slightly washed out and when it’s applied to the underside of your hair it naturally creates a more muted tone.”
Balayage
It was the go-to hair colour trend last summer, and it seems balayage is here for another season. Balayage has been a world-wide trend and continues to show up across the globe. It’s easy to maintain and is versatile enough to suit many face shape and colour tones,” explains Scandizzo. The new balayage is less dramatic than previous seasons. I think we are seeing a much more subtle balayage technique, especially on brunettes - it's more just sun kissed, for example on Megan Gale and Rachel Bilson,” says Jeffrey.
Celebrities including Jessica Biel, Jess Hart and Rachel Bilson demonstrate the new balayage.
Style
Precision
We may have seen a lot of undone, rugged styles in previous summers, but the new trends are moving away from this. Inspired by next year’s release of The Great Gatsby, there is a strong influence of 1920s styling. We are going to see a real movement back to polished and precise styles. They are easy to wear and maintain, and women are really embracing the feeling of having a finished elegant styled look,” says Scandizzo. Murphy explains the look further: The look will be shorter blunter and geometric but not as flat and smooth as geometric sounds. Hair will have blunt edges that clear the shoulders (or shorter) but will be textured (not curly or straight).”
The wet-look
Spotted across numerous Fashion Week catwalks was the wet-look, with hair literally slicked back to the scalp. educator Kevin Hughes reveals a popular trend is a slick look at the top and sides, with hair very straight and flat-ironed down the back with lots of shine.” international educator Craig Smith agrees, saying he is loving more glamorous, poolside styles, with a wet-look finish.”
The wet-look sees hair slicked back on the head.
Shiny, glossy locks
Something that tends to remain popular all year round is shiny, glossy, healthy hair. The top trend in hairstyles this season has to be the finish on the hair. If hair is put up or left down, gone are the dry frizz’s of last season - it’s all about moisture and sheen. Shine serums are the go to product of the season; they will take your hair on trend regardless of what style it is,” says White. Scott agrees, adding, Incredibly healthy, shiny hair without too much styling will be very popular.”
For category manager Eve Hughes, hair this spring/summer will be about luscious long, shiny locks with heaps of volume. Taking inspiration from the opulent late 70s and early 80s, it creates a sentiment of luxury and decadence whilst feeling free spirited and in touch with nature.”
Cut
Geometric shapes
Vidal Sassoon may have passed away this year, but that doesn’t mean his signature shorter styles and bobs have gone with him. Short geometric cuts with lots of texture are becoming really popular,” says Pantene Pro-V expert hairstylist Barney Martin. Smith agrees, saying, We will be seeing a lot of very geometric, precision cuts that are quite Asian inspired. Think geometric bobs and interesting angles and slightly off-the-norm fringes, it’s all about adding some difference to what is otherwise quite a common hairstyle.”
The Great Gatsby inspires the short, textured bob trend.
For those a little apprehensive of going as short as a bob, long hair still follows along the lines of strong and edgy. For long hair, again strong, graphic and directional fringes cut above the eyebrows… way above!” says global ambassador Matt Clements. Long hair is being chopped just below the shoulders, with uneven long layers giving that undone easy feel,” adds White.
Blunt fringes
The bob is not the only hair cut trend set to be big this summer. Fringes are making a big comeback as well as bobs,” says Wella Professionals Australian colour ambassador Marie Uva. Hughes believes short bangs will be a big trend this summer”, while Cleminson thinks it’s more about being blunt and sharp. Think Rooney Mara in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, although the fringe doesn’t need to be as short, the rest of the haircut should be blunt, straight and silky smooth to keep it healthy looking and modern,” concludes Cleminson.