With salons seeing a record number of clients following the easing of COVID restrictions, it’s no surprise that trends are coming, going and evolving at a rapid pace.
Having said that, some of the biggest hair trends of last year are currently flowing into 2022, according to Batiste Ambassador and Director at Fuchs Hair, Alex Fuchs. People are opting for similar styles, but often in a stronger, bolder way.
Below, Fuchs goes into more detail about the hair trends to watch this year.
Image: Supplied
Which styles will be trending?
“Soft, facial-framing styles were a big hit in 2021,” Fuchs said. “We are now taking this to the next level in 2022 with a stronger, bolder placement of lighter colours around the face. We’ve been getting a lot of requests for bright, bold, blonde-coloured sections around the face, which is applied with a freehand balayage technique to really contour your face and enhance those features. Think Sarah Jessica Parker in the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That.”
Soft curtain bangs are also changing into a bolder, lower layer around the face, with Fuchs adding that they are placed more between the nose and cheeks.
“In 2022, we’ll see a lot more of this style but the bangs will stand out more,” he said. “It's something between the trending wolf cut and curtain bangs we’ve been seeing a lot lately. This year, we’ll see more heavenly layers around the face with more length and softness through the back. Margot Robbie definitely rocked this look a few times last year.”
Additionally, short hair is very on trend in 2022, with everything from your bob to a pixie cut. Women have embraced short hair after the lockdown and are wanting to keep it that way. If you’re thinking of going short, ask your hairdresser to create a shorter look that’s personal to your hair texture and face shape.
Get the look with: Toppik Fibrehold Spray and Batiste Volume Dry Shampoo.
Image: people.com
What hair colours will we be seeing?
This year, Fuchs says we will definitely see colours that are adding a bit of vibrancy and wow-factor to hairstyles, with more contrast and less of the soft-blended looks we’ve seen in previous years.
“For blondes, think golden hues and shades of peach and apricot,” he said. “Or if you’re wanting to take it a step further with your post-lockdown glow up, there’s the option to shift your locks towards a strawberry blonde or even natural red hair look. I love this for the blondes who are looking for an instant makeover, because you can just tone your existing blonde colour with a gloss. It’s all the fun without the permanent commitment!”
The soft balayage look is also being superseded by stronger and more striking blonde pieces. Fuchs revealed he likes to place caramel blonde panels mainly around the face to add a bold colour statement, adding that it also adds some character and liveliness to the front pieces.
Get the look with: Kiss Tintation and Keracolor Color Clenditioner Colour Shampoo.
Surprisingly, another interesting colour trend that will stick around is grey hair. For the first time across the board, clients have been growing out their natural grey hair and looking to deal with long regrowth in new ways.
“After being in lockdown where clients didn’t have the chance to colour their hair, we’ve seen people returning to the salon re-evaluating their colouring options and deciding to grow out their grey hair. My tip for those tossing up their grey hair options: ask your hairdresser and experienced colourist how to blend and grow out your hair in a way that is suitable for you.”
Get the look with: Scott Cornwall Colour Restore Chrome and Revolution Hair Rainbow Shots in Amethyst Grey.
Are there any styles and colours on the way out?
“To be honest, it’s a bit ‘everything goes’ at the moment,” Fuchs said. “However, with clients wanting to keep things interesting and make a statement, we are not doing a lot of the same-colour-all-over looks currently. Also, that ashy, dull blonde look on long hair is definitely on the way out.
It’s funny, balayage is one of those trends you always think is on its way to retirement, but there’s just something so interesting about a dynamic colouring - I would even say it’s as timeless as a bob."
Do any of these trends surprise you?
These trends are not surprising at all, in Fuchs' opinion.
“I love that both clients and hairdressers at the moment are getting excited about coming up with new looks and discovering new styles. As I said earlier, post-pandemic it feels like the world is ready to explore and experiment, so everything goes! Just look at the Pantone colour for 2022 ‘Very Peri’ - it's all about vibrancy and making a statement this year.”
Image: Pantone
How has the pandemic impacted hair trends?
Post-isolation, hair trends have simply revolved around people wanting gorgeous hair with minimal effort and we’re going to continue to see styles and innovative products that help with this.
Clients are craving change and making hairdressers work harder and become more creative, Fuchs said, adding that “some clients are coming in after isolation saying ‘I’ve had enough, chop it all off’ or wanting quite bold fashion forward looks, while others are looking to embrace their natural hair colour and see where that takes them. I love it.”
Are online trends playing a major role?
Unsurprisingly, online trends have become much more influential over the pandemic.
“Having spent months just scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, it felt impossible not to come across Matilda Djerf’s stunning soft curtain bangs and signature volume every week! That ‘European Cool Girl’ style definitely rose to prominence online over the pandemic, particularly for those of us who binged watched Emily in Paris - Camille’s effortless Parisian waves are all over Pinterest at the moment," Fuchs said.
Images: Supplied
"The benefit of the effortless cool-girl style is how easy it is to recreate at home with a little help from Batiste. All of our getting-ready routines need to be super easy as we head back into work and social events, and honestly it’s as simple as spritzing in a bit of Batiste Dry Shampoo (I like Batiste Rose Gold for its radiant rose fragrance!) before bed, so you can wake up with fresh and ready-to-style hair. Pop a can in your bag too so you can “zhuzh” your hair throughout the day and night."
