The key to powering through the last few weeks of winter is keeping yourself busy. Whether that's planning a long weekend in a new city or a date night at the French restaurant down the street, you want to sprinkle your iCal with a few events that'll keep your mind off whatever Mother Nature's throwing your way. And the easiest way to punctuate an otherwise average work week is to call the salon, and book yourself a haircut.
The next step is figuring out what you're going to ask for once you're in the chair. If you're thinking something fresh and fun, very low-maintenance, and on-trend for spring — we've got you covered. Ahead, we've rounded up three breakout haircut trends. Scroll through to find (then screenshot) the look you love, and start counting down the days until your appointment.
Blunt, A-Line Bob
We've been seeing lots of mid-length cuts as of late, but there's something about the bluntness of a jawline chop that feels fresh for spring. "This look isn't layered, but very structured and to the point," explains Sal Salcedo, lead stylist at L.A.'s Nova Arts Salon. "Ask your stylist to cut your bob somewhere between the bottom of the ear and below the chin. The idea is to keep it blunt with a slight A-line angle — from the back towards front — this allows for an even grow out, because the back grows a bit faster."
Courtesy of Nova Arts Salon
If you're craving body and texture in your blunt cut, Salcedo recommends asking your stylist for invisible, internal layers, which you can pull into a deep side part for a shape with fullness.
Courtesy of Nova Arts Salon
The key to styling this cut is focusing your attention on the ends. If you're looking for a straight, polished effect, Salcedo recommends raking a light finishing cream onto the ends of the hair to give a little weight and separation.
Courtesy of Nova Arts Salon
Bardot Bangs
While we've seen the fringe trend get a little pick up as of late, the long curtain bang, reminiscent of the iconic Brigitte Bardot look (also signature to Alexa Chung and Dakota Johnson) is on the rise. "My clients are barely catching up to this trend, and I foresee more women jumping on the '70s, cool and tousled look for spring," says Salcedo, explaining that the look is focused on the fringe. "Whatever your hair length, ask for bangs that start in the middle of the eyebrows, and softly fall below the cheekbones on both sides of the face," he recommends.
Courtesy of Nova Arts SalonThe fringe pieces should fall in a way that create dimension around the face, whether the hair is parted straight down the middle or with curls bouncing every which way.
Nova Arts stylist Tim Morrison tells us that face-framing bangs combined with long, internal layers throughout give subtle body to the hair, while removing excess weight. If you're looking to maximise the body of this cut, Morrison recommends flipping your head over while blowdrying, then playing up the bang pieces with a severe side part.
Courtesy of Nova Arts Salon
Curly Shag
Shaggy haircuts — mid-length and layered with a heavy bang — have been on the rise, and they're only going to get more popular in the coming months. "I'm loving these round, bouncy shag cuts," says Salcedo. "Right now, it's all about he shorter shag with a heavy fringe to give a the look a fuller feel. The bigger the curls, the better."
Courtesy of Nova Arts SalonIn styling, Salcedo says the diffuser attachment will become your new best friend. "For bouncier curls, use a curl styling cream on damp hair," he advises. "Then diffuse it until it's dry and full of body."
It's vital to play up your your natural curls to get the most out of this cut. If your ringlets and waves are falling flat, Salcedo recommends hitting them with texturising spray or dry shampoo for some extra va-va-voom.
Courtesy of Nova Arts SalonLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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