Top Hair Trends: What's Hot Right Now!

Every year brings new hair trends, but not every trend works for every person. The styles blowing up on TikTok and Instagram right now mix nostalgia with fresh takes, from dramatic bangs to bold color choices. The trick is figuring out which trends fit your face shape, hair texture, lifestyle, and personal style. Following a trend that does not suit you is worse than not following trends at all.

I'm Bri, a stylist at The Warehouse Salon in Fairfield. I spend half my consultations talking clients out of trends that will not work for them and into trends that will. Let me tell you about a client who came in wanting a complete overhaul and how we figured out which 2024 trends were right for her.

When You Want a Change But Do Not Know Where to Start

A client named Vanessa came to me ready for something different. She was a 32 year old marketing manager in Nutley who had worn the same long, one-length, medium brown hair for five years. It was fine. It was safe. And she was bored out of her mind.

"Bri, I keep seeing all these trends online and I want to do something," she said. "But I do not know what would actually look good on me. I do not want to end up with a trendy haircut that makes me look worse."

This is the right approach. Trends are inspiration, not instructions. We spent her consultation looking at her face shape, her hair texture, her coloring, and her lifestyle. Then we figured out which current trends would enhance what she already had instead of fighting against it.

How to Know Which Trends Will Work for You

Before chasing any trend, you need to honestly assess a few things. Your face shape determines which cuts and styles will flatter you. Your hair texture determines what is actually achievable without fighting your hair every day. Your lifestyle determines how much maintenance you can realistically commit to. And your personal style determines whether a trend will feel like you or like a costume.

Vanessa has an oval face, which is versatile and works with most styles. Her hair is medium density with a slight wave. She works in an office and does not have time for complicated styling every morning. And her personal style is classic with a little edge. That gave us a framework for evaluating which trends made sense for her.

Not every trend will make this list for every person. That is okay. The goal is finding the trends that will make you look and feel amazing, not checking boxes on what is popular. With that in mind, here are the trends defining 2024 and who they work best for.

Sabrina Carpenter Bangs

Curtain bangs have evolved into something fuller and more dramatic this year. Sabrina Carpenter's signature bangs frame the face beautifully and blend into longer lengths without that harsh line across the forehead. They add dimension and interest without requiring a major length change.

Vanessa was immediately drawn to these. Her oval face can handle the fullness, and the face-framing effect would give her the change she wanted without losing her length. We talked about the maintenance though. These bangs need regular trims every four to six weeks to stay out of your eyes and keep their shape. She was willing to commit to that.

These bangs work best for oval and heart-shaped faces. If you have a round face, the fullness can make your face look rounder. If you have a very strong forehead you want to minimize, the fuller style draws attention there. And if you hate styling your hair in the morning, know that bangs usually need at least a quick round brush to look right.

Wispy Bangs

For a softer, lower-commitment approach to bangs, wispy bangs are back. These are lighter and airier than Sabrina Carpenter bangs, offering a gentle frame without the drama. They blend more easily as they grow out and require less precise styling.

I showed Vanessa this option as an alternative if she got nervous about committing to fuller bangs. Wispy bangs are more forgiving if you skip a trim or want to grow them out later. They work on almost every face shape because they are so soft and subtle. If you have fine hair, wispy bangs can actually be better than fuller bangs because they do not require as much hair to create the look.

Big Volume

The late 80s and early 90s are back in a big way, and that means volume is in. Big, bouncy, glamorous hair is everywhere right now. Think blow outs with lift at the root, voluminous curls, and hair that takes up space.

Vanessa loved this trend but was realistic about her lifestyle. She does not have time to blow dry with a round brush every morning. I told her she could achieve this for special occasions with hot rollers or a volumizing blow out, but it probably was not going to be her everyday look. And that is fine. Some trends are for weekends and events, not Tuesday mornings before work.

If you have naturally thick or wavy hair, you are already halfway to this trend. If you have fine, flat hair, you will need products and tools to get there. KMS Add Volume Root & Body Lift can help create lift that lasts, especially if you are blow drying for a night out.

Mid-Length Cut with Face-Framing Layers

The mid-length cut, sometimes called a lob, remains one of the most versatile and flattering styles. It works for almost every face shape and hair type. Adding face-framing layers gives it movement and shape without requiring a ton of styling.

This was a strong contender for Vanessa. She could keep some length while adding dimension with layers. The face-framing pieces would give her that refreshed feeling without a dramatic chop. And mid-length hair is easy to style, easy to throw in a ponytail for the gym, and easy to dress up for work events.

We ended up combining this with the Sabrina Carpenter bangs. Vanessa got a mid-length cut with face-framing layers and fuller bangs. It was a significant change from her one-length long hair, but it suited her face perfectly and gave her the update she was craving.

Vibrant Reds and Deep Blacks

Bold color is back. Vibrant reds ranging from copper to cherry and deep rich blacks are dominating right now. These shades make a statement and photograph beautifully, which might explain their popularity in our social media driven world.

Vanessa was curious about red. Her natural coloring is warm with hazel eyes, which meant copper and auburn tones would complement her beautifully. We talked about the maintenance though. Red is notoriously high maintenance because red pigment molecules are larger and wash out faster than other colors. She would need color-safe shampoo, cooler water temperatures, and touch-ups every six to eight weeks to keep it vibrant.

She decided to start with subtle copper tones woven through her brown rather than going full red. This way she could test how the color looked on her and how much maintenance she was willing to do before committing to all-over red. Smart approach. You can always go bolder later.

Textured Fringe and Fade for Men

For the guys, the textured fringe with a taper or fade is the look right now. It is edgy, modern, and works with most face shapes. The texture on top adds character while the fade keeps things clean and sharp on the sides.

Vanessa's husband came in with her for his cut and asked about this exact style. He had been doing a basic short cut for years and wanted something with more personality. The textured fringe gave him that without being too trendy or high maintenance. A little STMNT Matte Paste worked through the top and he was good to go.

Natural and Soft Tones in Balayage

 Balayage is not going anywhere, but the tones are shifting softer and more natural. Instead of stark contrast between light and dark, the trend is seamless blending with warm caramels, soft beiges, and neutral blondes that look like you were born with them. The goal is sun-kissed dimension, not obvious highlights.

This is where Vanessa's copper tones came in. Instead of traditional blonde balayage, we did a soft copper balayage that added warmth and dimension while staying natural looking. It brightened her face without screaming "I just got highlights." The blend was the key. Harsh lines are out. Seamless transitions are in.

Balayage remains one of the most low-maintenance color options because it grows out gracefully. You can go three to four months between appointments without looking like you are overdue. For someone like Vanessa who wanted change but not constant upkeep, it was the perfect choice.

Your 2024 Trends Questions Answered

How do I know if a trend will suit my face shape?

The best approach is to consult with your stylist before committing. Bring reference photos of trends you like and we can tell you honestly whether they will flatter you or not. Vanessa brought in multiple photos and we narrowed down which ones would actually work for her face. That is what consultations are for.

What if I want to try a trend but I am scared to commit?

Start with a less dramatic version. If you want bangs, try wispy ones before going full Sabrina Carpenter. If you want red, try copper balayage before going all-over cherry red. Vanessa did this with her color and it was the right call. You can always go bolder later.

How do I maintain trendy color between appointments?

Color-safe shampoo and conditioner are non-negotiable. Cooler water temperatures help too. For reds especially, color-protecting shampoo will extend the life of your color significantly. Vanessa added this to her routine immediately after her appointment.

Find Your Version of the Trends

Vanessa walked out with a mid-length cut, face-framing layers, Sabrina Carpenter bangs, and soft copper balayage. It was a significant transformation from her previous look, but every choice was tailored to her specifically. She looked like herself, just a more polished, updated version.

"I finally feel like my hair matches my personality," she told me. "I was so scared to change anything and now I cannot believe I waited so long."

Trends are meant to inspire, not dictate. The best version of any trend is the one that is customized to you. If you want help figuring out which 2024 trends would work for your face, hair type, and lifestyle, book a consultation. I will look at what you have, listen to what you want, and help you find the perfect update. Follow me on Instagram @themanebri for more trend inspiration.

Book at The Warehouse Salon in Fairfield at 1275 Bloomfield Ave, Building 1, Unit 3 by calling 973-500-4536.

The right trend for you is the one that makes you feel like yourself.