From Blunt Bobs To Shadow Roots

The bob is a timeless hairstyle that’s expected to dominate in the year to come — especially since it involves a serious chop. “A sharp, blunt bob is a classic style that will continue to be popular in 2022,” Miko Branch, co-founder and CEO of Miss Jessie’s, tells Bustle. “This chin-grazing cut is super chic and versatile — it looks good with all hair types, including straight hair, thin hair, or curls.” Rene Fris, celebrity hair stylist at Salon SCK in Manhattan, agrees: “This silhouette is the new leader in shorter hair,” he says.

To keep hair sleek and shiny, Branch recommends using something like the Miss Jessie’s Gloss So Good for extra sheen without a greasy residue.

For those craving a short ‘do that has more texture than a blunt bob, Stenson says the shag is here to stay. “The shag will be a go-to low-maintenance option reimagined with a curtain bang or fringe,” he tells Bustle. “Expect to see this style in various lengths and textures.”

Fris echoes this, noting the short shag is one of his most-requested styles — especially since it’s easy to work with. “Just [using] a quick round brush through your hair makes it look like you walked out of the salon,” he says.

While some beauty buffs will opt to slash their strands off in the name of starting the year fresh, others will embrace serious lengths. “Long, straight hair is going to be huge,” celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger tells Bustle. “With inspiration coming from the ’90s and 2000s, you’ll be seeing pin-straight hair with middle parts everywhere.”

Keep your lengths shiny and nourished with a lightweight hair oil like the Sally Hershberger 24K Golden Touch Nourishing Dry Oil, which you can apply throughout your ends after styling.

Expect to see lots of wispy and long bang styles, says Raven Hurtado, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, Illinois. Compared to other kinds of fringe, these looks are much more low-maintenance, says Branch. “Since they’re so lightweight and feathery, it adds some texture and movement to the face without being flat or weighed down,” she tells Bustle. “I especially love this look on those with thick, curly hair as the bangs can help add dimension to the face and soften the style.”

Hurtado suggests parting long bangs down the middle and blow-drying with a round brush for the “swooped effect.”

Hershberger points to another throwback hairstyle making a comeback: “With the ’90s resurgence comes tendrils, which are thin sections of hair pulled out of a style to frame the face,” she tells Bustle. “This simple style can elevate your look into one that’s super cool, chic, and relaxed.” An added perk of the look? “It’s perfect for those that got trendy bangs this past year and decided to grow them out,” Hershberger adds.

You can expect tendrils in all shapes and sizes. Branch predicts a resurgence in braided tendrils specifically, which have recently been repopularized by celebs like Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa.

If you’re looking to chop some — but not all — of your hair, the ’70s-era shag might be for you. “The choppy, layered hairstyle from the ’70s is now making a comeback,” says Fris. “Now, however, it’s better as it has been totally modernized. These are a great way to add some texture, volume, and depth to your style, which makes them look super cool and timeless.”

Hurtado suggests using something like the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to really emphasize your shag’s texture.

Long layers, which are essentially an extension of bangs and shags, have also skyrocketed in popularity. “Clients have been asking for more dramatic layers around the face, with the shortest layer below the jawline,” says Hurtado.

To style layers around your face, Hurtado recommends using a one or one-and-a-half-inch round brush. “Wrap your hair around a round brush as you blow-dry downwards for a beveled-in style,” she says, pointing to the L’incroyable Blow-Dry Reshapable Lotion as an ideal product to keep your strands in place.

Another resurgence from the early aughts: “Thick, chunky highlights are back — but with a modern twist,” Gloria Bonilla, a hair colorist at Sally Hershberger Salon, tells Bustle. “Combined with popular methods like balayage and face-framing, these highlights are perfectly blended and super cool.”

Variations include the high-contrast money piece to frame the face or melted streaks of bright blonde and warm brunette, says Bonilla.

As highlights and platinum hair colors make their comeback, so too will dark roots — which is actually a good thing, especially if you like a more low-maintenance dye job. “Healthy hair is always trendy, so adding a shadow root to your color can be a great way to maintain hair health,” Bonilla tells Bustle. “Bright platinum is super popular, but notoriously difficult to maintain. Rather than touching up your roots every 4-6 weeks, you can easily let your roots grow out without having to worry about a stark contrast.”

Rich brunettes are having a moment. According to Dallas Benjamin, a hair colorist at Salon SCK in New York City, his traditionally blonde clients have been looking to return to their more natural — i.e. darker — hair color. “They’ve stepped away from the ombre and blonde balayage and embraced their natural brown tones, enhancing their color with rich chocolate brown tones or cool opulent deep browns,” he tells Bustle.

Bonilla has noticed the same, and predicts a surge in mushroom brown in particular. “Mushroom brown is exactly what it sounds like – an ashy, medium brown reminiscent of a mushroom,” she says. “The earthy mix of ashy browns and grays creates a gorgeous color for any skin tone.”