Almost every week, new hair trends take TikTok and Instagram by storm.
To predict the top hair styles that will dominate in 2023, experts analyse millions of data points for hundreds of trends on social media platforms.
Trends are constantly evolving, and not ruling out anyone’s choices when it comes to how they choose to look is one of them.
However, if you want to get in on the latest styles ruling social media platforms, red carpets, fashion shows and magazines, check out what experts are predicting will be popular in 2023.
The butterfly effect
According to Beauty Pie’s Luxury beauty and skincare retailer Beauty Pie, the Butterfly Haircut has seen a colossal popularity increase in the run-up to 2023 – up by 12,432%, and it takes the top spot in the top 10 haircare trends.
Inspired by hairdos of the past (think the ‘70s and ‘90s shag haircuts), it involves styling your hair in descending layers that are pulled away from your face.
That’s why it’s called the butterfly cut – because the effect of the layers mimics a butterfly’s fluttering wings.
A low maintenance cut that doesn’t require you to visit the salon too often for a touch up, you can also tie the back of your hair and leave enough layers to frame your face.
Great for people with naturally wavy hair, it won’t need much styling, and if your hair is flat and lifeless, the layers will give your mane shape and movement.
Read more: From octopus to butterfly and cobra, animals are now inspiring our hairstyles
Another popular “shaggy” look is the wolf cut – seen on celebrities like Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus and Jenna Ortega.
According to Byrdie.com, the style “blends two iconic, defining periods in music, style, and pop culture – the 70s and 80s – and gets morphed into a more modern-day look”.
Intentionally untamed, the style includes short, wispy layers around the crown that merge into tapered layers, which then flow down the length of the hair.
Think of the wolf cut as an update on the hair styles that performers like Rod Stewart, Joan Jett and Patti Smith rocked back in the day, only with a softer look.
Spiking it
If you were a teenager in the 90s or the 2000s, the “spiky bun” trend will give you flashbacks.
An article on Stylist.co.uk describes the look as being characterised by a high bun with an ultra-sleek finish, and has gained in popularity thanks to celebrities like Gigi and Bella Hadid sporting it to events.
Achieving the look involves parting your hair down the middle and tying it in a neat ponytail towards the top of your head, before smoothing down flyaways with gel or hairspray.
Twist the lengths of your hair together and loop them around your ponytail, with the ends tucked through the front of the hair elastic.
Style the ends in either straight spikes or curl them into tight ringlets, and make sure the style holds with hairspray.
Get loopy
Give your look some Princess Leia vibes with braids, tied into a loop.
Start off with corn rows or French braids and braid your hair until the ends, before tying it back into a tight loop.
If you’re short of time, start from the nape and secure the loops with ribbons for a princess-chic look.
Celebrities who have been spotted wearing this style include Bella Hadid, Barbie Ferreira and Chloe Sevigny, among others.
The Barbie ponytail
“Ponytail queen” Ariana Grande has been rocking this style for years, and plenty of variations of this trend have been making their rounds on social media.
The Barbie ponytail is tied high, with curled strands or side bags left to sweep across the forehead.
Stylist.co.uk recommends first sectioning off any front-framing tendrils that you want to be left out of your ponytail before gathering the rest of your hair into a high pony.
Next, use straighteners or a curling wand to flick-curl the ends of your ponytail.
90s blowout
Speaking of Barbie, a movie inspired by the iconic doll starring Margot Robbie is set to come out this year, which means we’ll be seeing plenty of trends inspired by the film popping up in no time.
Barbiecore fashion is already gaining in popularity, and soon, so will the 90s blowout reminiscent of stars of the time. (think Alicia Silverstone as Cher in Clueless)
Perfect for shoulder-length or slightly longer hair, the best way to achieve this look is to go to a salon, but you can also DIY by investing in hot rollers.
A less bouncy version is also going to be in trend, which works well for longer hair.
Knot your average bun
Fixing your hair high is a major trend, not just as a ponytail, but also in a knot or bun.
One great example is Anya Taylor-Joy’s statement top knot, with loose, face-framing strands, at the recent Critics Choice Awards.
The actress tied her hair up in elegant fashion – a voluminous topknot at the crown of her head, with romantic strands framing her face in waves.
A mullet for today’s generation
It doesn’t look like there’s any escaping from mullet-esque tresses this year, so you might as well embrace these styles.
For those who love having short hair, but prefer a more feminine version, the pixie mullet may be the style for you.
Short and choppy, it’s perfect for low-maintenance ladies who don’t want to spend too much time on styling.
Refinery29.com notes that the style best suits curly and avy hair types, but those with straight hair can just scrunch some salt spray or medium-hold wax through their hair when it’s damp.
Read more: Kendall Jenner has made bleached eyebrows a beauty trend, but is it safe to DIY?
Curls, curls, curls
If you’ve spent a lifetime painstakingly straightening your naturally curly hair, you can breathe a sigh of relief because curls in all shapes and sizes are in.
Whether you have tight ringlets, an afro or looser, fine curls, there are plenty of products out there to help bring out the most of your tresses.
Even curly bangs, a no-no for so long, are back on the table as we revisit this 80s style.
An easy way to enhance your cheekbones, Refinery29.com recommends choosing a curly fringe hairdo in a shorter style, or longer tendrils which will frame the face when your hair is tied up.
While a current trend is to slick your hair back, leaving no loose ends flying about, wearing your curly hair as big as possible is also going to be a thing in 2023.
Some styles are all about volume, so find out how best to enhance the curls you have from a hairstylist with experience with textured hair.
Copper mane
Finally, if you’ve been meaning to dye your hair a striking colour, go for copper and auburn hues or shades like honey red or medium brown.
Byrdie.com suggests opting for a more strawberry or copper take of the shade if your features are lighter, and if you have darker features, try a warm terra cotta or rich sienna hue.
Keep in mind that any colour jobs are high maintenance, and you’ll need to do a touch-up every six to seven weeks, but if you go for highlights, you can stretch this out a little.
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