Last updated: July 16, 2024

Summer 2024’s Hottest Haircut Trends

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2024’s Hottest Haircut Trends: How to Customize Bobs, Bangs & Layers for Summer

Your client’s go-to may be a ’90s bob, curtain bangs or the trending butterfly cut, but they’re looking for guidance to make their classic cuts more wearable this season. Get ready to see 2024’s hottest haircut trends with customization tips for every client goal—plus, learn how to cut airy bobs without bulk, light layers with movement and tips for creating fringe with versatility.

1. Wearable Summer Bobs With Short Perimeters

The obvious choice to beat the heat is going to be a short haircut: With celebs like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Gigi Hadid rocking bobs in 2024, clients are going to want to adopt their chin-grazing lengths, too. Get ready to nail the trend with our cheat sheet below:

When cutting a bob, it’s key we use our knowledge to customize our haircuts for every client—that’s why Sal Salcedo (@salsalhair) utilizes internal layering not just to address heaviness, but to direct the hair in a purposeful way that sets the foundation: “Us, as hairstylists, can use internal layering to carefully encourage the hair to do what is needed, such as: Move a certain way, debulk a certain are, fill in others or get a lift,” Sal explains.

Summer is also the perfect time to set your clients cut up for the fall: “Since it gets a bit hot out there [during summer], it’s a perfect opportunity to think in terms of minimizing the hair density and length! We often see clients come in to chop and debulk their hair: Use it as an opportunity to set the foundation for the future. So that when fall/winter comes, the next coat can be the healthiest and will protect you from the cold. I like to think of spring/summer as the time to plant the seeds and do the work,” Sal explains.

Click here for more education from Sal!

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2. Long Bobs: Create a Seamless Grow-Out to Longer Lengths

A natural transition from short bob to long bob is essential: When clients are ready to grow out super short lengths, what should you do to help them avoid a bulky-looking bob? We tapped three cutting experts for the ways they would cut a long bob to aid a seamless grow-out.

According to California-based cutting specialist Ryenne Snow (@ryennesnowhair), there are a few ways to approach a bob grow-out:

Tip #1: Avoid a bulky grow-out by doing this

Add face-framing layers: “To make the grow-out smooth and cute, I would add a long face-framing [layer], one that starts under or at the chin and connects through the length,” Ryenne shares. “That would add some light movement to their hair.”
Texturize through the ends: Finish the look by using a texturizing scissor through the ends. “Don’t cut too deep into the ends—this will make it look soft and airy,” Ryenne advises.

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Tip #2: Try an undercut for loyal bob clients

ARC Scissors Artistic Team Member Ray Hornback (@rayvoltagebeauty) provides his bob clients with a hassle-free grow-out by creating an undercut. “This will actually help the bob grow out better because they won’t have so much hair touching the shoulder as the hair grows. This will help the cut look slimmer and feel less bulky,” Ray explains.

Watch Ray’s technique in action and see how seamless a bob looks with an undercut:

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Tip #3: Utilize layering techniques to reduce bulk

Lastly, internal layering will be a bob client’s best friend into the hot summer months: ARC Scissors Ambassador Jem Mesa (@jem.hair) will ease a bob grow-out by removing weight within the interior of the haircut. How? Through the right choice of tools:

“The main goal is to minimize the bulk or volume during the grow-out period,” Jem shares. “I like to remove weight within the interior of the haircut with thinning shears. My favorite is ARC Scissors 30/2 Reversible Texturizer,” Jem shares. “I love for my haircuts to have defined lines that POP, and these shears allow me to add soft texture through gradual weight removal, letting me take control of how much detail I give my cuts,” she adds.

Pro Tip: Jem will combine slide and point cutting to soften the ends without affecting the overall length.

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3. Versatile, Trendy Fringe (Without the Fuss!)

Fringe is a lifestyle and clients are seeking versatility as we enter hot summer months. Expect bang clients to opt for lighter, more feathered fringes that can be styled forward or swept to the side. “Clients can move a light fringe out of the way when styling and not feel the bulkiness on the sides of the forehead,” Ryenne explains.

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Jem suggests a classic curtain bang for clients who want versatility: “You can achieve this style of fringe with overdirection on each side while utilizing thinning shears; then, point cut the center of the fringe to soften the overall look.”

Remember This: “When creating bangs, one has to be very cautious of how short to go, everyone’s hair texture and forehead differs. Also, when you style it, the volume you created will make them appear shorter and/or fuller. Cut them to a longer length wet, detail once dry and styled to the desired look.”

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4. Long Layers: Create Movement Without Collapsing Your Haircuts

To us, summer screams “mermaid hair” and many clients want to maintain longer lengths through hotter months—but, the key to a long perimeter that feels light is cutting layers that remove the weighed-down feeling of the hair without making it look fine or thin.

To avoid over-texturizing, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Customize for each client: Jem avoids collapsing layered haircuts by observing where the hair density lacks or length is uneven—those areas she layers less.
When working with fine hair: “People with fine hair can typically layer the face frame and preserve the back with very soft long layers towards the ends,” Jem adds.
Utilize invisible layers: Ryenne will create invisible layers point cutting only the ends without taking off too much length: “This allows airiness and movement without removing too much interior weight,” Ryenne explains.