The Hottest Hairstyling Trends of 2024
Bouncy Blowouts, Sculpted Braids & Ribbons Galore: Every Hairstyle That’s Trending in 2024
The year is in full swing and BTC Editors have talked 2024 hair trend predictions with stylists everywhere from backstage at New York Fashion Week, to industry launch parties, to our Instagram DMs—and everyone agrees: glamorous hair is BACK. This year, requests for lived-in styles will be surpassed by more intentional looks like bouncy blowouts, sculpted braids, delicate kiss curls and intricate top knots.
“I always associate recessions with a little more styled hair because it makes everyone feel better. …I think in times of financial turmoil, everyone gets really into making themselves feel really good,” shared session hairstylist Dylan Chavles (@dylanchavles) backstage at the Eckhaus Latta fall 2024 show during NYFW as she relates how current events affect hair trends. “I think we’re going to move out of the ‘do nothing era.'”
With that being said, take a look at the eight—very styled—hairstyles we think will reign supreme in 2024—plus tips to help you achieve each look!
1. Knotty Topknots
The “Clean Girl Aesthetic” slicked-back bun is getting an upgrade this year with more intricate, knotted topknots. While the sleek base of the bun remains the same, celebrity stylists like Justine Marjan (@justinemarjan) and Davontae’ Washington (@iamdavontae) are adding in twisted knots for more texture and dimension.
Once the base is slicked-back and ponytail secured, the key is to twist sections of hair into mini buns then secure them at the base of the ponytail.
2. Kiss Curls
While kiss curls shouldn’t be reduced to a “trend,” (they became popular during the 1920s “Flapper Era” and have been a staple style in many communities ever since), this year, we can expect to see them worn everywhere from runway fashion shows, to the red carpet, to everyday life. Kiss curls (also called “spit curls”)—or locks of curled hair gelled down to the face—will be paired with bold updos, braids and ponytails and even adorned with rhinestones.
BTC Editors talked to celebrity and runway stylist, Lacy Redway (@lacyredway), backstage at The Blonds fall 2024 show where one of the key looks was a strong set of defined curls paired with kiss curls. “For me, [the look] is inspired by the ’90s, because that’s when I grew up. I know this girl who has these kiss curls and the strong set.”
See the kiss curls Lacy created for The Blonds show—plus more variations of the trend below!
3. Bouncy Blowouts
Big, voluminous bouncy blowouts will continue to dominate in 2024 as we move away from undone and toward done-up styles.
“I’m seeing (and wanting to create!) a lot of bouncy blowouts,” says Ulta Design Team Member Justin Toves-Vincilione (@ahappyjustin). “I’m seeing a lot of velcro rollers, curl sets and I’m pulling out my two-inch curling iron way more than ever.”
4. Sculpted Braids
People everywhere are trading in last season’s braided ponytails for braids that are sculpted into different shapes and structures—some even adorned with different colors and accessories.
For the fall 2024 LAPOINTE fashion show, editorial and runway stylist Joey George (@joeygeorge) created what he described as a cooler take on space buns. He had two takes on the look: Look one had quadrants and look two was designed for shorter hair with just two sections. “The two front sections get cornrowed forward and spun around into a cinnamon roll on the top of the head,” he told BTC backstage. “So it still feels cutesy, but it’s flattened, modern and cooler.”
See the looks Joey created for LAPOINTE—plus more sculpted braids here:
5. Ribbons & Bows
Thanks to the “Coquette Aesthetic” trend—Gen Z’s take on flirty, feminine style that references the Victorian Regency era—we can expect to see ribbons and bows adorning buns, ponytails, half-up styles and even French twists in 2024.
“We’re going to see a lot more of bows in hair and a lot of accessories,” said Aveda’s North American Artistic Director of Hairstyling, Brittany Guzman Dion (@brittdion) backstage at the Alice + Olivia fall 2024 show during NYFW. “And the buns are still going to be around for a while but they’re now bigger,” she added.
See the look Britt created for Alice & Olivia—plus more looks leaning into the trend here:
6. Round, Beveled Bobs
The Chrissy Turlington-inspired bouncy, voluminous bob is continuing to trend thanks to its wearability, chicness and how flattering it is. It has a strong perimeter and bouncy bevel to instantly add volume, elongate the neck and make hair appear fuller.
If your clients are craving a little chop and bounce, click here for endless ’90s bob inspo.
7. Headbands
For those focused on growing out their bangs—headbands are a necessity. But this year, we’re seeing more and more people style the accessory á la Blair Waldorf and Cher Horowitz thanks to the moment’s hyper focus on feminine, luxurious looks.
The key to wearing headbands in 2024? Opting for the thin, fabric loop headbands made popular by ’90s it girls and styling for fashion vs. function. Focus more on wearing headbands with sleekly styled hair close to the hairline vs. using them to keep unruly hair off the face.
8. Finger Waves
Ah, finger waves—the most dreaded part of any cosmetology school test—are back. While those with pixies are opting for a full head of finger waves, people with longer strands are going with face-framing finger waves to add more texture and dimension to their look.
Follow these five easy steps if you haven’t created a finger wave since cosmo school:
- Fully saturate the hair in water and your choice of styling gel.
- Create your desired part.
- Start creating finger waves around the face first.
- To create the wave: Place one finger down on the section of hair and use your comb to make an S-shape around it.
- When the waves are 100 percent dry, set with your choice of clips.
Click here for even more tips for styling finger waves.
