The Biggest Winter Haircut Trends To Kick Off 2023
This Season’s List Of Haircut Trends For Winter 2023
Our trend radar is showing tons of layers, wearable midlength cuts and fringe galore. From Wednesday Addams-inspired curtain bangs to face-framing contour cuts á la Cindy Crawford, we’re rounding up the biggest winter haircut trends taking us well into 2023. Keep scrollin’ for every trend, variation of the look, pro tips and the online courses you’ll need to be ready for every client request this season.
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1. Bombshell Layers
If your client requests “It Girl” hair—this is it. Bombshell layers (also known as the viral butterfly cut on the internet) create that ’90s supermodel effect. To achieve this look, you’ll need to brush up on your face-framing layering techniques to accentuate your client’s features, build volume and seamlessly blend layers into the overall cut without losing too much length.
Pro Tip: Mastering this haircut will help you build your books to maximize profit and keep long-haired clients coming back to your chair.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @olaplex x @lirieshehu_ x @anderrateliehair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @salsalhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @kelleyscanvas
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Photo Credit: Instagram via @ahappyjustin
Learn the viral butterfly cut with @ahappyjustin:
- How to to create voluminous layers without comprising length
- When and where to overdirect when cutting layers
- The difference between a lived-in and blunt perimeter
- Included in the BTC-U Subscription—watch now!
Insider scoop: Justin shares that his secret weapon we see in all his viral haircutting videos is ARC™ Scissors Master Series Paragon II 7″.
2. Internal Layers
When your client says they want to keep their length but add a lot of layers—opt for internal layers that build volume throughout the interior and remove excess bulk. The result? Undone movement with an airy texture that looks great air-dried, waved or straight.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hirohair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @yukistylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @salsalhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @yukistylist
Learn how to achieve the cut from IGK Co-Founder @aarongreniahair:
- Midlength layering techniques
- Dry-cutting tips for effortless texture
- Tricks for releasing unwanted bulk
- Scissor preferences and Aaron’s go-to tools
- Included in the BTC-U Subscription—watch now!
Read Next: 3 Layer-Cutting Tips For Visible Texture
3. Fringe Fever: The Trends You Should Know
We’ll let you in on a little secret from our trend radar: 2023 will be the official year of THE FRINGE—in all different shapes and sizes. For winter, we’re seeing an influx of Netflix’s “Wednesday”-inspired fringe, curtain bangs, piecey texture and eye-sweeping lengths.
Get ahead of the trends to come with this fringe cheat sheet:
- How To Cut Curtain Bangs in 4 Steps
- Fringe-Cutting 101: 4 Things To Consider
- 5 Cutting Tips For Soft, Natural Fringe
- Cutting Cheats For Personalizing Fringe
- Wednesday Addams Fringe: Click here for your complete guide to recreate the look!
Photo Credit: Instagram via @claytonhawkins
Photo Credit: Instagram via @thehairbros
Photo Credit: Instagram via @salsalhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @laurapolko
- Long, Eye-Sweeping Fringe
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jennychohair
Cosmo Prof Artistic Team Member @brendacurlstylist
Watch Line One Hair founder @andreahenty create a contour cut with long, wispy fringe using ARC™️ Scissors Paragon II 6”.
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- Piecey Fringe
Photo Credit: Instagram via @salemmitchell
Photo Credit: Instagram via @yukistylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @wolfiecindy
- Long Curtain Bangs
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hirohair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @eunicekimhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @yukistylist
4. Midlength Lob
A long, luxe lob is on your client’s request list this season. The secret? Creating soft, blunt lines with movement. “Think of cutting your line with the ARC™ Scissors 10/10 Reversible Texturizer is like sketching with a pencil,” @chrisjones_hair explains. “It’s very forgiving, since you can see what you’re cutting as you go and really sculpt the haircut visually.”
Try Chris’ go-to scissor: Click here!
BUY NOW: Master Series SYMMETRY 10/10 Reversible Texturizer
Pro Tip: Give fine-haired clients fuller lobs with volume throughout the lengths using @styled_by_carolynn’s signature shear shattering technique.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @styled_by_carolynn
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Photo Credit: Instagram via @chrisjones_hair
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Photo Credit: Instagram via @curlfactor
Photo Credit: Instagram via @chelscaruso
Watch Cosmo Prof Artistic Team Member @joncarlosdelacruz’s before/after below.
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Read Next: How To Use Texturizing Shears: 4 Mistakes + Solutions
5. Bottleneck Bob
The “bottleneck bob” trend is known for its signature pinched fringe and shape that resembles a retro Coca Cola bottle. Also coined the “mushroom bob,” its different variations look great paired with blunt, chopped ends or can be easily adjusted into a softer, longer lob. Read this guide to nail the look.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @sabletoothtigre
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hollydoeshair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @brentdanielbasore
Photo Credit: Instagram via @selenagomez x @hairbyorlandopita
6. Chin Length Bob
Cutting the perfect bob can be intimidating. We’re here to help. The trend radar is showing soft, blunt lines that graze the chin—so those texturizing techniques will make or break the finished look. Cut with confidence by following our cheat sheet below for mistake-free soft bobs.
Mistakes To Avoid When Cutting A Bob (& Quick Fixes!):
- 4 Common Mistakes That Ruin The Perimeter
- SOS! Bulky Bobs: How To Remove Weight
- Cheat Volume On Fine-Haired Bobs—Here’s How!
Photo Credit: Instagram via @grahamnation
Photo Credit: Instagram via @augustoallencar
Photo Credit: Instagram via @biancalinettehmu
Swipe to see the head sheet breakdown below from @matt.swinney!
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Photo Credit: Instagram via @hirohair
Watch @chrisjones_hair teach how to cut a bob:
- Tips for cutting a clean, strong perimeter
- How and why you should cut from wet to dry
- The difference between layers and texture
- Included in your BTC-U Subscription—watch now!
7. The Pixie
From Zoë Kravitz to Dixie D’Amelio—some of our Hollywood faves are cutting it short with soft, tailored pixie cuts. There’s no doubt that these trendy crops are making their way onto your client’s mood boards. Before you reach for your scissors, read this complete guide to cutting and styling pixies that are personalized for every client.
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Photo Credit: Instagram via @alexmatthewtruong x @ninezeroone
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Photo Credit: Instagram via @greg_gilmore with Moroccanoil®️
Learn how to cut a curly pixie from celeb stylist @greg_gilmore:
- Sectioning strategies to create balance
- Wet- and dry-cutting techniques for cutting a pixie
- Styling techniques that work with curls, not against them
- Included in your BTC-U subscription—watch now!
Transitioning your client’s bob or pixie into the viral bixie haircut? Watch this online tutorial with @brianacisneros on BTC-University!
8. Soft, Parisian Shag
We’ll admit it. The upcoming season of “Emily In Paris” is on our binge list over the holidays. While some fans are busy debating over the show’s soapy love triangle—*Cough, cough: Team Camille*—we’re getting ready to recreate that French cool-girl hair in the salon.
Who doesn’t want Jane Birkin-inspired fringe and soft, tousled layers? To learn the dos and don’ts of cutting a soft shag with texturized ends—read this guide.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hirohair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @franckhair with IGK Hair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @lilyjcollins
9. Retro Shags
From Goldie Hawn to Farrah Fawcett, the ultra-feathered and heavily layered retro shag is one of the coolest trends this year. Whether you’re razor-cutting or cutting with your favorite pair of scissors, brush up on your skills for cutting ’70s-inspired shags: How to create texturized layers, cut short-to-long-layers and why the corners are crucial.
Check out 35+ retro shags in our trend gallery—click here!
Photo Credit: Instagram via @kelleyscanvas
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jhair_stylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hollygirldoeshair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist
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Learn how to cut a shag from @jayne_edosalon and Hairstory:
- Jayne’s signature petal carving technique
- How to achieve a clean cut with tons of movement
- Razor-cutting techniques to encourage natural texture
- Included in your BTC-U Subscription—watch now!
10. Contour Cuts
Just like makeup, haircuts can drastically contour the shape of your client’s face and décolletage. The biggest difference between contour cuts and long layers is density and tailored length.
Contour cutting is typically striking because it is not always supermodel-esque layers. Stylists are moving into the space of acknowledging one long layered cut cannot suit every client. Adjusting different lengths, density and working with texture creates a custom haircut to your client’s features that may not be on a standard head diagram.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @nubiarezo
Photo Credit: Instagram via @andreahenty with Line One Hair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @stebunovhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @joeltorresstyle
Learn how to cut contour layers with @joeltorressyle:
- Face-framing techniques to personalize layers
- How to accentuate your client’s facial features
- Cutting strategies to connect layers for a cohesive cut
- Included in the BTC-U Subscription—watch now!
Watch best-selling 90-minute classes to master:
- Bobs & lobs
- Long layers
- Shags
- Get the BTC-U Subscription to watch them all now!
