Rounding into month nine of quarantine, chances are your hair looks different than it did last winter. Maybe you’ve quit the salon altogether and leaned into long hair, pulling it up in a claw-clip chignon for your Zoom calls. Or maybe the time at home has inspired you to get creative, experimenting with a new blow-out technique or getting braids for the first time.
However your relationship with your hair has changed, and whatever its current status, you’ll feel inspired by one of the budding hairstyle trends rolling out of the safely-reopened salons. From a new accessory to wear to your next Q4 planning meeting to a simple ponytail upgrade that will impress everyone in your Trader Joe’s line, find a five-part winter hairstyling guide, ahead.
Bubble Ponytail
If you source hairstyle inspiration on Instagram, chances are you’ve scrolled through a few bubble-style ponytails. Influencers like Claire Rose love the look because it creates the coolest fashion shot from the back. Plus, celebrity hairstylist Edward Tricomi tells us it’s easy to achieve from your own bathroom: Simply pull your hair back into a ponytail, then place a hairband every two inches down to create a bubble look.
Accent Braids
With the continuation of life on Zoom in 2021, the trendiest WFH hairstyle isn’t going anywhere this winter. L.A.-based hairstylist Brittany Sullivan shows us her take on the accent braid, which includes the signature tight twin plaits at the hairline while leaving the ends loose and super glossy.
Velvet Scrunchie
Where hair accessories are concerned, you’ll want to think in terms of seasonal fabrics. We’re seeing soft velvet and velour taking off this winter — think a plush scrunchie in a bright colour that matches your softest crewneck sweater, à la Dutch influencer Amaka Hamelijnck. (Bonus points for a subtle winged-liner complement.)
Fashion Scarf
Another smart winter accessory investment, albeit a bit more expensive, would be a silk scarf. Here, natural-hair influencer Leal Alexander uses a printed neck scarf by Zara as an accent to her pineapple ponytail.
“The Rachel”
While the beachy wave will always hold a place on the Drybar menu, another style we’re seeing is the comeback of the big, bouncy ’90s blowout reminiscent of Rachel Green’s iconic look on Friends. New York City salon owner Ryan Trygstad says that “The Rachel” is a hot request in his salon right now. “It’s just throwback-y enough,” Trygstad says. “It’s so cool. All these kids can pull it off because they have baby faces.” Consider former Disney star Sabrina Carpenter among them.
