The Chicest Spring 2021 Hair Trends
There's finally a sliver of something in the air (is it a rise in temps? And end of the pandemic in sight?) and we're feeling inspired. First up: We want to freshen up our hair look. Whether it's a full on chop a la Ana de Armas or something a little more subtle (messy buns but make it fashion), we're got inspiration galore.
Ahead, the best looks for tomorrow's Zoom call and (fingers crossed!!) next month's park picnic.
The Quarantine Chop
After Ana de Armas posted a selfie to Instagram with a super-blunt bob, we asked ourselves—wait, should we just chop off all of our hair, too?
Curls and Braids
Ursula Stephen's work on Zendaya's curls for the Critic's Choice Awards had us gasping. The look—gorgeous take on the half-up, half-down trend—was inspired by Cicely Tyson.
Easy Waves
To compliment the romance and femininity of Cinq à Sept's collection, Oribe educator Mandee Tauber created effortless tousled waves with a large barrel curling iron. First, she prepped the hair with Oribe's Mystifying Restyling Spray, then blow dried using a flat brush.
A few inches from the root, Tauber curled 2-inch sections with a 1 1/2 barrel curling iron, making an S-wave pattern. Finishing off the look, she applied Dry Texturizing Spray to tousle the waves Imperméable Anti-Humidity Spray to set.
Pastel Pieces
If you're feeling a little adventurous (who isn't after a year spent inside), try this low-commitment pop of color. A pastel shade like Good Dye Young's Sky High or Stoned Pony screams "spring" without being too in-you-face about it, and we love the idea of doing part of the bangs like Linh Phan styled or even your curtain bangs if you're feeling super adventurous.
The Messy Bun, Revisited
In one of the few live shows of NYFW, Christian Siriano presented his Spring 2021 collection at his home in Connecticut. The hair look was a polished take on messy buns—or as Sebastian Professional artist Anthony Cole calls them, "abstract buns." To get the abstract look, Cole prepped the hair with Craft Clay before separating it into two ponytails. Twisting the hair in a upwards motion, Cole pinned the bun periodically and used Shaper Fierce hair spray to lock in the hold.
Zendaya even wore her top knot to the Critics Choice Awards, proving the versatility of this style.
Curtain Bangs Live On
You've seen them all over TikTok, Instagram, ELLE.com, Gigi Hadid, and your little sister's forehead. These are a softer version of bangs—parted in the middle, the hair naturally swoops to the sides, gently framing the face as they get longer while moving toward your ears.
Cropped Curls
When it comes to Tracee Ellis Ross, her curls can do no wrong. For spring, she's keeping her them cut short in a rounded afro.
Punk Glam
For Christian Cowan's 70s inspired collection, Bumble and Bumble hair lead Evanie Frausto referred to history. "At face value, you see a lot of 70s punk-glamour, but the foundation is a lot deeper than that,” Frausto said in a release. "We’re living through a historical movement, and people are no longer being silenced. They’re speaking up and being loud—and this hair is speaking the same language. So, there’s nothing subtle—it’s bold and loud and in your face; colorful and glittery with big, spikey moments. The vital part was to make sure each talent had their moment to shine and felt empowered in their own skin."
Flowers in Your Hair
Editorial hairstylist Rachel Lee created two looks for Rodarte's spring fashion show: Romantic soft waves and a chic chignon. "The hair this season was about organic feminine strength," Lee said in a release. "The wave and texture was created with the idea that softness is powerful. Allowing elements of nature to alter the looks throughout the day; a texture that sun can shine through and move freely with the wind and layers that can become one with florals." Either way, it's easy to recreate at home using fresh flowers or a hair pin.
Off-Duty Waves
For Rebecca Minkoff's Spring 2021 show, the designer requested a "cool, Parisian girl vibe,"—a style regularly served up by celebrity hairstylist Ryan Trygstad at Mark Ryan Salon. "[Rebecca] wanted the hair to feel lived-in, 'bedroomy' hair," Trygstad said in a release. "She called for texture and natural finishes without visible product." To create texture, Trygstad used 1/4 inch and 1 inch curling irons and a flat iron, before setting the hair with Shu Uemura's Kaze Wave Mousse and Wata Wave Spray.
You Might Also Like
