By Brittany Brolley, The List
If you were to go in for a haircut at a salon in the early 1960s, you'd see women getting their hair coiffed into bouffants and beehives. You yourself would likely walk out of the salon with the iconic hairstyle of the time. By the '80s, you would have moved onto big, teased hair. But if you were to hand a hair inspo photo of Jackie Kennedy's 'do or Madonna's teased mane to your stylist today, she might just resist giving you the dated look. The fact is: Times change. And with the changing times comes changing haircuts.
The List spoke with hairstylists from all over the country to find out just what haircuts will be in high demand in 2019. While many modish styles made the cut, some classic styles you never — and we mean never — thought would return are well on their way back. Here's what the hair gurus had to say.
Fae Norris, a professional stylist with nearly two decades of experience at Neighborhood Salon in Echo Park, Calif., told The List that blunt cuts will be making their way into 2019. "We'll see a lot of chin-length to collar bone bobs with deep side or middle parts," the stylist explained. This style will work whether you have curly, wavy, or pin straight hair — which basically means it's perfect for every woman. For those with thick hair, Norris recommends having some extra weight taken out in order to have your hair fall into the desired shape.
"This is about ditching the overly complicated layered cuts and keeping life simple with this timeless, chic look," Norris said. "Super cute. Super easy. Super sexy."
Even Ariana Grande who is known for her tight, high ponytails said "thank u, next" to her iconic long hair towards the end of 2018 and opted for a much shorter blunt cut.
When renowned stylist and owner of FRED.nyc, Fred Connors, told The List about an iconic style from the '70s and '80s that's set to make a comeback in 2019, we had to take a second to collect ourselves. Connors revealed, "More women in the salon are asking about perms." Um, what? As if sensing our disbelief, he clarified, saying, "Yes! Perms!"
In 2019, Connors expects many women to take a break from their curling irons and try out the more permanent coils. "We have had to pull out the perm rods we haven't seen in years to make these looks happen and clients are loving it," the stylist dished.
While it may be hard to imagine, Connors confirmed that the retro style still works today. "It is sexy and easy to wear," he explained. And if you're looking for some great perm inspo, you need to look no further than Jennifer Beals in Flashdance. For real.
If you're not feeling the perm, it's okay. The year 2019 is going to be chock full of other great looks.
"Textured bobs are definitely going to be a go-to style in 2019," Holly Pistas, artistic director, makeup artist, and master hairstylist at Chicago-area Gordon Salons, confirmed when speaking to The List. "People want a haircut that is easy and not too structured. They have better things to do than spend too much time styling their hair and want something they can scrunch and go!" We heard that.
Although the cut is super simple to style, it's anything but boring. Pistas said bobs "can still be chic and edgy" — which is part of why they're going to be so popular in 2019. This look is also much different than the increasingly popular blunt bob. Celebrity hairstylist Riawna Capri told Health, "The textured bob is the opposite of [a blunt bob]. It's deconstructed and uneven in places, with a method of madness."
If you've been thinking about getting bangs, there's no time like the present. Sharon Ramcharitar, senior stylist at Vu Hair at the Peninsula Hotel in New York City put it this way: "Bangs will be a big trend to kick off the start of 2019."
Just like bobs, bangs can be cut in a variety of different styles. Ramcharitar said she expects to see a few different looks in 2019. Everything from "trendy bangs, which include a shaggy or face framed bang" to "shorter bangs and tousled bangs" are going to be en vogue. If you're wondering if these styles will look good with a textured bob, you can rest assured that they absolutely will.
Artistic director, makeup artist, and master hairstylist at Chicago-area Gordon Salons Holly Pistas echoed Ramcharitar's sentiment. "The comeback of bangs is only getting stronger. People like some framing around their face to break it up," she told The List.
Ricardo Dinis, the global artistic director of hair cutting at Aveda said 2019 will also be a good year for long hair. "Longer hair worn natural with no fuss layers" is one look Dinis expects to gain traction. Bangs will also be an option for those who wish to keep their lengthy locks. The director told The List that "curtain bangs and short fringes" paired with long hair will become increasingly popular in 2019.
"[Bangs] should create a triangle shape that aligns with the outer corners of your eyes," celebrity hairstylist Matt Fugate told Allure of coupling bangs with long, layered hair. "Just don't make the layers around your face too short," he explained. "They'll look most flattering if they begin below the chin."
If you're having a hard time visualizing just what this style entails, Jessica Biel's character in The Sinner will provide you with some epic hair goals.
For many, 2019 will be the year to get out of your comfort zone and try a new look. And according to Fae Norris, a professional stylist at Neighborhood Salon in California, you have plenty of mod styles to choose from. From pixies to shaved heads to bowl cuts, your new look can be a juxtaposition of fashion-forward and retro. Although Norris thinks it will take some time for these edgy styles to "trickle down into everyday fashion," many women are beginning to give them a go.
The stylist said modern pixies are "razored with piecey bangs and soft edges" while the shaved head look is "left without any hard lines around the perimeter." While it's hard to think of bowl cuts as flattering, Norris assures us that they can be. "The bowl cuts can be softened by a subtle layer preventing anything resembling a mushroom from occurring. It could be called an architectural look." According to the expert stylist, South Korea and Germany have already begun pushing this trend into the mainstream.
If you decided to go with a bob in 2018, why not up the ante in 2019 with a fun, new twist on the classic style? "So many women are loving the sleek inverted bob," Sharon Ramcharitar, senior stylist at Vu Hair at the Peninsula Hotel in New York City, revealed when chatting with The List. "This inverted bob can really go with any face shape as long as it is cut correctly." An important caveat, to be sure. This is a cut that most certainly requires you to trust your stylist. In fact, Ramcharitar recommends consulting with a master or senior stylist for this "crafted, designed haircut."
If you're also game for trying bangs on for size, this look will pair with them perfectly. And whether you want to keep your hair long, cut it short, or even add some layers, this skilled cut will be your best friend.
Are you sick of blow-drying your hair? If so, we have a feeling 2019 is going to be your year. Global artistic director of hair cutting at Aveda Ricardo Dinis said "slick back" and "wet-look bobs" are an up-and-coming trend. This style calls for "low side partings tucked behind the ears with ends flicked out," according to the expert.
While achieving the wet look may sound as simple as washing your hair and throwing in some gel, it's not quite that easy. Using gel will only make your hair crispy and opting for oil will make for a greasy mess, Kim Kardashian's hairstylist and global artistic director of Color Wow, Chris Appleton, revealed to Behind the Chair. "It's not actually wet, it's just a wet look," he added.
Instead, he recommends coating your hair with gloss, working section by section, and then using a large iron to "wave the hair slightly." While it's not as easy as throwing in some gel, it is a fun departure from blow-drying.
While many get the itch for a new hairstyle once the new year is on the horizon, there's nothing that says you have to completely revolutionize your look each and every January. Even if you think there's a chance you'll want short hair at some point in the new year, there's no denying that — at least in many parts of the country — it gets freaking cold in the winter. And yes, scarves are great for keeping you warm, but sometimes there's nothing like letting your hair grow out in the colder months. However, this doesn't mean you should completely neglect your hair during the season.
When speaking to The List, Sharon Ramcharitar, senior stylist at Vu Hair at the Peninsula Hotel in New York City, said, "To help transition into the new season, my clients may go two to three inches shorter, cutting off dead ends [and] leaving them with a beautifully one-layered haircut going into late winter." Sometimes a simple refresh is all one needs.
If you are thinking about making a big hair change, there's something important to consider. While you may appreciate the edgy modish pixie, commanding retro perm, or sleek inverted bob on someone else, you might not exactly desire that style for yourself — and that's totally okay.
Ricardo Dinis, global artistic director of hair cutting at Aveda explained to The List, saying, "In 2019, haircuts will be very diverse and all about personalization — cut with the individual in mind." That's right, ladies. It's all about getting what's best for you.
"The haircut should feel personal and that it represents you," Dinis revealed. If you already know what style best represents you, you can head over to your local salon with a clear style in mind. If you're having trouble figuring out just what look would be a good fit, don't worry. Your longtime hairstylist will surely know what haircut will be great for you personally.
If you were to go in for a haircut at a salon in the early 1960s, you'd see women getting their hair coiffed into bouffants and beehives. You yourself would likely walk out of the salon with the iconic hairstyle of the time. By the '80s, you would have moved onto big, teased hair. But if you were to hand a hair inspo photo of Jackie Kennedy's 'do or Madonna's teased mane to your stylist today, she might just resist giving you the dated look. The fact is: Times change. And with the changing times comes changing haircuts.
The List spoke with hairstylists from all over the country to find out just what haircuts will be in high demand in 2019. While many modish styles made the cut, some classic styles you never — and we mean never — thought would return are well on their way back. Here's what the hair gurus had to say.
"Super sexy" blunt cuts
"This is about ditching the overly complicated layered cuts and keeping life simple with this timeless, chic look," Norris said. "Super cute. Super easy. Super sexy."
Even Ariana Grande who is known for her tight, high ponytails said "thank u, next" to her iconic long hair towards the end of 2018 and opted for a much shorter blunt cut.
The perm returns
In 2019, Connors expects many women to take a break from their curling irons and try out the more permanent coils. "We have had to pull out the perm rods we haven't seen in years to make these looks happen and clients are loving it," the stylist dished.
While it may be hard to imagine, Connors confirmed that the retro style still works today. "It is sexy and easy to wear," he explained. And if you're looking for some great perm inspo, you need to look no further than Jennifer Beals in Flashdance. For real.
The "chic and edgy" bob
"Textured bobs are definitely going to be a go-to style in 2019," Holly Pistas, artistic director, makeup artist, and master hairstylist at Chicago-area Gordon Salons, confirmed when speaking to The List. "People want a haircut that is easy and not too structured. They have better things to do than spend too much time styling their hair and want something they can scrunch and go!" We heard that.
Although the cut is super simple to style, it's anything but boring. Pistas said bobs "can still be chic and edgy" — which is part of why they're going to be so popular in 2019. This look is also much different than the increasingly popular blunt bob. Celebrity hairstylist Riawna Capri told Health, "The textured bob is the opposite of [a blunt bob]. It's deconstructed and uneven in places, with a method of madness."
"Trendy bangs"
Just like bobs, bangs can be cut in a variety of different styles. Ramcharitar said she expects to see a few different looks in 2019. Everything from "trendy bangs, which include a shaggy or face framed bang" to "shorter bangs and tousled bangs" are going to be en vogue. If you're wondering if these styles will look good with a textured bob, you can rest assured that they absolutely will.
Artistic director, makeup artist, and master hairstylist at Chicago-area Gordon Salons Holly Pistas echoed Ramcharitar's sentiment. "The comeback of bangs is only getting stronger. People like some framing around their face to break it up," she told The List.
"No fuss layers"
"[Bangs] should create a triangle shape that aligns with the outer corners of your eyes," celebrity hairstylist Matt Fugate told Allure of coupling bangs with long, layered hair. "Just don't make the layers around your face too short," he explained. "They'll look most flattering if they begin below the chin."
If you're having a hard time visualizing just what this style entails, Jessica Biel's character in The Sinner will provide you with some epic hair goals.
Pixies, bowl cuts, shaved heads, oh my
The stylist said modern pixies are "razored with piecey bangs and soft edges" while the shaved head look is "left without any hard lines around the perimeter." While it's hard to think of bowl cuts as flattering, Norris assures us that they can be. "The bowl cuts can be softened by a subtle layer preventing anything resembling a mushroom from occurring. It could be called an architectural look." According to the expert stylist, South Korea and Germany have already begun pushing this trend into the mainstream.
The well-cut inverted bob
If you're also game for trying bangs on for size, this look will pair with them perfectly. And whether you want to keep your hair long, cut it short, or even add some layers, this skilled cut will be your best friend.
"Wet-look bobs"
While achieving the wet look may sound as simple as washing your hair and throwing in some gel, it's not quite that easy. Using gel will only make your hair crispy and opting for oil will make for a greasy mess, Kim Kardashian's hairstylist and global artistic director of Color Wow, Chris Appleton, revealed to Behind the Chair. "It's not actually wet, it's just a wet look," he added.
Instead, he recommends coating your hair with gloss, working section by section, and then using a large iron to "wave the hair slightly." While it's not as easy as throwing in some gel, it is a fun departure from blow-drying.
A simple refresh
When speaking to The List, Sharon Ramcharitar, senior stylist at Vu Hair at the Peninsula Hotel in New York City, said, "To help transition into the new season, my clients may go two to three inches shorter, cutting off dead ends [and] leaving them with a beautifully one-layered haircut going into late winter." Sometimes a simple refresh is all one needs.
The personalized cut
Ricardo Dinis, global artistic director of hair cutting at Aveda explained to The List, saying, "In 2019, haircuts will be very diverse and all about personalization — cut with the individual in mind." That's right, ladies. It's all about getting what's best for you.
"The haircut should feel personal and that it represents you," Dinis revealed. If you already know what style best represents you, you can head over to your local salon with a clear style in mind. If you're having trouble figuring out just what look would be a good fit, don't worry. Your longtime hairstylist will surely know what haircut will be great for you personally.
