By
Deanna Pai,
Glamour
Whether you're scoping out fresh haircut ideas or curious to see the new styles on the rise, you've come to the right place. Because while we love the classic lob as much as the next person, we need a little variety—and what better way to get inspired than with the coolest hairstyles from around the U.S.? Starring cool shags in Los Angeles, layered lobs in Seattle, and curly bobs in Atlanta, we bring you the most popular haircuts of 2019 from every corner of the country. Scroll on for all the inspiration you need.
Albuquerque: Blunt Bangs
Albuquerque is loving the shaggy lob, but with a twist: blunt bangs. “Adding a bang is a great way to create a new style without the commitment of a drastic haircut or length change,” says Melinda Danella, hair stylist at Inspire Uptown Salon. She’s a big fan of pairing brow-grazing bangs with a collar-length cut.
Detroit: Full and Curly
Women in Detroit are looking to embrace their natural curls and make the most of their texture. "Curly girls are looking to give their hair more personality by incorporating heavy bangs or lots of layers to encourage volume and movement," says Lauren Moser, texture expert and owner of Hair Lab Detroit. To get the fullness her clients crave, Loren says to ask for both external and internal layers to make hair less bulky and create shape. When it comes to styling the cut, she says the key is to layer product and make sure curls are 100 percent dry before touching them too much. “Then, and only then, you can work and open up your curls without the worry of frizz."
Los Angeles: Mermaid Shag
Move over, mermaid braid. The mermaid shag is here to make you pop some biotin and grow your hair out. "It allows women to have all of their length while changing up the layers," explains Tim Duenas, a master stylist at Nine Zero One in L.A. "Ask your stylist to create layers without any that frame your face, which will keep your haircut looking modern." They add tons of texture and give the look a cool, rock-star vibe.
San Francisco: Strong Bob
The strong bob—also known as a blunt bob—is on the rise in S.F. "This cut is a statement," says Jon Reyman, owner of Spoke & Weal salons in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago. "Cool is more important than 'sexy' right now. Or rather, cool is the new sexy." The strong bob works for any hair texture, but if yours is dense, ask your stylist to thin it out first.
Honolulu: Chandelier Layers
The 2018 version of beach waves? Chandelier layers. "It's perfect for long- to medium-length hair, works with all hair types, and can be easily adjusted for your face shape," says Alan Vuong, owner of Salon Blanc in Honolulu. It has layers that fall freely and precisely, which adds volume that won't be weighed down or flattened. "Ask your stylist for long layers at the back and smooth, graduated layers to frame your face," suggests Vuong. "Or you can balance the layers with long bangs that can be styled to either side."
Boston: Curly Fringe
B is for Boston—and bangs. "It's an easy way to soften a look and add dimension," says Michelle Lee, owner and manager of Salon Eva Michelle in Boston. They're definitely a commitment but can do wonders for your face shape.
Boston: Asymmetrical Undercut
Another major look coming out of Salon Eva Michelle: This sharp bob-pixie hybrid with voluminous curls on one side and an undercut on the other. A good trick to make sure you get the cut you're picturing: Bring photos of what you don't want, in addition to styles you love. "Those speak volumes more," Lee says.
Chicago: The Shag
The Midwest is finding new ways to make lobs feel fresh. "The lob is making way for the modern shag," says Nicole Coil, a stylist at Blueberry Moon in Chicago. "Lots of textured layers create a soft shape, which is perfect for curls and waves. And it works to give lift and volume to smooth styles." Translation: It works for a range of hair textures. The shag is also ideal for Chicago's endless winter months, she says, because it keeps its shape under hats and beanies better than long layers can.
St. Louis: Softened Bob
There's something for everyone with this style, which not only works for almost every hair texture but is also customizable. "We determine the length based on your comfort level," explains Charlie Martin, creative director and owner of Salon One Six One in St. Louis. "We recommend not using the word inches and using your neck or body as a reference point instead." What sets this apart is that instead of relying on sharp lines or "chunky layers," as Martin calls them, the smooth, subtle layers add both movement and a softer look.
Memphis: Tapered Cut
In Memphis stylists are seeing a surge in women either going for short, cropped cuts when transitioning to natural hair or looking for a style that's easier to manage after growing our their afro. Both roads lead to the tapered cut. "It allows shorter sides and clean lines and leaves massive length in the top to achieve popular natural hairstyles such as twist-outs, rods, coils, and double-strand twists," says TaKeisha Berry-Brooks, hairstylist and founder of A Natural Affair Beauty Lounge in Memphis. "Most are also experimenting with vivid colors to complete the edgy look."
New York City: Curtain Bangs
Bangs can be easy to manage, so long as you choose the right kind. Curtain bangs are about as low-maintenance as they get. "Curtain bangs are the gateway to bangs, because they're super versatile," says Emily Heser, stylist at Cutler Salon in New York City. "They're long enough to grow out or pin back if you want, but they can also be cut into a shorter look." If you're on the noncommittal side when it comes to your cuts, consider this your match.
New York City: Dramatic Pixie
On the polar opposite side of the lob, stylists in NYC are also seeing a surge in requests for short haircuts, says Nunzio Saviano, owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon. "The girls who had lobs for a long time are going even shorter now," he says. Just don't make the mistake of assuming a pixie is low-maintenance; depending on your hair texture, it could actually be more work.
Denver: Boho Hair
Dani Everson, hairstylist and owner of Clementine's salon in Denver, has been seeing a collarbone length spike in popularity. (Think of it as a grown-out lob.) "We're seeing women who don't want to commit to long hair," she explains. "The wispier layers can add to the haircut feeling light and airy."
Las Vegas: "Shattered" Bob
There's little to no layering to be found in this edgy bob, but that doesn't mean it's your basic blunt style. "Instead we add lots of dimensional texture to the ends of the hair to create the ultimate movement," says Staci Linklater, stylist and salon director at Globe Salon in Las Vegas. She says it works best when your hair is medium in texture—that is, not fine but also not very coarse.
Atlanta: Curly Bob
If you have natural curls, look no further than the bob. "The bob is a very popular cut for curls, because it can be flattering on many face shapes and curl patterns," explains Robin Sjoblom, owner of Southern Curl in Atlanta. "Curly girls want something other than long, curly hair. They want a style." Plus, she says, it's easy to maintain and grows out well.
Seattle: Long Lob
"The lob looks good with varying lengths, which makes it perfect for all face shapes and hair types," says Stacie Bowie, owner of Bowie Salon and Spa in Seattle. When it's a little more grown out—think past your collarbone and around your shoulders—it's even easier to style and manage than the original.
Austin: Personalized Lob
"The lob is still going strong as one of our most requested haircuts, because it's versatile and easy to maintain," says Kari Leon-Guerrero, owner of KaRu Salon in the Texas capital. It's not just any lob, though: She suggests asking your stylist whether layers or bangs will most flatter your face shape. "Trends will come and go, but the best haircut is one that looks best on you," she says.
Miami: Wavy Lob
Apparently, it's a lob's world and we're just living in it. "It’s pretty, sophisticated, and customizable," says Andrea Battista, co-owner of Junior & Hatter salon in Miami, on their most-requested style. If you wear beachy waves or have curly hair, make sure your stylist accounts for the coil of your curls. "The length should be left long enough to compensate," Battista says.
