From Barbie Blonde To Wispy Bangs - 10 Ways To Change Up Your Hair Game In 2024 (2024)

The ELLE UK Beauty Team's prediction? Post-buzzcut season, we anticipate that the Bend It Like Beckham style headbands will make a major comeback. After a year of bulky black bands, the back-to-school skinny accessory will be the most covetable (and affordable) way to dress up your everyday 'do from SS24.

'If 2023 was the year of the (cowgirl) copper, 24 is going to hero all the forgotten brunette shades! After we saw all the shades of chocolate and mahogany flood the runways towards the end of 2023, the glossiness of coffee coloured leather gave way to major inspiration in the hair and beauty department, too. 'This year, we’ll see an exploration of all the nuances of brown tones, from muted taupe to true dark chocolate and right up into intense chocolate cherry tones,' says British hairstylist and trend forecaster Tom Smith.

'I’ve already seen pixies and 70s texture making a creeping comeback, so I know they will be big again. Expert face-framing butterfly shapes and all variations of bangs, from Scandi styles to the 70s cropped midi,' says Color Wow Creative Director Dom Seeley.

'I think looking to nature for colour combinations and more neutral tones in hair will be popular this year. This could be as simplistic as switching bright blondes to soft golds, taking inspiration from animals, or more daring colours, even from organic combinations in plants or insects. If you're stuck for colours, look to Instagram for pictures of birds and insects,' says celebrity hairdresser Claire Moore.

'Braids have remained popular for decades because they give black women a level of freedom through many styles from jumbo, micro, pencil size, extra long, knotless, rope twists to cornrows with adornments such as pearls and beads,' says Hair Artist and Founder Charlotte Mensah.

'I'm seeing a lot of inspiration from the early 2000s in fashion and beauty; think The Hills or The Simple Life. I believe this will influence hair cutting trends and the side part and layered hair cut will be popular. The texture is what will bring it into 2024. Instead of the bouncy layers and straight ends of the 2000s, we will see undone natural textures and loose curls with uneven sections,' says Claire Moore.

'I feel the biggest bob trend will be a nod to Italian chic style bobs, with more volume and movement. As it’s cut from the collarbone to the chin without layers, it’s the sweet spot for a more polished look with body and movement,' says Dom Seeley.

'Accessories can range from a big bold claw clip ready to use at any time to embellished slides to make a SS24 statement, to a simple ribbon for marking the easiest of pony's to an editorial finish or even a 70s throwback of a headband,' says James Davies, Educator at Joy Ltd.

'The return of the ‘Do. A flirtatious play with iconic hairstyles, from 70’s inspired flicks, to beehives and maxi bobs of 60’s girl groups. At the Ashish SS24 Fashion Week show, we used Easy Up Do and Modern hairspray to give the models’ hair exaggerated shapes, volume, and silhouettes, capturing the Modern Retro look,' says legendary Hairstylist Sam McKnight.

'Ribbons are making a huge comeback in the world of hair. I’ve been adding a touch of elegance and playfulness to my hair with velvet, satin or grosgrain ribbons. They are perfect for any occasion,' says Charlotte Mensah.