Look to the cyclical nature of trends, and summer has long been established as the all-compassing season of ease. Pool floats! Low-key hairstyles! Vacation days that aren’t confined to the white-plastered walls of your tiny apartment living room. But as the all-mighty coronavirus pandemic has shown: societal norms are shifting, in everything from holiday plans to salon requests. Now, it’s fall‘s biggest haircut trends that are truly breezy.
“During this time, most people will want easy, low-maintenance, but stylish haircuts this fall,” Larry Sims, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Flawless by Gabrielle Union, told POPSUGAR. “Everyone has been quarantined up in their homes for the most part this year. With not being able to get to salons frequently, most people will opt for cuts that look fly without the commitment of major upkeep.”
Whereas historically the autumnal season saw an influx of polished cuts to match those crisp new wardrobes, those are exactly the types of styles to avoid these next few months. “I wouldn’t suggest any precision cuts,” he said. “Cuts like severe blunt bangs or asymmetrical cuts aren’t the prettiest when they grow out, which is important especially if people are unable to get to their hairstylists regularly.”
To help you prep for your next appointment, keep reading for a breakdown to the five pro-approved haircut trends worth trying this fall. Rest assured: they couldn’t get any easier.
Getty / Kirstin Sinclair
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Buzz Cuts
As so eloquently demonstrated by Tallulah Willis and Antoni Porowski: “A huge hair trend for this fall will be buzz cuts,” said Sims. Perhaps the most dramatic of changes, to be sure, but he says it seems to be exactly what people are looking for right now. “As we’ve adapted to our new ‘normal,’ people are wanting to use this time to get rid of damaged hair and old energy. Cutting it all off feels fresh and new.”
Getty / Melodie Jeng
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Buzz Cuts
Getty / Matthew Sperzel
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Buzz Cuts
Getty / Daniel Zuchnik
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Buzz Cuts
Getty / Jeremy Moeller
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Buzz Cuts
Getty / Emma McIntyre
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Textured Layers With Bangs
The common denominator between this trend and the recent resurgence of the shag haircut is simple: layers. This fall, Sims predicts, we’ll be seeing plenty of them. “We’ll see natural textures cut into layers with a textured fringe – that cut looks great at all times,” he said. It’s also easy to style: “The grow-out on it is cool as well. This cut screams volume, carefree, and easy.”
And to be honest, what more could you want?
Getty / Melodie Jeng
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Textured Layers With Bangs
Getty / Matt Winkelmeyer
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Textured Layers With Bangs
Getty / Claudio Lavenia
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Textured Layers With Bangs
Getty / Melodie Jeng
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Shaggy Cuts
This shaggier style isn’t just for longer length; it also looks great on shorter hair. “Shaggy layered looks are for the more fashion-forward and will offer style without the need for constant upkeep,” said Joseph Maine, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Trademark Beauty.
Getty / Melodie Jeng
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: Shaggy Cuts
Getty / Edward Berthelot
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: The Lob
The long bob haircut – or simply the lob, as we’ve come to know it – is one of the biggest styles to come out of quarantine. Not only does it give you the best of both worlds, in that it’s long enough to wear in a ponytail yet short enough to accentuate your facial features, but it’s also extremely flattering.
“It [looks good on] all hair types and face shapes,” said master hairstylist Edward Tricomi of Warren Tricomi Salons. “This cut features back strands resting on the nape of your neck with the face-framing strands dipping an extra inch or two until they kiss your collarbone – an edgy yet sophisticated hairstyle, all at the same time.”
Getty / Christian Vierig
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: The Lob
Getty / Kirstin Sinclair
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: The Lob
Getty / Edward Berthelot
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: The Lob
Getty / NurPhoto
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: The Lob
Getty / Jeremy Moeller
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: "Invisible" Layers
“The term ‘invisible layers’ refers to removing weight and adding movement into a haircut while creating a finished look with minimal or no layers at all,” Omar Antonio, hairstylist and global top artist for Sebastian Professional, told POPSUGAR. That means subtly cutting layers within layers of longer hair for an infinitely more discreet – and therefore, natural-looking – effect.
The cut works across all hair types and textures, but if you have short hair, asking for “pen cutting” can give the style a little more shape. The key, he said, is to take the feather razor and hold it like a pen to add detail to layers. “Pen cutting puts your autograph on the hair.”
Getty / Gotham
Fall 2020 Haircut Trend: "Invisible" Layers