With the start of a new year comes a burst of hair trend predictions that will keep stylists busy over the next 12 months. While some are familiar styles and colors from 2021 (hi, mullets!) other 2022 forecasts are buzzy newcomers that trendy clients will be eager to embrace.
The annual trend report from Pinterest is used to predict up-and-coming trends across the fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle sectors. The 2022 version of the report predicted the following hair trends. In addition, pros from Sebastian Professional, Wella Professionals and Wella Colorcharm weighed in on how to apply these trends to hairstyling to help you stand out in 2022.
Rebel Cuts
“Hard-to-miss hair—from mullets to octopus hair to bob-cut wigs—will be the most-requested styles at the salon by Gen Z,” the report predicts.
Sebastian Professional top artist Angel Cardona says, “The rebel cut trends are fun alternative cuts and colors that showcase a lot of personality. Some of my favorite products to style these looks are Sebastian Professional Dark Oil to add a little extra shine to the octopus haircut, Sebastian Professional Microweb Fiber to really piece out the hair styled in a mohawk, and Sebastian Professional Shaper Fierce so I have all the control I need.”
Wella Professionals brand ambassador Briana Cisneros suggests that the bixie cut is the perfect way to achieve that fun, experimental look. “I coined the term ‘bixie’ for that in-between a bob and a pixie cut, because clients were wanting even more texture than what the traditional bob could offer.”
Oh My Goth
From baby clothes to kitchen decor, the metalhead aesthetic is having a Goth-aissance, according to the Pinterest report.
Sebastian Professional international artist Omar Antonio says one way to achieve this look is through, “Hues of deepest violet or crimson red against a backdrop of black. I predict customers will start reaching for hairsprays again—Sebastian Professional Shaper Zero Gravity is one of my favorites! What I love most about it is that the more you layer the product onto the hair, it slowly becomes a finishing hairspray—setting hair into a perfect finished look. Use it to style short fringes—blunt, bold, yet soft on the edges.”
Be Jeweled
“Gen Z is driving a trend toward accessories that go way beyond the basic earring, cuff or layered necklace. They’re getting creative and accessorizing the whole body, from tooth gems to crystal eye embellishments,” the report states.
When creating his look for Naomi Osaka for the 2021 ESPY Awards, celebrity stylist Marty Harper prepped her hair with Sebastian Professional Potion 9, Sebastian Professional Trilliant, Sebastian Professional Shaper Plus, and Sebastian Professional Gel Forte in a sleek, shiny ponytail with green gemstones at her hairline.
“When creating this look, it was about balance of strength, youth and reflection. The high shine and pops of rhinestone were to embrace this star,” Harper explains.
Puff Love
Once again, Gen Z is responsible for one of the biggest hair trends of 2022. According to Pinterest, “Gen Z-driven space buns and high-puff hairstyles will continue to spike as people find new beauty inspo.”
“There are many ways to achieve the puff hairstyle,” says Wella Professionals brand ambassador Dereq Clark. “Apply a generous amount of Wella Professionals Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil for instant luminosity and protection. For extra hold and to maintain flyaways, spray Wella Professionals EIMI Stay Firm workable finishing spray around the surface of the hair.”
Pearlcore
Mother Nature gets a futuristic upgrade with pastel, pearly and opalescent hues and textures trending in the professional beauty industry.
To bring these fresh tones to any hair look, Oliver Adams suggests blonding hair to create the purest, coolest, lightest shades of blonde. “I use several products to achieve the look. I first pre-lighten the hair with Wella Professionals Blondor Lightening Powder with 30- or 40-volume developer. After lightening, I go in with my Wella Colorcharm Toner T18. My absolute favorite, it delivers a beautiful platinum blonde that we call pearl. Shampoo and condition with the Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights System, and it’s perfect every time.”
