Hairstyle ideas that are going to be *everywhere* in 2023
We're always on the look-out for elite hairstyle ideas so we don't get stuck in a rut. And while we know it's what's on the inside that counts, there's no denying that an exceptional hairstyle can change the temperature of our mood. In fact it can mean the difference between feeling kind of crappy or all-out fabulous.
Yes, we may not always wake up to our hair playing ball, but having a few reliable hairstyle ideas in our locker, to slip out at a moments notice, can take the stress out of getting ready.
And you can forget trussing yourself up like a show pony, because often, the simplest styles are the most effective. A basic plait, low bun, beautiful braids or slick ponytail will do the trick.
If you want to take things up a notch though (and things may get slightly more fiddly) it's worth working through. Identify the styles that fit well with your hair type and length and take a bit of time to get the technique nailed down, so that in the future, when you want to look extra swishy, you're a dab hand.
A well-placed twist can make all the difference, embellished accessories are an instant way to look like you've made more effort than you actually have, and simple tricks and tucks may look intricate but take seconds to upgrade your style.
To get you started, celebrity hairstylist, and brand educator for Jerome Russell, Jason Collier, has let us in on his favourite trending hairstyles for right now, plus his top tips on how to achieve them.
The Pamela Anderson Updo
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“Pamela Anderson's iconic ‘90s updo has taken on new heights this year and makes the perfect glamorous hair look,” Jason says. “To start you want to get as much texture into your hair as possible, which you can achieve with a Root Boosting Spray like the Bstyled Root Boost Spray and a Volumising Spray,” he adds. We love Ouai’s Volume Spray.
“Next leave some face framing pieces of your hair down, then take the rest of your hair, twist it and secure up and in place with a study claw clip. You can then start tousling parts out and securing other parts around the claw clip and on the top of your hair with grip clips, or accessories,” Jason says. "For the face framing pieces curl with your hair wand and use a heat protector to keep those curls locked in place."
The sleek flick ponytail
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“A sleek ponytail never goes out of style. For this look you want to start with straight hair, so make sure to protect your hair before attacking it with a straightener. You want your hair looking and feeling its strongest and healthiest for a ponytail so that it holds it's shape for longer. You can then use a gel to slick your hair back, I personally love to use a mousse,” says Jason. "Mousses have been designed to hold the weight of your hair when it's in a curl, so it's a no brainer that they would be great for holding your hair into any style. Secure your ponytail in place and then go over the ends with a straightener and flick the ends outwards for a more retro look to a classic style."
The face-lifting half updo
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For something a little foxier, Jason loves the half updo. “Start with a root boosting spray to give your more volume and texture, as sectioning up your hair can sometimes cause it to look a little flat. Next use your eyes, brows, and temples as a guide to section off the top part of your hair. I recommend creating an imaginary line just above your eye line and creating the section from there up to create that eyelift,” says Jason. "Pull that hair up to the top of your head and secure it tautly. You can add some volume to the centre part of that section as long as you keep the side parts tightly pulled back for that lift effect," he adds.
The side-part
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“The side part is back and chicer than ever, as seen on Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Khloe Kardashian... literally everyone. Side partings can look good on everyone and accentuates your face structure. I normally recommend parting the hair on the side of your face you believe is your best side as this is usually more exposed,” says Jason. “To create the part, use the tip or end of your comb, whichever is thinnest for a precise parting. The parting can be straight across, or diagonal, or criss-cross. If you want to go sleek and classic like Zendaya use a smoothing spray and a hair serum,” he says, to keep hair smooth and create sleek baby hairs and edges. "If you want to go more textured and grunge like Miley Cyrus use a root boosting spray and a volumising spray for that extra bounce and thickness, whilst keeping your style in place all night," says Jason.
For more ideas, you've come to the right place. Glossy blowouts, spiky model buns, Barbie ponytails, baby braids and zig-zag partings are all set to headline 2022 as Y2K hair rules. We've rounded up the best examples to get you going. So, whether you have long length, short hair, an afro, a bob or a pixie cut, get ready for some serious inspiration overload...
Myliizzle / InstagramBandana, but make it cute
Naturally curly hair is cute and we love how pretty @myliizzle's look with this season's coolest accessory – the bandana.
thaonhile / InstagramSpiky bun
You're about to see ‘90s spiky buns everywhere (that' if you haven’t been rocking them already).
thejoshliu / InstagramBuns for days
We love these beautiful stacked buns by Josh Liu.
amybaineshair / InstagramSleek plait
The messy girl aesthetic has had a bit of a glow-up in favour of a neater, sleeker finish. We love this mid height plait. It's simple, but effective.
rikkigash / InstagramBaby bunches
Another nostalgic hairstyle that's making a comeback. Baby Spice's favourite hairstyle has had a modern makeover.
Imzaher / InstagramButterfly clips
An easy way to add shape to longer length hair is to clip small sections back, but keep a few face-framing pieces.
___beautybyaless / InstagramImmaculate braids
These beautifully uniform braids are neat, glossy and elite.
ash_kholm / InstagramBaby braids
Forget tendrils, make use of your front sections of hair and add dinky details with baby braids.
sienree / InstagramThe model bun
A hit amongst the supers we've seen this cute style on Bella, Kaia, Kendall and more.
JourdanSloane / InstagramBraided ponytail
We love how perfectly swept back the crown is and the minorly messy plait in the back, complete with a sweet hair scarf.
claytonhawkins / InstagramGold accents
It's all in the details, and Tomi Adeyemi's locs look stunning with delicate gold thread accents.
thejoshliu / InstagramBarbie ponytail
The anatomy of the Barbie ponytail? High, sleek, flicked.
JourdanSloane / InstagramClaw clipped
Claw clips are back and as functional as they are fashionable. This flower rendition is extra adorable.
Myliizzle / InstagramTeddy buns
A super cute and fun style for when you don't want something so serious. We LOVE.
shovalhenmakeup / InstagramHalf-up top knot
All the drama and glamour of glossy mermaid waves but with a casual looped top-knot to make it feel more relaxed.
claytonhawkins / InstagramButt-grazing braids
Go hard or go home. This XXL braid went hard.
HassieHarrison / InstagramWafty fringe and bun
The wafty fringe is a delicate way to wear bangs and looks super pretty with updos.
rikkigash / InstagramTwisted pigtails
Dust your Babyliss braider off, '90s twists are back. We love how slick these twisted pigtails are.
amybaineshair / InstagramLow knot
The low knot is the perfect blend of smart and casual. Perfect for summer weddings and special occasions, or to elevate your everyday look.
Salt kinks
Larry King created gorgeous 'salt kinks' in the girls' hair at the Spring/Summer 2021 Ralph & Russo show and it's a look you can channel at home because it's so damn relaxed. He wanted to create effortlessly cool looks, like the girls had been poolside or at the beach all day and the ends of their hair had got wet, creating a naturally soft and salty textured look with baby hairs framing their face. We may not be able to get to a beach but at least we can look like we've been, right?
@sophia_roe / InstagramShaggy pigtails
If you're phobic to overly neat styles, the trick is to liberate your fringe and loosen up a few face framing sections.
@taunidawson / InstagramKnotted plait
For the experimentalist. We're not quite sure how this works either, but the takeaway is, play around with knots and twists rather than straightforward plaits and you might come up with something incredible.
@haileybieber / InstagramFlicked ponytail
The 60s called, they're happy to see we've cottoned onto the difference a quick wrist flick can make to our ponytails. Use your tong/straightener of barrel brush to create a flick effect for added swoosh.
@amakahamelijnck / InstagramLow bun, with scrunchie
To get the shape right, keep the front sections of your hair separate and pull the crown back into a low ponytail, before then adding the side sections later. The cherry on top? A scrunchie.
@brittsully / InstagramBigged-up braids
Braid look best when they've been beefed up a little, so use your fingers to tease each loop into a chunkier shape and pull out a couple of face-framing sections to make it a little messy.
@natalieannehair / InstagramThe tease
Make the most out of beautiful curls by teasing them out, scooping them sky-high in a high ponytail and embellishing with a statement headband.
@valetstudio / InstagramTriple scrunch
What's better than adding a scrunchie to a casual pony? Correct. Adding three.
@kamomodisakeng / InstagramLemonade braids
Long, beautiful and versatile, they look incredible down, or pulled up into ponytails and buns.
@hairbyrachel / InstagramScarf plait
An easy addition to a regular plait, incorporate a pretty, printed scarf and make that one strand of the braid.
@jesushair / InstagramMessy ponytail
This works beautifully on natural textures, bed-head hair and even getting-greasy hair. Add some texture spray into roots, scoop it up into a high ponytail, then to get that extra lift, double up on hair ties, placing the second above the original, then wind an extra strand of hair round the band to make it look more polished.
@mcb.hair / InstagramLow knot
Wind hair into a messy low knot, secure with a hair tie, top with a scrunchie, then use your fingers to muss up the roots.
@brittsully / InstagramLoose ponytail
Easy peasy, just flip your hair behind you, gather it into a low ponytail and tie it up with a statement hair tie or scrunchie.
@kristin_ess / InstagramA velvet ribbon is an expensive-looking addition to any hairstyle.
@diaryofdays / InstagramFinish off a low ponytail by knotting it in place with a silk scarf.
@kristin_ess / InstagramTwist hair from the side and fasten into place with the centre of your hair still lose. Add a pretty slide to finish things off.
@leletny / InstagramGather hair into a loose pony and go to town on accessories.
@leletny / InstagramThis is the perfect compromise if you're not sure whether to keep your hair down or opt for an updo. The secret? Plenty of teasing at the crown.
@maxineeggenberger / InstagramWhy stick to just sparkly slides or a silky ribbon when you could combine the two, like Maxine Eggenberger.
@smallgirlbigblog / InstagramThis embellished headband makes all the effort, so you don't have to.
@leletny / InstagramThis pretty pearl barrette from Lelet NY is a beautiful addition to a simple low pony.
@sincerelyjules / InstagramJulie Sarinana primped up this relaxed chignon with a pretty silky alice band (ideal for second day hair).
Getty ImagesAn easy way to make your usual ponytail more sophisticated is to add a velvet ribbon, as seen on the Oscar De La Renta AW19 runway.
@alisondepmuah / InstagramHair scarves
Fancy up your usual braid by lacing a hair scarf through your strands like hairstylist Allison Depriestre.
@claireelizabethlifestyle / InstagramPearl clips
If you prefer a down-do but want to mix it up a bit, make like @claireelizabethlifestyle and section your hair above your ear, then add some jewelled clips.
@BryceScarlett / InstagramFace-framing plaits
Margot Robbie's hairstylist, Bryce Scarlett updated her usual style with some throwback face-framing plaits, but kept the look modern by keeping the rest of her hair straight.
@Eclectic.Styles / InstagramRazzed-up bun
Pull your hair back into a simple bun like @eclectic.styles, then add a hair scarf to make it chic.
@amberfllerup / InstagramThe messy fishtail
Start by tying your hair into a ponytail at the back of your head, braid as usual down to the bottom, like @amberfillerup, then use your fingers to pull the braid apart slightly, making it chunkier, messier and a whole lot more stylish.
@MaisonChou / InstagramScrunchies are back
The 80s called and they're triumphant to see the return of the scrunchie. Forget cans of sticky hairspray, endless back-combing and crispy ponytails. Instead, velour's been swapped out for ultra-chic patterned fabrics like this one from @maisonchou. Use them to fasten loose buns (the messier the better) and to spruce up post-shower hair if you're running from the gym.
Hair Accessory Overload
When it comes to hair accessories, more is definitely more, as proved by Ashley Graham at this year's Met Gala.
High 90s Ponytails
We're loving everything about Hailey Bieber's Met Gala beauty look - the dewy skin, the perfectly lined eyes and that slicked up high pony - with bow.
ShutterstockMessy Buns
Lily Collins makes this messy bun look so damn chic, right? Grab your comb (or toothbrush!) and gently tease out the strands at the front for a soft finish.
@hermizdaniel / InstagramMix & Match Hair Clips
Hermiz Daniel is feeding our slide and hair clip addiction by mixing and matching all different styles and sizes. This look is perfect for extending a second or third-day blow-dry.
@zotheysay / InstagramTriple Buns
This triple threat bun is a great updo option for those with short to medium hair who struggle to secure all their layers in the one top knot. This way, the stragglers are secured at the nape of the neck in a bun of their own. We love how Hermiz Daniel combined the style with our love for hair clips to create this masterpiece.
