4 Hair Trends That Will Be Big in 2018, According to a Celebrity Stylist

Want to know what haircuts, colors and styles are going to be big this year? We sat down with celebrity stylist and R+Co co-founder, Garren, to get exclusive insider information on what’s going to be hot in 2018. Here are the four major trends that will dominate this year, as well as tips and tricks on how to rock each look.

1. Haircut will remain above the shoulder.

According to Garren, 2017 is the year of the short haircut, and it will continue to be so in 2018. “Many different haircuts have defined 2017, especially hair that’s been cut above the shoulders,” he says. “With fashion and the way it’s been going, hair will still remain above the shoulder.”

How to rock this look: Garren says the trick is to find a style that complements your face shape and hair texture. He explains: “It should be more personalized. Take into consideration your hair texture and the shape of your face, and you really have to seek out a hairdresser whose work you like. I still believe in bringing a photograph to your hairdresser because that always triggers off what the hairdresser thinks would look good on you and what wouldn’t.”

Pro Tip: As shorter haircuts tend to be harder to maintain and style than longer ones, Garren suggests using styling products that enhance hair texture add shine.

2. Hairstyles will have more personality.

Though cuts will generally be on the shorter side, “individuality,” “natural” and “personality” will remain hair industry’s biggest buzzwords. “Haircuts that really stood out in 2017 are those with personality, for example, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid’s lob, Scarlett Johansson’s short cut with the front long/boy’s haircut, and Janice Alida, which is kind of short and has that Mia Farrell’s feel.”

How to rock it: According to Garren, it’s not just about the cut, you’ll need to own it and dress for it. “When you cut your hair, it’s not just your hair, it’s adjusting your makeup and the way you dress, whether it’s bolder or more architectural and not so frilly. Be a little more free, have a little more fun.”

Pro Tip: “If you have beautiful, textured hair it will be worn natural,” he says. “If your hair is straight, go with it, but get a blunt haircut, something that really shows off the quality of your hair. If you have frizzy, curly hair, you have to use a product and get a haircut that will enhance the curl (ANALOG Cleansing Foam Conditioner, FREEWAY Defining Spray Gel and TWISTER Curl Primer are all really great). For long hair, get a great haircut with layers and fringe. Not a wispy fringe, but something bold that separates you from the rest of the pack.”

3. Bolder hair colors will continue to trend in 2018.

If you love to experiment and change up your style frequently, you’ll be happy to know that bold hair colors will continue to be a thing this year. “People are finally getting it wrapped around their head that they can have these bolder colors,” he explains. “However, the one thing I would like to see is if they’re going to do one of the party colors (not just red, blonde, dark), like pink, green, blue, chartreuse. If you are to use these colors, make sure that you do it to complement your skin color. The color should be shiny, not murky and shouldn’t fade away.”

How to rock it: Coloring your hair at home may be the cheapest way to go, but Garren warns against it: “Go to the best colorist you can, you can’t do it at home,” he says. “You have to have the honesty of the hairdresser to tell you when you’re going too far. I do believe in hair color, but I also believe in healthy hair.”

For color-treated hair, Garren says you’ll also need the right products to lengthen the life of your color and keep your hair healthy. “Make sure your hair care products are sulfate-free and paraben-free, like GEMSTONE ColorShampoo and Conditioner and PALM SPRINGS Pre-Shampoo Treatment Mask. Sometimes the keratin will lock in the color, so if you do a keratin treatment on top of party colors, it could help it.”

Pro Tip: Not sure if a color you like is right for you? Here’s a tip from Garren: “One suggestion before coloring your hair is to go into a wig store and take selfies in different colored wigs and see if it looks good on you. It is also always important to remain age-appropriate. An alternative option could be to do a cool haircut and then parts of it in color, instead of the whole head. Keep in mind that when you see a picture online or on Instagram, they’re all enhanced and that’s not the reality of it.”

4. Healthy hair will never go out of style.

No matter what style or trend you’re going for this year, whether you have long, short, straight, wavy and curly, Garren reiterates the importance of taking care of your hair. “For many years, the looks were kind of unkempt, wet and natural, but nasty looking because they were trying to break the rules. I think we’re past that and now people want beautiful texture. I see nothing wrong with getting a keratin treatment, so your hair relaxes a bit, becomes less frizzy and isn’t dead straight.”

Pro Tip: For people who are extremely busy, or don’t have time to go to their hairstylists regularly, Garren recommends using at-home pre-shampoo treatments, like PALM SPRINGS Pre-Shampoo Treatment Mask and ANALOG Cleansing Foam Conditioner. “OBLIVION Clarifying Shampoo is also great as it helps get rid of all the product you’ve been applying all week.”