A funny thing happened when we checked in with L.A.'s top hairstylists for their 2017 trend predictions: Everyone was on the same page, listing almost exactly the same three styles — the mid-length chop, fringes of all varieties, and blunt-yet-textured ends.
But don't assume we'll all end up looking like clones this year — these three looks were made to be tailored to each individual. And when they are, they're damn flattering and beyond cool.
L.A. may house Hollywood, but these rising looks couldn't be further from some of the more dramatic trends taking over the entertainment industry right now (we're talking Cher-inspired lengths, the celeb-favourite '70s shag, and wigs on wing on wigs). Translation: Rejoice, because the IRL-friendly trends ahead truly are made for in-the-know locals, or just anyone who wants to pretend they're living in La La Land.
The top three styles to take the West Coast in 2017, as picked by the pros, ahead.
Fringe
Stylist: Shai Amiel
Salon: Capella Salon
What To Ask For: A short, tapered fringe cut dry with straight scissors — not thinning shears.
"Fringe has been very popular lately — all my clients are asking for bangs," Amiel says, noting that they're "a great option for curly girls that are seeking a new look — without changing up their length too much." What's more? "It's also a better alternative to Botox," he adds jokingly.
There is no right or wrong way to try fringe, but Amiel notes that everyone seems to be gravitating towards a fringe on the shorter side, which delivers the kind of enviable volume and body you see here. "My clients are loving it in combination with shorter layers on the crown," he says. "The fullness from the layers and the dramatic bangs really gives the hair great presence." Ask for well-blended fringe — and don't let anyone touch your curls with thinning shears, which will cause major frizz, Amiel notes.
Photo: Courtesy of Shai Amiel.
Fringe
What To Ask For: A long, piece-y fringe cut dry with straight scissors — not thinning shears.
Prefer to start a little longer? Amiel also predicts this rendition — a softer take on the shape with some shorter pieces mixed in — will be big in 2017. "I like to cut some random shorter pieces around the face instead of a heavy straight-across fringe," he says. "It works great with all curl patterns because it creates so much dimension and movement."
Again, make sure they're cut dry and with the right scissors. "You don't need to fear a fringe with your curls," he says. "Just make sure you are cutting them in their natural state — and while dry! The last thing you want is to cut them wet because when they shrink, you have nothing left."
Photo: Courtesy of Shai Amiel.
Fringe
Stylist: Sal Salcedo
Salon: Benjamin Arts District
What To Ask For: A classic bob cut right to the lips; fringe cut above the eyebrows, slightly longer at the temples, and blended into the length.
Salcedo knows a thing or two about cool cuts — and he playfully calls this standout "the modern French-y." The gamine effect given off by the fringe works for any length — but the textbook bob does help make it look effortlessly charming.
The trick is simple: "The fringe should be above the eyebrows and get slightly longer at the temples so that it blends right into the length." This chop is for the risk-takers among us, he admits. "It's daring, it's a strong statement, and it shows that the person wearing it is confident and that their idea of femininity is not necessarily having long hair."
Photo: Courtesy of
Fringe
What To Ask For: A long shag with face-framing fringe that tapers out at the ends.
The shag is still going strong in L.A., but it can be polarizing. Luckily, you can temper the rock & roll vibes — and make it more versatile — by keeping it longer and pairing it with a thicker fringe.
Salcedo calls this a "modern shag" and suggests anyone who wants it ask for "face-framing fringe that starts short around the middle of eyebrows, then gets slightly longer." It should hug the cheekbones and concave parts of the face, but have minimal layering, he says. Instead, opt for hidden weight removal for a smoother finish. "Most of the texture comes from cutting internal layers," he notes.
Photo: Courtesy of
Fringe
Stylist: Melissa Hoyle
Salon: Spoke & Weal
What To Ask For: Soft, tapered, eye-grazing fringe paired with a mid-length cut (or any length you'd like).
Hoyle was inspired by the sexy '70s when she crafted this chop — an eye-grazing fringe paired with soft, layered length. To score a similar result, take her advice: "Keep the perimeter of the hair long and texturised very lightly throughout the hair, which creates the natural movement."
She notes that this cut is great for fine hair, but it can also work with medium and thick texture. "The bottom of the cut is left a little stronger — there are no short layers in this cut," she adds. Final thoughts from the stylist? Don't overwork the hair when styling — it's meant to look relaxed.
Photo: Courtesy of
The Mid-Length Cut
Stylist: Aaron King
Salon: Mèche
What To Ask For: A cut that ends at the bottom of the collarbone; layer only as needed to remove weight.
King created this chop using very limited layering — and notes that it's one of his favourite lengths right now. "I love a collarbone to high breast length," he says. "It's so versatile."
When it comes to removing weight and building movement, it is all about tailoring the cut to your hair type and texture. As a general rule of thumb, opt for less layering for fine to medium-weight hair; more for thicker and curly hair. You can also flatter different face shapes with the cut, he says. King gives wider faces less layering (so opt for internal, invisible layers for thicker hair) and builds fullness with layering for thinner faces.
Photo: Courtesy of
The Mid-Length Cut
Stylist: Buddy Porter
Salon: Mèche
What To Ask For: A length right below the collarbone with a square shape and long, textured fringe that starts at the eyebrow and tapers out.
Looking for a trend two-for-one? Porter describes this cut as a "seamless, layered mid-length cut with a messy fringe." To score a similar look, opt for your length to hit an inch or two below your collarbone and ask for tapered, wispy bangs.
"Long, messy, modernised versions of the '70s-inspired fringe are one of my most requested haircuts right now," Porter says. "They're relatively easy to style and look amazing on their own." He also notes that if you pair them with a mid-length cut, like this one, you'll have a wildly versatile style. "The long, seamless layers can be worn straight, messy, polished — or just air-dried," he says.
Photo: Courtesy of
The Mid-Length Cut
Stylist: Chelsea Wallace
Salon: Spoke & Weal
What To Ask For: An angled, asymmetrical lob that's longer in the front.
The mid-length cut need not be soft, casual, or lived-in — it can be razor sharp and sleek AF. (Even celebs are getting in on the uneven trend.) Wallace notes that the asymmetrical chop adds major interest to the middle-of-the-road length. "An asymmetrical cut makes this look more interesting and current," she says.
This chop is best when the unique length is front and centre, so it's best for straight hair or those that wear their waves or curls smoothed out. "It's strong and forward-looking," she says.
Photo: Courtesy of
Blunt-Yet-Textured Ends
Stylist: Riawna Capri
Salon: Nine Zero One
What To Ask For: A strong perimeter (to achieve the blunt finish) with choppy layers built in.
L.A.'s top hairstylists are revamping the city's cult lob cut with strategy to add both texture and a blunt finish. Capri calls this "2017's blunt and choppy cut." She gave Nina Dobrev this enviable take on the look, and notes that "this year, things are getting bolder."
Capri continues: "2016 was light and wispy, but this year, think more structure," she says. "Blunt yet still textured is going to be big. It gives a great, strong focus to the face, neck, and shoulders." (We smell a trend brewing — the salon just gave the same cut to Selena Gomez, too.)
Photo: Courtesy of
Blunt-Yet-Textured Ends
Stylist: Sal Salcedo
Salon: Benjamin Arts District
What To Ask For: A one-length lob with tons of texture.
Salcedo calls this chop the "It girl haircut." He explains: "This haircut is minimal on the layers, but most of the texture comes from 'channel cutting' it internally and removing weight to create the overall texture/movement feel of it," he says. (Your hairstylist will know what channel cutting is.)
This chop is more than just cool or pleasing to the eye: "I find my clients having the most fun with this cut since it allows them to wear their hair different ways: deep side partings, tucked behind the ear, down the middle..." he says. "It's definitely my most versatile haircut. It allows girls to be on the go and not get bored, since there's no way of wearing it wrong."
Photo: Courtesy of
Blunt-Yet-Textured Ends
Stylist: Buddy Porter
Salon: Mèche
What To Ask For: A soft bob just below the chin.
Updating one of the most classic shapes in modern haircutting — the textbook bob — has proven to be one of the most requested cuts for Porter. This is a classic that is on-trend again, whether it's in L.A., Chicago, NYC, or anywhere else, he says. "I'm always doing this haircut on people that want to make a big change."
Ask for a soft bob that hits right below the chin with tons of texture built in — but make sure it's tailored for your hair type and texture. The trick to getting it right? "Scissors only — no razors and no thinning scissors should be used here," he says. "This cut is great for someone who wants to make a statement with their hair.
Photo: Courtesy ofLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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