The 7 biggest hair trends of summer 2023

How to enter the summer in style? If you’re asking the Vogue beauty team, it’s all about a change of hairstyle, whether that comes in the form of a new parting or a dramatic new cut. Whatever your aesthetic, you only have to look on social media to discover an array of chic hair options, any one of which could have a transformative impact on the way you look and feel. A new hairstyle is also – usually – considerably kinder on the budget than a brand-new summer wardrobe.

Below, Vogue speaks to the experts to discover the summer hair trends set to explode imminently.

If you’ve been watching Daisy Jones & The Six, you’ll know that every episode is a treasure trove of excellent hair. It’s ’70s hair like this – with a glam-rock edge – that Luke Hersheson says is a mega mood for summer 2023. “From the short mullet to the shag and curtain bangs, all of the characters on that show have amazing hair!” he tells me. “Off the back of that, it’s all about embracing air drying, as well as our natural waves and texture.”

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Whether you’re inspired by Cindy Crawford’s all-American-girl blow-out or Pamela Anderson’s layers, ’90s-inspired volume is a huge trend for this summer. “What I’ve learned is that a voluminous and full blow dry never goes out of fashion,” says Sam McKnight. “There’s nothing more confidence-boosting than big hair—it’s elevating in more ways than one, plus, it exudes good hair health.” Hairstylist Syd Hayes also touts big hair as a major trend, citing Brigitte Bardot and Anderson as the poster girls.

No one saw the mullet’s return coming, did they? Now super popular—and more mainstream than it’s ever been—hairstylist Adir Abergel (who cut Kristen Stewart’s mullet in) points to Patti Smith and David Bowie as references for the trend, which has since been worn by Taylor Russell and Rihanna. “My advice is to accentuate your individual features with your stylist to create a look that’s totally unique to your face shape,” he explains. “Leave long bits where you would like to elongate, like the neck and by the ears, as this will feminize the cut and soften the cheekbone and jawline.”

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The prospect of creating an excellent updo can be a daunting one, but the good news is that you don’t actually need the help of a professional as much as you think you do, says Larry King. “Stop overthinking it and try this easy ponytail-bun situation, which requires very little effort,” he says. “Put your hair into a ponytail, separate it into two sections, and then tie them into a knot. If you have fine hair, knot it once, but do it twice for thicker hair, pin it down, and you’re good to go. The messier, the better.” Holiday hair, sorted.

Healthy hair is pretty much mandatory in order to nail a good hairstyle, and with so many brilliant products and treatments at our disposal, it’s easier than it has ever been. Christian Wood, who works with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Lily James, says a luxurious, healthy shine is more within reach than ever, thanks to a general move away from bright blonde hair color to beige and bronde shades.

He points to Huntington-Whiteley as the perfect example of polished, perfect hair: “At the moment, Rosie’s hair is almost one length, which I’m really into for long hair—it’s really simple, but thick, heavy and gorgeous, so it’s all about taking really good care of it,” he says. “The trick is to do treatments, apply serums, and sleep on a silk pillow to maintain a real luxury finish—it gives an instant polished effect without having to try too hard.” One top tip? Keep a shine spray and a Mason Pearson brush in your bag, misting and brushing during the day for an expensive-looking shine in seconds.

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You won’t be surprised to learn that the bob is still everywhere—the inspo of the moment comes in the form of Hailey Bieber’s blunt chop. “The more we move into summer, the easier hair gets,” Wood says, “and there is a general lean towards cleaner, simpler haircuts. Today’s bob is all one length and sits at the jaw—it’s going to remain big this summer.” Whether you have fine or thick hair, it makes every ensemble look cool, plus—he adds—it’s super easy to style. “All you have to do is tuck your hair behind your ears while it’s drying to naturally create a little bend.” For those after a more polished style, look to the “slob,” a “stripped-back” iteration of the trend that George Northwood has championed in his new east London salon.