As 2024 draws to a close, and people get ready to unwind for the Christmas holidays, we asked some of the industry's leading professionals to share what they believe were the biggest hair trends that have defined 2024. From Old Money elegance to effortless Lived-In Colour here's our very own #HJHairWrapped - our tribute to the styles that shaped the year (shoutout to Spotify for the inspo...)
Old Money Aesthetic
"The 'old money' sophistication hair trend is all about timeless, effortless beauty. Think shimmering brunettes, buttery blondes, and rich, glossy finishes paired with bouncy blow-dries that feel expensive but never overdone," explains Christopher. "It’s a perfect nod to nostalgia, blending classic glamour with a modern touch. This trend feels relatable because it’s more about understated luxury – hair that looks healthy, polished, and put-together, like you’re effortlessly transitioning from a European summer to après-ski in the Alps."
Christopher Laird, Laird & Co Edinburgh
The Lob
The Lob is the more relaxed sister of the classic bob, falling somewhere in the region of shoulder-length to the collarbones. Discussing the cut, Jamie says: “The Lob truly has been one of the defining hair trends of 2024 – the number of clients with long hair who came in wanting the chop was unbelievable. With trends like ‘Old Money’ and the ‘French Girl’ look flooding social media, it’s no surprise that the Lob grew so quickly in popularity – it captures the true essence of chic. And not to mention, it will work wonders for the health of your hair!”
Jamie Benny from Benny & Co.
Sabrina Carpenter Blonde
Move over Barbie, this year a different blonde stole our hearts – Miss Sabrina Carpenter. Tracey-Ann said: “Sabrina’s vanilla blonde was everywhere in 2024 – think subtle creamy blonde with brighter blonde golden strands blended seamlessly throughout. This blonde is an ultra-dimensional creamy yet cool, soft blonde that can be achieved by blending a few highlights and/or lowlights to add dimension to the base colour. To preserve this creamy blonde hue, make sure to use to use a champagne-coloured toner to get the hair that extra oomph.”
And it''s not just her bouncy blonde blow dry that garnered attention in 2024 – Sabrina also made her mark with a romantic makeup aesthetic, complete with vibrant pink blush.
Tracey-Ann Smith from French & Ivi
Cherry Cola
"Cherry cola hair is a trend that went wild in 2024. This rich, deep red hue is perfect for anyone looking to make a striking statement with their hair colour. It can be achieved through various techniques, such as balayage or all-over colour, and complements a range of skin tones, making it a versatile choice to spice up your look."
Amy Viette, AV Tailored Therapies
Lived-In Colour
“2024 has been all about embracing natural hair colours but keeping them fresh and modern,” explains Clare. “Lived-in colour has taken centre stage combining soft, seamless blends with low maintenance wearability. Clients are moving away from high maintenance colours and opting for things like teasy lights and root shadows to add effortless dimension. This trend reflects a shift towards much more subtle, personalised colour that enhances natural beauty. This complements perfectly the rise of undone textured styling.”
Clare Cartwright, Elysian Hair
Cowboy Copper
“Cowboy copper has become one of the hottest hair trends in 2024. It’s rooted warmth and inviting feel has seen the likes of Kendall Jenner and Sydney Sweeney transform their overall look and created a real transformation,” says Baek. “Cowboy copper has been one of my favourite trends throughout 2024. It’s been great to see the redhead back on the map and I see this trend firmly evolving throughout 2025.”
Seung Ki Baek from RUSH
The Wolf Cut
“What do the Rachel, the shag and the wolf cut all have in common? They all feature forward graduation and concave layers, making this one of the most versatile cuts to have up your sleeve – with considerations. Longer lengths produce more of a polished, desirable, commercial look. Conversely, shorter lengths can give a more edgy or retro feel, making this trend really diverse. It’s been the look of the year for my clients.”
Brandon Messinger, Denman Creative
Sunflower Blonde
"The absolute number on trend of 2024 was Sunflower Blonde," says Tom. "I first wrote about this trend in my Summer Trend Deck and intensely golden tones have been massively growing as a trend ever since. It’s been the single biggest colour trend of the year and marks a real embracing of warm notes. Blondes want a bit of a glow and vibrancy that redheads and coppers have. The sunflower shade of blonde is glowy and stands out. Warm tones always appear brighter and shinier than cooler tones so it’s a great way to improve the appearance of the quality of the hair too."
Tom Smith, evo international creative colour director
The Bob
"I think we can’t ignore how big the bob was in 2024. Whether it was a 90s layered version, a shorter above jaw shape, or the 'old money' influence, the bob was at the forefront of haircut requests," says Luke. "It gave so much variation and versatility which is why it was so popular across different ages, demographics and personalities. The bob will always be iconic and it was fun to see its resurgence this year. I’m looking forward to seeing what the 2025 version will bring."
Luke Benson, Global Ambassador for Keune Haircosmetics
The Mullet
"Mullets have made a strong comeback this year. Men are favouring shorter, tapered sides for a sleek, modern take on the style, while women are opting for a more feminine and textured approach, adding a contemporary flair to the classic cut. What’s been phenomenal to see is that in 2024 is that consumers are really wanting to make a statement, and individuality has truly taken centre stage this year.”
Jonathan Andrew, Fudge Professional Global Ambassador
Softer Tones
"On the colour front, we’ve seen a shift towards softer tones, with low-lighting platinum blondes emerging as a standout trend. These shades perfectly align with the Pantone Colour of the Year, with Mocha Mousse providing ideal inspiration."
Adele Clarke, OSMO IKON Brand Ambassador and owner of Spectrum Hair Company
