Contents
French bobs and shoulder-grazing cuts may be popping up all over our Instagram feeds but there’s something to be said about long hair. The longer your tresses, the more versatile they are. Where shorter lengths can only get away with a few styles, long hair can be tailored into dozens of chic hairstyles, ranging from messy French twists and braided ponytails to mermaid waves and hip-grazing looks. So many options can feel overwhelming to know how to style your hair. That’s why we chatted with a few celebrity hairstylists to determine the top hair trends for long hair.
Ahead, find over a dozen popular ways to cut and style your strands in the months to come.
Wet Hair Look
The wet hair look has popped up on red carpets near and far. It’s a style that works on all hair lengths but there’s no doubt it looks best on longer hair. “It’s sexy, it’s chic, it’s edgy,” says celebrity hairstylist Valery Joseph, who points to Kylie Jenner as inspo. “This style is achieved with a high-shine product like a gel or mousse. Finish with a shine spray for that radiance boost.”
Waist-Length Hair
If you have long hair but not that long, no worries! You can get the look with extensions. “Going extra long with your natural length via hair extensions is a major flex and brings about a more dramatic statement in your overall look,” hairstylist and Goldie Locks chief product officer, Devin Graciano says. “While you may need to adjust your styling routine to accommodate the extra length, it’s a good time to experiment with dramatic new styles. Look for a licensed Invisible Bead Extensions cosmetologist for a hand-tied method that won’t damage your hair or scalp.”
Sleek High Ponytail
Long hair is great but there’s no denying it can feel pretty toasty when the temperatures rise. To get your tresses off your neck and back in the chicest way possible, celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons recommends a sleek high pony à la Ariana Grande. “The super sleek high ponytail is a must for long hair,” he says. “It’s a chic and timeless look that gives an instant facelift, perfect for oval and heart-shaped faces.” To perfect the look, he says to start with straightened hair. “Gather it high on your crown, and secure it with a hair tie,” he instructs. “Use a strand of hair to wrap around the base for that polished finish. And don’t forget to use strong hold hairspray to keep everything in place.”
Blunt Bangs
“One length and cut straight across, blunt bangs can elevate any style,” Joseph says, pointing to Billie Eilish as proof. “I recommend using a flatiron to make them extra precise.”
French Bangs
While on the topic of bangs, celebrity hairstylist Jerome Lordet marvels over the French fringe. “French girls are always a source of inspiration, and their hair in the summertime is classic and always popular—especially for girls with long, straight or slightly wavy hair, adding in long, straight-across bangs (Jane Birkin style) is very chic in the summer,” he says. “This look best suits people with longer foreheads so they can pull off the look of long bangs without hair always falling in their eyes.”
Curtain Bangs
Can’t get behind the straight-across bangs? Opt for a curtain silhouette. “These effortless, face-framing bangs are perfect for all face shapes, especially round and square faces,” Fitzsimons says, pointing to Selena Gomez as proof. “They soften the features and bring attention to the eyes.” To get the look, he says to ask your stylist for face-framing bangs that split down the middle and cascade down the sides. “Style them with a round brush and a blow dryer for that perfectly tousled yet polished look,” he adds, noting to lock in the look with a soft hold hairspray.
Face-Framing Layers
If you like the idea of framing your face with your haircut but don’t want to rock bangs, Fitzsimons says to opt for long layers. “Layers that frame the face can add softness and movement to long hair,” he says, noting that it’s a cut that’s especially flattering on heart and oval face shapes. Graciano is also a fan of the cut for long hair. “Long layers cut throughout your style add movement and volume,” she says. “This is also a great way to update the healthy look of your hair without taking a drastic step like bringing up your overall length.”
To recreate Margot Robbie’s face-framing look, above, Fitzsimons says to ask your stylist for subtle layers starting around the chin. Then, when styling, use a round brush to enhance the shape and overall bounce of the cut.
Mermaid Waves
A hair trend for long hair that comes back summer after summer and tends to stay around long thereafter? Mermaid waves. “It’s a staple for any season,” Joseph admits. “Rather than using the traditional curling iron, I prefer to use a round brush and blow dryer to get a soft bend in the hair.”
Voluminous Blowout
The big, bouncy blowout is Sabrina Carpenter’s go-to, and according to Fitzsimons and Joseph, it’s one of the hottest hair trends for long hair. “The big bouncy blowout is a ‘90s classic that never goes out of style,” Fitzsimons says. “This look is perfect for round and square faces as it adds height and elongates the face.” For best results, Fitzsimons says to use a large round brush and blow dryer to create the initial volume and smoothness. To make it last, Joseph suggests setting your curls with rollers. Once fully cooled, uncoil your hair and finish with a strong yet flexible hairspray.
Deep Side Part
For years, we’ve trained ourselves to part our hair down the middle and just as we’ve gotten accustomed to it, the deep side part is back. “The side part can elevate any look and is super versatile—making it a great option for all face shapes,” Joseph says.
Long Shag
Looking for a way to style long, curly hair? Fitzsimons suggests a long shag like Zendaya’s. “The long shag is a retro-inspired cut that's made a big comeback,” he says. “It’s all about choppy layers, textured ends, and lots of volume. This style is great for all face shapes, especially oval and square faces.” To style a picture-perfect curly shag, Fitzsimons says to apply hydrating curl cream to damp hair and diffuse your curls until they’re 80 percent dry, allowing them to air dry the rest of the way. “For a finishing touch, use a texture spray and scrunch the hair with your hands to enhance those layers to create a tousled, lived-in look,” he adds.
Butterfly Cut
“I started seeing this cut last summer and it’s still popular this year, as the front layers look good for messy updos, which are most popular when it’s hot out and hair may be prone to frizz,” Lordet says, noting that Sydney Sweeney embodies the look. “The butterfly cut adds slightly choppy, face-framing layers that ‘flutter’ away from the face while maintaining the length.”
Natural Waves
“For summer or seaside travel, clients most often want to know how they can work with their natural texture, instead of trying to blow it out or straighten it just for humidity to bring out natural curls and frizz,” Lordet says. “If you have natural waves or curls, use a sea salt spray scrunched through damp hair to give them shape and let them dry as-is. If you know you have some sections that don’t curl as tightly as others, loosely wrap those pieces around your finger while damp to help give shape. If things still don’t naturally end up how you want them, pull half or all of your hair into a beautiful claw clip or loose bun that lets the texture show.”