Hair in 2025 is all about embracing a duality—refined yet relaxed, timeless yet tailored to your individuality. From soft shaggy layers to espresso brunettes and French bobs, this year’s hair trends are a choose-your-own-adventure of elevated cool. Whether you’re leaning into undone texture or going all-in on polished updos, the common thread is effortless sophistication. Ahead, discover the eight trends set to dominate the salons, streets, and red carpets in 2025.
Relaxed styling: Boho ease returns
With the boho aesthetic back on the radar—thank you, Isabel Marant and fringe-laden runways—hair is getting the lived-in treatment. Gone are the days of over-styled perfection. In their place? A return to tousled, undone texture that feels effortless and inherently cool.
Editorial stylist Gonn Kinoshita predicts a widespread embrace of hair that looks like you “woke up like this.” Think gentle waves, natural bends, and texture-enhancing products that coax out movement without stiffness. It’s the antithesis of the bouncy blowout—though that look isn’t going anywhere either—offering a low-maintenance vibe that fits seamlessly into modern routines.
Espresso brunette: The year’s richest color trend
Deep, dimensional, and surprisingly low-effort, espresso brunette is the reigning hair color of 2025. Inspired in part by the moody aesthetic dominating fashion, this luscious shade is dark without feeling flat and bold without being loud. Hairstylists like Chris Appleton and Dimitris Giannetos point to the tone’s low-maintenance appeal—a gloss treatment every six to eight weeks is all it takes to keep it vibrant.
The shade is luxurious, grounded, and universally flattering. Plus, it plays well with soft-shadow roots and gentle highlights for those who want subtle dimension without heavy upkeep. Consider it your color solution if you want richness without the commitment of bleach.
Shaggy layers: Texture meets versatility
Texture, volume, and movement collide in the return of shaggy layers—a trend that perfectly encapsulates 2025’s relaxed, ready-for-anything beauty ethos. Whether air-dried or styled, this cut enhances your natural wave or curl pattern, offering shape that holds up beautifully as it grows out.
Giannetos calls it the ideal low-commitment cut. “You can keep it messy and undone for an edgy vibe or style it sleek for a more polished look,” he says. Shaggy layers give you options—add fringe for a retro touch, or keep it long and face-framing for a softer effect.
Prototypal pixie: Classic with a contemporary edge
The pixie cut is having a major resurgence, and 2025’s version is clean, confident, and inspired by timeless icons. “Given Emma Stone’s hair moment at the Golden Globes, I predict pixies will be huge this year,” says Giannetos.
This isn’t your average boyish chop. Instead, it’s a chic, gamine look that pays homage to Mia Farrow’s 1960s silhouette while adding contemporary texture and movement. Whether worn slightly overgrown or sculpted to the scalp, it’s a bold choice that radiates elegance and individuality.
Lived-in color: Subtle is the new standout
Say goodbye to chunky highlights and high-contrast tones. In 2025, color is about softness and dimension. “I see people moving toward more natural influences,” says Gregory Russell, pointing to gentle blonde gradients and whisper-light ribbons of warmth in brunettes.
Chris Appleton agrees, noting that “clients are going more for that lived-in look.” Think soft roots, blended baby lights, and gentle fades that require minimal touch-ups. This approach not only minimizes salon time—it also celebrates hair that looks better the less you try to control it.
Polished updos: Classic glamour reimagined
Undone styles may reign supreme, but the polished updo is making a quiet, poised comeback. Sleek buns, sculpted chignons, and red-carpet-ready knots are once again signaling sophistication. “When I hear the word ‘demure,’ this is the first look that comes to mind,” says Giannetos.
These aren’t fussy or old-fashioned. Instead, they’re clean, confident, and designed to highlight the face. Perfect for both special events and minimalist styling, the polished updo gives structure to otherwise laid-back trends—a reminder that elegance is always en vogue.
French bob: Precision with Parisian flair
“I have a strong feeling that the French bob will be everywhere in 2025,” says Kinoshita—and it’s not hard to see why. This chin-length cut exudes effortless chic, with blunt edges, soft bends, and an insouciant attitude.
The key is in the precision: the bob hits just at the jawline for maximum impact, while relaxed styling keeps it from feeling too perfect. Appleton suggests looking to Lily Collins as the modern muse for this look—a cut that balances elegance with downtown edge.
Curtain bangs: Bombshell beauty, simplified
Still trending strong, curtain bangs remain one of the most requested looks heading into 2025. These parted, wispy layers frame the face with softness and ease, making them ideal for first-time bang wearers or anyone craving a subtle change.
Appleton credits the look’s longevity to its versatility and celebrity champions like Sabrina Carpenter. “These wispy bangs are a great option for a low-maintenance update,” he says. They pair beautifully with everything from long layers to bobs and grow out gracefully, making them a trend with true staying power.
From relaxed waves to sharp bobs and timeless color, 2025’s hair trends prove that when style meets substance, beauty becomes effortlessly iconic.
