From Bell Bottom Bobs to Hourglass Layers, The 10 Best Haircuts for 2024

According to Smith, who coined the trend, a bell bottom bob has minimal layers, could either be with or without a fringe, but the key is that the ends are flipped out. Yes, it seems the hair flick isn't going anywhere for 2024.

"The silhouette is inspired by the shape of a Bell or the flared cut of bell bottom jeans," Smith explains. "The bob is slim to the head nearer the parting and flares out with volume at the ends."

To stay bang on trend, Smith suggests going for it with a big dramatic flick, "If you want to
showcase a more symmetrical face, opt for a middle parting and a perfect sharp flip to the ends," says Smith. "If you prefer a softer look, try a side parting, with less precise flicks and try tucking one side behind your ear."

Super long hair has been gradually getting more and more popular for a while and as far as Smith is concerned this is due to our desire to look expensive. "It is the ultimate in 'health and wealth' signalling," he tells PS UK. "Long hair needs to be healthy to look good, and takes care to keep it glossy. If achieved with extensions, this shows one takes care of their appearance and is willing to invest in it."

However, for your long hair to have this year's trend twist it's all about the placement of the layers. "Hourglass layers are less about flattering one's face and more so flattering one's body, with the length sitting just at the narrowest part of the waist, enhancing the feminine 'hourglass' shape. The ends should taper around the waist, which is achieved with clever layering to ensure the correct balance of the bulk of the hair," Smith tells PS UK

According to Percival, the hydro bob is a wet look version of last year's box bob. "This cut is still all about that sharp box shape, but what sets the hydro bob apart from the standard bob is the high-fashion sleek, wet finish," he tells PS UK. "Wet-look styles have been a go-to look since the beginning of this year, this high-shine finish is seen regularly on the red carpet, in the street fashion and during fashion week. I think this shorter spring cut feels stronger than the past few incarnations of the bob, with its sleek finish it just feels more confident."

Fudge Professional Global Ambassador Jonathan Andrew agrees, "Hydro hair is such a modern, cool look and easily achievable." However, this is not about leaving your hair wet from the shower and hoping for the best, according to Andrew the key is in the finishing products. "Create the style you want whilst dry," he insists. "It's about the products to create the look to give the semi-wet shine finish. The big mistake people make is that they always reach for gel, this goes against everything – it can be a great product overall and has lots of uses, but for hydro hair specifically you'll find it makes everything too stiff rather than the seamless soft, semi-wet style we're looking to achieve."

Fringes are one of the more divisive hair trends, but curtain bangs — which is '70s-inspired fringe that are split right down the middle and swept to each side — will be going strong into the summer and it doesn't get more noncommittal than that.

Angela Contato, hairstylist at HOB Salon, West Hampstead, says she's been seeing a big uplift in requests for this chic style, "Curtain bangs are so popular at the moment," she previously told PS UK. "By adding a curtain bang it can really elevate a hairstyle, and this style in particular is trendy yet easily manageable."

Hairstylist Glenn Ellis agrees, adding: "They frame your face beautifully and even make a ponytail look high-fashion and elevated."

Just as the name sounds, the bixie haircut is a combination of a bob and pixie length. "It's shorter than a bob, longer than a pixie, and with the hair off the neck and midface," says April Peele, hairstylist at Salon SCK, adding that it's the perfect in-between cut for people who have never gone shorter than chin length before. "The bixie offers that sweet spot for clients who want to cut their hair off but aren't ready for the maintenance and commitment of really short hair. Or maybe they want really short hair but know they can't pull a pixie off."

Marrying the two styles also allows you to customise the look to best fit your face and personal style: "A bixie haircut really speaks about your personality without you saying a word," Peele says. "It's fun, versatile, and customisable for your facial features."

It can work for everyone, but it's an especially great haircut for curly hair.

You've gotta admit: the shag has endless appeal. The key to making the style feel modern is by combining layers around the head for movement and sweeping face-framing bangs. "The cut is a heavily textured look that uses shorter layers on the top of the head, critically maintaining length and volume, while thinner, longer lengths of hair are styled from underneath," Darren Bain, lead stylist at Taylor Taylor London, previously told PS UK.

The style works on any hair length, but again, it's all about adding movement to the hair, which means it's an amazing haircut idea for long hair. "Long layers have been big for a while — I really think that is going to stick around," says Laura Polko, a celebrity hairstylist and Style Edit ambassador.

Following on from the popularity of side partings, which also look set to stay for 2024, this deep side fringe is set in place, meaning it can be achieved without necessarily cutting your hair. "It frames the face beautifully and gives a refined look to almost any hairstyle," says Smith. "It's great for those who want to try a fringe but are scared to cut their hair or for those who want to have the look of a side fringe for an occasion."

This has been dubbed the "easy-to-wear bob, think a slightly grown out Italian bob and you are on the right track." And as an owner of one I can confirm it is by far the easiest hairstyle I have ever had, as it can be worn with a natural wave, blown out, straight or with a wave and each one looks just as stylish. It features bluntly cut ends and hits around chin-length or slightly longer. "The dad bob is a longer, slightly more relaxed, version of the French or Italian Bob," says Poppy Hampton, Stylist at Mayfive Hair. "It's effortlessly cool and gives a 90's vibe. The length is anywhere between the chin and collarbone."

"Step into the glamour of the '90s with a Supermodel Cut," says Sakkas. This timeless look is always on trend thanks to its flattering face-framing layers. According to Sakkas the '90s was all about volume and movement through the lengths and ends, so if you're going for those layers at the front the key is to wear them with pride. "This look sports the perfect blend of face-framing layers, and is designed to bring out your inner supermodel, embracing sophistication when larger-than-life hairstyling was the signature go-to," he explains.

Put simply, it's a short, shoulder-length bob with rounded layers and bangs. "It looks much like a bowl cut or a round crop haircut," Justin Toves-Vincilione, a celebrity hairstylist and Authentic Beauty Concept Advocate, previously told PS.

The good news is the style works well on any hair type or texture. "It's one of my favourite haircuts for curly or textured hair," Biolage celebrity hair ambassador Sunnie Brook says. "The layers can enhance the hair's natural volume and shape to create a halo effect for bouncy, lively curls." Brook says the cut also adds movement and softness for those with straighter hair, which will give it a voluminous and dynamic appearance.

Lauren Ezekiel is an associate editor at PS UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism and 12 years' experience as a beauty editor at a leading Sunday supplement, she is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup, and is often found offering advice to innocent bystanders. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK, Health and Beauty, The Sun, ASDA, Dare and Metro.