Spring is officially here (it started around 20th March, fyi) and that gives us an excuse to refresh our beauty routines, whether that’s booking in for some seasonal nail art or making an appointment with your stylist to try out the latest spring hair trends.
Experimenting with our hair has become as much a way for self-expression as our makeup and clothes (just ask Eliza columnist Laura Capon, who tried out a week’s worth of new styles to get herself out of a hair rut).
Even if you aren’t the kind of person to chop off eight inches of hair on a whim, celebs, influencers and expert hair stylists are constantly providing us with inspiration for our next hair colour or style, no matter how subtle.
Want more hair content? Keep up to date with our hair columnist Penny’s fortnightly features.
Spring 2023 Hair Trends
Below, I’ve compiled a guide to the most talked about Spring 2023 hair trends, from cuts to colours and styles.
The Box Bob
The devil might work hard, but Hailey Bieber works harder when it comes to delivering the hottest trends of the season. Her latest divine intervention? The box bob.
The elements that make this bob different to its counterparts is the sharp, clean edge that stays uniform in length all the way around. “It’s named as such because it’s shaped like a box, with blunt, straight ends and no curve,” says Live True expert stylist Paco Latorre.
“It’s great for adding volume to fine hair, hitting somewhere between the jaw and shoulder. We love this on all face shapes, but it’s especially good for elongating more rounded faces.”
When it comes to styling, keep the finish sleek with a finishing creme such as Virtue’s One for All 6-in-1 Styler Cream, £32, Cult Beauty, which adds softness, shine and tames fly-aways.
The Shaggy Bowl Cut
Thought you’d seen the back of the 70s trend? Not likely, with the release of Daisy Jones and The Six getting us in the mood to don some bellbottoms and platform boots. 70s bangs and the shag haircut have been growing in popularity recently, but the newest spin on the trend culminates in the love child of another controversial style: the bowl cut.
“Each year we see a modern spin on the 70s resurgence and in 2023 we expect to see modern iterations of the bowl cut,” says Tyler. “When crossed with more of a shag style, this rounded cut can add soft dimension and movement to the hair.”
This cut works beautifully with curly hair: the extra layers create a soft flow to the hair, meaning you’ll hardly realise its bowl cut beginnings.
The French Twist
The updo scene has been dominated by slicked-back, off-duty model buns, but it looks like that’s about to change. For spring, look to something softer and more romantic.
“Rollers are back! Think 60s and Bardot, Pamela Anderson’s soft and textured layers,” says session hairstylist and BaByliss Ambassador Syd Hayes.
“Then whizz it up into a French twist, leaving soft layers that fall slightly to frame the face.”
If the thought of using rollers puts the fear of God into you, worry not. I tried them out and wrote a step-by-step guide to getting voluminous curls here.
Gemini Hair
“In 2023, multi-hued hair will take off more than ever with the rising trend that mixes natural shades with bright greens, blues, purples and pinks,” says Alex Brownsell, Creative Director at Bleach London.
Coined ‘Gemini Hair’, this look has been evolving into different iterations, with ‘peekaboo hair’ demonstrating a twist on the trend last year, where a second colour would be hidden under layers and only exposed when styled in certain ways.
“In the salons, we’ve noticed our clients toying with the idea of a fun colour but not wanting to commit to the full head. You can achieve these fun streaks easily at home using our Total Bleach Kit and conditioning Super Cool Colours to transform your bleached sections.”
To keep your new shade looking fresh for as long as possible, tailor your haircare routine to include colour-safe products. L’Oreal Professionel’s Metal Detox Mask, £28, Sephora, helps to protect hair from excess copper damage from your water, meaning less breakage and longer-lasting colour.
Blush Blonde
Copper hues have been dominating the colour trend for the past year, but this spring season is calling for something a little softer and rosier.
“We’re already seeing the popularity of both golden blonde and copper shades, so why not combine them both?” says Paco.
“We love pastel shades for spring, and this gorgeous rose gold blush shade is the perfect fresh colour.”
Already got blonde hair? Luckily that makes achieving this trend just that much easier for you at home. Try out Bleach London’s Super Cool Colour in Rose Gold, £6.50, LookFantastic: a semi-permanent dye that lasts two to ten washes and lets you get a feel of the colour without the commitment.
Golden-Brown Hues
With the sunshine making more of an appearance, this golden-toned brunette shade is ideal for someone who wants to go a little lighter without committing to a full-on bleaching session.
“Golden brown is going to be a very popular colour as it’s flattering on various skin tones and works perfectly on dark, olive and fair skin,” says Charlotte Mensah, stylist and founder of the eponymous brand.
A rich, warm-brown base is highlighted with caramel tones to give a sun-dappled finish. To keep your hair in its best condition and ensure that the shine remains, use a few drops of the Manketti Hair Oil, £17, Charlotte Mensah, and massage through your scalp and ends to provide nourishment and moisture.
Jet Black
Although we might be waiting another year or two for the next series of Wednesday, the gothic influence of Jenna Ortega’s character lives on through a pivot to jet black hues. Look to celebrities including Billie Eilish and Laura Harrier for proof that this hair shade complements a range of skin tones and eye colours.
“When achieving this look, you’ll want to completely balance out all underlying tones; not too much warmth and not too much cool,” says celebrity hairstylist and Virtue Labs creative director Adir Abergel. “The perfect balance, so you can reflect depth and get a completely organic jet black.”
Keep your shade maintained in-between sessions with a gloss such as Josh Wood’s: a semi-permanent colour treatment that will intensify your colour and leave it with salon-worthy shine.
Barley Blonde
“In 2023, I predict more low-maintenance blonding appointments whilst freshening up existing colours,” says hair stylist and Jerome Russell brand educator Jason Collier. “Barley blonde mixes shades of honey, caramel and chestnut blonde and is without a doubt the most flattering hair colour for 2023.”
“The hair colour is a unique combination of darker basic tones and light gold nuances that shimmer beautifully. The best thing is that, depending on the nuances, honey wheat blonde can suit anyone,” he says. “Sometimes, people might find blonde intimidating or think it wouldn’t suit them, but this hair colour works with all hairstyles and skin tones, and can be built into any natural hair colour.”
Rather than going for a straight-up bleach, opt for highlights, which can achieve that softer and more golden blonde look.
Y2K Face Framing
No trend is ever 100% new — they work in cycles, and this one is an ode to the early ‘00s. Spring is going to be all about Y2K face framing, according to hair change expert Steven Easton, director at Gary Ingham Aveda Salon.
“Over the last year, people have been getting brave and going for shag haircuts, ‘70s curtain bangs, and the ‘90s Rachel haircut. But now, we’re going to be seeing more early Y2K styles with no layers in the back — just at the front,” he said.
“Y2K face framing is hair that’s all one length and below the shoulders, with layers just framing the face. This is a gentle way of layering without having to commit to a full head of heavy, pronounced layers. Look at pictures of Christina Aguilera around her first album and the girls from All Saints in the early 2000s for inspo.”
Styling this throwback look is actually very easy, especially if you have straight hair. Run some straighteners through the lengths of your hair and start turning them outwards as you reach the ends. This will give your shortest pieces a little bit of a bounce and volume, and encourage them to curve around your face to highlight your bone structure and open up your face.
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