The 9 Best Haircuts of Winter 2022

We may be in the beginning of a new(-ish) decade, but this winter's biggest hair trends are mainly modern takes on major throwback.

The iconic '70s and '90s are alive and well based on the looks we're seeing on red carpets and social media. Take Anne Hathaway's classic French Fringe and J.Lo's bouncy blowouts, for example. Both looks are resurrected from the past, but with a few tweaks, they feel fresh and modern.

To get a complete breakdown of the haircuts that are trending for winter 2022, we turned to eight top hairstylists: Nai'vasha, Frédéric Fekkai, Danielle Priano, T.Cooper, Adriana Papaleo, Sunnie Brook, Drew Schaefering, and Adam Campbell.

The French Fringe

Wispy, effortless, and oh-so-chic. This style is one for the books and will never go out of style. "It looks great with all hair lengths and it is so much easier to style in the colder months," adds celebrity hairstylist and Sexy Hair ambassador, Danielle Priano.

If you're not sure if this look is for you, celebrity hairstylist Nai'vasha assures that they're flattering for every face shape. The only thing she notes is that a lot of maintenance is required to keep this I-woke-up-like-this style looking as effortless as possible (The irony, we know.) "They must stay trimmed," she says, "And often, flat irons are a must have to finesse shape and texture." 

"Embracing natural textures is something that is building more steam and I don’t see it slowing down yet. Everyone wants to celebrate their uniqueness and one of the best ways to do that is through their hair," adds Drew Schaefering, a New York-based hairstylist and Creative Director of Rob Peetoom Williamsburg. "I see less of a constant trend in a single haircut than I do in the desire to create an impactful look, often being a significant change in their hair through length or shape." 

'90s Layers

Priano believes that this will be the reigning cut of the season, and for good reason. "It is bouncy, effortless and long. This style naturally dries beautifully, so you won’t need to style it everyday," she explains. To achieve this look, she says to give yourself a volumizing bouncy blowout (or go to the salon to get one professionally done) as it will give your layers a chic, cool look, à la J.LO.

For a less bouncy but equally as cool look, a lived-in and beachier look will bring the same amount of drama and look even more effortless.

The Butterfly Cut

Described by legendary hairstylist and founder of his eponymous clean beauty brand, Frédéric Fekkai, as the modern twist on the classic shag and the beloved "Rachel," the butterfly haircut will continue its popular reign well into the winter. "What I love about this cut is its universally flattering for all face shapes and hair types, adding incredible volume and texture to long hair," he furthers. "The butterfly wings are created with shorter face framing layers that land at chin level which then blend seamlessly with longer layers that land at the shoulder level and beyond."

For an even bigger impact, Fekkai says to ask your colorist to add face-framing micro highlights to give your hair more dimension. Now, the key to achieving this look is in adding volume and movement, which can be amplified by using texturizing spray, such as FEKKAI's Full Blown Volume Spray, or by pushing your hair back and leaving wispy, pieced out sections with a styling cream. For the latter, the hairstylist recommends using his favorite Brilliant Gloss Multi-Tasker, which he says "gives weightless shine and combats static frizz."  

Classic Bob

With so many of us dealing with a few extra inches going into the new year, it's not surprising that dramatic cuts have been popular in recent years. And they'll continue to be on trend this winter, too. Both Nai'vasha and Biolage ambassador and Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook predict the blunt bob will continue to be a top choice for anyone looking to go short.

Elizabeth Olsen gave her blunt bob an Old Hollywood spin at the 2021 Emmy Awards with her deep side part and waves. Before styling your hair, Brooks suggests using a heat protectant like Biolage's All-In-One Coconut Infusion Multi-Benefit Spray.

The beauty of this cut is that it can be customized to any hair texture. "It's such a versatile, classic look," confirms Nai'vasha. Plus, she says that regardless of texture or length, you can go from day to night and from chic to cool. Just see Yara Shahidi demonstrate how gorgeous a bob looks on curly hair with her chin-length cut and side bangs.

For fine hair, Brooks recommends getting very blunt edges to add bulk. For medium or dense hair, you can add ghost layers to remove weight and add a bit of movement. And for thick wavy or curly hair, the stylist suggests going a bit longer with "added layers to remove weight and give your hair movement and openness around your face."

Long Choppy Layers

For anyone who's into their long, pandemic hair, long choppy layers will add movement to your current length and clean up any scraggly ends while adding movement. This cutting technique can be done across all textures, but the sole purpose is to create shape to your length. "Long choppy layers is also a classic cut for winter," says Brook. "This look is great for different styling options, and when pinned up can cleverly give the appearance of a shorter cut without the commitment."

If you have fine hair, Brook recommends asking for layers around the face. "For medium to dense hair, if you're attached to your length, ask your hairdresser to layer your look first and then decide how much length to remove," she says. "Sometimes just adding lots of layers can give you just the volume and bounce you were looking for." Curly and wavy hair may benefit from an "aircut". "This is when you let your hair air dry naturally and have your hair cut while it's dry and in it's most natural shape," Brook explains. "This will allow your hairdresser to see your various curl patterns and give you a long layered haircut that enhances your curls and waves the most!"

The secret to EmRata's perfectly tousled hair? Yup, you guessed it: long choppy layers.

The singer's layers add shape and movement to her natural curls without sacrificing length.

The Shag

The beauty of the '70s shag is that the heavily layered cut plays well with or without bangs and it works for virtually every hair type and length — not to mention all of the styling possibilities. "It's such a versatile style — it works well on all textures of hair," says celebrity hairstylist Adam Campbell. "There are so many versions that work to add sexy volume and texture. From long and sultry like Brigitte Bardot to short and trendy like Miley Cyrus."

Campbell recommends using a mousse or salt spray to enhance your own texture. "Blow dry upside down and flip right side up and finish with a texture spray or a smoothing serum on your ends and you're good to go." We're fans of Oribe's Curl Shaping Mousse and Ouai's Wave Spray.

Miley Cryus went full-on '70s by adding wispy bangs to her wavy shag. For extra shape and definition, take Campbell's suggestion and add a smoothing creme to the ends after styling your hair. We recommend Innersense Serenity Smoothing Cream.

For wavy hair like Alexa Chung's subtle bends, add volume with a body-enhancing mousse to bring out your shag's layers or use a flat iron to further define waves.

The Mullet

"Everything that's old eventually becomes new again, and we're seeing mullets on some of our favorite celebrities, such as Rihanna, Zendaya, and Miley Cyrus," says T. Cooper, EVA NYC hairstylist. "What's alluring about the mullet cut is that it can be tailored to your hair texture."

Leave it to Rihanna to make the once polarizing cut trendy again. For a curly look like hers, T. Coooper says to prep hair with a curl-enhancing cream like Eva NYC's Gotta Bounce Curl Defining Cream, then blow dry hair with a diffuser attachment on for frizz-free curls. "Once dry, fluff your curls at the root, and finish with Eva NYC's Just Glisten Hair + Body Shine Mist."

A sleek and straight style will really bring out the layers of a mullet. T. Cooper suggests smoothing hair with a flat iron (the hairstylist is a fan of Eva NYC's Spectrum Far-Infrared Styling Iron) and taming flyaways with a hydrating leave-in like Eva NYC's Satin Smoothing Leave-In Cream.

The Modern Rachel

Yes, the infamous cut Jennifer Aniston debuted on Friends in the '90s is back. This look is comprised of classic face-framing layers that cup the face. "The face framing layers that are regaining popularity are layers cut a little shorter in the front," says T. Cooper. "They can start anywhere from the nose to the jawline, and are bent underneath to hug the face. This accentuates specific facial features."

Hailey Bieber is channeling Aniston's iconic cut with her face-framing layers and smooth blowout.

Selena Gomez's 2020 version of The Rachel was, in fact, inspired by Aniston's Friends character. The singer's stylist, Marissa Marino, confirmed that the style was a homage on Instagram, with a little Goldie Hawn thrown in for good measure.

'70s Curtain Bangs

Bangs are having a moment for winter 2022. "Soft sexy fringe like Camila Morrone's bangs to grown-out, cheekbone length curtain bangs," Campbell says of the styles that will be trending. "They work with most textures and are a great way to freshen up a look without compromising length."

Next to chopping their hair off into bobs, celebrities have been getting bangs. Camila Morrone's soft, textured bangs are slightly tapered on the sides so they don't lie too flat or heavy on the face.

Berry channeled the '70s with her long, face-framing curtain bangs.

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