Be bold.
According to Newton’s third law, every action has an equal but opposite reaction.
Apply that to hair and you’ve got more people taking risks with their look after about a year of just trying to keep their manes tame and manageable.
“It was like all the girls came back with short hair and all the guys came back with long hair,” colorist Sarah Douglas says, who runs The OneEleven Lounge Salon in Hollywood. “I think everyone's just kind of trying to reinvent themselves after a year and a half of being completely shut down. And I think men are getting a little bit more risque in fashion as the fashion world opens up. I think more people are just taking chances.”
Douglas foresees more fashion colors becoming big as we head into fall, especially for men— think monochrome heads of neon tones and pale pinks, tans, beiges and blues. Pop star Billie Eilish has previously donned this look when she kept her roots a vibrant lime green. You may have also seen Gossip Girl star Evan Mock and his pink head. Rest assured, the bright colors aren’t just for skater kids.
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“Now that we've gotten into more androgynous fashion, I think things are starting to change where men are actually wanting to grow their hair and wear fashion colors and girls are more likely to shave their heads and do wild things or wear a really short hairstyle,” Douglas adds. “I think specifically what's happening in L.A. with fashion is it's very bold; nothing is getting more reserved.”
Still, Douglas knows many Angelenos are loyal to one look in particular.
“Lived-in blondes are never going to die. It’s going to be a forever thing,” she says.
For haircuts, she says short French bobs will be big for a while. There’s also always the classic gentleman's haircut. She sees more men wearing their hair with a bit of length, meaning “we’re elevating out the buzzcut fade.”
Douglas’ personal favorite, which she happens to be wearing at the moment, are extra-long knotless braids.
“I feel like so many girls are wearing the knotless box braids as protective styles, but also for fashion, which I love. I think over the last decade more curly-haired women have been wearing their hair in their natural state, which is amazing. I’m all for the twist out, wearing the hair natural in wash-and-go styles,” she says.
Whether you opt for a more adventurous style or stick to a classic look, Douglas emphasizes the benefits of using professional, customized products. Knowing that we all have individualized heads of hair is the first step in proper maintenance. Her favorite brands include Davines, Olaplex and Brazilian Bond Builder.
“Understanding [your] level of moisture, hair type, hair texture— it’s just going to be a safer way to treat your hair.”
See also: Jonathan Van Ness to Release Vegan Hair Line
Photography by: Dih Andréa/Pexels
