10 mins
SPRING/SUMMER 2023 Trends
The year 2023 is all about staying ahead of the curve. We are catching up with lost time, speeding towards our goals, being the overachievers that we are! And we are doing all this with gloriously styled tresses. Yes, hair is back to playing the lead role in the drama of our lives. Kanishka ramchandani gets hair experts to guide you as the best season for hair trends unfolds its magic.
In spring/summer 2023, it’s not about perfection or symmetry. It’s about personalisation! You stand out because of your individual style. This season the ruling trends are guidelines for hairdressers to follow in order to create bespoke styles, cuts and colours for their clients. Hair has always been a canvas for stylists but this year we see it becoming a mode of selfexpression for the individual, too. So, as you gear up with your training and techniques, you need to take a step further and work with your client – make her your muse. And together you will create a masterpiece - that will encompass what’s trending, that will sport your signature, that will make your client stand out as style icon in her own right.
“No fuss, easy-going cuts and styles are in”
What’s your favourite global trend? No fuss, easy-going cuts and styles are in.
Which fashion trend to watch out for? Any fashion trend can be only prescribed and customised according to the suitability of the client viz (face shape, body shape, hair texture, personality etc.)
Which trend is passé? Overstyled superset looks
Top 5 picks for stylists 1. Research on latest styling products to aid a cutting-edge finish to your final styles 2. Find more creative ways of using thermals 3. Maximise on the digital platforms for brand visibility 4. Hire a good marketing team 5. Focus on training to produce efficient and more manpower to cater to business growth
Hair tips for the summer bride
• Avoid using too much hot water for hair wash
• Always carry dry shampoo in your bag
Mistakes hairdressers should avoid during hot months
• Overloading products to fight summer heat while styling, which makes it worse.
• Suggesting complete open hairstyles to clients when venue is open to the sky (non-AC)
• Conditioning straight or straightened hair before styling
Top 5 product picks 1. Volumising powders 2. Dry shampoo 3. Non-sticky hairsprays 4. Anti-frizz serums for dry ends 5. Leave-in cream conditioners to protect hair from the sun
Hair care consultation for summers
• Use lukewarm/normal temperature water to shampoo hair
• Rub lemon juice on scalp 15 minutes prior hair wash to avoid greasy scalp
• While oiling hair, focus on the hair shaft rather than the scalp
• Avoid using a lot of thermal tools after hair wash and rather let your hair air dry naturally
Who are we quizzing? Shirin Merchant, Owner, Kut ‘n’ Make Salon, Mumbai
What’s trending? #Cut
• Skullet-modern version of the mullet
• Mid-Lobs
• Broken bobs
• Long shags
#Colour
• Pastel blues
• Chocolate browns
• Peachy rose blonde
• Caramel blond
• Smugged balayage
#Style
• Side sleek partings
• Bouncy ponytails
• Flippy ends
• Pigtails
• Long strong hair
#Texture
• Liquid shine textured hair
• Soft textured styles - some internal layers in lobs, A-line cuts, curtain bangs to add versatility, movement and femininit y.
Secret summertime hair hack When I have to attend a social do and my hair is greasy, I quickly tie my tresses down to give it a clean-sleek or a messy-sleek look with a bun or a ponytail, depending on the outfit, and optionally accessorise it to add a tinge of dressiness.
Who are we quizzing? Sidney Ho, Owner, Mirror ‘n’ Comb Salon, Kolkata
What’s trending? #Cut Wolf haircut - essentially that means more texture, movement of the hair and more volume.
#Colour Red and Magenta
#Style Beach hairstyle - it is an unrivalled perennial classic. It is a hairstyle that looks good on everyone. #Texture Frizz-free natural looking hair
Top 5 tips for stylists
The rulebook for stylists should be on in the following sequence:
1. Consultation
2. Cut
3. Colour
4. Styling
5. Home care regime
Secret summertime hair hack
Always ask your clients to use a serum with SPF to avoid sun burn and damages of the hair.
“Always ask your clients to use a serum with SPF”
What’s your favourite global trend?
The global trend this year are different techniques of balayage and foliage. With that the recommendation would be to have a proper grading of colours in the hair.
Which fashion trend to watch out for?
The consideration for choosing the right hairstyle for a client would be essentially based upon the factors relating to that person’s personality disposition, the profession that she or he is in, and of course the lifestyle of that person.
Which trend is passé?
Bold, stark contrasting looks are all passé. The trend nowadays is towards presenting a natural finished look.
Mistakes hairdressers should avoid during the hot months
Generally, stylists forget to use the correct styling products, especially the heat styling spray. This is the very base of hairstyling and it most certainly requires the necessary focus in the priority list of ‘does’ for the stylist.
Hair tips for the summer bride The summer bride’s hairstyling would really look good with braids and stylishly customised updos.
Top 5 product picks 1. Spray Conditioner 2. Volumising Powder 3. Shine Spray 4. Heat Protector 5. Holding/ Texturising Spray
Hair care consultation for summers
Summers are all for being under the sun and in the hot and humid climate. Hence, as a professional hairstylist my recommendation to my clients would be to regularly wash your hair, use the right recommended products, which is suitable for your hair, do hair spas at intervals (must-do!) and have a good balanced diet.
Who are we quizzing?
Rachit Malhotra, Owner, Femina Plus Salon Chandigarh
What’s trending? #Cut Curtain bangs with long or short hair
#Colour Caramel/auburn - brighten up your face with money piece highlights.
#Style Ponytail with waves
#Texture Waves are in
Top 5 product picks
1. Heat protection
2. Hair mousse or thickening spray
3. Hair shampoo
4. Hair mask
5. Holding spray
Secret summertime hair hack
Satin scarves are brilliant hair accessories for adding colour to your hairstyle during the summer, but they are also a great way to protect your hair from sun damage. Why not put a scarf on your bag for decoration and transfer it to your head when you need it!
“Straight hair is dead now”
What’s your favourite global trend?
I feel moneypiece balayage would be the most trending thing this season. Face-framing to enhance the facial features should be the most important part of your design.
Which trend is passé? Straight hair is dead now.
Top 5 tips for stylists 1. Be punctual 2. Be honest 3. Offer speedy services 4. Know the ingredients in the products. Offer natural and vegan, sulphate-, paraben-, formaldehyde-free products 5. Do consultation with pictures and reels
Hair tips for the summer bride
• Avoid extreme haircuts before the wedding
• Use serums and deep conditioning treatments in the lead-up to the big day, so your hair is as strong and heat resistant as possible
Mistakes hairdressers should avoid during the hot months
Most hairstylists want to have enough coverage for the hairstyles and they use strong hair hold sprays for this. Hair starts looking sticky and stiff. So, instead use a lightweight spray bottle.
Hair care consultation for summers
Excessive heat makes hair dry, weak and brittle while sweat and humidity rob it of shine and lustre, making your crowning glory a clumpy mess. If you want to take good care of your hair during the summer months, it is best to focus on something beyond cosmetic applications.
Who are we quizzing?
Vivek Bhatia, Hairstylist, Shyam’s Salon and Very V Salon
Top 5 picks for stylists
1. Self-education/upgrade
2. Social media engagement
3. Upcoming western trends
4. Client’s shifting demands
5. Last and most important, while we look out for all the trends, let’s look after our own health, too. Many hairdressers are facing muscular disorders. Stay fit, stay fashionable!
Top 5 product picks
1. Elnett hair spray by L’Oréal
2. Açai oil by Cadiveu
3. Olaplex is a must
4. Tong size 28 by Ikonic
5. Savage Panache by L’Oréal
Secret summertime hair hack
A dry shampoo is my secret product for the summers, every year - it definitely helps soak up all the grease and sweat from the scalp, giving a much fuller effect to my hairdo.
“Just embrace and enhance your own style”
What’s trending?
I believe cut and colour go together mostly these days. I prefer giving my clients a haircut that complements their hair colour and vice versa.
Most people prefer natural hairstyles i.e. something that makes them look elegant yet themselves and not someone completely different. I love that attitude, too! Just embrace and enhance your own style.
What’s your favourite global trend?
Globally ‘balayage’ is the most trending hair colour fashion and I being a colourist just can’t stop obsessing over it. I would definitely want to see more of this!
Which fashion trend to watch out for?
Honestly, when working on a client’s hair, their own lifestyle is something that’s most important thing to note. If you’re creating something that’s buzzing everywhere but your client is an introvert, but that won’t work at all, right?
Which trend is passé?
The count of layers (three step, four step, etc.) is something that people really need to get over with now. It’s high time!
Hair tips for the summer bride
Summer brides need maximum protection for both skin and hair. Always carry an SPF and a hair balm (non-sticky!) with you. Most importantly stay hydrated!
Mistakes hairdressers should avoid during the hot months
Over usage of products and accessories. This is one thing that makes even a good job look bad. Too much of products or accessories weighs down the hair and that looks ‘not so natural’. So, remember less is more.
Who are we quizzing?
Yash Killa, Hairstylist and Business Development Manager, Headturners Salon, Kolkata
What’s trending? #Cut
Get your hair prepared for the upcoming hot summer days. Spring brings in a fresh breath of air to the city. Add layers to your long hair to give it some movement.
#Colour After a great wedding season last December of updos and highlights, I recommend my clients to refresh the highlights at this time of the year.
#Style Now that you’ve added layers to your long hair, you can style your hair with a beautiful bounce on the ends.
#Texture Your hair must have worn out with the continuous application of hairstyling products for the wedding season. Make sure to visit your salon for a nourishing hair ritual once a week.
Secret summertime hair hack Shift from masque to conditioner
“Add layers to your long hair to give it some movement”
What’s your favourite global trend?
One global trend that India needs to see more is texturising of hair. This customisation is still looked down upon.
Which fashion trend to watch out for?
With the 2023 Oscar around the corner, I will take the red carpet trends into account whilst I attend my clients.
Which trend is passé?
One look which has taken a back seat in the Indian fashion industry is Perming. However, what could be a trend is an upgraded version of the same - permanent waves.
Hair tips for the summer bride
We know you would love to keep your hair long for your wedding day. But keeping it healthy is what’s important. Make sure to visit a salon for a hair ritual once a fortnight.
Top 5 picks for stylists
• Hairstyles of global influencers
• Dressing styles of global influencers
• Upcoming product launches from popular brands
• Online hair workshops from globally recognised hair educators
• Salon sense from globally recognised salons
Mistakes hairdressers should avoid during the hot months
There’s no need to use hot tools to style your client’s hair. It will flatten anyway with the humidity in the air. Instead give her a free-flowing blow dry without curls on the ends.
Top 5 product picks 1. Heat protector 2. Serum 3. Leave-in serum 4. Curl enhancer 5. Holding spray
Hair consultation for summers
Greet your clients with a cold beverage. Check their scalp for oiliness and hair for colour fade-age. Suggest them necessary hair ritual and a colour refresh service. PBHJ
This article appears in the Feb-Mar 23 Issue of Professional Beauty/ Hairdressers Journal India
If you would like to view other issues of Professional Beauty/ Hairdressers Journal India, you can see the full archive
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