Beauty without Borders

Professional Beauty x Hairdressers Journal has always stood for individuality and self-expression. As hair artists around the world break the rules with their creativity and draw inspiration from different walks of life such as fashion, lifestyle, architecture, art, music, culture, et al, we are constantly catching the drift of trends. What better way to express yourself than with gender fluid styles. From androgynous haircuts to bold makeup looks that transcend gender lines, people are exploring and embracing styles that resonate with their true selves. Kanishka Ramchandani brings to fore key highlights of the trend that goes beyond boundaries.

The whole world is your oyster is an expression that holds true for all the people who are alive today. With immense connectivity to stay updated, vast scope of opportunities to learn and grow and creative outlets in every aspect of your life, there is no dearth of inspiration for those yearning to achieve more. Today, we are investing in experiences and knowledge like never before. Be it travel, food, fashion or lifestyle, everything revolves around you. Who are you as an individual, what you want, where you see yourself and what you make of life. Amidst all this lies your sense of style – something that spurs you on, keeps you ahead of the curve, continues to inspire you.

Blurring the lines of gender, hair has today evolved as an expression of your personality. You are what you are, and so is your hairstyle. Speaking about the fluidity of styling, Vaishakhi Haria, Creative Head and Director, Splash Salon, says, “The GenZ is very optimistic, very inclusive. They appreciate different kinds of cultures, they are community based, they build safe spaces for people and they are very forward-looking. They are fearless, so they like to experiment with their looks. They prefer mixing and matching and trying on varied combinations.”

WHEN FASHION IS ART

Elton Steve Vessoaker, Hair and Make-up Artist and Educator says, “What I have noticed is that people are now becoming comfortable and confident in who they are. They are not afraid of self-expression. Fashion is fashion, be it clothing or hairstyles, and people are no more constricted by societal norms, hence the rise of gender fluid styles. Most of my gender-fluid clients are very modern and like to maintain their hair with conditioning treatments.”

Karan Deol, Creative Director at Tweak Salon, Delhi, states, “People often show references influenced by international celebrities. It is a selfexpression regardless of any gender.”

Vasseokar cites bangs, fringes and layered long hair as commonly seen styles in men, while cropped looks and buzzed sides are popular amongst women. Deol lists out styles such as pixie, mullet, fade with ponytail, buzz cut, sideswept with cropped sides, bowl cut, etc. “Ideally the length that plays between short and long appears quirkier and gender-fluid,” he adds.

CRYSTAL GAZING

“With the changing mindset of modern people, which is long overdue, I see there being no rules with regard to fashion and gender. It’s all about self-expression and individuality. This could change from day to day, month to month or year to year. You just need to embrace what you are feeling and how you want to express yourself as and when you please,” elaborates Vasseokar.

He adds, “I like to experiment with different styles. It all depends on my mood. The most common factor in all my looks is that I like to be gender fluid and play with masculine and feminine elements.”

Deol explains, “Influencers and beauty experts are making the sense of gender fluidity stronger. The industry is shifting toward gender non-conforming styles and breaking of stereotypes. Lot of international cosmetic brands have also launched their gender-fluid or unisex products. In couture, brands are making clothing according to gender fluidity. Celebs like Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles, Tilda Swinton even Ranveer Singh have a strong sense of hair/make-up and styling, which is more androgynous. Luxury fashion house like Gucci and Louis Vuitton have also influenced by making clothing that are on lines of androgynous and have diverse expressions of identity.”

“I have explored all length and breadth in hairstyles and colour. That is how we come to know what suits us. I like more natural looking appearance, so from messy to clean, I love it all with a hint of colour. Even messy has its own beauty,” he shares.

CELEBRATING ‘YOU’

While our experts highlight how modern consumers are boldly embracing styles that reflect their true selves, free from societal constraints, gender fluidity comes down to your individual choice. From androgynous haircuts to versatile make-up looks, these trends signify more than just aesthetic choices—they represent a broader movement towards a more inclusive and accepting world.

As brands and salons adapt to these changes, they are not only catering to diverse preferences but also fostering environments where everyone can feel seen and celebrated. The future of beauty lies in this fluidity, where boundaries are blurred, and the essence of personal style is all about celebrating who you are. professionalbeauty.in