Stylists reveal the most popular post-lockdown hair trends

After being given the green light to reopen, hairdressers across the country have been juggling their appointment books to fit in the millions of Brits desperate for a chop.

Last month some salons and barber shops revealed they had waiting lists of up to 3,000, while Treatwell – one of Europe’s biggest hair and beauty appointment platforms – reported a 410 per cent increase in bookings.

Now that many of us have overhauled our lockdown locks with generous chops and colour, stylists are seeing new hair trends emerging.

Ricky Walters, director of Soho-based SALON64, told FEMAIL he’s noticed clients are looking for ways to drastically spice up their hair and add ‘attitude’.

Now that many of us have overhauled our lockdown locks with generous chops and colour, stylists are seeing new hair trends emerging. Pictured: stock image

‘Having been stuck at home staring at themselves in the mirror with too much time on their hands, they’re now ready for a change!’ he said.

‘Clients have been stranded in lockdown with hair fast becoming out of control and far too long.

‘Now that we are all going back to some normality, clients want to celebrate with a fresh start for their hair.

‘We are seeing a huge rise in drastic changes. From brunettes requesting full heads of highlights to cutting off long locks into sleek jawline bobs, clients are embracing the new – it’s out with the pre-lockdown look!’

Ricky Walters of Soho-based SALON64 said he’s noticed brunettes requesting full heads of highlights – like Kate Middleton’s new bronde style (pictured)

Ricky said balayage, beach waves, highlights and collar bone cuts are all very much in fashion, but clients are wanting a twist on the classic.

‘They want a look with attitude,’ he added.

Celebrity hairdresser Ricky Walters says clients want to celebrate post-lockdown life with a fresh start for their hair

Ricky revealed he’s seen a rise in the ‘faux fringe’ – a deep grown out disconnected fringe – which is a subtle change that can transform an existing haircut.

‘For the more brave clients, changing from pretty highlights to a scalp bleach or from golden blonde to a white icy blonde is yet another way clients are shaking up their current do’s.’

And it’s not just the ladies who are becoming more brave with their hair as a result of lockdown.

‘My male clients that once had a well-groomed crop and would always book in every two weeks have not had a cut for nearly four months – and they like it!’ Ricky said.

‘For many I’ve been keeping all the length lockdown had to offer and chopping it into a more polished version – something less Bradley Wiggins, more Bradley Cooper!’

Meanwhile Michael Van Clarke, who is approaching his 43rd year in hairdressing and has a salon in Marylebone, central London, told FEMAIL that he’s noticed many of his clients don’t want to return to their pre-lockdown styles.

Ricky revealed he’s seen a rise in the ‘faux fringe’ – a deep grown out disconnected fringe – which is a subtle change that can transform an existing haircut and enhance cheekbones

‘Everyone has discovered that without projecting “try hard” or “power” looks, life doesn’t fall off a cliff,’ he said.

‘We probably saw about 1,000 of our clients in the first 10 days of salons reopening. The majority are opting to keep a longer look but more shaped and styled.

‘I think in some ways the hairstyle breaks the association with pre-lockdown life that people don’t want to exactly return to. FOMLO – fear of missing lockdown – is quite widespread.

‘Many have taken the forced opportunity to grow out fringes and are keeping them long, with the rest shaped and layered up to meet them.’

Michael Van Clarke, who is approaching his 43rd year in hairdressing and has a salon in Marylebone, central London, pictured, told FEMAIL that he’s noticed many of his clients don’t want to return to their pre-lockdown styles

He also noted that men are ‘channelling their inner Dennis Waterman’ and enjoying a more relaxed, Seventies look with their hair.

Red hot hair this summer

Celebrity hairstylist Dionne says red hair is set to be the coveted colour trend, with the likes of Kim Kardashian paving the way.

‘Red hair can look rich, luxe and bold. I think many will be daring to go for bolder colour,’ she said.

‘In post-lockdown 2020 and red can be fiery, uplifting, and warm depending on whether you opt for auburn or hot scarlett.’

‘It’s easy to forget how fashion creeps up on us,’ he added. ‘Thirty years ago the men’s styles of today would have been labelled “Army haircuts” and seen as quite aggressive, with their brutal clippered looks.

‘And these were a diluted, softer, mainstream version of the virtually shaved heads that footballers started to popularise in the Nineties, where men’s bravado was measured in the gate number of their clippers – zero being the most macho.’

As much as Michael’s salon has had a ‘stampede’ of women desperate for colour, he said more women have made peace with their grey hairs.

‘Whilst we still add colour tone and vibrancy, more grey is being retained to add to the pallet of highlights, depth and tonal contrast,’ he said.

‘It seems that obliterating a rampant head of white, with solid deep dark brown colour is finally and thankfully passe.

‘Overall I think lockdown has brought a less uptight zeitgeist, and that has reflected in our hair.

‘It feels like the laid-back Seventies re-imagined.’

How to Covid-proof your hair for a second wave

Andrew Barton, creative director of Headmasters salons, recommends opting for a bob and a bespoke balayage.

‘It’s the ultimate cast-off lockdown locks look – it will also transition beautifully as it grows out,’ he said.

‘As we have opened our salons doors again we have seen months of home hair; everything from box colour, overgrown colour and uneven, broken split ends.

‘After months of not being able to visit the salon our clients want to get back into the salon chair, but many don’t know what to ask for now.

‘Balayage works on every length hair and looks beautiful on a bob.’

Jonathan Soons, creative ambassador at Headmasters, said the bob is set to be the ‘cut of the year’ as many people are desperate to give their long locks a clean, healthy chop – and it’s a good option should there be a second wave of the virus.

‘A precision cut above the shoulder will free your hair of split, over-sensitised ends and protect your hair form any more damage,’ he said.

‘Ask your stylist to enhance volume at the ends rather than the roots to stop the shape looking too round.

‘Whatever your style, keep it defined and chic or soft and understated with loose, brushed out waves.

‘The key is to keep your hair healthy – invest in salon treatments like a Kerastase Fusio Dose and a professionally prescribed home hair regime to keep your hair healthy between appointments.’

Clever balayage will mean you don’t need to worry about your roots if the UK goes back into lockdown.

Gareth Reynolds, colour lead Headmasters, said: ‘Taking fine sections and sweeping on colour using a brush and paddle gives your colourist more control to place the colour where it will flatter you most, highlighting your best features, texture and cut.

‘If you want to be lighter for summer, ask your colourist to add babylights around your hairline, adding subtle shimmering colour that grows out subtly to give your whole look a lift.’