It's Official—These Were the 9 Biggest Hair Trends of 2022

What a year 2022 has been for hair trends. From trending hair colours such as copper and seventies-inspired blonde, to haircuts like the bob and mixie cut, we saw a whole range of hair trends trickle from our feeds into IRL. It's safe to say we're pretty excited to see what 2023 hair trends will be in store for us next year. It's safe to say our hair has come a long way this year. After two years of uncertainty from the pandemic, we all breathed a collective sign of relief once our much-loved hair salons were no longer subjected to lockdowns, and it finally feels as though our hair routine (for the most part) is back to normal.

While 2020 was spent trying to make our pre-lockdown cut last as long as possible, 2021 consisted of trying to get our strands fighting fit after all of the neglect. Now, reflecting back on 2022, we feel confident enough to say that this year was the year for hair. Our lockdown lengths were chopped into shorter styles like the bob and the mixie as we braved going for the chop, and hair colour has never been more exciting.

As for styling, we've seen more and more people embrace their natural hair texture, and many of us experimented with those supermodel blowouts thanks to the rise of hairstyling tools like the Dyson AirWrap flooding our feeds.

To find out which 2022 hair trends reigned, we spoke to some of the top stylists and experts in the hair game as we reflect back on the biggest hair trends of 2022.

1. The Big Blowout

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638466172820-image

(Image credit: @SYMPHANISOTO)

Dressing down a big blowout with a low-key tracksuit is the perfect way to make this typically glam hairstyle work in the day.

hair-trends-2022-296760-1644086973725-image

(Image credit: @RAEANNLANGAS)

Of course, blowouts always look great accompanied by fancy frocks.

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638466174052-image

(Image credit: @JEANNINE.ROXAS)

A voluminous, ’70s-style blow-dry will no doubt be the biggest hairstyle of the year.

It’s really no surprise that big, glossy blowouts made a huge comeback this year. Celebrity hairstylist and expert Luke Hersheson explains, "We’re all starting to feel the need for super-luxe, glossy, blown-out hair again. Maybe it’s being able to go back out and socialise again after two years of on-and-off lockdowns. For 2022, we’re talking big, bouncy, ’90s-supermodel style volume.”

If you’re not the biggest whizz with a hair dryer, the Dyson Airwrap makes achieving that super blown-out look at home easier than ever. Yes, it’s pricey, but so are blow-dries, and if you think you could make the money back by saving on those salon blow-dry appointments, it’s a no-brainer.

Get the Look

2. The Mixie

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638466362795-image

(Image credit: @ALYSSAINTHECITY)

The mixie cut has the wearability of a pixie hairstyle with the edginess of a mullet. 

hair-trends-2022-296760-1644087289257-image

(Image credit: @CHARLOTTEKUHRT)

Flick out your ends to add texture to your mixie. 

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638466364171-image

(Image credit: @INTHING_)

A grown-out or slightly longer pixie cut can look effortlessly chic.

If the shag was the biggest haircut of 2021, the mixie was the haircut of 2022. Sitting somewhere between a mullet and a pixie crop, it’s much more daring than the shag, but it’s still really quite wearable. "It’s a versatile look,” says Paul Percival, Owner of Percy & Reed salon and Redken Artist. "You have control of the look and can adapt it quickly and easily. We have a new in-salon service at Percy & Reed London that combines two styles in one appointment. We cut a pixie cut and match the style and colour to ethically sourced hair wefts. The pixie cut is easily wearable for every day, but then you can clip in your weft for something different.”

The key to the mixie is to ensure it’s full of texture. Work a styling pomade or wax into the roots for an angled, edgy look.

Get the Look

3. The French Bob

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638466573697-image

(Image credit: @CHLOEHELENMILES)

Style your French bob with on-trend curtain bangs for a low-maintenance style.

hair-trends-2022-296760-1644087144314-image

(Image credit: @APRILLOCKHART)

A middle parting makes this ’do feel even sleeker. 

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638466574806-image

(Image credit: @FRANNFYNE)

Wavy and curly styles lend themselves well to French bobs, as demonstrated by Fran.

This will come as no surprise, but the French bob was everywhere in 2022. Its understated, classic nature means it’s set to be a mainstay hair trend. "Bobs were big in 2022,” says Hersheson. "I don’t think there’s such thing as a bad bob for next year. Everything from long bobs to graduated bobs will still be huge, but particularly the French bob.”

To get lived-in volume and texture in the roots that won’t weigh the hair down, use a super-lightweight styling foam. This will give the lift of a mousse without any of that crunchy weight.

Get the Look

4. The Undone Boy Bob

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638466754659-image

(Image credit: @KAIAGERBER)

Kaia is the queen of the ’90s-style boy bob.

hair-trends-2022-296760-1644087835448-main

(Image credit: @lottaliinalove)

Tucked behind the ear, this easy bob looks effortlessly chic. 

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638466755831-image

(Image credit: @MISSTPW)

If your hair is straight and lacks weight, the boy bob could be the hairstyle to try.

Speaking of bobs, a new bob that came on to the scene this year was the boy bob. We saw it all over the runways (Chanel S/S 22, we’re looking at you), and was one of the most popular cuts this year. "It’s the sort of cut you can just leave to air-dry and it will still look effortlessly chic and undone,” says celebrity hairstylist and expert George Northwood.

The key is in the cut. "Ask your hairdresser for a super-short bob, cut to the jawline, that is just long enough so that you can still tuck it behind your ears. Keep it all one length with no shape around the face. If the hair is feeling too straight and sleek, I’d recommend a couple of spritzes of my Undone Volume Spray to add some body and texture,” adds Northwood.

Get the Look

5. '70s Blonde

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638466954057-image

(Image credit: @CASSDIMICCO)

Incorporate a root stretch and balayage into your ’70s blonde to make colour appointments last longer.

hair-trends-2022-296760-1644088135634-main

(Image credit: @himichelleli)

Dark roots and creamy blonde lengths feel so Y2K and, as such, very current. 

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638466955395-image

(Image credit: @SABINASOCOL)

Sabina’s iconic French-girl blonde is giving us major inspiration.

While ’70s cuts were everywhere in 2021, in 2022, we took retro inspiration for our colour. "After a monotonous year of lockdowns, people were looking for a dramatic change in 2022—and ’70s hair trends offer just that,” says Northwood. Particularly, when it comes to bleach and colour. "Think honey-hued blonde shades against layered hair with heaps of volume and choppy bangs. The colour tends to be slightly creamy, with softer butterscotch tones, offering a fresh take on a classic retro style,” he adds.

To keep bleached strands as healthy and free from breakage as possible, swap out your usual hairbands for thin silk scrunchies. Tension is one of the biggest causes of breakage in bleached hair, and silk bands are the perfect alternative.

Get the Look

6. Natural Curls and Texture

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638467181840-image

(Image credit: @ELLABALINSKA)

Air-dry curls to minimise heat damage and get the most out of your curl pattern.

hair-trends-2022-296760-1644088334320-main

(Image credit: @thetennillelife_)

Curly fringes always look incredible, but this look is even more striking with grown-out greys. 

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638467183369-image

(Image credit: @AYSHA.SOW)

Consider wearing your coils loose in a middle parting.

"Texture in all of its forms dominated the hair world in 2022,” says hairstylist and Imbue Creative Director and Ambassador Michelle Sultan. "The curly hair market, in particular, is growing and growing. We are seeing more representation on television showing more Black presenters, hosts, and stars wearing their natural texture.” 

If you’ve been toying with the idea of styling your natural curls for a while, take this as your sign that now is the time. Before you take the plunge, be sure to stock up on products formulated specifically for curly or coily hair in order to get the most out of your curl pattern. "Using products that are curly girl–friendly is always a good idea, whether you have a loose wave, tight coil or kink,” says Sultan.

Get the Look

7. Barely There Hair

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638467371511-image

(Image credit: @CAMILLECHARRIERE)

If your hair is naturally thin and straight, let your hair dry naturally and embrace its natural shape and texture.

hair-trends-2022-296760-1644088633800-main

(Image credit: @monikh)

Step away from the straighteners—waves only add to this cool-girl aesthetic. 

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638467372758-image

(Image credit: @HAILEYBIEBER)

Take the barely there trend into the evening by very roughly bending a straightener through the ends to create undone waves.

If your natural texture isn’t typically full of volume and falls a little flat, then 2022 was the year for you just as much as it is for more voluminous styles. "This is what I like to call barely there hair,” says Northwood. "It’s like no-makeup makeup but for your hair. Natural, effortless-looking hair has really become the new glamour hair. Simply styled with a subtle wave with a tong gives the illusion of having just rolled out of bed with an undone look. Hailey Bieber’s hair at the Met Gala in 2021 was the perfect example,” Northwood adds.

To achieve the look at home with minimal effort, consider air-drying your hair. After washing, work an air-dry cream into lengths, and let it dry naturally.

Get the Look

8. Classic Bob

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638467534118-image

(Image credit: @GRECEGHANEM)

The classic bob will never go out of fashion. However, in 2022 it had a real moment.

hair-trends-2022-296760-1644087523176-image

(Image credit: @the_oluwaseun)

This braided bob looks so sharp—the chin-grazing length is perfect. 

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638467535271-image

(Image credit: @LAURAPOLKO)

A middle-parted, blunt bob? Sign us up.

Can you tell that the bob was huge news in 2022? While the French bob and boy bob are seriously popular, it’s also worth noting that the classic bob made a comeback this year, and we'll see it continuing into 2023. "The classic bob never dies,” says Sultan. "Fashionistas across the globe are opting for less maintenance and instant power hair in a sleek bob—they’re blunt and swingy.”

To get that glass-like shine on your bob, use a coating shine spray straight after washing, and then blow-dry the hair. "For a glossy shine, also make sure you’re using a good heat protector,” adds Sultan.

Get the Look

9. Warm Ginger Tones

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638467699444-image

(Image credit: @ALLISONMCNAMARA)

This balayage ginger style blends warm red tones with cooler blondes for a low-maintenance, effortless look.

hair-trends-2022-296760-1644088708461-main

(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

You needn’t go for the same colour all over; add dimension and depth with balayage and curated dyeing techniques. 

hair-trends-2022-296760-1638467700965-image

(Image credit: @GIGIHADID)

Warm, auburn hair, like Gigi’s dyed lengths, doesn’t equal easy upkeep, but the results make it so worth it.

Trends of warm orange hair tones have started emerging as we headed into the colder months in 2022. "This time around, warm gingery hues will be bright and unapologetic. Make sure when trying out a colour like this that you get it done professionally,” says Sultan. With red tones being notoriously hard to work with when applying colour to hair, be sure to keep strands as protected as possible by using bond-restoring treatments like Olaplex.

Get the Look

Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.