Whether you’re scoping out the best haircuts for women or curious to see the most popular haircuts on the rise, you’ve come to the right place. Now that we’ve rung in 2021, we don’t blame you if you’re looking for a way to wash away any reminder of the past year. While we love the classic lob as much as the next person, sometimes you need a little variety—and what better way to get inspired than with the coolest hairstyles from around the U.S.?
Starring curly shags in Detroit, textured bobs in Austin, and curtain bangs in New York City, we asked stylists to share the most requested styles at their salons to bring you the best haircuts for women from every corner of the country. Scroll on for all the inspiration you need.
Long and Sleek
If you haven’t been able to make it to the salon, fear not, as celebrity hairstylist Aviva Perea says crazy-long hair is trending hard for 2021. “I have seen so many people with hair longer than they normally wear it,” she says. “I also think that it will be all about long and straight, and sleek and shiny. There’s a little bit of skill that comes with using a curling iron, but most people are able to glide a flatiron down their hair.”
The key to making length look healthy, not scraggly, is asking your stylist for a blunt bottom cut with barely there long layers. Then there are a few steps to getting that super-sleek look at home. “Straight out of the shower, you want to add a serum when your hair is still super wet—that way it’ll lock in moisture and keep your hair smooth,” says Perea. “I love the Extra Strength Serum from John Frieda. It has bamboo extract, which helps my hair stay hydrated while also minimizing frizz.”
Easy Waves
Care-free waves have always been a cool-girl staple, but with more women ditching heat styling, Perea says to expect an uptick in air-dried waves this year. Effortless hair starts with a great cut, and it’s crucial your stylist lays the foundation for hair that doesn’t need much styling. “When you’re in the chair, you want to make sure that the layers are even and heavier from the ear forward,” says Perea. “You also want to ask that your stylist ‘cuts into’ the layers. When you take perpendicular cuts into the layer, you are giving your hair somewhere to sit, which when you are air drying is key. If you have blunt layers, your hair will dry on itself and look bulky.”
“Whether you have super-curly or wavy hair, you can achieve this look, but you have to prep your hair with a really good, super-high-performing leave-in conditioner,” says Perea. She likes the John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner to coat hair and lock out frizz. “When my hair is wet, I section my hair so that the product can be dispersed evenly. Then after it’s completely saturated, I give my hair a few gentle twists to encourage the loose, effortless wave that I’m after.”
Modern Diana
If the latest season of The Crown has you thinking about a Diana-inspired chop, you’re not alone. Ryan Trygstad, celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of New York’s Mark Ryan Salon, says he’s been giving his clients a modern take on the princess’s iconic haircut. “It’s such a fresh look for 2021 and exudes confidence and style for the new year,” he says. “The cut itself is a mixture of a very short layered bob edging toward a pixie.”
Trygstad says to expect other ’90s inspired super-short cuts to come back as well. If you aren’t ready to take the plunge into pixie territory, try a sleek chin-length bob like this one on Kaia Gerber.
Curtain Bangs
Want bangs without the effort? Curtain bangs are about as low-maintenance as they get. “Curtain bangs are the gateway to bangs, because they’re super versatile,” says Emily Heser, stylist at Cutler Salon in New York City. “They’re long enough to grow out or pin back if you want, but they can also be cut into a shorter look.” If you’re on the noncommittal side when it comes to your cuts, consider this your match.
One reason for curtain bangs’ crazy popularity (seriously, try scrolling Insta without spotting a pair) is that they work with all sorts of textures. No matter your hair type, the key is getting the shape right. “Keep the edges longer than the middle and the ends soft starting in the center of the pupils and working to the jawline,” says Tim Dueñas, a hairstylist at L.A.’s Nine Zero One salon.
Chandelier Layers
Not sure what to do with your hair? Add a bang, says Alan Vuong, owner of Salon Blanc in Honolulu, who says bangs are popular on all lengths for 2021, but especially when paired with long layers. “Together they flow seamlessly alongside the contour of your face, with the bangs bringing out your eyes,” he says. He notes that soft sideswept bangs, curtain bangs, and middle-part bangs are all trending, but he especially likes middle-part bangs paired with his signature chandelier layer cut (the long, soft layers you see in the photo here). To get the same look, he says to ask for “long layers at the back and smooth, graduated layers to frame your face.”
A heavier bang edges up long layers without being too extreme. Choppy bangs draw attention right to your eyes and lend that vintage vibe, while long chandelier layers add definition but don’t sacrifice length. You get the best of both worlds.
Tight Crop
While the Big Chop is hardly a “trend,” it’s been a particularly big year for women transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. Start fresh with a cropped cut—or even a buzz cut—so your curls grow in with all their natural glory.
“Considering the current climate, a lot of women are doing their hair at home, therefore easy, effortless looks will be the go-to,” says Naeemah LaFond, Amika’s global artistic director. “Women may take the opportunity to embrace their natural texture more than ever now since they don’t have as much access to the salons as they previously did.” A short, cropped cut like Lupita Nyong’o’s is a beautiful way to embrace your texture.
