The ‘Big Three’ hair trends of 2020

You may be able to track Syd Hayes down to a red carpet, movie premiere or editorial photoshoot, or maybe you’ll spot him wielding a straightening iron backstage during fashion week. His client list reads like a who’s who of celebrities, and he’s created hair styling masterpieces for the likes of Kate Moss, Emma Roberts and David Beckham to name but a few. We were lucky enough to catch a rare couple of minutes with the talented stylist to talk what’s in store for us over the coming year. With Syd’s expertise, we bring you the top three hair trends of 2020.

For those who have mentally confined the shag haircut to the annals of retro cuts never to be revisited, it may be time to think again, especially if the s/s 2020 catwalks are anything to go by. And from Prada to Givenchy the controversial coiff garnered technical brownie points. ‘The shag hair cut is back and this time it’s not a questionable throwback to the 80s, it’s actually cool and chic,’ says Syd. ‘The modern shag can work on different lengths, depending on your face shape and individual style. The key is the razor cut so that the ends feel feather light and effortless rather than blunt. Just make sure your hairdresser doesn’t become too chop-heavy with the layers as this cut is designed to be face framing.’

A highly layered cut like this can feel intimidating to style at home but the right products can easily counter the technically challenged. It’s all about working with, rather than against, your natural texture. If your hair is wavy or curly add a spritz of Aveda’s Texture Tonic and allow to air dry. For fine, straight hair, mousse is your new best friend but unlike crispy 80s incarnations, modern hair heroes such as Bumble & Bumble’s Thickening Full Form Mousse, dried in with a diffuser such as the one on BaByliss’ 5552CU Salon Pro 2200 Hair Dryer will give you that effortless French girl insouciance. If fluffiness is your foe, rub a miniscule drop of QUAI’s Finishing Crème onto your hands before running your fingers through your hair to help accentuate the layers.

Not only is Kaia Gerber criminally good looking, she’s also pushing follicular frontiers. Dubbed the ‘drama cut,’ her latest encounter with the hairdressing scissors have singlehandedly brought about a blunt bob revival. ‘This look is all about shorter hair making bold statements,’ says Syd. ‘It’s having the confidence and power to lob off your locks and embrace the cutting edge. Even though it looks sharp, it’s actually low maintenance with less drying and styling time needed.’

Speaking of styling… short doesn’t necessarily mean short on choice and a blunt bob can be as versatile as you’d like it to be. Even changing the parting can immediately switch it up from bold to boyish. For a relaxed boho feel, add in a few bends to the hair using a curling tong such as John Lewis & Partners Easy Curls hair Wand with a spritz of Percy & Reed’s Beyond The Beach Texture Spray. Or, for understated elegance, treat the hair to a beautifying primer such as Philip Kingsley’s PK PREP Perfecting Spray, and tuck the hair behind the ears before finishing with a misting of Gucci’s Gucci Bloom Hair Mist.

‘This look, championed by celebrities such as Dua Lipa is a nod to the 90s but with a 2020 twist,’ says Syd. ‘Hair is becoming straighter and straighter and this impeccable finish is being elevated with bold statement colour such as Dua’s slice of icy blonde which cuts through her natural chocolate brown.’

According to Hayes, to really embody the ‘less wave, more power’ mantra, your first port of call should be a pair of BaByliss 9000 Cordless Straighteners for on-the-go straightening (unless your hair is naturally poker straight this look requires a little upkeep along the way). But to channel sleek chic from the get-go, it’s all about prepping your hair at the washing stage. Start with Aveda’s Smooth Infusion Shampoo, followed by Bumble and Bumble’s Straight Blow Dry. And to keep your platinum pure, keep a bottle of Philip Kinglsey’s Pure Blonde Booster Colour Correcting Weekly Shampoo to hand which instantly neutralises brassy tones.