THE BEST 2021 CUTS & COLOUR FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
What better way to kick start a new year than by nailing really Great Hair?
Our special 2021 mini-series covers all the best cuts for fine, thick, long and short hair. So, from fringes and curls to the perfect blonde and a 101 on long hair and bobs, here’s how to get the Great Hair and confidence you deserve.
The best fringes for your hair type
Short fringe, long fringe, curly or thin hair – or want to part it in the middle? There really is the perfect bang to suit everyone – so here’s how to find yours.
For Fine Hair
Kara has fine hair but lots of it. On this type of hair, it’s important to take the fringe fairly short in the middle, just above her brows, keeping a steep diagonal line up to the sides of her head. Luke Hersheson took some pieces shorter on the underneath section around her cheekbones, to give it more shape, so it doesn’t just hang like two limp curtains. What’s key here is that the shape of the fringe really blends into the rest of the cut, so it looks like it belongs.
For Thick Hair
Sia has really thick hair, so David G left this fringe slightly longer than you would with fine hair. This stops it from becoming bushy and overwhelming the face. We also took away some of the weight with invisible layers, creating shorter pieces that lie closer to the head. What’s super important with this hair type is that the fringe blends in all the way around the head to the crown, so it looks really natural and effortless.
For Curly Hair
We love Sophie’s curls. We cut her hair in a classic curtain shape using scissors, rather than a razor, to avoid creating more frizz. Sticking to a slightly chunkier fringe also helps the curls form into a nice shape. Luke left this fringe about an inch or so longer than you would with straight hair, as the curls spring upwards once dry. The diagonal shape between the middle of the forehead and each temple is what makes for a great shaped fringe on curly hair.
How to add shape to long hair
Love your length but need some new ideas for the best long cuts that add natural shape and movement? We’ve got your back right here.
For Fine Hair
Mia has fine hair, so when it’s left at one length, with no shape at all, it can easily morph into Morticia Addams territory. Like lots of girls, Mia was super attached to her length, but wanted to bring out its natural movement with a better shape. Luke cut it with a razor, instead of using scissors to create a more precise cut. He added shorted pieces around the jawline so that when Mia flips her hair to one side, she gets instant body and shape at the front. When she ties it up, the shorter pieces fall out, to frame her face and add softness.
For Full Hair
Anna has loads and loads of hair! This much hair is very easily weighed down, so Luke used a razor to take some of the weight out of it. He added some shorter pieces around her face so that when her hair is parted in the middle, they frame the face in a really subtle way. Luke kept the ends wispy and fluid to encourage Anna’s natural movement and give it a really nonchalant vibe. This look is perfect for girls who want Great Hair – without looking like they’ve just walked out of a salon.
For Flat Hair
By comparing the before and after, you can see just how flat Annabelle's hair was – and what a huge difference her new cut makes. This is a perfect example of what we mean by Great Hair: it doesn’t change who she is – but it does bring out the best in what she has naturally. While before she was hiding behind her hair, the new layers Luke added make her eyes pop and frame her bone structure.
Our top tips for finding your perfect blonde
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all blonde. Instead, Maxine H factors in a multitude of things…
These things include the season, (in summer we often go brighter and creamier; in winter we may take things more golden), skin and eye colour, (have you got a holiday tan and need some ashiness to your blonde? Or are you a little paler and we use your hair colour to add warmth?). She also thinks about your clothes, your overall style and what your expectations are in terms of maintaining your blonde, (are you an every 6 weeks or every 6 months kinda girl?). We’ll also look at how much of your natural hair colour you’re showing – then decide if we want to take your blonde up just a notch or really dial it up to the max. Maybe you want something soft and subtle; or perhaps you’re sick and tired of the natural look and want to go big and bold.
James F created Pia’s lived-in blonde with a combination of balayage and highlights. Afterwards, he toned the roots slightly darker blonde, keeping the ends lighter, to amp up that effortless beachy effect. This neutral/beige tone works really nicely on most skin tones and is a great way to lift your look if you have a natural brown base colour to your hair.
How to bring out your best curls
One of the questions we get asked most often from curly girls is: "How can we style our curls and bring out the best in them, without wasting time and money?" We’ve dug out our best curly hair tips, to enhance your natural shape and movement, according to your curl type.
For Thick Hair
Lolita here has super thick curly hair but previously found it hard to embrace easy breezy air dry styling. When it comes to finding your perfect look, remember that curls give hair a natural shape – before you’ve even cut it at all. For this reason, we keep the shape simple and often cut curly hair when it’s dry, so we can see how it bounces back into its natural form. When cutting Lolita’s hair, Luke avoided using a razor, which can add frizz to some curls, and instead, used scissors to bring out her natural shape and movement.
For Tight Curls
Tighter curls like Eve’s require an even simpler shape, so Luke cut this in a traditional way using scissors to keep the ends chunky and encourage volume and density. He added a few shorter pieces around her face, to frame her features in a really natural way. The best way to style tight curly hair is to keep it simple and think ‘less is more’.
The Best Fringe for Curly Hair
Sophie went for a classic ‘70s shag, with a rock ‘n’ roll vibe. It’s a bolder look that essentially incorporates a Curtain Fringe, which suits pretty much every face shape. To create this look, Luke added invisible layers throughout Sophie’s hair, taking it shorter on the crown. This looks brilliant on hair that’s on the wavy side of curly, rather on hair that has naturally very tight curls.
The top bob haircuts no matter what your hair type
Surely the number one cut of 2020, bobs aren’t going anywhere. Here’s how to find which shape and bob haircut will suit your texture and get you the Great Hair you deserve.
For Fine/All Hair Types
Our ‘90s(ish) Bob on Yulia here suits pretty much every face shape and hair texture – particularly if your hair is naturally straight. Luke took it slightly shorter around the sides to really hug the jawline and enhance the shape. Using a razor, he added invisible layers to the underneath section, which encourages fine hair to look thicker, if it needs it. This also brings out the natural movement, so you can simply air dry and know that your style will have an effortless, undone quality to it.
For Thick Hair
The bob Luke created for Anna suits most face shapes and works especially well on thicker hair that has some natural movement. It’s a little bit more solid in the outline, but Luke kept the sides shorter than the back. This goes against the grain of a classic bob and instead, reinvents it with a fresh, modern feel.
For Fringed Bobs and Wavy Hair
We love the Parisian vibe of this bob. It’s great if your forehead is on the larger side and can carry this heavier fringe; if you forehead is smaller, you may want to go with a different cut, or you risk overwhelming your facial features. What’s important here is that the bob hits the jawline and is cut with a razor to bring out that nonchalant, French girl look. Book Adrian P if you want the same.
That’s it from us and our 5 Days of Great Hair. Stay connected with us over at @hershesons. We wish you a safe and Happy Holidays – and can’t wait to see you on the other side.
Stylists: Luke Hersheson, David G, Adrian P
Colourists: Maxine H, James F
Models: Sia, Mia, Anna, Annabelle, Pia, Lolita, Eve, Sophie, Yulia, Anna,