As far as long hairstyles go, 2023 has its options open. We’ve already seen XXL waist-skimming strands bring the drama, long swooshy curtain fringes to make us swoon, lived-in ponytails to keep things laidback and tumbling curls for delicious texture. Retro hair is back: ’70s layers, shags and wolf cuts all call for little extra length, and accessories are about to be sprinkled everywhere with the preppy-girl hair trend reminding us that a hair bow is an adorable addition and glitz slides can look phwoar.
The bonus of haircuts for long hair? The styling options are endless. You can wear them pulled into a ponytail, bundled into buns, braided, twisted or left loose. Whether you’re busy and want it all off your face or have a little extra time to experiment, long hair gives you the versatility to play with styles in a way that short hair simply doesn’t.
That’s not to say we don’t think lobs, bobs, and pixie crops are banging – we love shoulder skimming strands – but the fact remains that long hair takes years and years to grow, so any decision to lop it off needs to be carefully made. (Though, there’s always hair extensions for instant extra length).
As for making the most out of your long haircut, your first port of call is layers. But not all layers are made equal and different techniques can be used to create the shape that works best for you.
Long hairstyles for thin hair, can take a little extra planning. While it may be tempting to chop it back to create fuller-looking hair, over-layering can lead to wispiness, so it’s a good idea to keep the ends blunt. “Using blunt techniques when choosing which chop suits you will keep thin hair feeling fuller,” explains Ricky Walters, Owner & Creative Director of Salon 64. If you do want to work in some layers, keep it soft. “Avoid any heavy layering as that can make hair appear thinner at the ends,” says Lee Stafford, who seconds asking for blunt ends. We’d suggest ghost layers, which give movement and fullness.
As for styling, top hair stylists like Justine Marjan and Sarah Angius have been dropping tutorials on Instagram and TikTok. The jist? Have a stack of accessories to amp up a basic ponytail, or clip hair away from your face. And have a go at different braids and buns. Often, they’re easier to do than you’d think.