Right now, everywhere you turn, there’s someone with either a super short or super long haircut. There’s simply no in-between. It makes sense: the bob has been the go-to hairstyle for celebrities, creators and just about everyone else for the past couple of years. From Leslie Bibb to Viola Davis, many of our favorite stars have embraced the super-short look.
Meanwhile, on the opposite end, extra-long hair is also emerging as a major trend for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Just look at stars like Paige DeSorbo and Amaya Espinal at New York Fashion Week this season, or Margot Robbie on her Wuthering Heights press tour: Their ultra-long lengths hint at what’s to come for the rest of the year.
But how can both short and long hair be trending at the same time? And how do you style XL strands? Ahead, hairstylists break it all down.
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Why Long Hair Is Trending
First of all, what’s actually driving the desire for long hair? Seasonal change, personality cuts and more. Though mid-length cuts were “going strong for a couple of seasons, people do love a change, especially after the holidays,” says Ashley Ruiz, celebrity stylist at Flore Los Angeles, who adds that this could also drive the desire for more structured looks. “The super long hair gives sexy and glamorous vibes and allows for more versatility when styling.”
It’s also about showing off personality, regardless of length. “I feel like there is a push in beauty to feel a bit more undone, a bit less perfect and unapologetically yourself,” adds Jill Buck, celebrity hairstylist at Nine Zero One in Los Angeles.
Getty Images / Jamie McCarthy
The Key to Keeping Long Hair Healthy
Though this long-hair moment seems like tons of fun, those long locks need a little extra TLC. The key is using hair masks and moisturizing products.
“Keeping your hair healthy as it grows long (or you add in some extra hair) doesn’t have to be tricky,” says Alex Pardoe, hair extension specialist in Beverly Hills, CA and founder and CEO of The Anti Co. “I always opt for moisturizing shampoos and conditioners as opposed to protein-based ones because the longer your hair is, the longer it’s lived on your head and the natural oils you produce at your scalp don’t have as much of a chance to travel down the lengths to hydrate your strands naturally.”
Pardoe recommends incorporating moisturizing hair masks once or twice a month to keep long hair hydrated. Buck recommends the Davines Beautiful Things Restoring Leave-in Mask ($73), while the Luseta Glossy Pearl Hair Mask ($30) offers a more budget-friendly option.
The Real Secret Behind Long Celebrity Hair
If it seems like celebrities are growing their hair long overnight, you’re not alone in thinking that. The real secret is wigs and extensions.
“Hair extensions are at minimum 90 percent responsible for the really lengthy hair trend we’ve been seeing lately,” says Pardoe. “Personally, a lot of my celebrity clients use extensions for their really long hair looks because they need to be able to change their hair often.”
The good news is that maintaining extensions doesn’t have to be complicated. “The most important thing you can do is keep them brushed over the attachment site daily to avoid tangling or matting,” says Pardoe. “With K-tips, you can wear them for two to three months, and with wefts or tape-ins, you need to come into the salon for maintenance every four to six weeks.”
Who Long Hair Works Best For
If you’re considering longer hair but unsure if you can pull it off, experts say it’s more versatile than you might think. “It’s all about proportions rather than face shapes,” says Pardoe. “Long hair tends to be flattering on every face shape. If you’re petite, too much hair can overwhelm your frame. If you’re tall, really long hair can feel proportional.”
Buck adds that long hair with movement can even make people appear younger, depending on how it’s styled.
The Best Haircuts for Long Hair
No matter how you cut it, layers are key. “Some of my favorite haircuts for long hair are face-framing layers with cascading layers from mid-length to ends,” says Ruiz. “It helps give long, thick hair movement. Another would be wispy long layers. They’re effortless and ’90s chic, like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.”
How to Style Long Hair
When it comes to styling long hair, there are plenty of options. Ruiz loves wearing long hair in a full braid when pulling it up. For wearing it down, she recommends investing in a thermal round brush to achieve a big, bouncy blowout, like Mane’s It’s Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush ($118), which comes in several sizes. “You can use the bigger sizes to give the ’90s blowout look,” she says. “The small size is also good for bobs to create the perfect bend.” For waves, she suggests using a curling iron that’s at least 1.25 inches or larger, like the GHD Soft Curl 1.25” Curling Iron ($239). And no matter which hot tool you choose, don’t forget heat protectant to keep hair healthy and shiny.
