Right now, everywhere you turn, there\u2019s someone with either a super short or super long haircut. There\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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<\/em> press tour: Their ultra-long lengths hint at what\u2019s to come for the rest of the year.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n First of all, what\u2019s actually driving the desire for long hair? Seasonal change, personality cuts and more. Though mid-length cuts were \u201cgoing strong for a couple of seasons, people do love a change, especially after the holidays,\u201d says Ashley Ruiz, celebrity stylist at Flore Los Angeles, who adds that this could also drive the desire for more structured looks. \u201cThe super long hair gives sexy and glamorous vibes and allows for more versatility when styling.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s also about showing off personality, regardless of length. \u201cI feel like there is a push in beauty to feel a bit more undone, a bit less perfect and unapologetically yourself,\u201d adds Jill Buck, celebrity hairstylist at Nine Zero One in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cKeeping your hair healthy as it grows long (or you add in some extra hair) doesn\u2019t have to be tricky,\u201d says Alex Pardoe, hair extension specialist in Beverly Hills, CA and founder and CEO of The Anti Co. \u201cI always opt for moisturizing shampoos and conditioners as opposed to protein-based ones because the longer your hair is, the longer it\u2019s lived on your head and the natural oils you produce at your scalp don\u2019t have as much of a chance to travel down the lengths to hydrate your strands naturally.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u00a0Luseta Glossy Pearl Hair Mask ($30) offers a more budget-friendly option.<\/p>\n If it seems like celebrities are growing their hair long overnight, you\u2019re not alone in thinking that. The real secret is wigs and extensions.<\/p>\n \u201cHair extensions are at minimum 90 percent responsible for the really lengthy hair trend we\u2019ve been seeing lately,\u201d says Pardoe. \u201cPersonally, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The good news is that maintaining extensions doesn\u2019t have to be complicated. \u201cThe most important thing you can do is keep them brushed over the attachment site daily to avoid tangling or matting,\u201d says Pardoe. \u201cWith 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.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re considering longer hair but unsure if you can pull it off, experts say it\u2019s more versatile than you might think. \u201cIt\u2019s all about proportions rather than face shapes,\u201d says Pardoe. \u201cLong hair tends to be flattering on every face shape. If you\u2019re petite, too much hair can overwhelm your frame. If you\u2019re tall, really long hair can feel proportional.\u201d<\/p>\n Buck adds that long hair with movement can even make people appear younger, depending on how it\u2019s styled.<\/p>\n No matter how you cut it, layers are key. \u201cSome of my favorite haircuts for long hair are face-framing layers with cascading layers from mid-length to ends,\u201d says Ruiz. \u201cIt helps give long, thick hair movement. Another would be wispy long layers. They\u2019re effortless and \u201990s chic, like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s It\u2019s Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush ($118), which comes in several sizes. \u201cYou can use the bigger sizes to give the \u201990s blowout look,\u201d she says. \u201cThe small size is also good for bobs to create the perfect bend.\u201d For waves, she suggests using a curling iron that\u2019s at least 1.25 inches or larger, like the GHD Soft Curl 1.25\u201d Curling Iron ($239). And no matter which hot tool you choose, don\u2019t forget heat protectant to keep hair healthy and shiny.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nFeatured Experts<\/h2>\n
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