It may be a new year, but is it time for new hair? Let’s find out. Maybe you’re looking for a change after your quarantine-created look from 2020 and 2021, or maybe you’re happy with the twisted updo you learned how to do from watching YouTube hair tutorials during your Zoom lectures (don’t worry, we won’t tell). No matter where you’re at with your hair, a new year is a great time to evaluate what hairstyle suits you best. Let’s take a look at some important guiding principles for your hair as we start off 2022 looking our best.
Keep Your Hair Healthy
Any hairstyle you pick will look better when your hair looks (and actually is) healthy. While you might have some solid products to keep your hair’s maintenance up, make sure you aren’t damaging your hair’s appearance or health with products or heat.
Monitor your hair’s health by watching the signs like texture, porousness, and elasticity. You want hair that doesn’t break easily, feels silky or light, and doesn’t have dandruff. If your hair isn’t at its healthiest, especially if it’s overly brittle, getting a haircut can really help. Prioritizing your hair’s health is the most important step to rocking your look for 2022, no matter what hairstyle best suits you.
Look at the Trends
Want a trendy hairstyle? 2022 can be your year! There are tons of gorgeous looks in style when it comes to finding a new ’do. We’re seeing a trend in women’s bob hairstyles, both with side parts and middle parts, so you can choose what looks best with your natural hair growth patterns. Or if you like your hair to have more length for more styling options, dramatic, straight, and long hair is totally in, too.
Above all, this year is about hair that looks natural and effortless, so make sure you keep your hair healthy and true to yourself. Looking at the trends is a nice way to get inspired, but don’t get bogged down in trying to copy a celeb’s look exactly. A consulting with a professional hairstylist may be a great option for you to consider if you’re getting overwhelmed with knowing what hairstyles suit you best.
Try Something New (That Doesn’t Have to Be Permanent)
It’s totally fine to stick with familiar favorites that we know suit our hair and face, but sometimes new styles can be fun and empowering. Still, “trying something new” can feel dangerous when it comes to hair because some changes feel pretty permanent. Sure, your hair will grow back eventually, but you don’t want to be stuck with something like bangs you hate and will take years to grow out. Luckily, you can try new hairstyles with changes that don’t have to be permanent.
This year, experiment with removable hairpieces to find what best suits you. Try out some effortless curls, get some more body in your hairstyle, or add in some layers with a piece that literally clips in. From extensions to temporary bangs, you have the freedom to experiment!
Stay True to You
Even more than choices like makeup and clothes, your hair is something you keep pretty close. And that means it’s an important part of your visual identity, not to mention how you feel about your look and yourself in general. So, you want the right hairstyle. And honestly, the “right” hairstyle probably isn’t going to be the same every day. (Although it definitely could be.) So don’t be afraid to branch out, as long as you don’t get away from yourself.
Stepping out of a comfort zone to experiment is different from crossing a boundary line away from your identity. And that’s going to look different for everyone. For example, for your best friend, getting a perm might be a natural step, but for you, that might push you over the edge. The biker haircut that makes your grandma feel empowered might make you feel trapped, or vice versa. Stay true to yourself. It’s your hair. You can definitely find the hairstyle that suits you, this year and every year. Let’s go, girl!
