Haircuts You'll Be Asking For In Spring 2020

There are a number of stunning haircuts you'll be asking for in spring 2020, as hairstylists and haircare experts confirmed to The List. Once the weather changes from frigid to cool to eventually warm, it's only normal to want to shed some of your hair's length. Or, maybe, the new season will convince you that it's finally time to give in and try out the bang trend. Even if you're not one to change up your look very often, you may find cutting your hair to be an empowering experience.

"Hair is fun!" Katie Manselle — Oribe educator and master hairstylist and owner of Culture Hair Studio in Durham, N.C. — told NBC's Today. "It is the ultimate accessory. You don't have to make a major change, but if you are feeling even just a little curious about what it might be like to do something a little different, my belief is — it's time!" So, what sort of haircut should you get? The experts told us the following looks are sure bets.

"When it comes to spring, the key is hairstyles that can be worn in a versatile manner, meaning you can dress them up or wear carefree and loosely," Gina Rivera, founder and president of Phenix Salons, told The List. This makes the bob a top haircut for spring 2020. "It has classic clean lines, which can allow for a very sophisticated look, especially if worn straight and with a slight amount of shine added to the hair for a sleek look," the expert explained. 

However, you don't have to wear your bob pin-straight and completely smooth. "Uniquely, the bob can have a dramatically casual look as well," Rivera added. "This can be accomplished by adding a little mousse to the roots and allowing the hair to fall naturally or wearing in loose waves." Rivera said this playful style is a perfect fit for "all the fun outdoor activities that begin in the spring."

Although you may think of the bob haircut as a shorter style — one that often ends below the bottom of the chin — you may want to consider going for an even shorter haircut in spring 2020. The "soft bob" is definitely going to be on trend during the warmer months, celebrity hairstylist Kendall Dorsey told The List, but she also expects to see what she calls the "blunt jaw-skimmer" bob to make waves over the season. 

Much like the classic bob, the jaw-skimmer is a versatile haircut. "Part your jaw-skimming bob in the center, and you've got an instantly sleek look — just like J.Lo at the [2018] Billboard Music Awards," Refinery29 reported after consulting Leanne Citrone, co-owner and hairstylist at Andy Lecompte Salon in Los Angeles, Calif. and Jon Reyman, founder of Spoke & Weal salons. "Whether you go straight or keep your natural texture, this look works for anyone."

You've heard of the bob, but what about the orb? If you're unfamiliar with the look now, you won't be in spring 2020. According to Amy Abramite, creative director, salon educator, and hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, Ill., "the orb" is a haircut with fringe that's worn either down or side-swept. "The shape is flattering to the head shape, and minimizes fullness on the sides of the head," she revealed. "The layers on the underneath are cut shorter, while keeping the layers on top to fall over removing bulk from the sides. The fringe and back layers are the same length all around and draw attention to the eyes."

It can be a hard hairstyle to picture, so Abramite advises coming prepared to your hair appointment. "In the salon, I recommend asking your stylist to cut the fringe first to choose the ideal placement of the design line," she detailed. "The remaining [hair] will remain parallel to it around the shape of the head. All layers below that line will be cropped shorter." When it comes time for styling, ask to have your hair blow-dried flat with a paddle brush. 

Emerald J. Fox, elite hairstylist at the Washington, D.C.-based salon Ian McCabe Studio, thinks you'll be asking for a different kind of pixie come spring 2020. While super short cuts may always be a fun and adventurous look, Fox revealed that modern pixies will call for more length than pixies of the past.

"Longer pixies are making their debut and with an added oomph of beautiful soft layers with loads of texture," the expert detailed to The List. "This look screams confidence and style." That doesn't mean it's a high-maintenance cut, though. Not at all. "For most, this [haircut] is easily maintained by adding a little product (volumizing mousse, salt spray, or spray gel), applying while the hair is wet, and finishing up a blast of the dryer or [air-drying] on the go," Fox explained. 

While this pixie can greatly reduce the time spent styling your hair in the coming spring, you'll want to make sure you get a quality haircut, considering it can make or break the look. "The shape of the pixie is already styled by the cut...," Emerald explained. Styling products are simply for maintaining the pixie. 

While it may be hard for you to envision pulling off a modern, shaggy haircut, Gina Rivera, founder and president of Phenix Salons, assured The List that this cut works for all. "Shags will ... have a huge draw this spring," she explained. Why? "They're another style that is versatile, fun, sexy and sophisticated," she revealed.

"For those longing for a bit more sophistication, the shag can be worn straight or with face framing bangs resulting in a sleeker, crisp look that's perfect for evening or the office," the expert continued. "For those heading out for a fun day the layers can be styled loosely emphasizing pieces of hair that fall naturally. This is a fun look that you can even add a little gel [to], which can create a jagged, edgy, feel that will emphasize texture, dimension and volume."

If you're concerned you'll have to cut your hair to pull of this look, you needn't worry. Rivera revealed that long hair can be coiffed into a shag just as easily as shorter hair.

Terra Harvell — longtime hairstylist, CEO and owner of Harper Ellis Hair Co., and founder and owner of Arizona-based Salon Five Zero Four – knows you'll be asking for "straight-across bangs," or blunt bangs, come the warmer months. "[They] are making a major comeback," Harvell revealed when speaking to The List. "I expect this trend to make a big appearance in the spring as women are looking to shake things up!"

If you happen to have an oval-shaped face, you're going to especially love this haircut. "Soft, blunt bangs cut straight across visually flatter oval faces," Suave Professionals celebrity hairstylist Marcus Francis confirmed to Glamour. 

No matter your face shape, though, these straight-cut bangs are definitely worth trying. However, you should know there is such a thing as too blunt when it comes to bangs. Lindsay Victoria, hairstylist at Spoke and Weal in West Hollywood, Calif., told Elite Daily, "Anything that's too blunt or above the eyebrow will be more on the childish side." You'll want to make sure your stylist blends your bangs by "[thinning] them out a bit with thinning shears," the expert noted.

Hairstylists agree that you'll soon be asking for retro bangs. Curtain bangs, in particular, are going to be huge in spring 2020, celebrity hairstylist Kendall Dorsey confirmed to The List. For those unfamiliar with the classic style, curtain bangs are, as Dorsey detailed, "bangs that are parted down the middle, framing your face on each side." 

Terra Harvell, hairstylist, CEO and owner of Harper Ellis Hair Co., and founder and owner of Arizona-based Salon Five Zero Four, expects to see modern shag haircuts paired with curtain bangs for a "Farrah Fawcett vibe." She continued, telling The List, "This cut includes long bangs parted down the middle with lots of face-framing layers."

It's easy to understand why the trend is expected to become popular. "It works so well because it's multi-functional, low maintenance, and enables you to wear it your own way," Sam Burnett, owner and creative director of Hare & Bone salon, revealed to Refinery29. "You can move it forward to frame your face or tuck it back to open up your features. It essentially offers a 2-in-1 cut without the maintenance of a full fringe." Well, we're sold.

Whether you call them baby bangs or micro fringe, the itty bitty forehead fringe is expected to come back in a big way in spring 2020. Even if you never pictured yourself trying out the trend, you may just find yourself asking your stylist for the unique cut.

"The detailing around the hairline creates soft face framing while retaining its fierceness," Amy Abramite, creative director, salon educator, and hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, Ill., explained to The List. When pairing micro fringe with a shorter, layered haircut, Abramite says this look can "elongate the neck" and draw attention to the jawline, which will "show off powerful femininity."  

When requesting this look from your stylist, Abramite said to make sure the micro fringe has "the shortest lengths in the haircut." In doing so, the baby bangs will stand out "from the other lengths and have no visible part."

Don't sleep on the severe pixie in spring 2020. "Pixies are [a] go-to when it comes to variety in your style," Gina Rivera, founder and president of Phenix Salons, told The List. "They can be worn in a straight geometric look for those favorite evening events or work commitments." Side note: See, folks, those geometry courses you took weren't completely useless after all.

Angular pixies aren't the only ones you'll see come spring, though. "A slick down pixie is a favorite if sophistication is your goal," Rivera continued. "Also, a deep side part can change the look of the pixie quickly and dramatically. Likewise, the cut looks incredible when for worn in a spikey more trendy style that is perfect for the beach or a sporting event."

Pixies are certainly one of the most effortless haircuts you can try, but that doesn't meant you can't spend some time jazzing them up. According to Rivera, pixies welcome accessorizing. "Everything from blingy barrettes, headbands, hair combs and even, visors, look great with the pixie," she confirmed.

You can wear a classic bob haircut in a wavy fashion, but, if you know you're going to want to wear your bob this way on the regular, you should let your stylist in on your plans. This is so you can get a cut that's specially tailored to wearing your hair wavy. And, according to Amy Abramite, creative director, salon educator, and hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, Ill., this cut — known as a "relaxed, wavy bob" — is going to be a big deal in spring 2020.

"At the salon, request a length that is near the collarbone that is razor-cut — or point-cut for feathery ends — for movement and no harsh lines," Abramite advised when speaking to The List. "The layers near the chin should be subtle and blended for a minimal effect. The hair should be blow dried with fingers for a tousled feeling. Once the hair is dry, a large two inch spring curling iron is used to create undulating waves by gently placing horizontal sections of hair in between the barrel and the tong and lightly tapping them together."

Unicorn hair was one of the hair trends everyone ditched this decade, but what about the other mythical hair trend — mermaid hair? "Super-long mermaid hair is always a go-to!" Emerald J. Fox, elite hairstylist at the Washington D.C.-based salon Ian McCabe Studio, told The List. While you can certainly experiment with vivid hair and try out the colorful hair trend that became popular back in 2015, the "mermaid hair" trend of 2020 isn't about the color of your hair, but the cut. 

"Long, soft invisible layers for movement and volume with any variation of loose layers framing the face" is what mermaid hair is all about these days, according to Fox. Whether you have textured or straight hair, the expert says you can try out the style. "Perfect this look with styling cream by either a loose blow dry with a flat brush and/or hand styling in dry hair," Fox advised when discussing the haircut. "Texture spray will always show off the cut more so ending the style with this is an added bonus to your look."

The flared bob is not your run-of-the-mill bob, which might just make you want to give it a go in spring 2020. "This bob has a strong, blunt line with ends that flare out," Amy Abramite, creative director, salon educator, and hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, Ill., said of the look when speaking to The List. "The front of the style is lifted away from the face with a side part to feature the eyes and create a clean fresh look on the hairline." She continued, saying, "The texture is smooth and straight for polish and shine, and the sides are worn tucked behind the ears to lift the cheekbones and open the face."

When requesting this haircut at your salon, you don't actually need to ask for a flared bob. Abramite said the cut is the same as the blunt, one-length bob. The only difference is in the styling. "The hair should be blow-dried straight with a flat brush, and the ends are flared out with a flat iron," she explained. "The hairline and sides are styled back with hairspray for a finished polished look."

After a long, cold winter of maintaining your long hair, you may find that you actually quite like your locks with a bit of length. While warm weather may be on the horizon, that doesn't mean you have to go into full pixie mode. In spring 2020, Emerald J. Fox, elite hairstylist at the Washington, D.C.-based salon Ian McCabe Studio, thinks many people will embrace "loose, long bobs" — especially ones with some "popping fringe." These shoulder-grazing lob haircuts aren't overly structured, according to the expert, making them look playful and just the right amount of "undone." 

The loose lob is an especially great fit for those who don't have straight hair. "This is perfect for hair types with a little more texture," Fox told The List. However, you will want to ask your stylist to remove any excess weight from your hair. Adding fringe is "an easy way to add effortless style," Fox continued, but she recommends consulting your stylist to make certain this cut will be the right fit for both your hair texture and lifestyle.

You could say 2020 is the year for Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, so it's no wonder we'll all be dying to emulate her hair in spring 2020. This haircut — dubbed the "Brit bob" by Amy Abramite, creative director, salon educator, and hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, Ill. — is extremely versatile. "It can be worn with volume off the face with no fringe, a full fringe, or a swept fringe," Abramite explained. "The fringe is cut just below the eyes for maximum style options. The back of the bob adds weight for a fuller head shape for a gradual soft build up of weight. This is a great shape if you like to look a little different every day."

While you could certainly provide your stylist with a picture of the star, Abramite recommends requesting "a graduated shape ... with point-cutting" to avoid any confusion about what style you're getting.