Top Hair Trends of 2016

Between the quintessential hair flip and that annoying nervous habit that causes you to stroke your locks, your hair is probably your most notable feature. And why not? It's also the most versatile! You can cut and color your hair so many different ways in a lifetime, so why not branch out of your comfort zone? Here are five hair trends sweeping the nation.

Trendy Bobs

If the warm weather is nudging you to make a drastic chop to your hair, go for a stylish bob. Choppy bobs are a popular take on your standard A-line bob. Stylists add dimension with layers and jagged ends to achieve a choppy and edgy look. The purpose of this kind of bob is to add texture to dull and flat hair. Adding in some highlights or lowlights also accelerate the trendiness of this cut. But if you are not feeling as adventurous, long bobs, or lobs, are also trendy this year. Unlike bobs, that typically lay above your shoulders, lobs usually lay right at your collarbone. This style is basically just shorter hair with long layers. These trendy haircuts look great either straight or loosely curled. 

Going Blonde

If you've been wanting to channel your inner Khaleesi, now is the time! For cool-tone lovers out there, ashy platinum blonde hair follows last year’s gray hair trend. However, do not try to give yourself this color out of a box because it requires a lot of TLC that only professional stylists can provide. Also in trend this year is warm-toned blonde, or buttery blonde. Essentially, instead of trying to achieve a white blonde, try out a yellow blonde! 

Fun Hair Colors

Unnatural hair colors are a fun way to spice up your look. A trend from last year that made its way into 2016 is pastel hair. Although it was once frowned upon in Grease ("Your hair looks like an Easter egg!"), sporting those soft tones all over your hair is probably the most popular hair color trend right now. Be warned, pastels look best after your hair has been dyed white-blonde. But if you choose to go with a warmer blonde, add some pastel pink over it and to get rose gold hair. Another hair color (or should I say colors) new to the hair scene is oil slick hair. This trend is perfect for those with darker hair who do not want to go through the headache of bleaching before you dye your hair. Shades of purples and greens are added on top of dark hair to create the iridescent look of a gasoline spill.

Enjoy Those Highlights

Highlights are a timeless classic. Ditch your basic highlights and go with one of these three trendy approaches. Balayage is an artificial way to naturally sun-kissed hair. Unlike the usual gradient that an ombre gives you, balayage has a very subtle transition and is less obvious when your hair begins to grow out. Ecaille blend is basically combining ombre and balayage. Ecaille is French for "tortoise shell," so in order to live up to its name, it combines rich, caramel tones with golden tones. Getting an ecaille blend is less on the natural side, so if you are wary of a drastic change, babylights are the way to go. Babylights mimic the natural highlights on virgin hair. These highlights are very fine and subtle. They will make you seem like you spent hours in the sun and will seem completely effortless!

Banging Bangs

Baby bangs will help you relive your 90s grunge days. These bangs keep making their comeback throughout the years, and this year is no different. Unlike your standard fringe that covers your eyebrows, these sit in the middle of your forehead. These tend to grow out fast, so keep up with them by trimming every few weeks, or just let them grow into long bangs. Long bangs hit just below your eyebrows. These bangs look great, but they can be a little tricky to style in a way that is not outdated or just plain in your face. You can sweep them to the side or let them lay naturally on your face, but always make sure to blow-dry your bangs and not let them air dry!