If you’re starting to grieve the end of summer, there’s no need to fret. Remember, there’s an upside to the coming season: The cool breeze of autumn ushers in a whole new set of beauty trends to try. And though there are still a few more weeks of warm weather left, it’s never too early to get ahead of the chilly season’s hottest hair looks. According to the New York Fashion Week fall/winter runways that we saw earlier this year, designers are letting go of the “clean girl” slicked-back buns and flat, mundane styles. Instead, they’ve decided to lean into opulence and drama. From the 1960s-esque voluminous, tousled styles of Sergio Hudson and Marc Jacobs to the glittery, embellished updos at Christian Siriano, it’s clear that fun beauty is back—and hair is an easy avenue to express a more playful energy.
So whether you are excitedly anticipating autumn or soaking up the last few days of summer, it’s time to stock up on your favorite hairsprays and scrounge up any sparkling hair accessories that you have lying around. Below, see ELLE.com’s favorite hair trends to try.
High Volume
“Clean girl” buns were declared extinct at the fall/winter 2024 runway shows, as models at Christian Cowan, Sergio Hudson, and Willy Chavarria donned sky-grazing, voluminous styles that nod to the ’60s, a period where drama and maximalism were celebrated. Remember Miley Cyrus’s bouffant at the 2024 Grammy Awards? Unslick your bun, and dust off your favorite curlers (whether traditional rollers or hot tools)—the hottest hair trend for the fall/winter 2024 season is hair that can’t fit under a knit hat. Wigs reigned supreme on the runways, including The Hair Shop wigs at Christian Cowan; over at Sergio Hudson, Bold Hold Lace Glue by The Hair Diagram secured wigs in place.
Our Picks for Volumizing Hairsprays
Tresemme Tresemme Extra Hold Hairspray
Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray
IGK No Limit Dry Volume and Thickening Spray
Piece-y Sweeps
So you didn’t get to fully dry your hair fresh out of the shower? Allow Monse and Prabal Gurung models to demonstrate an easy fix. At Monse, principal artist of global design Kien Hoang created a side-swept wet look that was locked in using Oribe’s Superfine Strong Hair Spray. Over at Prabal Gurung, lead stylist Jawara flash-dried the hair using Dyson’s new Supersonic hair dryer to prevent frizz but keep the piece-y look intact.
Our Picks For Flexible-Hold Hair Products
Oribe Superfine Strong Hair Spray
Crown Affair The Flexible Hold Finishing Hair Gel
R+Co Vicious Strong Hold Flexible Hairspray
Intricate Braids and Twists
When you have twists or braids in your hair, at some point, you grow tired of the basic high ponytail and all the loose braids swaying throughout the day. The fall/winter 2024 shows were a masterclass in braid and twist versatility, from jumbo twists and bangs at Luar to sleek designs at Ulla Johnson to intricate updos at LaPointe.
Our Picks For Twist And Braid Gels
Pattern Beauty Strong Hold Gel
The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel
bumble and bumble Styling Creme
Buns Are Fun Again
The Blonds and the word “basic” do not belong in the same sentence. Lacy Redway helmed the hair for that runway show, which saw models with gigantic “pineapple” curly buns resting at the top of their heads, courtesy of loads of Tresemme Freeze Hold Hairspray and Extra Hold Hairspray. LaQuan Smith loves a working woman with a bit of pizzazz, so the buns on the runway were adorned with pencils. A prepared woman!
Our Picks For Firm Hold Sprays
Tresemme Tresemme Freeze Hold Hairspray
Now 21% Off
Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray
Color Wow Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray
Hair Embellishments
Tiny gold confetti lying about from your old Christmas or Valentine’s Day gifts? Here’s an easy way to put it to good use. Christian Siriano updated his previous season’s balletcore hair by using tiny flecks of gold peppered in the parts and atop the buns. At Bronx and Banco, accessories punctuated the looks, whether it was a sparkly, skinny headband or a golden flower. Concept Korea upped the ante with futuristic touches crawling up to a bun topped with sticks.
Our Picks For Sparkling Hair Accessories
Karizma 24K Gold Glitter
Lelet Ny Glossy Double Arch Ponytail Cuff
Shop More Hair Trends
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The Best Hair Straightening Brushes for Sleek, Smooth, Bouncy Blowouts at Home
The 12 Best Curling Irons for Fine Hair to Prevent Heat Damage
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.
Tasha Nicole Smith is ELLE Magazine’s beauty assistant. She loves all things hair, makeup, and skincare so you’ll find her talking about it here. She enjoys Marvel movies, a good pair of vintage heels, and lemon drop martinis and also shares a birthday with Beyoncé, which is her go to fun fact.