13 Best Spring 2023 Hair Trends, Haircuts, and Hairstyles

Sep 26, 2023

I stalked the runways and chatted with hairstylists bc ILY.

One thing you need to know about me: I, quite literally, stalk every major celeb hairstylist on Instagram. What can I say? I love seeing their polished takes on everything from beachy waves, to sleek updos, to micro-box braids. Already, they’ve given us a peek at the biggest hair trends of 2023 and the spring hair colors you’re about to see all over your feed, and now, we’ve got one more: The biggest spring 2023 hair trends, including tons of celeb haircuts, some ‘80s and ‘70s-inspired styles, and the best spring hair accessories to layer on your hair.

And don't worry if you’re not following every celebrity hairstylist on IG like I am—you can still catch up on all the biggest spring 2023 hair trends below. And, for some expert insights, I also chatted with celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan for all of the best hair trends to try asap, whether you’re looking for a new spring haircut, a formal updo, or a simple day-to-day style, regardless of your hair type and texture.

If you’ve scrolled through Pinterest as of late, you’ve probably seen an iteration of this spring trend, because "it's so fun and easy to personalize," says hairstylist Justine Marjan, whether you try it with bow clips or ribbons (as seen on Madison Beer above). It looks especially cutesy and delicate with light, gauzy fabrics, evoking all those romantic, cottage-core vibes of the springtime. Or, if ~soft~ isn't your thing, you can also pair yours with edgy accents—like a loose braid or smudged black eyeliner—to give your look some harder visual interest.

No—long, flowing braids aren't a new trend, but they were a popular look all over the runways at New York Fashion Week (see: Collina Strada and Brandon Maxwell), which means we’re about to see them even more on celebs for spring. To get the look, bring a few bundles of extra-long braiding hair—and a lot of photo inspo—to your next braid appointment. But remember: Butt-length braids can cause a lot of tension on your scalp, so take these down after two to three weeks to avoid extra damage.

I’m here for the Pamela Anderson renaissance, especially when it comes to her ‘80s/’90s beauty looks. And one trend we’re about to see everywhere for spring 2023 is her haphazardly undone updo, similar to the style recently worn by Kylie Jenner. To DIY, lightly tease your hair (add in a few clip-in hair extensions for more fullness, if you want), twist and smash it into a bun on the top of your head, then secure with hair pins and bobby pins. To get that "undone" finish, pull out a few pieces and layers from around your bun, curl them with a curling iron, then rake through.

Shout-out to celebs like Lori Harvey, above, and Hailey Bieber for convincing everyone (including me!) to ditch your long hair in favor of a short bob. This look really frames your face since the cut stops right at your chin, especially if you flip your ends under with a hair straightener (see: Harvey).

FYI: Greasy hair is cool now, according to the spring/summer ‘23 runways, like Givenchy, Christian Siriano, and Diesel. To get a long-lasting wet look that doesn't feel crunchy, cocktail hair oil, conditioner, mousse, and strong-hold hair gel in the palm of your hand, then smooth it through damp hair.

The layered Rachel cut of the ‘90s is getting an update for spring. Think: Tons of short and medium layers around your head that blend seamlessly into shoulder-length (or longer) hair. The end result is a cascade of layers that kinda resemble a fluttering butterfly—and if that doesn't scream spring, idk what does. Just make sure to bring a ton of reference shots for your stylist so they know exactly what type of layers you want.

Tory Burch showcased this tousled hairstyle for spring, which totally subverts the notion of perfectly polished runway looks. The best part about this style is that there's really no need to follow the source material exactly; rough up your usual texture, maybe give your hair some grit with a texture spray or root powder, and be on your merry way.

I’m already planning to copy this tinsel extension look from Chloe Cherry for a sparkly lil hair moment at a few music festivals this spring. I, personally, plan to pick up the INH Tinsel Ponytail extension for Coachella, but I’ve also got my eye on a set of colorful tinsel clip-ins.

Imperfect is the name of the haircut game this year, and this choppy, mismatched style (as seen on influencer Vanessa Hong) has been all over my IG feed for spring 2023. Just know that the choppier the cut, the choppier—and sometimes wonkier—the grow out, so prepare for a trim every four to six weeks to keep your ends blunt and intentional.

All of those millennial vs Gen-Z discussions on TikTok have led to this: Yup, side parts are back. At least, they are when you style them in an Old Hollywood way like on HoYeon Jung above, complete with finger waves and a shine spray for a glossy finish. If you need a little guidance to get your part right, follow the arch of your brow, as hairstylist Xavier Valesquez previously told Cosmo.

Okay, not like low ponytails ever really "went out," per se, but they sure did have a revival on Chanel and Miu Miu runways for spring 2023. This look is extremely versatile, regardless of your hair texture, and can feel polished with a tight elastic or undone with a clip or scrunchie.

TY, Daisy Jones and the Six, for bringing us back to the ‘70s in music, fashion, and ofc, hair. So if you want to embody those vibes yourself (like Riley Keogh pictured here, who plays Daisy in the series), ask your hairstylist to give you razor-cut curtain bangs and lots of face-framing layers to get that feathered, Farrah Fawcett look. Then, to get a fluffy, voluminous finish, grab your hot rollers. Roll sections of your hair vertically (i.e., with the roller face up to the ceiling, so your hair flips up), and let them set for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your hair texture.

If there's any time to follow the balletcore trend, it's definitely the breezy, sunny springtime days. Seen on spring/summer runway shows like Sandy Liang and Carolina Herrera, this polished, pulled-back bun is great for the windy and rainy days of the season. Plus, it's legit so easy to try yourself by smoothing your hair back with a boar-bristle brush, securing it into a ponytail, then tightly wrapping and pinning your hair around the base of the elastic until you have a sleek bun. Just make sure to spritz it with some hairspray to avoid the ~elements~ from loosening the bun.

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with nearly five years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from hair-growth shampoos to Dyson Airwrap dupes to blue hair ideas. She's an authority in all hair categories but headed backstage for New York Fashion Week and interviewed dozens of celebrity hairstylists to report on the biggest spring 2023 hair trends.

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.

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