Top hair trends of 2018

By Sakshi Nath

Published: Thu 11 Jan 2018, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 19 Jan 2018, 8:31 AM

Hair colour trends to try this year:
1) Want to start 2018 with a bold new look, but don't want to go too extreme? The hair colour trend has shifted from bright, vivid colours to more subtle pastel options of alluring shades, with metallic, silver and rose gold being hot favourites.
2) For those wanting a colour change but unable to commit to the time and effort required for its maintenance and upkeep, try Root Shadow - a new hair colour technique where your roots aren't dyed or kept close to your natural hair colour and the mid lengths and ends are lightened using balayage or foilyage.
3) Another big trend to watch out for is the rise of the 'Tiger Eye' - an update to balayage, which is essentially a technique that uses warm neutral colours such as bronze, caramel and gold to create highlights that look like stripes. A look that is sure to accentuate your features.

Hair styling trends to try this year:
1) Pull it back: Want to dress to impress and have a more glamorous appeal? Try the sleek, pulled back and wet hairstyle to complete your red-carpet look, which is also a current runway favourite. Ditch the hairdryer and pull your natural air-dried hair into a ponytail to transition from 2017 to 2018.
2) Classic volume waves and curls: 2018 is all about going with bigger and voluminous curls, whether they're messy or defined. Forget about hair relaxers and simply opt to accentuate your curls.
3) Return of the braid: If you want to achieve a more polished and feminine look, try half-up hairstyles combined with braids. This is a style that is great for any season and may be a little tricky to master, but the results are worth it.
Fuss-free and on-trend styles that will only take 5 minutes:
1) The hair flip:
. Make sections of your hair from the front going along the back of your head.
. Back-comb the sections to your roots by holding each of the sections straight up when back-combing.
. Apply hairspray on each section after you're done with back-combing.
. Flip your hair over to the other side and comb to complete the look.
2) Inverted braids:
. Tie a ponytail.
. Divide your hair into three equal sections.
. Instead of pulling the sections of your hair in front to make a braid, flip them backwards to continue.
. Tie the braid and remove the first hair tie that was holding your ponytail.
. Loosen the braid with your fingers and apply hairspray to hold it in place.
3) All-time favourite: the messy bun:
. Tie a ponytail.
. Divide your hair into three equal sections.
. Make a quick braid. It does not have to be particularly neat.
. Twist the braid into a bun and secure with bobby pins.
. Take a few strands of hair out to achieve the "messy" look and apply hairspray on the bun to hold it in place
Nath is a trained beautician and owner of Queen's Beauty Lounge