From dramatic colour changes to accessories of the dayhere is what the ELLE Editors do everything they can to ensure you have a great hair day every day…
Emma Dabiri: Fresh braids
Cornrows are an ancient style (there are cave paintings of people wearing them), but their enduring popularity and incredible ability to always look fresh, new and even futuristic is a testament to their classic status.
I wore cornrows when they were stigmatized by mainstream culture, perceived as an expression of blackness associated with criminality, or as evidence of some kind of deviance. Then the situation changed and their status was elevated – but only when worn by white people. “Cornrows are moving away from urban, hip-hop, to more chic and edgy. At Alexander McQueen, there were spiral cornrows and I braided fishtail cornrows with fabric,” a celebrity hairstylist told the Los Angeles Times in a 2014 article about a client looking for that “Elizabethan or Game of Thrones edgy.”
Today, cornrows are ubiquitous at all AW24 shows, for example on model Ali Dansky at Courrèges and in more ornate styles, like the gold-flecked braids at Mithridate.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not naive enough to assume that any stigmas or discrimination associated with them have completely disappeared. But it seems that we’re currently experiencing a moment where cornrows worn by people with afro hair are finally being recognized as beautiful, classy, and elegant. I wore cornrows at several shows this season, and they perfectly complemented the feminine dresses I wore, dispelling the myth that cornrows are just a casual or even exclusively masculine style. Since I’m fairly undemanding when it comes to my hair, I don’t usually take care of my fringes, but this year I did and opted for gelled baby hairs, reflecting another trend that’s popular this season: sleeked, polished fringes.
Ruka Hold Me Down Edge Gel
No Knot Co Edge Control Brush Black
Charlotte Mensah Manketti Hair Oil 100ml
Medina Azaldin: the Bob
Over the years, countless hairdressers have tried to convince me of the power of regular haircuts. We all know the benefits: healthier hair, fewer split ends. But who has the time to schedule haircuts with such military discipline? Good hairdressers are constantly booked up, and weekend appointments are rarer than the Northern Lights. I get my hair cut every six months at best, much to the chagrin of professionals. Going to the hairdresser less regularly gives me more time to think about my annual haircut. This time, I wanted curtain bangs around my cheeks and shoulder-length layers that promised fluffy, fuller-looking hair reminiscent of 1990s Claudia Schiffer and model Aivita Muze at Chloé AW24 – a departure from my usual waist-length length.
Making a big change is daunting. It helps to have a hairdresser to guide you through the process and it’s best to trim the hair gradually to avoid losing too much. I go to either Joe Little at Gielly Green or Brixton Cowie at Neil Moodie Studio who know that good haircuts look great in the salon but should be improved later. The right hairstyle will grow out and hold its shape between appointments.
My longer bangs now take just three minutes with a bobby pin to create a Bardot-style updo, and the shorter layers have tons of bounce, even on air-dried days.
The bob is truly one of the most versatile haircuts. The fashion-conscious among us may prefer smooth, blunt ends, while “old money bobs” à la Zendaya at the SAG Awards are oozing with glamour (and perfect for curly hair). For special occasions, 10 minutes with a Dyson Airwrap will create a wavy texture. Easy, breezy, gorgeous… at least for the next six months.
Oribe Hair Alchemy Heat-Free Styling Conditioner
Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Curls Refresh & Revive Mist
Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler and Dryer
Katy Young: Hair Accessories
As someone who has built her entire career on beauty—think permanently painted nails and forever-long, growing hair—you might think I’m the girly type. But look closer—my manicures are never pink and curling irons don’t even come close to that length. You won’t find much cuteness here.
In fact, until recently (around the time I cut a weird new fringe) you wouldn’t have found any bows or barrettes in my hair. But then Coach AW24 came along, Chloë Sevigny wore pearls in her braids to the Met, and the game was on. Accessories have become cool – and finally there are no age restrictions anymore.
“The trick to avoiding it looking too girly is to choose the right material, color and shape,” says hairstylist Adam Reed. “Look at Celine. When they use hair accessories, they do it with caution, opting for silk bows in bold colors like gunmetal gray. At Loewe, too, JW Anderson removes the femininity by keeping the pieces heavy and noticeable (in size).” Reed also suggests being a little more experimental with scarves and necklaces for a little more edginess: “Try something that isn’t a hair accessory at all,” he says.
Living pretty much on the edge of the abyss but not quite over it, my newfound obsession is bobby pins, which I use backstage. While they’re definitely meant for the hair (to hold a styled look flat before being quickly removed as the models hit the runway), they’re not necessarily meant for the public. When it comes to properly accessorizing the hair this season, these easy-to-use pins are just the ticket. It also helps that they come in all colors and are so inexpensive – try Claire’s, eBay and Etsy.
Now if you look a little closer, you still won’t see much of the sugary-sweet style, but you might notice the tortoiseshell pins and silk bows that match my painted nails. That’s kind of cute.
Tresemme Lamellar Gloss Oil
Great hair clips from Hershesons
Jennifer Behr – Silk satin hair clip “Virginia Bow”
Kitsch – Non-iron clips with check pattern
Katie Withington: Natural Color
Last year, after a decade of oxblood red, baby pink, and not-so-expensive brown, I finally stopped dying my hair out of the box. My faded, coppery strands competed with mousy gray new roots, and I was sick of touching up my fading hue every two weeks. Inundated with TikToks featuring celebrity color analysis advocating that “your natural shade is your best shade,” and tired of the monthly maintenance, I finally decided to go back to my roots
I admit, facing a professional colorist for the first time since my teens was no easy task. When Evelina Lundgren of Andrew Jose asked me what brand, shade and formula I had used, I winced and replied, “Everything.” Like any good hairdresser, she managed my expectations. There are hurdles that lead you to mimic your natural shade after a lifetime of coloring at home. First, the “streaking” (where the pigment collects in uneven lines); second, the stubborn discoloration from warmer shades. I left these in Lundgren’s capable hands. After several, carefully spaced sessions of tinting and correcting, I was closer to my childhood shade than ever before.
It’s been months since my last hair color appointment and I still get questions like, “Have you had your hair done recently?” The key? Finding a flattering color that matches your roots and complexion (to allow for long-term regrowth) and subtle but regular hair care for condition and tone.
At the salon, I now opt for babylights (micro-thin highlights) every few months for a sun-kissed look that brings out my natural color. At home, my basic toolkit consists of a brass-correcting purple shampoo (brunettes and redheads – reach for temporary glosses like Glaze instead), a color-care conditioner, and a powder touchup kit for a temporarily lightened look. Yes, I occasionally reminisce about my letterbox curls, but I’ll be sporting these shiny, natural lengths for years to come. Bye-bye box color – this time for good.
Redken Acidic Color Gloss Conditioner
Now 10% discount
Color Wow Root Cover
Now 25% off
Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
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