Top Hair Trends FOR 2025

Whether you’re a barber, hairdresser, colour specialist, wig stylist, or hair extension expert, staying on top of trends is vital to offering cutting-edge services and attracting clients. Here are the top hair trends for 2025, tailored to your expertise with actionable insights to help grow your business.

Natural textures

Three steps to natural textures and embracing authenticity:

1. Offer specialised services for natural hair care, such as hydrating treatments, curl definition techniques and overall natural hair maintenance.

2. Educate clients on maintaining their natural texture at home with proper products and styling tips.

3. Stock natural hair care products that nourish and protect curls and coils.

Barbering

Clients now prefer personalised haircuts and grooming services that align with their unique features, style, and lifestyle, making advanced consultations that assess face shape, hair texture and preferences essential.

Barbershops are transforming into community hubs, blending grooming with experiences like coffee bars, retail spaces for premium products, and event areas for workshops or meetups. This one-stop approach enhances client value and fosters loyalty by combining grooming with social interaction and unique offerings.

Current hairstyles trending within the barbering industry are:

• Textured and messy hairstyles;

• Facial hair experimentation; and

• Retro hairstyles with a modern twist.

The era of sleek, perfectly polished hairstyles is fading. In 2025, textured and slightly messy hairstyles are taking center stage, offering a more relaxed and natural aesthetic. Styles like tousled waves, bedhead-inspired looks, and effortlessly casual hair are becoming increasingly popular for their movement and laid-back appeal.

Facial hair trends in 2025 embrace creativity and individuality, with men exploring diverse shapes, lengths, and styles beyond classic beards and mustaches. From sculpted goatees to bold sideburns, barbers can craft personalised looks that showcase their clients’ unique personalities.

Retro-inspired hairstyles with a modern twist are a major trend in 2025. Iconic looks like slicked-back styles, and shaggy cuts from the 60s, and 70s are being reimagined with fresh updates. Barbers are blending nostalgia with contemporary flair to create timeless yet modern hairstyles.

As of January 2025, the barbering industry is experiencing significant transformations driven by technological advancements, evolving client preferences, and a renewed emphasis on sustainability.

Master iconic cuts such as the shag, mullet, and curtain bangs. Use social media to showcase retro-inspired transformations and attract trend-savvy clients.

Hair health and scalp care

Introduce scalp treatments that address concerns like dryness, dandruff, and sensitivity. Stock scalp-friendly products such as exfoliating scrubs, serums and nourishing oils. Educate clients on how to maintain scalp health between visits.

Customisable wigs and extensions

Customizable wigs and extensions have become a game-changer, offering clients the freedom to express their unique style while addressing various hair needs.

To meet this growing demand, salons should consider providing bespoke wig and extension services tailored to individual preferences. Investing in high-quality materials, such as human hair extensions and lace-front wigs, ensures a natural and durable result. Personalised consultations are essential to help clients choose styles that align with their lifestyle and desired look, creating a truly tailored experience.

Gender-Inclusive and androgynous styles

As society continues to challenge traditional gender norms, the beauty industry is evolving to become more inclusive.

Training your team to create versatile styles that suit all clients, regardless of gender, is crucial. Highlight your salon’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity through thoughtful marketing strategies. Consultations that prioritise the client’s personality and preferences over traditional gender expectations foster a welcoming environment for everyone.

Hair loss treatments

Hair loss, or alopecia, is a complex condition influenced by a variety of factors beyond genetics. Understanding and addressing these non-genetic contributors is essential for providing comprehensive care. Here’s a closer look at the causes, diagnostic approaches and effective treatments available.

Non-genetic causes of hair loss

Stress-induced hair loss: Telogen effluvium, a common form of hair loss, can be triggered by significant physical or emotional stress, leading to diffuse thinning across the scalp.

Nutritional deficiencies: Inadequate intake of essential nutrients, such as iron, zinc, and proteins, can impair keratin production, resulting in weakened hair shafts and increased shedding.

Medical conditions: Endocrine disorders, notably hypothyroidism, can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to hair loss. Autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata involve the immune system attacking hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss.

Medications: Certain pharmacological treatments, including anticoagulants, antidepressants, and chemotherapy agents, have been associated with hair loss as a side effect.

Accurate diagnosis necessitates a thorough patient history and clinical examination. Laboratory assessments to evaluate nutritional status and thyroid function are essential. Scalp biopsies may be indicated to distinguish between different types of alopecia.

Refer clients to a healthcare professional to discuss lifestyle and supportive measures like stress management, nutrition, underlying conditions and therapeutic interventions like topical treatments, platelet-rich plasma therapy and low-level laser therapy.

How to leverage these trends

• Social media showcases: Use platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share before-and-after photos, styling tips, and trend-focused content.

• Workshops and events: Host in-salon events to introduce clients to the latest techniques and products.

• Team training: Keep your team updated on the latest trends with regular workshops and training sessions.

• Client education: Offer tips and tutorials to empower clients to maintain their new styles at home.

By embracing these trends and tailoring your services accordingly, you can enhance client satisfaction, attract new business, and ensure your salon remains at the forefront of the hair industry.