The Low-Key Hair Trends Celebrities Are Fully Endorsing

Party season has entered the building, and much like we’ll be switching up our ‘out out’ outfits of choice—I’ll take your finest sequin/feather hybrid please and thank you—our beauty looks will be following suit. Those that usually shy away from red lipstick start to feel a little braver, eyes, lips and cheeks are adorned with glitter and mani’s get a seasonal upgrade – rhinestone tips, anyone? 

Party-approved hairstyles, however, can be notoriously difficult to do solo and as much as we’d like to rock an elevated up-do with a diamond-encrusted headpiece à la Kylie Jenner at the recent Thierry Mugler exhibition, we’re pretty sure it would end in tears. If only we could have Chris Appleton on standby. The good news is, there’s an abundance of easy-to-achieve looks fresh from the red carpet offering up a ton of inspo – enter the low-key hair trend. 

"This is something relaxed and wearable but that also really makes a statement,” explains Jonathan Andrew, hair stylist and Fudge ambassador. "Low-key luxe is a strong look especially during the winter months, as there are so many more events and parties to attend. It makes for a great finish that looks effortless, feels light and deconstructed, yet is cool and on trend.”

As for the low-key hair kit essentials: "Everyone should have a good hairspray and texture spray to really hold everything in place, and if you’re going for the more polished looks always have a good serum on hand. It can execute a look perfectly and take it from day-to-night with a texture switch up,” says Andrew. Also, see heated tools like your blow-dryer and curling tong as your best friends.

Whether your hair is long, shoulder length or you’re rocking a pixie cut, we’ve searched high and low for the very best low-key looks to try now.

1. Up and Away

"This look has elements of red-carpet drama but a relaxed and thrown together feel,” says Andrew. "The easiest way to achieve this is to blow-dry your hair away from the face and use your fingers to pull it back as it’ll look too sleek if you use a comb – my top tip here is to mix a blow-dry primer and blow-dry serum to give it that high shine-wet look finish without it looking too sleek. Then, take it up all the way back towards the crown and wrap around the base and secure it with a kirby grip, elevating up to a high topknot/bun. Fix in place with hairspray to make sure it stays where it should.”

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2. Side Party

Side partings with volume are most certainly having a moment, and can be achieved on most hair lengths. "Using a wide tooth comb and root lift spray, blow-dry the front section in the opposite direction that you want the parting to sit for extra volume,” explains David Wadlow, a London-based editorial and celebrity hairstylist who has worked with the likes of Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid and Solange Knowles. "Once it’s dry, flip it to the other side, add a little movement with a small barrel tong and dress it out with a non-drying gel and oil for high shine and hold.”

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3. Softly Structured

"For me, you can never beat a great blow-dry with an exquisite finish,” says Andrew. "The key to this look is to keep the movement soft so that the ends are still straight. Use a paddle brush to smooth out the hair without focusing on the ends too much so that they don’t start to kick out. Use the largest tong you have and curl the middle section of hair while holding out the ends to keep them straight. That’s what makes this look stylish and not over polished – the sharp straight ends in contrast to the softness of the hair movement." Complete the look with a product that will add gloss and shine while taming flyaways. 

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4. Short and Slick

A sleek and sophisticated style that has been seen on the likes of Taylor Russell, Iris Law and Alexa Demie. Annie Redman, hairstylist at Larry King hair salon says this look is easily achievable at home. "Smooth the hair out with a smoothing cream and then blow-dry it in the direction you want it to sit. Because you want it ultra straight, you'll need to then go in with the straighteners. Next, use a finishing oil and comb the hair down to mould it into position. Use a shine spray to finish."

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Next Up: These '80s Styles Are Having a Major Comeback