14 Long-Hair Trends That Will Have You Cancelling Your Next Cut

If you haven’t gotten a haircut since The Before Times, you’re not alone. Thanks to our year-plus in isolation, longer hair is trending, and although salons are finally back in full swing (yay!), there’s a divide between those who want to keep their growth and those who are ready for a dramatic change. "It’s been interesting, and we’re actually seeing some people being more daring and favouring a shorter style,” says Ryan Trygstad, celebrity stylist and co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon in New York City. But the hard truth is that some hairstyles may require more than one haircut after all that time away. And for others, the longer hair has become the new normal.

If you are sticking with the length for the meantime (*raises hand*), the great news is that long hair has tons of versatility. "We’re absolutely loving shaggy layers for long hair,” says Trygstad. But don’t feel like you have to curl your hair to show off every layer. "It feels like we’re moving away from beachy waves and more towards early ’90s styles that are sleek and shiny,” says the stylist. But to achieve that glossy, healthy look, you'll need a couple of products to help.

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(Image credit: @emrata)

Keep scrolling for 14 celebrity long hairstyles to inspire your look.

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Maxi Ponytail
(Image credit: @arianagrande)

Trygstad loves Ariana Grande’s signature high ponytail "for pool parties or going out.”

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Waist-Length Waves
(Image credit: @jlo)

J.Lo’s longer-than-long hair isn’t for the low-maintenance among us, but go big or go home, right?

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Sideswept Locs
(Image credit: @ciara)

Ciara’s Instagram is a treasure trove of long-hair inspiration. Case in point: her recent sun-kissed locs.

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Bubble Hair
(Image credit: @gigihadid)

Gigi Hadid recently dyed her hair a Queen’s Gambitinspired shade of red and showed off the look with a 2000s-inspired style.

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Loose Curls
(Image credit: @sarahjessicaparker)

Sarah Jessica Parker is showing off her curls and the SATC reboot is coming—we're into all of it.

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Cher Hair 2.0
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Zendaya put her own twist on "Cher hair” at the 2021 Oscars with her ultra-long, easy waves.

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Sleek and Straight
(Image credit: @sofiavergara)

Proof Trygstad is correct in his prediction? Even Sofía Vergara, known for her signature waves, is sporting pin-straight hair as of late.

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The Modern Shag
(Image credit: @caradelevingne)

Considering the new layered take on the shag cut? Look no further than Cara Delevingne’s cute style.

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Sky-High Pony
(Image credit: @shaymitchell)

When in doubt, a high ponytail like Shay Mitchell's never fails.

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Headbands
(Image credit: @joansmalls)

Long, flowing curls are a forever favourite. We love how Joan Smalls kept hers in place with a pretty headband.

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Deep Side Part
(Image credit: @anyataylorjoy)

The middle part may be the official part of Gen Z, but Anya Taylor-Joy kept the side part very much alive with her glam look at the Golden Globes.

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Slick Braid
(Image credit: @rileykeough)

For a cool twist on the high ponytail, go for a wrapped braid like Riley Keough’s.

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Blunt Bangs
(Image credit: @spaceykacey)

If you want a major change but don’t want to lose your length, remember bangs are always an option. Kacey Musgraves’s blunt style is unexpected and of-the-moment.

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Face-Framing Layers
(Image credit: @mingey)

For medium-long haircuts, angled layers like Amanda Seyfried’s are subtler.

Up next: 7 low-maintenance hairstyles that are huge this year.

Freelance Contributor

Lindy Segal is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. She's originally from Atlanta, but she's sorry to report she doesn't have an accent. However, she does still have her taste for carbohydrates, love of losing sports teams, and fear of driving during rush hour. She's been in editorial for over eight years as a social media manager and writer covering beauty, fashion, and lifestyle at Glamour and People. Most recently, she was the women's editor at Express. These days, in addition to Who What Wear, you can see her byline at places like Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Ipsy, and WeWork. Both a skincare obsessive and a minimalist, she keeps her routine short, sweet, and effective—and she doesn't go a day without sunscreen. She's also deeply passionate about sustainability, and she strives to recommend products she truly believes are worth the investment. When she's not writing about the best and brightest beauty finds, she can usually be found hunting for vintage and secondhand treasures, attempting to find zen at a yoga class, bingeing Bon Appétit YouTube videos, or napping under her weighted blanket.