The Best Haircuts for 2020, According to Salons Around the Country
Whether you're scoping out the best haircuts for 2020 or curious to see the most popular haircuts on the rise, you've come to the right place. Because while we love the classic lob as much as the next person, we need a little variety—and what better way to get inspired than with the coolest hairstyles from around the U.S.?
Starring curly shags in Detroit, textured bobs in Austin, and curtain bangs in New York City, we asked stylists to share the most requested styles at their salons to bring you the best haircuts from every corner of the country. Scroll on for all the inspiration you need.
Chandelier Bangs
Not sure what to do with your hair? Add a bang, says Alan Vuong, owner of Salon Blanc in Honolulu, who says bangs are popular on all lengths for 2020, but especially when paired with long layers. “Together they flow seamlessly alongside the contour of your face, with the bangs bringing out your eyes,” he says. He notes that soft sideswept bangs, curtain bangs, and middle-part bangs are all trending, but he especially likes middle-part bangs paired with his signature chandelier layer cut (the long, soft layers you see in the photo above). To get the same look, he says to ask for "long layers at the back and smooth, graduated layers to frame your face."
Polished Bobs
“I think the best haircuts for 2020 will be all about structure—out with the messy texture, in comes the polished structure,” says Riawna Capri, co-owner of L.A.'s Nine Zero One. She says that fuzzy, bedhead hair is being traded in for more sleek styles of all lengths and you can expect to see “more blunt thick lines in haircuts instead of shattered, piecey, texture.” To get the look, ask for a blunt, heavy line, with no texture, and trade in your matte texturizers for shine sprays.
Strong Bob
Cali girls are keeping it blunt in San Fran too. The strong bob—also known as a blunt bob—is on the rise in S.F. "This cut is a statement," says Jon Reyman, owner of Spoke & Weal salons. "Cool is more important than sexy right now. Or rather, cool is the new sexy." The strong bob works for any hair texture, but if yours is dense, ask your stylist to thin it out first.
"The lob looks good with varying lengths, which makes it perfect for all face shapes and hair types," says Stacie Bowie, owner of Bowie Salon and Spa in Seattle. When it's a little more grown out—i.e., past your collarbone and around your shoulders—it's even easier to style and manage than the original.
Blunt Bangs
Albuquerque is loving the shaggy lob, but with a twist: blunt bangs. “Adding a bang is a great way to create a new style without the commitment of a drastic haircut or length change,” says Melinda Danella, hairstylist at Inspire Uptown Salon. She’s a big fan of pairing brow-grazing bangs with a collar-length cut.
Shattered Bob
There's little to no layering to be found in this edgy bob, but that doesn't mean it's your basic blunt style. "Instead we add lots of dimensional texture to the ends of the hair to create movement," says Staci Linklater, stylist and salon director at Globe Salon in Las Vegas. She says it works best when your hair is medium in texture—that is, not fine but also not very coarse.
90s Chop
While the 2010s were all about long, breezy waves, for 2020 expect to see more stylized cuts. That doesn’t have to mean high-maintenance, though, which is why Dani Everson, hairstylist and owner of Clementine's in Denver, likes this ’90s-inspired crop. “It was an era when hair was carefree and we didn’t overuse products or styling tools,” she says. “It followed the decade of hairspray and teasing, so it makes sense that it’s having a resurgence now that we're coming out of the era of chemically straightening.” For the lowest effort, Everson says to make sure to ask for a cut that enhances your natural texture and bring photos (think Winona Ryder in Reality Bites).
Textured Bob
Get ready to go a little shorter. Brittany Archer, hairstylist at Austin's KaRu Salon, says bobs are trending for the new year in Texas. Make sure to ask for a choppy bob with movement, since “the personality of this hairstyle is stylish and carefree,” says Archer.
Classic Lob
In St. Louis, women are growing out their short hair and are into collarbone-length lobs. “With the right stylist, growing out your hair doesn’t need to be a dreadful experience,” says Charlie Martin, creative director and owner of Salon One Six One. "This cut works great with softened layers throughout the crown, not to compromise fullness around the perimeter or length," says Martin. "Adding a subtle fringe is also a great way to not get bored."
The Shag
The Midwest is finding new ways to make lobs feel fresh. "The lob is making way for the modern shag," says Nicole Coil, a stylist at Blueberry Moon in Chicago. "Lots of textured layers create a soft shape, which is perfect for curls and waves. And it works to give lift and volume to smooth styles." Translation: It works for a range of hair textures. The shag is also ideal for Chicago's endless winter months, she says, because it keeps its shape under hats and beanies better than long layers can.
