NYFW Spring/Summer 2024 Hair Inspo

The catwalks of New York City were set ablaze with the latest fashion innovations during the Spring/Summer 2024 New York Fashion Week. Amidst the array of clothing designs were intricate details that complete each look – including the hairstyles that effortlessly blend creativity with elegance. The runways this year were adorned with a spectrum of hair trends, ranging from playful whimsy to wet looks, fun buns, and undone hair.

Playful Whimsy:

The runways were alive with a spirit of playfulness, as designers and hairstylists showcased hairstyles that exuded joy and vibrancy. From bold colors to unique accessories, whimsy took center stage. Models strutted down the catwalks with pastel-colored extensions, fun braids, and lots of ribbons. Take these looks as your inspiration to embrace your playful side by adding ribbons of your choice to complement your outfit into your hairstyle. 

Hair looks from Christian Siriano, photo source: Tresemme

The Undone Look:

Effortlessly chic and wonderfully messy, the undone look made a bold statement on the runways. Models embraced the natural texture of their hair, showcasing waves, curls, and bedhead-inspired styles. 

This trend conveyed a sense of carefree confidence, encouraging us to embrace our unique beauty without the need for excessive styling. From tousled updos to loose, flowing waves, the undone looks exuded an understated allure.

Photo credit L to R: Prabal Gurung show, Elle & 3.1 Phillip Lim show, Elle

How to achieve the undone look: Start by washing your hair with a volumizing shampoo to add a touch of natural bounce and movement. R+Co’s Dallas Shampoo and Conditioner is recommended as it adds vitality to fine, flat hair while nourishing and strengthening from root to tip. After washing, towel-dry your hair, allowing it to air-dry partially for that relaxed texture. If your hair tends to be straight, add loose waves or curls with a wide-barrel curling iron for an undone but intentional appearance. Embrace the power of texture and wave enhancing products like a texturizing mist, which can be gently scrunched into the hair to enhance its natural texture. R+Co’s Sail Soft Wave Spray is a lightweight spray designed to create natural, shiny, voluminous, and textured waves. 

The key is to avoid precision – tousle your hair with your fingers to break up any defined curls and add a touch of nonchalant charm. To finish, a light mist of R+Co’s Featherlight hairspray will maintain the undone aesthetic while keeping frizz at bay.

Fun Buns:

Buns took a fun twist this season, evolving into imaginative creations. Seen on the runways were buns adorned with quirky accessories, braided details, wet-looks, and relaxed buns. This trend added an unexpected touch to classic updos, proving that sophistication and playfulness can coexist seamlessly. 

Photo credit L to R: Khaite show, Vogue & Altuzarra show, Byrdie

There are endless ways to style a bun, and wearing one is an elegant way to manage your hair while adding sophistication to your look. To style, begin by brushing your hair to ensure it's smooth and tangle-free. For a classic and sleek bun, gather your hair into a high or low ponytail, securing it with a hair tie. Twist the ponytail and wrap it around the base, securing the bun with bobby pins. If you're going for a more relaxed and undone bun, instead of a tight ponytail, gather your hair with your fingers, allowing some strands to fall naturally. Secure the bun with an elastic band or pins, leaving a few tendrils around your face for a softer look. Experiment with different bun placements – high buns convey a polished appearance, while low buns exude a more casual, romantic vibe. Finish with a spritz of R+Co’s Featherlight hairspray to keep your bun in place.

Wet Looks:

Designers and hair maestros at NYFW embraced the wet hair look with fervor, presenting modern and artistic looks - think Sirencore. Jimmy Paul, lead hairstylist for Jason Wu’s Spring/Summer 2024 show said that they wanted to make it appear that “the models just emerged from a shipwreck”. 

Some designers opted for a more structured approach to the wet hair trend. Sleek, pulled-back and up styles from the likes of Balmain and Givenchy presented both refined and unexpected looks.

Photo credit L to R: Anna Sui show, Byrdie & Luar show, Byrdie

Here’s how you can incorporate these ethereal & artistic wet styles into your spring and summer hair repertoire:

1. Prep the Canvas: Begin with clean, damp hair. Applying a light styling gel or mousse will help enhance the wet look and keep your hair in place. R+Co’s Motorcyle Flexible Gel provides support and control of a gel with the flexibility and shine of a wax.

2. Texture and Shine: Embrace your natural texture and add shine to undone wet looks for an tousled appearance by using R+Co's Optical Illusion Smoothing Oil. This precious nourishing oil smoothes texture, tames flyaways, adds separation and megawatt gloss.

3. Sleek Structured Styles: If you prefer a more polished look, opt for a sleek, pulled-back style. Use a strong-hold gel to achieve a smooth, wet appearance. R+Co's Wall Street Strong Hold Gel  provides a strong hold while giving a super-shine without crunchiness, flakiness or build-up.

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