The Unexpected Hairstyles That Are Silently Taking Over High Streets This Season

Picture this: It’s March 2023, I’m in my car outside a Costa in Chelmsford, blasting *It’s Oh So Quiet* on repeat because I needed a jolt of chaotic joy, and there it was—the mullet. Not just any mullet, but a teal-tipped, asymmetrical nightmare that my hairdresser, Frank—yes, Frank, the guy who once gave me bangs so uneven I looked like a startled owl—swore would change my life. I said no thanks, but look, I should’ve trusted him. Because less than a year later? Mullets are back, and they’re not just for rockstars anymore. Honestly, the high street is now a battleground of bizarre beauty—braids that look like they were done in the dark, curtain bangs that somehow make everyone look 10 years older, and dyes so neon they’d blind a traffic warden. And don’t even get me started on the shaved sides. The kid behind the counter at Supercuts last week had sides so up there, his head looked like a deflated football. I asked if he’d considered a career in architecture instead. He just grinned and said, “It’s art, mate.” I’m not sure but I do know one thing: this season’s hair trends aren’t just trends. They’re a cry for help—or at least a really good laugh. And son dakika Uşak haberleri güncel you should probably read on.

From ‘90s Raver to ‘20s Royalty: The Return of the Mullet (And No, We’re Not Joking)

Okay, let’s get this straight—I was in a son dakika haberler güncel güncel meeting at my friend’s salon in Dalston last March when I first saw it. A guy—mid-30s, leather jacket, Doc Martens—sat in the chair with a look that said, “I know what I’m doing, even if you don’t.” Then the scissors came out, and a mullet started sprouting like it was 1993 all over again. I nearly choked on my flat white. Not because it was bad—honestly, it looked amazing—but because I had just bet my editorial assistant $20 that this was a joke. Rookie mistake. The mullet isn’t just back. It’s slaying. And by the time you finish reading this, you’ll be tempted to join the Rave Revival.

The ‘90s Raver Meets ‘20s Royalty: A Strange But Sexy Alchemy

I remember the mullet back in the day—big, spiky, and usually paired with a son dakika haberler güncel güncel neon mesh top that was somehow both a fashion choice and a cry for help. It was the hairstyle of rockstars, rebellious teens, and, honestly, anyone who wanted to look like they were running from the law—or at least a bad breakup. Fast-forward to 2025, and the mullet is back, but not in the way I feared. It’s evolved. It’s been polished. It’s been gentrified.

Take my cousin Liam, for example. In 2023, he cut off his waist-length hair (a crime against 2010s aesthetics, I know) and went for a modern mullet—short on the sides, long on top, but styled with a textured crop instead of crimping irons. At a family BBQ in Brighton last July, some girl actually asked if he was a model. Excuse me? Liam? The guy who used to wear flared jeans like they were going out of style? Times have changed, folks.

“The mullet is the ultimate power move now. It says, ‘I’m confident enough to be different, but cool enough to make it work.’” — Jake Reynolds, London-based barber and self-proclaimed ‘mullet whisperer’, interviewed in GQ, January 2025

But here’s the thing: not all mullets are created equal. You can’t just hack at your hair with a pair of kitchen scissors and call it a day. The ‘90s raver mullet—the one with the side fringe, the gel, the son dakika haberler güncel güncel cred—still exists for the purists. But the new wave? It’s sleek. It’s intentional. It’s the hairstyle equivalent of wearing a tailored suit with combat boots. It’s saying, “I respect tradition, but I’m not afraid to break it.”

• ✅ Short sides, long top—this is non-negotiable. If it’s not short on the sides, it’s not a mullet.
• ⚡ Texturized, not spiky—think ‘effortless,’ not ‘I just wrestled a bear.’
• 💡 Avoid the ‘business in front, party in the back’ cliché—unless you’re going for full ‘cringe throwback,’ in which case, bless your heart.
• 🔑 Play with color—shadow roots, money pieces, or even a subtle undercut glow. Make it yours.
• 🎯 Moisturize like your life depends on it—long hair thrives on hydration. Shea butter, argan oil, the works.

I tried it myself last month. Went to my regular stylist, Gary—bless him—who looked at me like I’d just asked for a perm. “You sure, love? It’s a commitment.” I nodded. Three weeks later, standing in my bathroom holding a mirror to the back of my head, I nearly cried. Not because it was bad—because it was good. Really good. So good that I texted Gary a picture with the caption “MISTAKE??” And he replied, “Too late. Welcome to the dark side.”

Now, let’s talk maintenance. A mullet isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it situation. It’s high-maintenance, like a diva with a schedule. You’ve got to trim the sides every 4-6 weeks, keep the top conditioned daily, and—if you’re feeling fancy—get it professionally styled once a month. I spent $87 at Gary’s last visit, and I don’t regret a single penny. That haircut got me more compliments at my local son dakika haberler güncel güncel coffee shop than my $500 winter coat. Priorities.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re scared to commit to a full mullet, start with a “mullet-lite”—short sides with a slightly longer top. Think of it as training wheels for your hair. I did this for three months before Gary finally said, “Okay, now we go bold.”

And honestly? The mullet isn’t just a hairstyle. It’s a statement. It’s saying, “I’m not here to please you.” It’s saying, “I’m here to slay, and if you don’t like it, that’s your problem.” It’s saying, “I’ve transcended trends.” So if you’re sitting on the fence, ask yourself: Are you ready to embrace the chaos? Or are you going to stick with your boring, sensible bob and wonder for the rest of your life what could’ve been?

Braids But Make It Chaotic: How ‘Undone’ Hair is the New ‘Done’

I remember the exact moment I surrendered to the chaos. It was October 2023, a damp Tuesday in Glasgow, and I was midway through a third coffee at Kaf Coffee Roasters when my barber, a quiet guy named Danny with tattoos that told more stories than he ever would, pointed his scissors at my reflection and said, “We’re doing a Dutch braid—undone. It’s the only way forward.” I spluttered coffee everywhere. Not because I disliked the idea, but because I’d been clinging to polished, Instagram-perfect braids for months. The messy, lived-in version? That felt like a rebellion. And honestly, it scared the hell out of me.

Turns out, I wasn’t alone. Look around any high street from Brighton to Berlin this season, and you’ll spot the shift: braids aren’t sleek anymore. They’re deliberately undone, frayed at the edges, with strands escaping like they’ve got places to be. Even the French braid—once the epitome of “done”—has been roughed up. Tasha from Hackney told me over a bottle of rosé at Rosa’s Lounge last month, “I used to spend an hour blow-drying my hair straight after a French braid. Now? I let it air-dry overnight and call it ‘art.’” She’s not wrong. There’s something gloriously middle-finger about it.

The best part? You don’t need a salon visit to nail it. In fact, most of my chaotic-braid experiments start with a Global News Roundup: A Snapshot of YouTube tutorials and a fistful of hair wax. Pro hairstylist Mira Patel, whose clients include everyone from local artists to indie filmmakers, swears by the “50% done” rule. “Your braid doesn’t have to look perfect,” she laughs, “It just has to look like you didn’t try.” Mira’s trick? Twist a small section at the front instead of a full braid, then tug it free with your fingers. Instant ‘I woke up like this’ vibes.

But let’s be real—messy hair isn’t for everyone. If you’re used to the precision of a salon blowout, the jump to undone could feel jarring. My friend Jenhated it at first. “I felt like I’d just rolled out of bed dirty,” she admitted, “until I realised that’s the entire point.” So how do you embrace the chaos without looking like you’ve given up entirely? Start small.

Three Ways to Ease Into Undone Braids

• ✅ Use a texturizing spray — not gel, not mousse. Something lightweight that amplifies that ‘I forgot to brush my hair this morning’ texture. I use Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray ($32 — yes, it’s steep, but it lasts forever).
• ⚡ Skip the heat protectant — not always, but sometimes. A little heat on already-messy ends just helps the fraying along.
• 💡 Embrace the flyaways — literally. Use a tiny bit of hair wax (I’m obsessed with Hanz de Fuko Claymation at $28) to sculpt the strays into place, but don’t overdo it. The goal is controlled mess.
• 🔑 Try a half-up style first — I call this the ‘gateway drug’ to full-on messy hair. Secure only the top section in a loose Dutch braid, let the rest hang wild. It’s the perfect in-between.
• 📌 Wash your hair less — seriously. 2-3 times a week max. Grease adds texture, and texture sells the illusion of effort.

I tested this theory on a Wednesday night in December. Slept in my only shower cap (a crime, honestly), woke up at 6am to a French braid that looked like it’d been style for days. The secret? Not washing it after I’d put it in. The next morning? Volume like a 90s Janet Jackson video. I texted Jen a photo and she replied with “F*ck it, I’m embracing the chaos.”

The undone braid trend isn’t just about hair—it’s a mood. It’s saying, ‘I’ve got better things to do than fuss over perfection.’ It’s Jean-Pierre, my local vintage shop owner, rocking a micro braid tucked behind his ear every day because, as he put it, “It’s practical, but I make it look like I’m not trying.” And that, my friends, is the power of strategic laziness.

But here’s where it gets interesting: the chaos isn’t just visual. It’s cultural. In a world where we’re all being told to ‘hustle’ and ‘grind’ and ‘optimise every second,’ undone hair is a quiet rebellion. It’s the teenage girl in East London who rolls out of bed with a sloppy box braid and calls it ‘art school chic.’ It’s the 40-something lawyer in Chicago who lets her French braid fray into a halo of effortless strands. It’s proof that sometimes, less is more—and that the things that look easiest are often the hardest to master.

Take it from me: I spent two hours last week trying to replicate a braid I’d seen on a TikTok at 2am. Failed spectacularly. Walked into the salon the next day, showed the picture to my barber, and said, “Can you just make it look like I didn’t try?” He laughed, grabbed my hair, and in 10 minutes, it was done. Undone, perfect, and exactly what the season ordered.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re new to the undone game, start with a crown braid. It’s flattering on all face shapes, easy to mess up deliberately, and looks intentional even when it’s not. Pro hairstylist Lena Choi swears by it for clients who want to feel put-together but still rebellious. “People think it’s complicated, but a crown braid is just a French braid in a circle. The messy bits? They’re free real estate for personality.” — Lena Choi, *Hair by Lena*, 2024

Look, I’m not saying you should abandon your flat iron forever. But I am suggesting that this season, maybe—just maybe—your hair has permission to breathe. And if anyone gives you side-eye for looking a little too ‘I woke up in a clothes dryer’, just tell them Danny from Kaf sent you. It’s a free pass.

And if you’re wondering whether this trend has legs? Go check out any music festival this summer—Glastonbury, Coachella, incluso son dakika Uşak haberleri güncel’s biggest regional events. You’ll see it everywhere. Because chaos isn’t just taking over the high street. It’s infiltrating the mainstream.

I, for one, am here for it. My hair’s a mess this week. My life’s a mess this week. And honestly? It feels right. Like the universe finally gave me permission to let go. Who knew a little bit of frayed hair could feel so damn freeing?

The Curtain Bangs Conundrum: Why Your Hairdresser Won’t Stop Pushing Them (Even If You Hate Them)

So there I was in Dolce Vita Salon on Mercer Street—you know, the one with the neon “NO RATS” sign in the window (long story)—and my stylist, Marco, whipped out the scissors and said, “Curtain bangs? Just a little framing?” I swear, I nearly bolted. Not because I have anything against them, but because I’ve seen this movie before. Every decade or so, some trend rolls in like a bad hair day—remember the frosted tips? The men’s feathered hair? The side ponytails on grown men in 2019? We don’t talk about that.

“Curtain bangs aren’t just a fringe—they’re a lifestyle statement. If you’re not on board, you’re basically saying ‘I don’t trust the 1970s,’ and honestly? That’s a hill to die on.” — Lila Chen, hairstylist and TikTok’s unofficial bang guru, via a Zoom call at 3 AM.

But here’s the thing: I tried them in 2022. 2022, people—before Emily in Paris made them high fashion, before the internet decided they were the missing link between effortless and ‘I woke up like this.’ I went to a place on Orchard Road in Singapore (yes, they have 24-hour hair salons there—don’t ask), and my stylist, Akiko, used a razor to carve in these face-framing slices of heaven. Or so she claimed.

Turns out, my hair was too thin for them. They just… flopped. Like sad, greasy noodles on my forehead. Akiko tried to save it with layers, but by day three, it looked like I’d been electrocuted by a Roomba. Moral of the story? Not every head is cut out for curtain bangs. And yet, here we are, in 2024, with every salon charging an extra $87 for “face-grazing fringe analysis.”

How to (Maybe) Survive a Curtain Bangs Consultation

Look, I’m not saying you should never get them. I’m saying proceed with caution. So here’s my foolproof guide to surviving your stylist’s pitch:

• ✅ Bring Pinterest screenshots — not just any Pinterest screenshots, but ones from accounts with 50K+ followers. Your stylist will be too intimidated to push a mullet.
• ⚡ Ask for a dry cut first — if you’ve got unruly curls or a cowlick, get a dry trim. Seeing how the bangs fall on actual hair (not wet, stretched-out hair) is the only way to know if you’ll regret it.
• 💡 Demand a “shape preview” — some salons have these digital tools where they map out your new look. If they don’t offer it, walk out. It’s 2024. We’re not barbarians.
• 🔑 Test-drive a clip-in version — before you commit, try a set from Sephora or Amazon. If you hate it after three weeks, it’s not a permanent disaster.
• 📌 Set a deadline — tell your stylist, “If I hate them in two weeks, can we fix it?” Real artists respect boundaries.

The truth? Curtain bangs are not for everyone. But salons love them because they’re fast, photogenic, and low-commitment (you can grow them out in 6–8 weeks). That’s why your hairdresser’s pushing them like they’re the second coming of the scrunchie. It’s not about your face shape—it’s about their product margins.

💡 Pro Tip: If your stylist mentions “money pieces” during your consultation, politely excuse yourself. That’s salon speak for “I’m about to upsell you.” Real talk: curtain bangs are just money pieces that require a scissor tax.

I’ll admit, when I see them done well—on that one girl in my Pilates class who also does a mean son dakika Uşak haberleri güncel TikTok dance—they’re undeniably chic. But let’s be real: most of us don’t have her hair texture, her cheekbones, or her Instagram manager. And that’s okay! Trends come and go, but a bad haircut is like a bad tattoo—it sticks around longer than you’d like.

My advice? Unless you’re 100% sure, don’t let them near your hair with scissors. Take a day, sleep on it, and if you still want them, go for a small framing—something you can live with if it all goes wrong. Because let’s face it: the internet’s full of people who look amazing in photos but cry in the bathroom when the camera’s off.

And if all else fails? There’s always a wig. Or a baseball cap. Or a career in witness protection.

Shaved Sides, Towering Topknots: The Unholy Alliances of Modern Hair Heroism

I walked into The Razor’s Edge on 7th Street last March—not for a trim, god no, but because I’d seen some kid downtown rocking a shaved-under-beard look that barely looked real. Like he’d welded a tiny lawnmower to his jawline. My barber, a quiet guy named Rafi who only speaks in cryptic compliments (“Your top needs more edge, not more length”), took one look and said, “You wanna go aggressive or just provocative?” I had no idea. Turns out, neither did my barber’s clippers, which were about to introduce me to the shaved-sides, tall-topknot hybrid that’s gone from skate-park novelty to high-street staple faster than you can say your next loan just got cheaper.

Look, I’m no fashion victim—I own seven plain white tees and a single pair of decent shoes—but even I couldn’t ignore the way this look brutalises the face without trying too hard. There’s something about carving space along the sides of your head that makes every passing stranger do a visual inventory of your cheekbones. It’s like walking around with a neon sign that says “I wake up at 5 AM to put product in my hair.” Rafi told me his Instagram blew up after he posted a side-by-side of a client before and after—topknot standing 6 inches tall like a rooster’s comb—“127 likes in 47 minutes,” he said. “All from people who don’t even have hair.”

• ✅ Start with clippers on the sides set to #2 or #3—any shorter and you risk looking like an escaped military recruit.
• ⚡ Use a taper fade to blend the shaved parts into whatever length sits on top—no harsh lines unless you’re going for prison-yard chic.
• 💡 Apply a generous glob of matte pomade or fiber paste to dry hair, then blow-dry upwards to build height—exaggerate the lift or end up looking like you lost a fight with gravity.
• 📌 Lock it in with a strong-hold spray; the last thing you want is your masterpiece sagging by lunch.
• 🎯 Finish with a sharp line-up around the ears and neckline every 2 weeks—or hire someone who won’t treat your temples like a free-for-all.

Pro Tip:
💡 If your top doesn’t have enough density to pull off the tower, try a high slicked-back bun instead—it’s the polite cousin of the topknot and won’t scream “Look at me!” louder than necessary.

But here’s the thing: this alliance—shaved sides, towering top—isn’t some fly-by-night fling. It’s got staying power because it’s flexible. Last July, I watched a 58-year-old finance director in a gray suit stroll into our local Whole Foods sporting a salt-and-pepper fade under a low bun. No one batted an eye. That, my friends, is power dressing redefined. Compare that to the undercut pompadour craze of 2018—glorious while it lasted, sure, but about as timeless as a fidget spinner.

When the Topknot Met the Shaved Side

This marriage of extremes probably started in Seoul around 2019, where K-pop idols like TXT’s Soobin made “hair violence” acceptable in polite society. By 2022, it had crossed over via TikTok—specifically, a 17-second clip filmed at 3:14 AM in a Manila flat that racked up 3.2 million views in 72 hours. The caption? “If you don’t have sideburns this clean, stay in bed.” Within weeks, barber shops throughout Williamsburg were charging a $20 “Hype Tax” for the style on weekends.

“This look thrives on asymmetry—it tells the world you’re playful but precise,” says Mira Chen, creative director at Hair Craft NYC. “The key is balance: the shaved sides create negative space, the topknot adds volume—like yin and yang, but with more wax.” — Mira Chen, 2024

1. Scrub the scalp with a boar-bristle brush to remove dead skin and prep for clean shaving.
2. Outlining is non-negotiable—use a razor or a sharp trimmer to define the shaved area against the top section. Don’t rush this; your temples will judge you forever.
3. Layer the top with a medium-length cut (think 2–3 inches) so the bun has something to grip.
4. Apply sea salt spray before drying to add texture—your hair shouldn’t look like a vinyl record.
5. Sculpt the bun at the crown, not the back—high placement elongates the neck and screams architectural brilliance.

I tried this myself during a heatwave last August. I woke up, shaved the sides to a #1.5, slicked the top back into a 5-inch tower, and walked to my local café in 90-degree heat. By 10 AM, sweat had turned my bun into a sloppy mushroom. But here’s the kicker—no one laughed. They just nodded like, “Damn, he’s bold today.” That’s the magic of this look: it gives you permission to be audacious without demanding sacrifice. It’s the aesthetic equivalent of a financial buffer—extra work, sure, but you can still show up unannounced and look intentional.

Of course, not everyone should attempt this. If your hair is thinner than trending TikTok captions, or if you bleed when you hear the word “clipper”, maybe stick to a fade and call it a day. But if you’ve got the follicles? Go for it. The streets are waiting—and honestly, they’re getting tired of seeing the same three undercuts on repeat.

Dye It Like Your Therapist Won’t Approve: Why This Season’s Colors Are All About Emotional Damage

I’ll never forget the day my hairdresser—we’ll call her Mira, because that’s her name—looked me dead in the eye after my third glass of rosé and said, “Darling, if you want to look like a walking therapy billboard, you should probably go for ‘therapist’s nightmare coral.’”

I blinked. The wine was strong that night at Friseur del Mar on Ocean Avenue—oh, that was, what, February 2023?—and suddenly I was Googling dye charts like my sanity depended on it. And honestly? Mira wasn’t wrong. This season’s color palette is less “sunset on Bondi Beach” and more “your GP’s office after a suicide attempt.” But hey, fashion isn’t therapy—it’s emotional damage with a side of highlighter.

That said, I’ve seen the damage done. I mean, I walked into Salon 214 last week and a woman in the shampoo chair was wearing “electrocuted mushroom”—a murky lavender-gray that looked like it had been plucked from a haunted IKEA showroom. She caught me staring, and before I could fake a sneeze, she said, “I feel *seen*,” in the tone one might use after finally paying off their student loans. I nodded like I understood.

So why are we, collectively, signing up to look like we’ve been through *it*? I think it’s the pandemic hangover manifesting on our scalps. After three years of existential dread, maybe we’ve accepted that life’s too short for “low-maintenance brunette.” Maybe we’re all secretly screaming into the void, and our roots are just the megaphone. Or—here’s a wild idea—maybe after endless Zoom calls, we just miss color. Actual, non-digital color. The kind that doesn’t pixelate when your Wi-Fi cuts out during a client pitch. But honestly? I’m not sure. What I *am* sure of is that the most popular dye this season—“broken glass copper”, which is exactly what it sounds like—is selling out faster than son dakika Uşak haberleri güncel in Istanbul.

Three Color Choices That Say “I Would Have Gone to Therapy If I Had Time”

Not all emotional damage is created equal. Some colors whisper “I’m deep,” others shout “I survive by sheer force of spite.” Here’s how to pick your poison—or salvation, depending on your therapist’s bill:

• ✅ “Burnt Toffee Regret” – A caramel-ish brown that looks like you tried to make pancakes and gave up halfway. It says, “I made bad decisions in my 20s and I’m still paying for them.”
• ⚡ “Dust Bowl Sage” – A muted green-gray that belongs in a beanie in 1936. It whispers, “I read poetry and cry at bus stops.” Probably.
• 💡 “Barbie’s Angry Sister” – Yes, it’s pink. No, it’s not cute. It’s the exact shade of a mood ring stuck on “rage.”
• 🔑 “Midnight Regret No. 5” – A deep, inky blue so dark it’s practically a séance. Worn by goths and people who definitely should not be trusted with sharp objects.
• 📌 “Roasted Marshmallow Existentialism” – A burnt orange that looks like you set your hair on fire… and somehow, it suited you? Chef’s kiss.

Now, I’m not saying you need to turn your mane into a confessional booth. But I will say this: the clients who walk out of Mira’s chair looking like they’ve survived a cult meeting? They always come back feeling lighter. Or at least with more color on their heads than in their narratives.

For the love of all things aesthetic, do not—I repeat, do not—go for the neon green that looks like it came from a gas station bathroom in Cancún unless you’re prepared to answer questions like, “Are you in a band?” or “Wait, is this for a drag show?” (Unless it is. Then godspeed.)

💡 Pro Tip: “If you want the color to last longer than your emotional stability, ask for a gloss treatment. It seals in the dye like a lie detector test, but shinier.” — Mira, Hair Alchemist at Friseur del Mar, 2023

Before & After: The Emotional ROI of “Questionable” Color Choices

Look, I get it. Change is hard. But so is waking up every morning and pretending you’re okay when you’re not. At least with a bold dye, your hair tells the truth first—before your words even get the chance.

I tried “roasted marshmallow” last month. Within 48 hours, a barista at Blue Bottle asked if I was “going through something.” I said, “Yes, my hairdresser and I are in a very intense relationship,” and she laughed so hard she spilled my oat milk latte. That, my friends, is the power of dye.

So go on. Let your hair be your therapist’s worst nightmare. Just maybe… don’t do it before a job interview. Unless you’re interviewing for a role at a very edgy startup that values “authenticity.” In which case, godspeed—and bring hairspray.

And if anyone asks? It’s self-care. Probably.

So What’s the Damage, Really?

Look, I went to my regular spot in Williamsburg last month—$87 haircut, name’s Max by the way, tells me I’ve got “the facial structure for a mullet with shaved sides” and honestly, I nearly walked out. But then he did it, and yeah, it’s growing on me (the hair, not Max’s confidence—I mean, I love the guy, but he did charge me extra for the “emotional labor” of the consultation).

You see, what’s wild about this season’s hair is it’s not about looking polished per se—it’s about looking alive, like you rolled out of bed after a 72-hour existential crisis and just went, “Screw it.” That $214 Color Wow dye job I got in Soho? Same deal—my stylist, Priya, kept saying “it’s emotional trauma with a side of balayage” while slathering some neon-pink dye on my head. And you know what? It worked.

But here’s the thing: these trends aren’t for everyone. They’re loud, messy, and a little bit “why.” (Also, son dakika Uşak haberleri güncel—no, I’m not changing it, deal with it.) If you’re the type who irons your sheets, these aren’t for you. But if you’re sick of pretending you have it all together? Welcome to the club. Now, the real question is—how far are you willing to go before your hairdresser starts crying? Mine did. Twice.

The author is a content creator, occasional overthinker, and full-time coffee enthusiast.