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SEARCHWe’re mid-way through the year, so it’s safe to say now is the time to define hair trends of 2016. And what better place to talk trends than at Premiere Orlando?MODERN sat down with L’Anza creative directors Leah Freeman, ...
L'Anza models show off color and style trends for 2016: braids, natural texture and color paneling. (photo credit: Jamie Newman )
We’re mid-way through the year, so it’s safe to say now is the time to define hair trends of 2016. And what better place to talk trends than at Premiere Orlando?
MODERN sat down with L’Anzacreative directors Leah Freeman, Global Healing Color Director, and Matt Swinney, Global Creative Director, who shared what they think the biggest color and style trends of 2016 are, and what will be next.
When asked about color trends, Freeman says “trend” has to be defined a step further, explaining that there is a big difference between a “trend” and a “consumer trend”.
“The direction of balayage is on a very fast train right now; it’s the most asked-for service when it comes to consumers,” Freeman says. “But if you look at trends [in the hair industry], heavy color blocking is popular. We’re doing a lot of color paneling and hair accessorizing with brighter shades. What we used to do with feathers, we're now doing with haircolor.”
Freeman thinks strong color placement will be a big feature within the hair industry this year, but by the trend’s second year, the consumer will want it too. “Maybe we’ll see some deco patterns and color blocking,” she adds.
Swinney sees two style trends as most prominent for 2016: braids and natural texture.
“We’re seeing a lot of braids happening right now, braids are the big thing,” Swinney says. “In my salon, instead of a blowdry bar, we do a braid bar where we have a whole station that’s dedicated to just braiding people’s hair.”
He says that braids play into the natural-texture trend. Rather than manipulating texture, it is being styled into a braided hairstyle. Natural texture is currently high-fashion, he says, but it isn’t going to stick that way forever.
“I do think in the future you’re going to see straight hair again,” he says. “It’s inevitable. Which plays in well to some of the color paneling.”
Note: cut and color are not mutually exclusive.
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