I can’t deny that there’s something a little jarring about sitting down to discuss the biggest autumn beauty trends while it’s 27-degrees outside, but there’s something incredibly exciting about it too. You see, I am not one of those people that revels in the hot weather. In fact, if I’m totally honest, I hate it. I exist in a near-constant state of perspiration throughout the month of August, with my usually low-maintenance beauty routine suddenly overflowing with humidity-fighting hair products, sweatproof foundations, and an abundance of setting sprays to prevent me from melting into a puddle of sweat. Yes, London heat is no joke. But autumn in the capital? Well, that’s the thing that dreams are made of.
Not only does the city itself look beautiful when the seasons change—trees burst to life in shades of copper and gold, flickering candles illuminate the dark and cosiest of pub corners, heck even the double decker buses look more striking—but Londoners themselves do too. When autumn comes calling, the city itself becomes a catwalk for knee-high boots, flushed cheeks and an opportunity for reinvention. And where best to start when it comes to a little autumnal transformation? With hair, of course.
From seasonal shake-ups of this year’s biggest haircut, the classic bob, and a shift towards softer, longer layers, London’s autumn hair trends look set to take a more laid back approach to cuts while learning into a more expensive-looking colour palette. And, thankfully, the experts are just as excited about the changes as I am.
Ahead, I caught up with some of the capital’s most in-the-know hair stylists and salon owners to dissect exactly what the biggest London autumn hair trends will be for 2024—and what their clients are asking for ahead of the season.
London’s biggest hair trends for Autumn 2024:
1. Shoulder-Skimming Lobs
“We anticipate a subtle shift towards shoulder-length styles, offering a bit more length and versatility,” explains Sian Wood, Hair Stylist at Taylor Taylor London. “After a summer dominated by sharp, sleek bob, this slightly longer and more textured version will be a refreshing change. As layering becomes more prevalent in autumn fashion, we’ll see longer bobs with added texture and movement as a go-to style for the cooler months.”
Style the look with:
Davines
Davines More Inside This Is a Dry Texturizer
2. Cowgirl Cuts
Cowboy copper has been one of the biggest hair colour trends of 2024, and looks set to dominate in the autumn months, but the lesser-known cowgirl cut—defined by its face-framing layers and textured lengths—is proving popular on the streets of London. “The cowgirl style will be a key look throughout the season in the capital, along with heavily layered long hair without a fringe,” predicts Angelo Vallillo, Style Director at STIL Salon. “Long hair, with its incredible versatility, is definitely here to stay.”
Style the look with:
L’Oréal Paris
Gloss Rinse-Off 5 Minute Lamination Treatment
3. Grown-Out Bobs
The bob was undoubtedly the haircut of summer 2024 in the capital, but will all of those Londoners who went for the chop continue to embrace their shorter length for the new season? Sam Burnett, Owner and Creative Director at Hare & Bone, predicts it will be all about a more relaxed take on the classic cut. “For autumn 2024, I predict we’ll see a few key haircuts taking off in London, with the grown-out bob being the most popular,” he says. “It’s a slightly longer, softer take on the classic bob so it’s perfect for that effortless, low-maintenance vibe.”
