Say Goodbye to Polished Bobs This Fall—These 8 Styles Are Coming for Its Crown
As the seasons change, there’s one thing all beauty enthusiasts know to be true: that as much as we may appreciate some hair trends, they’ll eventually meet their end one way or another. Now, we’re not saying that particular hairstyles will never be back in style (or that they should be retired by you), but if you’re someone who likes to be one trend and keep track of what all the most stylish, beauty-obsessed people will be wearing for fall 2025, then it’s always a good idea to know which hairstyles you’ll be seeing less of on the runways, red carpets, and stylish city streets from coast to coast as well as the ones that will be taking their place.
Fall offers the perfect time for trading in the old for the new, and trying out new looks that can take you through the end of the year in style. So, not only will you have a good idea of what trends won’t be making the rounds this fall, but you’ll also have some inspiration for what to ask your hairstylist on the next trip to the salon. To get us started, we tapped hairstylists TerraRose Puncerelli and Sean Michael for their predictions for the cuts, colors, and styles that will be dominating fall 2025.
Keep reading to find out which hair trends will be “out” and “in,” and discover the best product lineup to give your strands the refresh they need just in time for the holiday season.
Soft, Fluid Layers vs. High Maintenance
For the past few months, we’ve experienced a late-’90s/Y2K revival across the beauty space that’s all but completely taken over our For You Pages, Explore Pages, and Pinterest boards. Whether you love it or hate it, expect to see more of the trend IRL as the temperatures take a dip. “This year, clients are moving away from anything that feels too polished or high maintenance,” explains Michael. “Instead, we’re seeing softer, more fluid layers with a ’90s and early 2000s influence—think feathered blowouts, mid-length shags, and playful curtain bangs.” These looks are soft, versatile, and perfect for pairing with your favorite cozy sweaters and chunky boots.
Shop the Look
Color Wow
Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
L’Oréal Professionnel
Absolut Repair 10-In-1 Hair Oil
Cowgirl Fringe Bob vs. Choppy, Asymmetrical Bob
(Image credit: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images)
The jury’s in, and it’s looking like last year’s edgy, high-textured bobs won’t be making the rounds this fall. Are we surprised? A little, but we also saw the rise of their replacement (luxe-yet-effortless bobs) coming after they began to be spotted on the runway last fall. “The choppy asymmetrical bob with heavy layering is on its way out, being replaced by a flirtatious kind of cowgirl fringe bob. I think we are starting to see a shift in beauty where women want their look to appear more effortless and natural,” Puncerelli explains. In other words, it’s time to put down your shears and pick up the finishing spray.
Shop the Look
Chris McMillan
The Dry Texture and Volume Spray
Gisou
Honey Milk 5-in-1 Styling Cream
Toasty Tones vs. Icy Extremes
Wondering what colors the most stylish people will be racing to the salons to get before everyone else catches on? Last year was all about the return of the butter blonde and cowboy copper, but this fall we’ll be leaning into warm tones that take after the changing leaves. “On the color side, warmer, more dimensional tones are taking the place of [icy tones]: golden blondes, warm beige brunettes, and copper-inspired reds,” says Michael. “These shades feel cozier, softer, and more wearable, especially for fall/winter.” Then, once spring comes back around, you can always take the same color and go a couple shades lighter for the ideal transition style.
Shop the Look
Bumble and Blumble
Brownish Hair Powder
L’Oreal Professionnel
Vitamino Color Spectrum Color Protecting Shine Mask
Lived-In and Sun-Kissed vs. Ombré Shades
While some places in the Western hemisphere may experience fewer sunny days once fall rolls around, fall is the perfect excuse to add some warmth to your hair with lived-in and sun-kissed styles. “Another trend that is already pretty much out the door is the ombre hair color. [It’s] being replaced with more natural, sun-kissed strands and a grown-out, lived-in look, predicts Puncerelli. Over the past couple of years, celebrities like Hailey Bieber and EmRata have premiered stunning hair colors that fall in this category, so we’ll be keeping an eye out for more inspiration all season long.
Shop the Look
IGK
Color Depositing Hair Mask in Honey Please
Kérastase
Chroma Absolu High Shine Gloss Treatment for Color-Treated Hair
Polished and Luxe vs. Undone Tresses
Just because our hair experts are predicting less high-maintenance styles on the horizon doesn’t mean polished styles aren’t being requested by their stylish clientele. In fact, we’re expecting to see even more luxe bobs, bouncy lobs, and glossy, long lengths with the arrival of fall and well into winter. “As we transition into winter, I see styles becoming a little more polished and luxe. The volume and layers will stay, but they’ll be paired with more refinement—shinier finishes, sleeker blowouts, and structured styling that feels holiday-ready,” Michael tells us. If you’re looking for a way to add a special touch of personality to your polished ‘do, consider adding a playful hair accessory.
Shop the Look
dpHUE
Gloss+ in Sheer Transparent
Shu Uemura
Moya Hold Finishing Hair Spray
Rooty Coloring vs. Bright Blondes
So, we’re not saying that butter-blonde strands will be completely out this year, but these hairstylists are predicting the color will just be going a few shades darker and keeping natural-looking roots for an on-trend, lived-in look. “I’m predicting we’re going to start seeing less super bright blondes and more lived-in rooty coloring. Definitely darker hair color,” Puncerelli shares. You can catch us re-creating this eye-catching look Justine Marjan created for actress Kathryn Newton for our next trip to the salon.
Shop the Look
Christophe Robin
Shade Variation Mask in Golden Blonde
R+Co
Gemstone Color Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Rich, Multidimensional Shades vs. Light and Airy
Adding dimension to your hair fall styles can be as simple as selecting a color that’s deep enough to add some intrigue to your look. This season, Michael predicts we’ll be returning to “traditional” colors for this time of year with an unexpected twist. “Color will deepen and get richer. Expect brunettes to go warmer and multidimensional, blondes to shift into honey tones, and coppers to intensify with more depth,” Michael predicts. “Clients love cozy, flattering shades in the winter months, and this year’s palette leans toward richness and glow instead of icy extremes.”
Shop the Look
Oribe
Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment
Color Wow
Color Security Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Natural Graying vs. Cover-Up Coloring
With all this talk about adding color to your hair as the seasons change, it’s easy to miss another sneaky trend that’s been experiencing its renaissance: the absence of hair color becoming a movement across different age groups. “I’m also noticing a lot of women letting their natural gray grow in versus trying to conceal it with hair color, so I think we’re going to start to see a lot more of the Pamela Anderson vibe of women accepting aging as a new form of beauty,” Puncerelli tells us. Here’s to hoping we’ll be seeing more of this from now on.
Shop the Look
J Beverly Hills
Everyday Blue Blonde Toning Shampoo
Olaplex
No. 7 Bonding Oil
Explore More:
