What we’re seeing at Wheelhouse this Summer.
The internet at large (and TikTok) will give you some wild lists for summer hair trends, but we find it very rarely reflects the trends in real life. We asked the Wheelhouse Huntsville and Wheelhouse Birmingham staff what they are seeing in their chairs this summer. What are Y’ALL asking for?
Unanimous Trends
We heard this one from a lot of stylists. Abby Henderson, Angelika Thomas, Kate Stevenson and Nichole Thomas from Birmingham as well as Sophia Malone from Huntsville all said:
Moving away from bright, bright blonde and going golden. Specifically, Sabrina Carpenter blonde. Blonde is beautiful, but blonde is UPKEEP. This summer we’re seeing a trend away from the bright blondes and Daenerys Targaryen platinums of previous summers in favorite of a golden dimensional blonde that is easier to take care of and uses more of your pre-existing hair color.
Another common trend- we heard this one from Taylor Campbell, Carlee Mitchell, and Angelika Thomas in Birmingham as well as Posey Sikora, Emma Underwood, and Sarah Jane Shaw in Huntsville
Bobs. Lots of folks are chopping it all off for summer, including the Wheelhouse staff! It’s the season of change.
Emma Underwood mentioned that she gets a lot of requests for a more modern version of Jennifer Anniston’s signature bob from Friends. “The Rachel” is iconic, and has been a mainstay of hair inspiration since Jennifer rocked it in the 90s.
Kate Stevenson, Wheelhouse Birmingham:
Styling hair without heat. This one reoccurs every summer, but we’re hearing it talked about a lot this year and Kate loves it. She talks a lot with her clients about doing bantu knots overnight with styling cream, braids, and though she haven’t tried it personally, a bunch of her clients have mentioned heatless curling rods work like a charm for easy waves (while it’s been around for a while, this trend hit like a freight train after Sydney Sweeney used them in the iconic “getting ready” scene in Euphoria and hasn’t left!).
Posey Sikora, Huntsville Stylist
Old Money Blonde. Posey has noticed an uptick in light caramel blondes, often referred to by her clients as old money blonde. This is less golden, and more neutral than the Sabrina Carpenter hair trend.
Here’s an inspiration photo provided by Posey for the look many of her clients want this summer (straight from the source- Pinterest, the north star of hair inspo)
Angelika Thomas, Birmingham Stylist
Lobs. Sabrina Sandifer in Huntsville also cited this popular cut. Shoulder and collarbone skimming lengths are a frequent ask, and we see why. This length is both flattering and easy to care for!
Taylor Campbell, Birmingham Stylist
Those with long hair may be chopping it off, but the shorties are growing it out. Swoopy and loose is in, and Taylor is seeing a lot of style requests from his masculine clients in inspired by 90s era Zac Morris and Leonardo DeCaprio.
Carlee Mitchell, Birmingham Stylist
Carlee is one of our traveling stylists who lives full time in Indiana, but also sees her Birmingham clients throughout the year. Between here and Indiana, she’s noticed:
Curtain Bangs. Specifically curtain bangs with a little bit of shortness in the middle. Sabrina Carpenter’s bangs are specifically mentioned a lot! Sabrina has a chokehold on Summer 2024 hair, and it’s not just here. This one is all over the US.
Abby Henderson, Birmingham Stylist
Modern Mullets. Forget what you know about mullets – in 2024, the look is less business in the front and party in the back. Instead, these mullets are long and textured through the crown and neck, but short on the sides, almost like a mohawk! Sarah Jane in Huntsville has also gotten this as a frequent summer ask.
(Hair at left by Abby)
Butterfly Haircuts. This look is characterized by lots of face framing layers, and has been a popular ask through both this year and last year.
Sarah Jane Shaw, Huntsville Stylist
Natural Texture. Natural is beautiful, and perfect paired with heatless styling.
Organic, Undone Styles. To quote Sarah Jane, “the kind of hair that looks its best when you stick your head out of the top of a convertible to style it“. Effortless and easy.
Breely DeBalsi, Birmingham Stylist
Green Hair. Lime, neon, you name it, green is on the rise this summer. This shade is also great for those who are fans of creative color (green sticks around more than a lot of other colors) and typically like some change in their color over time, as it often fades to either a light green, blue, or yellow green depending on the shade. Just be sure you wash your hair with cold water, and stay out of that chlorine and salt water!
Rattail Braids. Usually paired with a shaggy pixie, bob, or somewhere in between (bixie?), this style is cut with a ton of separation and texture for maximum cool vibes.
What’s your plan for summer hair?
Regardless if your hair is “trending” or not, what’s important is that it feels right for your style and personality.
If your hair makes you feel more like yourself, it’s the perfect hair for who you are this summer. Got some ideas? Give us a call. We’d love to make your hair dreams a reality!
