7 new hairstyles to get excited about now that hairdressers are open

Grown-out lockdown hair is officially over as hairdressers report a fresh interest in big-change hairstyles from short cuts to complete colour changes.

Andreas Wild from Larry King's London salon says, "at the end of the first lockdown a lot of women had grown out their hair and wanted to maintain their length. This time around clients are feeling frustrated with the restrictions and ready for a big change. Despite the continued social distancing, with the beginning of the festive period and a new year around the corner, t's the perfect time for a fresh look."

Luckily for us there's lots of fresh inspiration from the surprisingly pretty mullet to the choppy mid-length. Here, we've selected the most flattering hairstyles to ask for at your next hair appointment.

The choppy bob

Martha Stewart, 79, has the ideal modern mid-length hairstyle.

With volume at the crown, soft face-framing layers and a long sweeping fringe that can be pulled forward or swept to one side, her shoulder length cut gives her look her a youthful twist, yet this ageless style would look just as contemporary on a 30 year old.

Soft red

Sky's latest thriller, The Undoing, may have just finished but we're still obsessing over actress Nicole Kidman's (AKA Grace Fraser's) delicate red locks.

Harking back to her Days of Thunder curls and strawberry blonde colour, Kidman's soft red hair flatters her porcelain skin in ways that her out-of-character blonde couldn't achieve. A wintery light shade of auburn, get the look with permanent colour or ask your colourist for a semi-permanent gloss for a subtle take on Kidman's red hue.

Old-school glamour

Adele debuted an Old Hollywood style when she hosted Saturday Night Live in October. Then singer Dua Lipa sported a similar style on the red carpet at the American Music Awards, proving that glamour is making a comeback despite the Pandemic.

So if you fancy dressing up your long hairstyle for the festive season don't be afraid to book in for an old-school wavy blow dry then order a set of velcro rollers and section clips to recreate the look at home. A mini lesson in salon may be worth asking for to glean some useful styling tips.

The textured fringe

From Hilary Duff to Selena Gomez, bangs are back whether they are short and pixie or worn as long curtains.

Halle Berry recently updated her mid length hairstyle with a relaxed textured fringe that softens her forehead and creates interest to an otherwise ordinary hair cut. Having a fringe is an instant way to update your cut without taking off any length off the ends.

The modern mullet

The 80's rock star mullet has gotten a bad rap for being desperately uncool. But in actual fact, a short top and sides can be one of the prettiest styles for women of all ages.

Think Jane Fonda in the late 60's as reworked by Miley Cyrus. Her new Blondie-inspired style softens her facial features and gracefully skims her shoulders. Tuck it behind your ears for a sleek evening look or ruffle the texture with your hairdryer and a little volumising spray for day.

The long short

If you are thinking of going for the chop, the long/short is the most forgiving crop to choose.  Take a note from Sharon Stone who manages to strike the subtle balance between the crop and bob with her soft, versatile cut that's incredibly flattering on women of all ages.

Long at the top and short at the sides and back, Stone's youthful cut can be styled in various ways from a soft, side parting to blow-dried backwards to expose her eyes.

Curls curls curls

Tracee Ellis Ross has continued to keep us inspired throughout 2020 with her gorgeous beauty looks from multiple lipstick shades to various hairstyles from playful braids to a sleek fringe, but our stand-out style is her free flowing curls that she wears organically fluffy and glossy and groomed depending on the occasion.

However curly your hair is, working with, not against, your natural texture is the way forward for 2021 so ask your hairdresser to design a cut that flatters your waves. Or, invest in a heated styling tool such as Babyliss Deep Waves or GHD's curling wand and create your own fabulous curls at home.