Fall's Hair Trends: New York And London Stylist Shares Secrets

Are beach-y waves fall 2017’s most on-trend hair look? According to New York and London based senior stylist, Lisa Carroll Ellwood, absolutely. Here’s everything you need to take summer’s hottest hair look into autumn, and all without going to the salon. In fact, with this look, there’s no blowout required.
Ellwood, who is a senior stylist at Ludlow Blunt in Brooklyn and Kennaland in London, says that for fall 2017, face-framing layers (a nod to the 90s) and curly shags as well as longer bobs are not only popular, but practical. Especially if you color your hair, you don’t want to spend a lot of time adding heat to it. “Pick your poison,” Carroll says. “Color or heat. Of course that doesn’t mean people with color-treated hair can’t use heating tools on occasion; they’re just not for everyday use.”

So, how do you achieve summer’s beach-y waves sans a heated styling tool? Easy. Here’s Carroll’s routine that even the laziest fashion girls can follow. “It’s all about the right product,” she says. “Without product, color-treated hair looks fried. With hair, you’ve got to fake it ’til you make it.”
A post shared by Lisa Ellwood (@lisacarroll_ellwood) on Feb 8, 2017 at 6:19am PST

Autumn beach-y waves, straight out of the shower

A post shared by Lisa Ellwood (@lisacarroll_ellwood) on Nov 3, 2016 at 5:01am PDT
Since you’re not coming from the actual beach, you’re aiming to recreate that fresh surf-kissed hair look. Here’s what you need:

1.) Towel dry with turban

Turbans cut air-drying time in half, as they’re made with microfibers that absorb water without creating frizz.

Turban Towel Twist Wrap, $10

2.) Apply leave-in spray conditioner

Before your hair gets too dry, Carroll recommends you add a layer of conditioning spray. This product is a must for the stylist.

R&Co. One Prep Spray, $20

3.) Apply finishing cream

OK, you’re not quite finished, but a finishing cream adds moisture while gently molding the hair in place. Use your fingers to make spiral curls, or crunch your hair between your fingers, once you’ve applied finishing cream. Curls will form as your hair air dries.

Kevin Murphy Easy Rider Anti-Frizz Flexible Hold Cream, $41

4.) Apply a curl enhancing mousse

The mousse of today is not your mother’s mousse. “Mousse has come a long way,” says Carroll. In London she says, “Everyone is about Vidal Sassoon. Blunt bobs are on trend, but if your hair has a natural wave, why fight it? You can achieve a Vidal Sassoon look by keeping your curls polished and your fringe out of your face.”

Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Air Mousse, $11

5.) Never use a brush

When you’re not using your fingers as styling tools, a wide tooth comb (no brush, as the bristles will cause frizz) will help keep everything in place.

Swissco Tortoise Wet Comb Wide Tooth, $9

6.) Apply salt hair spray (sparingly)

“This is going to dry out your hair,” says Carroll. “But a little can go a long way, so just be prudent.”

Davines Seal Salt Spray, $28

7.) Take a multivitamin daily

Hair health starts from the inside. “Supplements are key to healthy hair,” says Carroll. “In addition to applying a weekly hair mask, you should be taking a daily multivitamin.” According to Medical News Today, essential vitamins can help maintain the health of your hair. Essential vitamins include A, C, D, E, K, and the B-complex group, all found in a daily multivitamin.

Rainbow Women’s Multivitamin, $28

About the author

Jill Di Donato

Fashion Editor

Jill is a New York native who holds a BA in Literature from Barnard College, and an MFA in writing from Columbia University. She is the author of the novel Beautiful Garbage (She Writes Press, 2013) about the downtown Manhattan art and fashion scene in the 1980s. A former staff writer for The Huffington Post and Bustle, Jill comes to Culture Trip after working with Refinery 29, Vice, Salon, Paste Style, Los Angeles Times, Nylon, Shopify, Autre, and producing content for emerging fashion labels. She teaches classes about fashion and culture at Barnard College and The Fashion Institute of Technology. Her prized possessions are her Gucci fanny pack, vintage rocker t-shirts, and her grandmother's collection of costume jewelry. She's always on the lookout for a gem-encrusted turban.