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Beauty | Trends

Chop and change: a celeb hair stylist on the season’s new cut

Text: Yeong Sassall

Click through the gallery above to Harry Josh's tips for the cut of the season.

1. “Come into spring screaming,” says New Yorker Harry Josh, the editorial star who plastered his bedroom walls with supermodels as a teenager before conquering fashion when US Vogue gave him benediction as the hairstylist to watch in 2002. Now tending the tresses of bestie clients such as Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen and actress Rose Byrne, his antennae are always searching for the next exciting mood or trend to sweep through the hair world.

2. This season: we’re loosening up with shorter, fluffier layering. “It’s cool, shattered, whimsical, rock ‘n roll hair. Like a 70s shag but even more low key. Think Jennifer Beals’ iconic layered, curly ethnic hair in Flashdance.”

3. Josh was surprised to even see the look emerge when he was booked for a Victoria’s Secret commercial and Elsa Hosk was rocking finger-combed, shaggy layered hair. “You know something is up when even contract angels at Victoria Secret’s are cutting off their hair! Elsa Hosk’s messy shoulder length looks perfect for now. There’s a real mood of ‘fuck it’ - a wave, a kick, a curl is the ultimate shake n’ go hair.” Pictured: Elsa Hosk

4. Josh sees the timing as a backlash against big, beachy hair and extensions. “Fashion always keeps moving and spring is the season to make a change. But it’s also a scary time on the planet right now politically, so I think individuality that breaks the mould and celebrates ethnicity is a reaction. Shorter haircuts and freer, low maintenance styles feel like a pushback.” Pictured: Elsa Hosk

5. If the sexy Barbie look suddenly feels a little too Stepford Wives for the current climate who is the best candidate to make the leap? “It’s ideal for a girl with curls and texture. Layering around the face will create that messy looseness and it’s so fabulous to throw it up into a top knot or pony. Pictured: Rose Byrne’s hair styled by Harry Josh

6. Josh recommends the fuss-free look he gave Gisele for this year’s Met Ball. “Textured ponies always rule. This trend is about leaving texture around the hairline – it’s the opposite of the super tight crown that is J Lo’s signature, sleek and pulled back. That’s too elegant for the current mood.” Pictured: Gisele’s Met gala hair styled by Harry Josh

7. To achieve it ditch your brush and use fingers. “Apply mousse in curly haphazard strands wrapped in different directions before tying hair back then pulling out pretty loose strands around the face for a great day look.” Pictured: Stella Maxwell’s ponytail at the VMAs styled by Harry Josh

8. Who is less suited to current layering? “It’s not ideal for stick straight hair. You’ll end up with an extreme cut that sits close to the head rather than being tousled and fluffy - you’ll be going the full Jane Fonda in Klute!” Fine haired girls – such as his client actress Kate Bosworth - can freshen up spring by making it all about the cut. “Cropped choppy bangs look amazing. I love to style Kate in a close bob as that kind of texture becomes even finer from bob to collarbone. Fine hair needs to stay blunt with no layers to give maximum thickness.” Pictured: Kate Bosworth

9. Joss styles medium textured hair, such as client Victoria’s Secret Angel Karlie Kloss, with plenty of wave in the hair. “I’m loving layered, curled flicks so there is plenty of movement around the face when she is talking and walking.” Pictured: Karlie’s Kloss hair styled by Harry Josh

10. Actress Olivia Wilde has the thick hair that is so on-trend for the season. “Olivia is stunning and adventurous with gorgeous long, thick, strong hair that I can really play with. She just finished a movie in a bleached, razored out choppy bob with really dark roots, then went on stage straight after with jet black hair for the Broadway production of 1984. Olivia loves to transform!”

11. He refers to Aussie actress Rose Byrne as his ‘hair muse’. “Dark, light, bangs... Rose lets me go wild. She’s a dream. A great spring update for a brunette is to maintain a rich brown base then add sparkle with lighter streaks. Miranda Kerr refreshes by brightening up the tips and doing hairline highlights that add a glow.”

12. "This is the model of the moment - I'm loving her ethnic look. She is the vision of the future to me." Pictured: Mica Arganaraz

13. There is a caveat if you’re thinking about the layering and/or going shorter: Josh advises women to ask themselves if every trend is right for them. “The biggest thing is getting girls to change that iconic long hair. I always say to my clients who want to cut or go crazy, let’s remember that long hair is a classic staple that we equate to sexy womanhood. Pictured: Gisele styled by Harry Josh

14. The bombshell look reminds men of those first fantasises about pin-ups. If a woman is intrigued by a creative asymmetrical look or a pixie I’ll be straight with her - you’re doing this for the girls, not the boys. Do you care about the question ‘Will a bob get me attention from as many guys?’” Pictured: Taylor Hill styled by Harry Josh

15. And if the answer is – ‘I couldn't care less, I am loving this look for now’? “Then bring it on honey. And the really cool thing about this look is how little care it requires, which is part of its charm – the layered cut does all the work, so you just air dry.” Pictured: Mica Arganaraz

16. Josh recommends scrunching in Aveda Foam - or if you want more grit in the texture Aveda’s Thickening Tonic. “Aveda’s products have a lightweight feel that I love working with and they smell amazing. Only use it on wet hair otherwise it won’t activate the texture – it doesn’t do anything to dry hair.”<p>Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam, $29.95, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en-GB&q=http://www.aveda.com.au/product/7525/17164/styling/style/phomollient-styling-foam/index.tmpl&source=gmail&ust=1504831018257000&usg=AFQjCNFolPMhiLzSMX94JJ-7hojMORbUhg" target="_blank" href="http://www.aveda.com.au/product/7525/17164/styling/style/phomollient-styling-foam/index.tmpl">aveda.com.au</a></p>
<p>Aveda Thickening Tonic, $39, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en-GB&q=http://www.aveda.com.au/product/7525/35659/styling/style/thickening-tonic/index.tmpl&source=gmail&ust=1504831018257000&usg=AFQjCNHKRXbnhc0dFAgR28dOIatnbLuvng" target="_blank" href="http://www.aveda.com.au/product/7525/35659/styling/style/thickening-tonic/index.tmpl">aveda.com.au</a></p>

17. A spritz of Sea Salt spray also suits the looseness of the look and brings out the hair’s natural kink. “R & Co does a great one. It’s less crunchy than the original Sea Salt spray that was first developed by Bumble & Bumble. It has been tweaked by a lot of brands since then and this one is brilliant.”<p>R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray, $39, <a target="_blank" href="https://shop.grittypretty.com/r-and-co-rockaway-salt-spray">shop.grittypretty.com</a></p>

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Hold off on those princess extensions says celebrity hair guru Harry Josh. Get ready for the new layering... By Cleo Glyde

Click through the gallery above to see the cut that's rocking the fashion and hair world.

Beauty

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Gisele Bundchen

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