With summer and peak bookings season fast approaching, it’s time to brush up on what’s trending in tresses for the impending festive season and beyond.

For many clients, summer signals a fresh start and new beginnings, often inspiring a change in hairstyle or colour.

Below, we tapped hairdressers at the frontier of the trends for their predictions, top products, and current hair muses right now.

Danny Pato – D&M

Danny Pato has been cutting, colouring, and styles hair for over 20 years, with many of the biggest names and publications in the country—and globally—on his resume.

The multiple award-winning hairdresser and co-owner of D&M has been crowned International Hairdresser of the Year twice and NZ Hairdresser of the Year six times, alongside the AIPP International Trophy in 2020 and 2022. So, naturally he’s well placed to comment on the forthcoming trends for the summer season.

What are the upcoming trends for the season?

• “Coppers and soft reds are hot for summer. We’ve dramatically increased the amount of copper work leading into the warmer months.”

• “Sun kissed blondes are also on trend, with balayage transitioning into a more sophisticated aesthetic by incorporating freehand foils for a natural, sun kissed look.”
  
• “Pixie cuts are also going to be very popular this summer. The beauty of a pixie is that as it grows out, it turns into something else that’s equally cool.”
  
• “Modern shags are still all the rage. Effortless, chic, and a little bit rebellious – it can be created in so many ways on so many hair types.”
  
• “Power bobs are back! Lots of international celebrities are rocking a sharp bob, wearing them either wavy or straight. I personally love a bob.”

What is your most relied on hairstyling product and/or tool right now?

“Davines More Inside Shimmering Mist – I like to finish off most clients and models with a generous mist to create a healthy shimmer.”

Who is your current hair muse?

“I love the hair muses from bygone eras, like  Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy, and Grace Jones. My ultimate hair icon is probably Kate Moss.”

Who would be your dream client to have in the chair?

“Rei Kawakubo from Comme des Garçons.”

Lizzie Mann – Hair at Boston

For those on the quest for that coveted creamy or lived-in blonde, Hair at Boston in Milford has garnered a colour-focused reputation for the best in the bizz. At the helm of the popular boutique salon are owner Jessy Leonard and manager Lizzie Mann, who both boast a waitlist of over three months at any given time – a testament to their craft. Below, Lizzie weighs in on what’s hot in the chair right now.

What are the upcoming trends for the season?

• “With warmer weather on its way, we’re seeing a lot of copper. At the moment, I have a large percentage of clients wanting to experiment with rich copper or golden copper shades.”
  
• “As always, our clients are looking for bright golden and creamy, beachy blonde, and that balayage lived-in look that’s soft but enough to enhance their natural colour.”
  
• “Cuts I absolutely love right now are the short bob and layered 70’s style. The shag is super low maintenance for that quintessential ‘just spent a day at the beach’ look.”
  
• “Fringes are also on tend. Super short with that signature Brigitte Bardot softness.”
  
• “For party season, we’re seeing styles like plaits, messy 90’s buns, deep side parts, and fun hair accessories.”

What is your most relied on hairstyling product and/or tool right now?

• “For summer, I’ll be using Kevin Murphy Repair-Me.Rinse and Re.Store to keep the hair strong and Olaplex no. 9 Bond Protector Nourish Serum, with added heat protection to shield against damage from pollution and increased heat styling.”
  
• “To replenish tresses, I recommend Olaplex no. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask to repair and deliver intense moisture, particularly after extra sea and sun exposure.”
  
• “As for tools, I can’t go past the ghd platinum+ styler. From sleek and smooth to beachy waves, it’s so versatile.”

Who is your current hair muse?

“From a stylist perspective, I get inspiration from celebrity hairstylist Tracey Cunningham, who has worked with the likes of Julia Garner, Khloe Kardashian, Sydney Sweeney, and JLo. Chiara Ferragni is my ultimate hair icon, and Brigitte Bardot – her hair has transcended all the trends and fashion.”

Newton Cook – Rodney Wayne

Newton Cook, education and creative director for Rodney Wayne, has a list of accolades, including Emerging Stylist of the Year in 2015 and Colour Ambassador of the Year in 2016, as well as being appointed one of two New Zealand stylists in the ghd Style Squad for Australia and New Zealand in 2019.⁠ On a typical day you’ll find Newton with his loyal clients in the salon, training, or behind-the-scenes on editorial shoots.

What are the upcoming trends for the season?

• “Style-wise, this season we are seeing a lot of shorter, cropped looks, like the bottleneck bob – carrying through from the bottleneck bangs, with a shorter textured feel.”

• “When it comes to hair colour, the overarching trend is enhancing natural colours, with hints of warmer tones coming through. What I love about this trend is the result is personalised, rather than your typical cookie-cutter look.”

What is your most relied on hairstyling product and/or tool right now?

“My most relied on hair tool right now is my ghd unplugged – it literally goes everywhere with me. Even though my hair is short, all my friends have longer hair and I’m instantly the hero of the night when I touch-up their curtain bangs or tuck those ends under at an event.”

Who is your current hair muse?

“I’m really loving the work of Chris Appleton – he’s bringing back the iconic blow waves with an elegant, glossy, and super luxe finish. He also really elevates the stylist profession, showcasing the skills and talent involved.”

Who would be your dream client to have in the chair?

“My absolute dream client to have in my chair would have to be Beyonce. I love the versatility of her looks, from super sleek to wild and untamed. Being able to collaborate with her and see the way she showcases your hair artistry on a global stage would be epic.”

Main image: @jennaperryhair