2024 is a year of embracing the edge – bold graphic liners, insanely pigmented blush and sharp bobs that walk the fine line between chic and practically bald. Stars from Jennifer Lopez to Sydney Sweeny, and Zendaya have all chopped off their luscious locks to become the poster child of a haircut that would bring me to tears when proposed by my mom in middle school. I’ve never liked the bob. For Indian girls, the path to rocking one comes with its unique set of chuckles and challenges.
Ever found yourself mistakenly ousted from the ‘Ladies’ seat on the metro amidst a round of stifled laughter, thanks to your chic crop? Or, perhaps you’ve experienced the contagious shock in a washroom, mistaken momentarily for a young man. Our culture tends to marry the concept of beauty with long, flowing locks. These snippets of daily life make most Indian women ‘anti-bob’.
So if the characteristic bob is a no-go, how do we change it up for the season? Turns out, there’s a lot more you can do with your hair than chop it off, and here’s a list.
Oval Layers
Short oval layers work perfect for those of you who want the look of a chic bob but don’t really want to cut off too much. Ideal for round faces since it makes you look more sculpted.
Long Butterfly Cut
This haircut is the older sister of the one above. With one more extra layer in the form of sleek bangs, this one keeps the length and adds a significant amount of dimension to your hairstyle.
Highlights On Beachy Waves
Now you don’t really need to cut your hair to add an element of freshness – colour works just as well. If your hair is naturally wavy and brown, this is one haircut you need to try out in 2024!
Feather Cut
This haircut works well for wavy hair but can be slightly high maintenance since you can’t really tie it up neatly. Although, it’s important to keep in mind that this does not work for curly hair – speaking from personal experience.
Cherry Cola Hair Colour
One of the biggest trends this season, cherry cola hair has always been big in India – especially when it comes to college girls. You don’t need as much bleach for this colour to show up so there’s minimal damage and it looks so chic if done properly.
Long Flicks
Now this is one of my favourite ways to freshen up a hair look. A few flicks add so much dimension to your everyday hair, they’re easy to manage and very, very easy to do by yourself at home. Just remember to cut less than you think you should!
Blonde Highlights
A favourite amongst every middle-class mother, blonde highlights are available in literally every salon. This style is more subtle than the rest; honestly, when it comes to blonde – less is more.
Long Shaggy Hair
I personally love this hairstyle. It’s appropriately messy, really frames the face, and makes your head feel really really light. 100% would recommend it if you don’t want to mess with the length but still want something new.
Choosing a hairstyle that fits cultural expectations and your own style guide can be quite difficult, but the beauty landscape is wide and there is an option for everyone, as long as you know where to look!
Featured Image: Instagram