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Over the last few years — praise be — there’s been a widespread celebration of natural hair textures. The aim of the game? To enhance our kinks, curls and waves, and to master the art of “I-woke-up-like-this” nonchalance, and “I’m-in-rude-health,” swish. And with this focus on texture and hair health came a flurry of care and styling products to help us on our way — from bonding treatments to super masks, curl tonics, texture enhancers and my beloved air dry creams like As Hershesons Air Dry Spray with UV Protection, (£18.00, hershesons.com) and Living Proof Air-Dry Styler, (£27, livingproof.co.uk). And hasn’t it been fun (and frankly a huge relief) to just ‘be’ rather than get frowned at for not teasing your unwilling hair into a big, bouncy blow-dry or similar? Although, of course the reality is more subtle than this, because making the most of your texture isn’t always as straightforward as you’d think... And although this worthy, modern mood isn’t going anywhere fast — and because the beauty world is ever-cyclical — there are undeniably tell-tale signs that hair might be getting serious once again. This is, of course, if you want it to. And while we’re still not talking try-hard hair or anything radically or over-styled, what we are talking about and seeing is quietly immaculate — often super-long, healthy, glossy hair. “Without question, the most requested style in the salon this month has been super long hair.” says Hadley Yates, extension expert and co-founder of Hadley Yates Salon and Curated Hair Extensions. “We’re talking sleek, expensive-looking length that feels effortless but ultra-luxurious.” Across both his London salon and his extensions business, Yates has seen demand for 22-inch lengths and beyond soar nearly 50 per cent in recent weeks. And it’s an appeal that’s cutting across generations too. “Our professional clients in their thirties and forties want that more polished, high-maintenance finish,” he says. “Gen Z are inspired by those red-carpet moments and social media trends - Sabrina Carpenter, Kim Kardashian and Gigi Hadid, all of whom have reignited the desire for drama and length. Interestingly, we’ve also noticed a growing number of women over 45 requesting longer, softer layers.” Talk about a shift from the blunt, pragmatic bobs that defined last year. And why this sudden appetite for length? “Long hair has become a kind of modern luxury,” Yates suggests. “It reads as healthy, intentional, and quietly powerful.” Perhaps in an age of pared-back everything, hair is becoming a place where people just sometimes want to feel a little extra. The secret to success here, says Yates, lies in restraint and a considered approach: A mix of extension types to create seamless density and micro bonds for super-natural movement. Then of course, you need a perfect match in texture and tone because “ultra long hair amplifies any mismatch.” For finer, or more delicate hair, particularly post-40, he opts for micro bonds paired with the silkiest-textured extensions which integrates beautifully with naturally ageing hair. As you might expect, maintenance is non-negotiable. Think sulphate-free shampoo, a loose plait or silk wrap at night to prevent tangling, gentle ends-to-roots brushing and regular trims. In his desert-island kit? L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.ART Flex Pli Flex Pli Styling Spray, (£19, boots.co.uk) for protection and hold, Color Wow Dream Coat (£27, cultbeauty.co.uk) for liquid shine and Kiehl’s Silk Groom, (£37, sephora.co.uk) to finish. We’ll see you at the salon...
