This spring, hairstylists are embracing a fresh take on laid-back luxury: Vacation Hair. Think of the kind of hair you'd have after three weeks spent on the Amalfi Coast or island-hopping through Greece—undone, touchable, and brimming with effortless glamour. But here’s the twist: this season’s version of vacation hair isn’t about beachy waves or messy buns. Instead, it’s all about long, unlayered hair that speaks volumes—literally and figuratively.
Forget face-framing layers. Forget heavy cuts. This season, we're seeing cuts that skip the snips in favor of a sleek, all-one-length base. It’s a vibe, and a strategic one at that.
Why Vacation Hair is the Perfect Look for Spring
Vacation Hair is a perfect blend of low-maintenance and high-style. This look doesn’t need layers or intense styling—it’s all about strategic texture and the art of restraint. Stylists are playing with subtle techniques that create a lived-in feel, using minimal products to achieve maximum impact.
The secret sauce? Setting clips. As seen on Charlotte Lawrence, stylist Ricky Fraser uses them to create gentle crimps along the hairline, mimicking that natural crease—like your hair had been loosely tucked behind your ear all afternoon in the sun (credit Byrdie.com). This technique gives the hair a soft, bent texture that feels effortlessly chic.
Why We’re Obsessed
What makes this look stand out is its reliance on technique and finish. With no heavy layers to rely on, the style depends on knowing where to add soft texture, when to leave hair untouched, and how to play with shape and silhouette without traditional cuts doing the work for you. That’s where true artistry comes in.
This is Vacation Hair, but make it luxe. It’s not about throwing your hair up in a messy bun and calling it a day. It’s about taking the time to achieve something that looks easy but feels elevated.
White Lotus, But Make It Hair
Need some inspiration? Look no further than the cast of The White Lotus, who’ve been unintentionally setting the tone for this trend for two seasons straight. One standout example: Aimee Lou Wood, whose soft, grown-out waves and natural texture perfectly embody the “I just spent a month traveling” aesthetic.
The Vacation Hair look is all about embracing natural texture and embracing minimalism. It’s a look that feels effortless but requires subtle technique to achieve.
How to Achieve the Look:
Here are the steps to help you achieve the perfect Vacation Hair:
-
Air styling and soft wave setting: Embrace the natural texture and allow the hair to air-dry or lightly set it for a gentle wave. Our Remix Iron is the perfect addition to this routine. Customize your waves with our interchangeable barrel sizes.
-
Creating movement in one-length hair: With minimal layering, focus on creating soft, bouncy texture throughout the hair, adding subtle bends without using heavy products.
-
Using product minimally but effectively: Less is more with Vacation Hair. Focus on lightweight products that add texture without weighing the hair down.
-
Mastering the illusion of “effortless”: The goal is to make the hair look effortlessly chic—something that requires a skilled stylist who knows when to leave the hair untouched.
To achieve that perfect Vacation Hair texture, the right tools are essential. One of our must-have products for setting the hair and creating soft bends is the Elevate Gold Clips. These clips are ideal for creating that subtle, beachy wave and are gentle enough to not leave any creases behind. They're the perfect tool to help you get that “I’ve just been on vacation” look without the hassle.
Vacation Hair Isn’t Lazy – It’s Luxe
While Vacation Hair may look effortless, it’s anything but lazy. It’s luxe, creative, and all about embracing simplicity with style. This trend is a reminder that sometimes, less structure means more creativity—and that’s what makes it stand out this spring.
