Time really is a flat circle when it comes to trends. And with the trend cycle tending to move in increments of roughly 20 years, we might not be far away from another decade-based vibe shift. After all, as much as it might pain us to admit it, 2030 isn’t all that far away.

Lest we forget, the side parting is already back, and that got us thinking about all the hair trends we used to obsess over in those heady dip-dye days. 

Trends are notoriously recycled (just look how the 90s pixie crop made a comeback earlier this year), so it shouldn’t be a surprise that some noticeable Y2K trends may be back on our radars soon.

Hairstylist, colourist and curl-and-coil expert Nicola Harrowell, who’s represented by Premier Hair & Make-up, tells Stylist: “It’s interesting to be around for trends the second time around. I remember my mother telling me, ‘I used to dress just like you when I was younger,’ and thinking that was absurd!”

These are the 2010s hair trends that could be looming in our future…

Sidecuts and undercuts

So many cool girls reached for the clippers during the 2010s to flirt with a buzz cut – albeit without leaving all their locks on the bathroom floor.

Harrowell says: “I think the undercut could make a comeback as things get more grungy after this Y2K phase passes. I love an undercut, and hopefully we’ll see some new angles and placements this time.”

Hair tinsel 

Anora is the most talked-about film of the year so far. Our highlight? It’s given hair tinsel a much-needed resurgence. Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve wanted to reach for sparkly hair extensions. Beyoncé famously styled some chic tinsel on the Grammy’s red carpet in 2010. 

The graduated bob

Arguably one of the most iconic haircuts of the decade, the graduated bob is well and truly back. The ’do was Victoria Beckham’s signature hairstyle in the 00s and was spotted on everyone from Katy Perry to Keira Knightley. 

Unlike the blunt bobs we’ve been surrounded by lately, such as the bottleneck or the one-length oval bob, this trend was all about soft layers that create volume at the roots, which gradually get longer towards the front, giving it that voluminous shape.

Bold dip-dye

Balayage and ombré highlights never really fell out of style, but the brightly coloured, high-contrast hairdos of the 2010s had a very specific vibe.

Harrowell says: “Fun colours have come a long way, with brands like Curlsmith doing great wash-off shades. I’m hoping, if dip-dye comes back, that it will be done with a lot less damage this time around.”

The bright bob

There’s no denying that bobs have been the leading hair trend of the last few years, but let’s face it, they’re not new. Think back to some notable crops on the likes of Hayley Williams and Rihanna in the early 2010s that made a very specific, colourful statement.

“Bobs are making a statement ahead of summer,” says Harrowell, adding that she suspects they’ll start to become “super-sharp and structured”.

Thinking beyond the trends…

But Harrowell also points out that, even though we might look to the past for inspiration, what people really want these days are looks that work for their unique hair types and curl patterns.

She explains: “I think people are also coming to terms with working out what might be best for them within the trends, instead of solely what is in fashion. The curly people are curly and the straight people are slick and structured, which always looks better to me as it feels natural.”

Images: Getty