Hair is set to go shorter, with choppy bobs and the layers on-trend. While no one style defines a trend, thanks to the speed at which social media showcases new fashion. But for 2023, when it comes to your hairstyle, attitude is everything, says New Zealand's most celebrated hair stylist, the seven-times international hairdresser of the year and six-times New Zealand winner or the title, Danny Pato from d&m hair design in Ponsonby, Auckland. Here he shares his thoughts on the latest looks and what to ask for when you’re in the salon chair.

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Images Instagram of this year’s hottest hair looks.

When searching for new hair looks, Pinterest delivers. Their 2023 predictions include micro makeovers when it comes to hair styling. However, on the cutting floor, who better than to forecast what women want than hairdressing of the year Danny Pato? Read on to discover what he thinks will fly when it comes to gorgeous-looking locks for the year ahead.

If you are looking for a new style this year, the letters C and U dominate. Can you explain these cuts?

It encompasses the alphabet. The U cut is a rounded-out V cut. Think of long hair and the shape it makes falling down your back. While the U shape means your hair is longer in the middle than the sides and can handle many layers. While the C cut is face-framing layers curving around the face in a big C shape. It’s a reinvention of The Rachel from Friends in the 90s, but softer and bouncier. This cut suits nearly everyone.

The short, chic French bob is back; who can wear this look?

I love the French bob so much. Pretty much all hair textures suit a cheekbone-length French bob. But when it comes to face shapes, oval and pear shapes faces suit it best. Rectangle face shapes also suit it with a shorter fringe. Anyone with a round or heart-shaped face suits something a bit longer, like a lob. And when it comes to DIY styling, it’s best worn tousled, prepping with a product like Davines Texturising Serum, twisting the hair in sections and letting it air dry, or using a diffuser. Then shake the hair out with your fingers.

“I love a shag or wolf cut for low-maintenance, cool and edgy. But I’m still adoring the French bob. It’s so elegant, chic and sexy.”

— Celebrated stylist, Danny Pato.

the butterfly, shag, and wolf cut require layering; why are people still so resistant to layers, and how are they beneficial to these hair shapes?

Layers can bring your hairstyle and colour to life. They give instant volume and bounce, enhance natural texture, take the weight out of thick hair and generally make hair easier to style. However, people are resistant and worried layers remove the overall length (which they don’t). You can style layers any way you please – it depends on your texture, cut and sense of style. If you’ve got a shag or wolf cut, you enhance texture by prepping damp hair with Davines Sea Salt Spray, rough or air drying, and then finishing with Davines Dry Texturiser spray to create pieces that give texture, volume and hold. As far as a butterfly cut goes, I prep with Davines Blow Dry Primer, blow dried, using a round brush, and finish with Davines OI Oil for shine.

So, who should never layer their hair?

Anyone who will not commit to regular haircuts, but there are layers for those who can’t. As always, it’s about face shape, hair texture, hair length, hair health, personal style, and lifestyle. Too many layers can make hair look finer and wispy for people with fine hair. Stylists will take a subtle approach with fine hair. People with thick hair who get too many layers can end up with OTT volume, so stylists will be careful to avoid this.

What are your clients asking for to kick off 2023?

The butterfly cut, (a heavily layered and feathered, cut with shorter layers on top of the head and through the crown. These shorter layers resemble butterfly wings, hence the name), bobs and the shags. They are all the rage with our clients and team at d&m hair design this year.