What if the style that will dominate the upcoming months is neither extravagant nor radical? A soft aesthetic, embraced by celebrities, is quietly making its way into the mainstream.
This spring, a subtle yet irresistible trend is gaining traction in salons, on TikTok, and behind-the-scenes at beauty shoots. It’s not flamboyant or excessively bold. Yet, it captivates.
Just a scroll through Instagram or a visit to the hairdresser reveals that something has shifted. There’s a gentleness to the lines, warmth in the shades, and an unapologetic return to a more tender femininity.
It’s not a revolution, but a way to gently rewrite hair codes. Its name: babydoll hair. A look that effortlessly combines retro charm with modern flair, turning heads not with bells and whistles, but through the softness it exudes.
Babydoll hair: a confident femininity without clichés
It all starts with a simple idea: returning to soft lines, airy volumes, and blended shades that reconcile elegance and carefreeness.
Babydoll hair, popularized by colorist Jacob Schwartz in Los Angeles, revives soft hairstyles with blurred contours, often accompanied by light bangs and natural lengths. It belongs to a more feminine, subtle hair trend that charms with its lack of rigidity.
In terms of color, this trend manifests in “babydoll brunette” shades: warm, nuanced, and deep browns, sometimes enhanced with mocha or hazelnut highlights to add dimension without stark contrast.
The result is soft, delicate, and almost fused with the hair—an effortless way to enhance one’s features without overdoing it.
Who can truly adopt the babydoll hair (and why we’ll all want to)
If this trend has captured attention, it’s no coincidence. The most prominent faces of the moment have brought it to the forefront.
Among them, Zendaya has recently showcased a chocolate lob cut with perfectly defined retro curves during several public appearances, including the Oscars 2024 alongside Tom Holland and on the red carpets for Dune: Part Two.
Other trendsetters like Daisy Edgar-Jones, Eileen Kelly, and Devon Lee Carlson have also been highlighted by colorist Jacob Schwartz as embodying this aesthetic in its “babydoll brunette” version.
From a practical standpoint, this trend also has much to offer. It adapts to a wide spectrum of natural colors: light browns, medium browns, deep browns, and even soft blacks, as long as the highlights remain warm and subtly blended.
This palette easily flatters various skin tones, softens features, and requires minimal maintenance. This style is forgiving of regrowth and embraces natural textures, looking great on long, medium, and short hair.
Babydoll hair and sunny days: how to adopt it for a style that lasts all summer
Babydoll hair isn’t just flattering; it’s also perfectly suited for the arrival of warmer days. Its promise: a warm, soft, and adjustable color that withstands the sun’s effects better than very light blondes or ultra-contrasted shades.
Unlike cold or ashy highlights, the chocolate, mocha, or hazelnut tones in this trend avoid yellow or green hues linked to prolonged sun exposure.
To embrace this style in spring and carry it through summer, it’s recommended to choose a medium or dark brown base enriched with strategically placed golden, copper, or caramel highlights—around the face and on the ends—to capture light without overwhelming.
The end result should be finished with a glossy shine, achieved through a toner or a color gloss.
Another notable advantage: this hair color ages beautifully. it fades gradually without turning problematic, making it an ideal choice for those who don’t want to be tied to salon appointments all summer.
With a suitable maintenance routine, including protective treatments and gentle shampoos for color-treated hair, babydoll hair can maintain its brilliance well into the fall.
Photo credit: Instagram @eileen
