Grace Jones's hi-top fade, Brigitte Bardot's beehive, Jane Birkin's fringe — over the decades, we've witnessed a slew of earth-shattering 'dos. But this year, there's one in particular we've seen resurrected time and time again on everyone from Taylor Swift to models on the runway and girls on the street. What is this hairstyle, you ask? Debbie Harry's platinum shag.
"This is the 'rules are made to be broken look,'" hairstylist Matt Fugate says of the punk-rock cut. "It's a mid-length shattered shag that's tousled with reckless abandon." We couldn't have put it better ourselves — the effortlessness of the Blondie front-runner's style is unparalleled, so it comes as no surprise that everyone wants this cut and color.
But why now? Fugate believes we're slowly moving away from the age of polished hair. "I think due to the flood of blowout bars, the perfectly coiffed hair isn't so sought after," he says. "Now it's about going against the grain."
But the very best part of Harry's look is that basically anyone can rock it. "The shape and looseness is flattering to lots of women," says hairstylist Ryan Trygstad. "It gives length to the neck and helps women get volume."
Even Harry's icy-blonde color can be sported by basically any hair type, face shape, and skin tone — you just need to have the confidence to rock this daring shade, says professional colorist Lucille Javier. "My best advice is to be honest with your professional so they can better help you and your hair," she says. Make sure to fess up to any previous hair color (even that quickie box-dye job you did last year in a pinch) that could possibly derail your ideal platinum.
Need some visual inspo? We've rounded up a handful of images of Harry herself, along with a few shots of celebrities who have adopted a Harry-inspired crop in the slides ahead. The best part? Each slide has tips on how to style, manage, and maintain the cut.
If you're set on a Blondie-inspired 'do, Trygstad recommends asking for a textured bob that can be worn wavy or straight. If you have a shorter neck or a less pronounced jaw, opt for a lob-length rather than a shoulder-grazing style.
Photo: Maureen Donaldson/Getty Images.
For those of you with blonde ambition, Javier emphasizes that the look requires time and dedication. "It's not a hair trend for the lazy; it takes energy to maintain a healthy blonde," she says. But don't worry, we've laid out exactly how to maintain your color right here.
Photo: Michael Putland/Getty Images.
Taylor Swift rocked a platinum-blonde shag at this year's Met Gala. Although the color didn't last long, the shade was a daring success for Swift.
Photo: James Devaney/GC Images.
Taylor Momsen is known for her layered, ice-blonde locks. According to Fugate, all you need to achieve this level of "reckless abandon" is a blowdryer and an A+ blowdry cream (Kérastase Ciment Thermique is his favorite). When your hair is wet, use your hands to flip your strands in alternative directions while blasting it with hot hair. Once it's dry, zhuzh with a little volumizing texture spray (he recommends Serge Normand Dream Big) and voilà, you've got an artfully undone look.
Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images.
In May, Emma Stone (a natural blonde) debuted a platinum shag. As much as we love the actress's signature red, we're happy to see her return to her roots.
Photo: Splash News.
For those of you who shy away from the super-messy look, Jennifer Lawrence's ice-blonde lob is a good way to go. You'll still be able to capitalize on that beachy Blondie texture, but with a bit more control.
Photo: Andrew Lipovsky/NBC.
You don't have to sit ears-high in bleach for four hours to get this look. Honey-blonde highlights like Zendaya's do wonders to enhance the movement and dimension of the cut.
Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Or make like model Mica Arganaraz and just go for a monochromatic shag. In between cuts, Fugate suggests breaking the rules. "Every so often, twist some of your hair in your fingers and cut it yourself," he says. "The initial haircut should last a while, so you can be free to do what you want with it until you're ready for your next big cut."
Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images.
The shag isn't just a shoulder-length style — take a look at model Freja Beha Erichsen's collarbone-grazing version.
Photo: Darren Gerrish/WireImage.
Alexa Chung is a texture pioneer. According to Trygstad, her version can be worn wavy or super-straight. Just be sure to mess your locks up after styling to add even more texture and movement (he loves using Oribe's Dry Texture Spray and Oribe's Après Beach spray).
Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images.
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