These 6 Filipino Hairstylists Share the Next Wave of Hair Trends to Watch

There’s a certain trust that comes with sitting in a salon chair. More often than not, we arrive with a phone in hand, a saved photo for inspiration, and the hope that our hairstylist can bring the look to life.

Whether it’s simply zuzh-ing them up, snipping layers to perfection, dyeing the strands to a different hue, or styling it for a special occasion, great hair is often the result of professional expertise.

But trends move faster than our hair grows—or even faster than we can master a new styling technique. So to find out what’s next, we went straight to the experts.

At the opening night of the first Allure Beauty Lab, where the highly anticipated Volume 4 print issue officially launched with global girl group Katseye as its cover stars, we spoke to some of the country’s leading professional and celebrity hairstylists—Paul Nebres, Suyen Salazar, JA Feliciano, Aica Latay, Matt Ledesma, and Cats Del Rosario—to uncover the biggest hair trends poised to take over, as well as their insights on the future of hair care.

Read on to discover the hairstyles they believe clients will soon be requesting in salons everywhere, along with their thoughts on how magazines like Allure Philippines continue to inspire both hairstylists and the beauty industry at large.

Paul Nebres

Excel Panlaque

What do you think is the next big thing when it comes to hair?

I feel like because blowouts are now a thing. I feel like we’re going back to bob [cuts], but with volume. Something ’80s. We all love volume.

What was your first reaction to our Volume 4 print covers?

I love everything. I’m requesting Sofia. She’s my bias, so I asked one of your girlies, “Can I have the Sofia cover?” I love the cover. The polka dots on their lips. I super love it.

Suyen Salazar

Excel Panlaque

What hairstyle, hair color, or technique do you think will be the next big trend? 

Everything is making a full circle. It’s coming back full circle. So, for me, I think ombré [hair color] is coming back. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen ombré [hair color] .

What do you think will be the next major shift in hair care?

I think women now, or men, are a bit more conscious of how they handle their hair health. So, there are a lot of scalp treatments and a lot more focus on taking care of your scalp. People didn’t mind it so much before, but now there’s a big emphasis on scalp treatments.

What was your first reaction to our Volume 4 print covers?

I was like, “Whoa, how can you make polka dot lipsticks so chic?” I loved it. Not only that, but it’s really nice to see a girl group, especially with one Filipina in it, represent the Philippines.

JA Feliciano

Excel Panlaque

As a hairstylist, what do you want to see more next in hairstyles?

I want to see more people embracing their natural [hair texture]. As in, they’re embracing their own [hair texture.]

What role does a magazine like Allure Philippines play in your life as a hairstylist? 

I use [magazines] to look for inspiration and to be up-to-date with beauty [and hair] trends.

Aica Latay

Excel Panlaque

As a hairstylist, what do you think is the next big thing on hair?

I think nakikita ko ngayon more baby hairs. Napappreciate na natin yung baby hairs.

How about for hair care? What do you think is next for hair care? 

I think because I’m [also] curly. So, people are [having more options] to curly girl products. I’m using [more] curly girl-friendly products [too], like Cantu. 

Matt Ledesma

Excel Panlaque

What are your thoughts on our Volume 4 print covers?

Oh my God. It was a blast because, other than me having [my] work [inside this volume], it’s really great. It’s like feminine energy, but at the same time, pak go, let’s do this, work.

What do you think is the next big trend in hairstyles?

Honestly, since here in the Philippines, we’re so crazy about straight hair, why not embrace your natural hair [texture]? Because the trend with makeup now has been the no-makeup look for a long time. So why not do hair that’s more natural, more seamless, more effortless?

What hair care trends do you think will take over next?

I’m a big fan of leave-in conditioners and hair oil. Lather them together and put them on your hair.

What role do magazines like Allure Philippines  play in your life as a hairstylist? 

As a contributor, magazines have really helped me grow in my career. What I love about Allure [Philippines] is that they’re very supportive of their contributors, such as how you interview me after a shoot and how you’re interviewing me right now. That’s why I love Allure [Philippines], because you take care of your creatives so much.

Cats Del Rosario

Mikiyo Ricamora

What hair care routine do you do that you think more people should know about?

Personally, I use a lot of products. But I don’t use and drench too much of the hair [with products] because it weighs down [the hair]. And then when people put way too much product, and then they question “Why it isn’t staying?” or “Why isn’t it curling?” It’s because it’s way too much. Sometimes, you really have to edit and hold back.

What are the most sought-after styles or hairstyles that are being asked from you by your clients? 

I get more excited when a client gives me a hair peg that’s quite different and experimental. So when they come up with different looks, that’s when I get excited because it’s creative. You know, let’s mix it up a bit.

What kind of experimental looks do you think will go big? 

The one that I just saw with Zendaya. Have you seen her big hair? It’s like a twisted braid, but super long. But it’s messy, pulled from one side, but it’s not really a full braid. I loved it.

The next chapter of hair care

You’ve heard it from the hair experts: the future of hair is all about embracing your natural texture, taking more creative risks, and having fun with your look. Because while hair has always been personal, what’s next is set to be even more exciting for everyone.