One thing many of us don’t often consider is how deeply connected hair is to the larger cultural and societal story. Hair and beauty trends say so much about who we are and what’s happening around us—and I find that fascinating. I often joke with some of you that if I weren’t a hairstylist, I’d be a sociologist. (It’s true!) Because when you really look at it, hair history reflects human history.

Take the 1980s, for example: big hair, bigger parties, and enough Aqua Net to fill the stratosphere. Life was loud, bold, and full of movement—even though the decade was marked by major economic recession. Funny how that works, right? During hard times, self-expression often becomes more extravagant.

Then came the ’90s—grunge, rebellion, and my personal favorite trend: dark vampy lips and those perfectly imperfect boy cuts made famous by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Leo DiCaprio (cue early-teen Amanda swooning).

As we rolled into the early 2000s, money was flowing again and so was the hair color—chunky highlights, bold contrast, red-on-blonde drama. The look was loud and confident, right up until the economy crashed. I’ll never forget the day that stimulus check from the president landed in my mailbox. Overnight, everything changed—spending slowed, priorities shifted, and so did our hair habits.

Out of that time came the ombre—a natural, low-maintenance look that allowed months between salon visits. From there, balayage and freehand painting evolved, offering soft, dimensional color that was both beautiful and budget-conscious. Art met practicality—and the industry transformed.

Fast-forward to today. If you think about where we are economically, culturally, and emotionally—it’s clear that our trends once again reflect the times. (I’ll let you draw your own conclusions on what that means!)

At the end of it all, trends are fleeting. The real trend is confidence—the moment you look in the mirror and feel good about what you see.

I’ll be sharing some current hair color and haircut inspiration photos here soon—and I hope to see you in the chair before too long.

Until then, keep shining and growing right along with your hair.
💛 — Amanda, Fresh Coast Hair Co.