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Top Knot 2.0 To OTT Hair Clips - The Only 6 Hair Trends You Need To Try This Autumn

Beehives are back and emo fringes are in.

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AW18 Hair Trendspinterest
Getty/Imaxtree/Rex

Whether it's elaborate embellished updos, an 80s perm revival or the fash crowd's go-to 'I woke up like this' hair, fashion month is always our go-to for hair inspiration that may or, possibly more realistically, may not work in real life.

If outrageous wigs aren't your thing, and you don't have hours to spare to construct a seriously complex updo, then you're in luck. We've rounded up the six essential AW18 hair trends direct from fashion week that you can actually wear this Autumn. And you don't even need a YouTube tutorial to nail it.

Whether 1960s Bollywood beehives, post-swimming pool plaits or how to work OTT hair clips, these are the easy hair updates you can totally achieve.

Still fancy some expert guidance? We quizzed backstage hair pro and Color Wow Artistic Director Patrick Wilson on how to get the look and the one essential hair product you need to make it work IRL.

Read on for your next go-to hair do...

1. Top Knot 2.0

AW18 Hair Trends
Getty/Rex/Imaxtree

Show To Note: Chanel, Sportmax, Prabal Gurung, Stella Jean

The messy bun is officially back. Hot on the heels of the Markle effect, undone, laissez-faire top knots and buns are big news for AW18. Whether bundled on top a la Chanel, half pulled through at Sportmax, or finished with a noughties style zig zag hairband at Prabal Gurung, the effort-free updo is having a moment.

'Things have moved on from the super low bun and they're moving up to a higher top knot style - it's having a massive resurgence for Autumn.

'Position is important. Keep things flattering by placing your top knot on the crown of your head. Simply find the top of your cheekbone and follow the line back.'

The One Product You Need...

Bungee Hair Ties
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Kitsch Pro Bungee Elastics - £7.74 for 6

Turns out, backstage hair pros don't actually use hair ties. In fact, hat elastic is their go-to for securing an updo. Make your life easier by using a bunjee hair tie instead - you'll get that pro finish without the faff.

'Start with a neat bun or top knot, secure it with a bunjee tie, then pull it apart for that deliberately messy look.'

2. Effortless (But Not Really)

AW18 Hair Trends
Getty/Rex/Imaxtree

Shows To Note: Balmain, Emporio Armani, Preen By Thornton Bregazzi, Blumarine

The no make-up make-up of the hair world, 'undone' hair is a staple backstage at every fashion week. AW18's update? Looking effortlessly polished - think 'I woke up like this' but with a glossy, healthy finish that actually took quite a lot of effort.

'This type of hair works for every woman, the key is to work with the texture you've got. It's about making you the better version of yourself, rather than adding or taking away.'

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The One Product You Need...

& other stories texturising spray
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& Other Stories Fullness Texturising Spray - £12

'Prep your hair with texturising spray to give an easy breezy natural-looking texture and to add lift. If your hair is naturally poker straight, use a large tong to fake loose bends and movement.

Finish by using a tail comb to create a sharp off-centre parting.'

3. The New Emo Fringe

AW18 Hair Trends
Getty/Rex/Imaxtree

Shows To Note: Sacai, Adam Selman, Marco De Vincenzo, Guy Laroche

We never thought we'd see the day when our 15-year-old 'Panic At The Disco' emo fringe would make a comeback, but here we are. Extreme, windswept fringes covered models' faces everywhere from Sacai to Adam Selman, proving the hair wild card of fashion week.

'Pulling hair across your face can look a little severe, there's a reason we moved away from this look! Instead, make it more wearable by going for a fluffier texture that feels more modern and romantic.'

The One Product You Need

Living Proof Root Lift Spray
.

Living Proof Full Root Lifting Spray - £23

'Keep things looking AW18 rather than emo by only pulling forward a small section of hair from your hairline, rather than from the crown. Blowdry some root lifting spray into your hair to give volume and stop it laying super flat on your face.

'Use a large barrelled tong to bend the ends of the fringe away from your face for a more flattering 'wing' effect.'

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4. Bigger Is Better Beehives

AW18 Hair Trends
Getty/Rex/Imaxtree

Shows To Note: Ashish, Miu Miu, Thom Browne, Badgley Mischka

Between 1920s finger waves at Erdem and 70s disco crimped ponies at Halpern, it seemed like almost every show had gone for a retro hair throwback. But the decade that took AW18 truly by storm was the swinging sixties. Yup, the beehive is back.

Bopping their way down the runway at Ashish and Miu Miu, bigger is better beehives have made an unexpected return to our updo arsenal.

'The way to wear it without looking retro is to think Brigitte Bardot. Leave soft tendrils of loose hair around your face for a less severe way to wear a beehive.'

The One Product You Need...

U Hair Pins
.

Pack of 36 U Pins - £1.65

Similar to the humble kirby grip but so much more, U pins (or bun pins) are the backstage secret to keeping an updo in place and being able to re-pin sections without undoing all your hard work in the process.

'Prep your hair with mousse to give it guts, then blowdry in the direction that you want it to fall, in this case, away from your face.

Back comb at the roots starting two inches from your hairline to build height, then smooth over the top. Fix in place with a U pin - it's less commitment than kirby grips and lets you change any placement you're not happy with.'

5. Hair Clips With Everything

AW18 Hair Trends
Getty/Rex/Imaxtree

Shows To Note: Max Mara, Ashish, Zadig & Voltaire, Simone Rocha

The easiest way to make regular daytime hair way more fun (and fashun) with minimum effort, hair clips are a staple for AW18.

From feathers and butterfly clips, to diamanté barrettes and bows, hair clips are the most legit way to wear all the shinies and still qualify as a sophisticated adult.

'At Max Mara we took monogram 'M' brooches and pinned them into the back of models' hair. The key to making it chic is to consider how the hairstyle will work with the hair clip, rather than throwing it on randomly at the last minute.'

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The One Product You Need...

Gucci  Hair Slide
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Gucci Crystal Hair Slide - £315

'If you're going for a large hair clip, then prepping your hair first is key, otherwise it'll just slide out. Luckily, a prim barrette looks even better with messy, textured hair. Use a sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner to reduce slip, then a texture spray to add grip.

Alternatively, just don't wash your hair. Hair clips are the easiest way to dress up second day dirty hair.'

6. Post-Pool Plaits

AW18 Hair Trends
Getty/Rex/Imaxtree

Shows To Note: Alexander McQueen, Jil Sander, Adam Selman, Roberta Einer

Braids turn up every season, but this time it's all about taking the classic school girl plait and giving it a post-pool slick-over.

Keep things up to date with a seriously neat, wet look single plait. Extra points for comb marks.

The One Product You Need...

Colorwow Pop And Lock
.

Color Wow Pop & Lock Gloss Treatment - £18

'Creating a wet look is all about building up the product. Shortcut the process by starting with damp and working an oil-based gel or serum through the lengths.

'Avoid the old school gel at all costs - it'll dry crispy and solid which feels so old fashioned. Although the plait is neat, we still want a bit of movement and any flyaway hairs just add to the look.'

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