

What’s one thing Black women don’t play about? Their hair. Don’t worry, we have gathered a list of trends you must apply in the next 365.
The following trends prove that 2025 will be just as stylish as the year before, with hair innovation showing no signs of slowing down! From the resurgence of pillow rollers for flawless curls to the transformative benefits of hair botox and spa treatments, these trends highlight a perfect blend of nostalgia and self-care.
Whether you're embracing intricate micro braids or prioritizing healthier locks, this year's hair game is all about versatility and TLC.
1. Hair Botox
Hair botox is giving the girls hair rejuvenation in multiple ways. According to Business Insider, “some Black women use Botox along their hairline to stop sweating and achieve smooth ‘edges.’ One dermatologist said the procedure takes 10 minutes and can cost more than $1,000. Women who underwent the procedure said it positively affected their daily lives.”
Botox injections, consisting of Botulinum toxin, function by obstructing nerve signals that trigger muscle contractions, which can lead to wrinkles. Additionally, the International Hyperhidrosis Society notes that Botox can temporarily hinder the secretion of the chemical responsible for activating sweat glands in the body.
Cherish Brooke Hill even took to the clock app to share that her dad thought she was wearing a wig thanks to the growth provided by her combo of hair botox and Olaplex treatments.
2. Pillow Rollers
As a girl who grew up on the flexi rod, I am so here for the pillow rollers. Soft, heat-free curls are here to stay, thanks to pillow rollers. These cushioned tools are perfect for creating voluminous waves while being gentle on your hair. Expect them to remain a staple for those looking to style their hair effortlessly. And the best thing is that you can snag them from almost anywhere.
Check out Alisha Lashay’s tutorial on how to make it happen.
@alishalashayy Replying to @Jai here’s the tutorial 🫶🏾 #type4naturalhair #pillowrollers #easynaturalhairstyles #naturalhairtutorial #naturalhairstyles #overnightcurls #giftedbycarolsdaughter
3. Copper Tones
Copper tones were undeniably a dominant force in 2024, with a wide spectrum of warm shades proving their versatility by complementing various skin tones. This trend encompassed a range of options, from delicate strawberry blondes to deeper, richer auburns. Given the widespread appeal and adaptability of these warm copper hues, it's highly probable that their popularity will persist and continue to be a sought-after choice throughout 2025.
And if you’re not ready to commit to a full color transformation, try a wig or crochet style. I did it and it was one of my favorite styles of 2024 inspired by Rows by Renee.
4. Gemstone Accessories
Hair accessories adorned with pearls, rhinestones, and other eye-catching embellishments have surged in popularity, becoming essential additions to any look. These versatile accessories effortlessly elevate hairstyles, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication. Whether it's a casual daytime outing or a special evening event, these sparkling barrettes and clips are the perfect finishing touch for 2025 celebrations and beyond. They offer a simple yet impactful way to transform any hairstyle, making them a must-have for fashion-forward individuals.
4. Closure 2.0
Closures kinda get a bad rep for not looking like the scalp but of course, Black women came up with a way to achieve that natural look. The answer: add the closure just behind the hairline.
A lace closure is a great option for maintaining the health of your natural hair while wearing extensions. It is a 2-6 inch wide, ventilated hair base that imitates the scalp and gives full protection to your natural hair. This semi-permanent hairpiece can be sewn, taped, or glued down to provide a realistic hairstyle and natural-looking finish.
According to Yummy Extensions, “A closure behind the hairline is exactly what it sounds like - placing your closure behind your hairline for a more realistic and natural appearance. Having your closure installed behind your hairline allows your natural baby hairs and edges to be left out a little more, showcasing a more seamless blend into your extensions."
6. Micro Braids
Intricate and versatile, micro braids have been a hit on social media and red carpets alike. Expect this protective style to remain a favorite for its adaptability to updos, ponytails, and freestyle looks. As evidenced by Elphaba in Wicked, the micro braid style is still everything.
In an interview with Variety, Cynthia Erivo who portrayed Elphaba said she “wanted something more connected to the person underneath, me.” She continued, “I asked if we could reimagine that hair as micro braids because I knew you’d still have the movement, and you could still have the length, but there was a texture that was slightly different to what you would normally see on stage, and it was a direct connection between me as a Black woman and Elphaba as a green lady."
7. Hair Spa
The search for this new beauty and wellness trend is unreal. +140 percent year-over-year Google search growth and 2.4 billion TikTok views about head spas, +2.2 percent weekly. What is a hair spa you ask? A hair spa treatment at a salon is a deep conditioning process that aims to nourish and rejuvenate the hair and scalp. The process includes steps like scalp massage, applying hair masks, steaming, and sometimes using special serums.
This intensive hair care routine deeply penetrates the hair shaft with nutrients and moisture, improving hair texture, shine, and overall health. It is more intensive than regular shampooing and conditioning.
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Featured image courtesy of Joce Blake
Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
Luxury Hairstylist On Viral 'Hey Boo' Texts & Professionalism In The Hair Industry
As Black women, our hair is our crowning glory - whether we paid for it or not. We take pride in how we wear and take care of our hair. As with everything, hair care and hair styling have evolved over the years. Long gone are the days of Blue Magic (although I hear it’s making a comeback).
Now, we have a plethora of creams, oils, conditioners, shampoos, and stylists to choose from. Beyond wearing our natural curls, we have a range of options, from wigs and sew-ins to tape-ins, I-tips, and K-tips. So much choice! But you know what they say about too much of a good thing...
The Black hair industry has definitely blossomed in the last decade with a wave of new stylists and salons popping up all over the place. As much as I love that for us, many of these stylists have become the subjects of viral TikTok and Instagram tirades because of their alleged questionable behavior and bizarre rules.
Excessive policies, strange fees, long wait times, poor performance, and the infamous “Hey boo” texts. Beauty is pain, they say… xoNecole got to the root of these issues with luxury hair extensionist Dee Michelle, who’s been in the hair game for 20 years and runs a seven-figure business - all while being a mom of four.
Antonio Livingston
“I started my business with my career in the hair industry [at] very, very young age when I was maybe like eight...So, over the years, I've just built a very successful seven-figure business very quickly just by offering high-end services and creating great experiences for my clients, many of whom are high-profile professionals,” she said. “I'm also a mother of four, including a set of triplets, which inspires me daily to show what's possible with my hard work and focus.”
Dee’s business has gone viral on social media because of what many call outrageous prices for her invisible K-Tip installs.
“When I developed my invisible K-tip extensions technique, I made sure that it wasn't just about the hair or the style, but about providing a high-end experience from start to finish. So, my clients just aren't paying for the extensions or just the style itself, but they're investing into my meticulous, seamless craft and premium hair sourced from the best suppliers…I've spent so many hours mastering my craft, creating this seamless method that gives my clients long-lasting natural results, and my pricing just reflects that - the value of my expertise and the exclusivity of the service.”
The K-tip specialist stands on business when it comes to catering to her clients and giving them an experience worth the cost.
“And it's just important for me to also say that my clients are high-profile individuals who value quality, their privacy, and their time. They want a service that fits into their lifestyle and their time. They want things that deliver perfection. And I deliver that every single time.”
I’m sure we’ve all seen the various TikTok rants about people’s nightmare experiences with stylists and uttered a silent “FELT!” We asked Dee her opinion on a few nightmare scenarios that beg the response, “please be so forreal."
On stylists charging extra to wash clients’ hair:
“I think they should just include it in the price, to be honest. Because I feel like when clients go to a stylist, they're expecting you to wash their hair. Personally, if I see that washing is extra, I just wouldn't go to the salon because it just shows a lack of professionalism, in my opinion, and a lack of experience.”
“I think they should just include it in the price, to be honest. Because I feel like when clients go to a stylist, they're expecting you to wash their hair. Personally, if I see that washing is extra, I just wouldn't go to the salon because it just shows a lack of professionalism, in my opinion, and a lack of experience.”
On ‘deposits’ that don’t go towards the cost of the service:
“I think that's kind of weird, too, for deposits to not be like a part of the service. I've seen people have booking fees and I just don't understand it, to be honest. I disagree with that kind of policy…By all means, people should do what works for them, but to me, it doesn't make sense. Why does somebody have to pay a fee just to book an appointment with you? I don't get it. It feels like exploitation.”
On stylists charging extra to style (straighten/curl) wigs, sew-ins etc., after installing:
“I don't get it. Clients come to us to get their hair done, to get it styled. So why is it extra for you to style it? If you're going to charge extra, just increase your price. I feel like it could be just a lack of confidence in those stylists, feeling like people won't pay a certain price for certain things, or just their lack of professionalism as well, because people are coming to us to get styled.”
On the infamous “Hey boo” text stylists send to clients when they need to cancel/reschedule:
“Professionalism in any industry, especially the beauty industry, is everything. So texting a client the, “Hey boo” is so unprofessional, and it's damaging to the client-stylist relationship. Clients book their appointments expecting a level of respect and care, especially when they're investing their time and money and a service. And I get it, emergencies happen, we're all humans. However, it should be done with a formal apology and a clear explanation.”
“Professionalism in any industry, especially the beauty industry, is everything. So texting a client the, “Hey boo” is so unprofessional, and it's damaging to the client-stylist relationship. Clients book their appointments expecting a level of respect and care, especially when they're investing their time and money and a service. And I get it, emergencies happen, we're all humans. However, it should be done with a formal apology and a clear explanation.”
We know all too well what kinds of things will keep us from ever gracing certain hairstylists’ chairs with our butts again. So, what should hairstylists do to provide a good service to their clients? What is good hairstylist etiquette?
“For one, being on time is an important rule for stylist etiquette. It's just not okay to require your clients to be on time, and you're not on time. Also, communication. Being able to communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally, whether that's in person, via text, or on social media. Style is etiquette. Appearance matters. So just maintaining a clean, polished, and professional look. Clients respect you more whenever your appearance reflects your work. There's just so many things, but another thing I would say is active listening. So, being able to pay close attention to what your client wants and also clarifying any questions that they might have. Just to ensure that they feel heard and to minimize any misunderstandings.”
Dee also shared some red flags to look out for when considering a new stylist.
“Even me as a client, if I'm booking somebody and they have a long list of rules, I don't even book with them. That's, for one, just such a huge turn-off. Also, stylists who have inconsistent or unclear pricing, that's a red flag. People who change their rates too much without an explanation. Poor communication. So, if a stylist is responding very slow or responding unprofessionally, or giving vague answers to questions, that can make clients question whether or not they are respecting their time and their needs.
Another red flag - an inconsistent or low quality portfolio. And I feel like, I see this a lot with stylists stealing other people's work, and their portfolio on social media is just very inconsistent.”
We couldn’t let Dee go without getting the tea on what styles she predicts will trend in 2025.
“I feel like people are going back to natural-looking styles. So, a lot of people are ditching the wigs, the lace fronts, things like that. People are still wearing them, of course, but it is becoming more of a trend to embrace your natural hair and something that's not looking too fake. That’s one thing that we're going to be seeing a lot. I would say a lot of layers are coming back, heavy layers. Those are becoming really, really trendy. And people are leaning more towards platinum-colored hair. I've been seeing lots of like blondes coming out. Also, jet black is always going to be a trend. But I would say more like natural colors, but natural colors that are still making a statement.”
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Feature image by Antonio Livingston.
Saweetie On Healing, Self-Discovery, And Why She’s "Dating Her Career" In 2025
Saweetie is stepping into 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose and self and an unwavering commitment to her career. The 31-year-old rapper is the cover star of InStyle’s Spring 2025 music-themed digital issue, where she opens up about her transformative journey to Africa, how she’s embracing divine timing, and why she’s leaving distractions behind as she gears up for the release of her debut album.
While 2021 appeared to be a year of big wins for Saweetie career-wise, the "NANi" artist didn't hide the fact that the year also marked a "traumatic time" for her life as she navigated heartbreak following a very publicized relationship. At the time, shaving her head was her way of starting over.
Recalling her headspace back then, she told InStyle, "I thought life would get better, but girl, life just kept life-ing… Surrendering to God and the universe has actually gotten me places. I used to be a control freak. I used to try to micromanage everything. I think we resort to micromanaging everything because we feel helpless."
In the time since, Saweetie has been deep in her introspection work, embarking on a self-discovery journey to Africa inspired by a DNA test that revealed she had 51 percent African ancestry. What she found as the result of the life-changing trip was not only a professional evolution but a spiritual one as well.
"In Africa, they're all going with the flow, they're not rushed. What I found is [that] when you surrender to divine timing, everything falls into place, rather than trying to force something to happen,” she shared with the publication. “I feel like I found my voice in Africa," she said later.
Saweetie's evolution didn't stop with her voice, in fact, her time abroad allowed her to heal and peel back layers of self-protection she had unconsciously built. She continued, "I think that's why I've been soul-searching because I wanted to have pride in who I am as a woman. Like, where do I come from? What do I believe in? What do I stand for? What do I not stand for? What do I love? What do I not love?
"And because I went through a lot of those emotions in Africa, it helped me pull back so many layers of this wall that I put up…"
Speaking of what she loves and what she doesn't love, Saweetie also gave a glimpse into her romantic life and let it be known her relationship status is "dating her career." While the "Richtivities" Queen has had her fair share of high-profile relationships, she is entering her focused era.
Saweetie shared that in the past, she let herself get "slightly distracted" but she now proudly proclaims that anything in her life that isn't right can go left because it's alignment over everything. "Anything that may be trying to compete with my goals, with my ambitions, with my priorities… I no longer second guess my career and if you can't understand it, then respectfully, get out of my way."
For the full cover story, check out InStyle's Spring 2025 digital issue here.
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Featured image by Getty Images