If you’ve spent even five minutes on social media this year, you’ve probably stumbled upon at least one hair trend promising magical transformations—think glassy locks overnight, rice water miracles, or some potion brewed from ten different oils in a mason jar. Welcome to 2025, where TikTok trends spread faster than we can say “deep conditioning mask.”
But let’s be honest—not everything viral is worth trying. After writing about beauty and hair care for over a decade, and experimenting (sometimes too eagerly) on my own stressed-out strands, I’ve learned one thing: trends come and go, but your hair’s health is here to stay.
So let’s unpack what’s trending in 2025, what actually works, and what might be better left on the explore page.
1. Hair Cycling – The New “Skin Cycling” for Your Scalp
The Trend: Much like the skincare trend, hair cycling involves rotating your hair products—shampoo, conditioner, masks, scalp treatments—based on your hair’s current needs. Some women use a clarifying shampoo one wash, a bond-repairing treatment the next, and then a moisture-heavy mask to finish the cycle.
My Take: I love this concept. I’ve been doing this intuitively for years—swapping between my clarifying shampoo and a nourishing one when my roots felt greasy or my ends dry. The only difference now is that we’ve put a fancy name on it.
What Works: Paying attention to your hair’s mood. One-size-fits-all routines are outdated. If you’re washing your hair like a robot, maybe it’s time to listen to what your strands are trying to tell you.
What to Avoid: Overdoing it. You don’t need five different shampoos. Choose wisely and keep it simple.
2. Rosemary Oil Everything
The Trend: Rosemary oil has exploded across every hair care aisle and DIY corner of the internet. Promoted for its scalp-stimulating, hair-growth-boosting properties, it’s the new coconut oil—but trendier.
My Take: I jumped on this train late last year, mixing a few drops into my scalp oil blend once a week. After three months? My baby hairs started sprouting like little rebellious curls at my hairline. Not dramatic, not miracle-level—but real.
What Works: Consistency. Don’t expect overnight results. Pair rosemary oil with gentle scalp massages (bonus: it feels amazing).
What to Avoid: Applying it straight from the bottle. Always dilute it in a carrier oil. I learned this the hard way—cue itchy, slightly angry scalp for two days. Oops.
3. Hair Slugging – Overnight Oil Soaking
The Trend: Inspired by Korean skincare, hair slugging is all about wrapping your hair in oils and sleeping in a protective covering overnight. Think silk wraps and heavy-duty hydration.
My Take: I wanted to love this one. I really did. But I have fine hair, and waking up with strands that felt more like limp noodles than silky goddess waves wasn’t exactly the dream.
What Works: A lighter version. If you have thicker, coarser hair, this might be gold. For the rest of us? Try applying a small amount of hair serum or leave-in conditioner, braid loosely, and wrap in silk before bed.
What to Avoid: Coconut oil overload. It’s not for everyone and can actually cause breakage in certain hair types (been there, done that, regretted it).
4. Scalp-Care Becomes Self-Care
The Trend: Scalp facials, micro-needling tools, detoxifying scrubs—2025 has officially crowned the scalp as the new skincare frontier.
My Take: Honestly? About time. I spent years slathering my face in hyaluronic acid and ignoring the literal skin on my head. Giving my scalp some TLC made a noticeable difference—not just in hair growth, but in how clean and balanced my hair felt between washes.
What Works: Gentle exfoliation once a week, using scalp massagers or a soft-bristled brush. Think of it as brushing your skin—stimulates blood flow and removes buildup.
What to Avoid: Harsh scrubs with large particles. Your scalp is delicate, not a cast-iron pan.
5. The No-Wash Challenge (Aka, How Long Can You Go?)
The Trend: Influencers are now pushing the “don’t wash your hair for 14 days” idea, claiming that it resets scalp oil production and leads to healthier hair.
My Take: I tried this. Twice. On day six, I looked like I was wearing a helmet made of grease and dry shampoo dust. No, thank you.
What Works: Finding your own rhythm. If your scalp is oily, wash more often. If your hair is dry, stretch it out a bit. There’s no magic number.
What to Avoid: Peer pressure via trending hashtags. You know your hair better than TikTok does.
Final Thoughts: Trends Are Fun, But Your Hair Is Unique
Look, I’m not here to tell you to avoid every trend. Half the fun of beauty is trying new things, playing around, and yes—even making mistakes. I’ve ruined my hair more times than I’d like to admit in the name of content (bless the invention of bond-repairing masks).
But through trial and error, I’ve learned that the best hair care routine is the one that works for your hair, not what’s trending on your feed.
So, whether you’re massaging rosemary oil into your scalp while binge-watching your favorite drama or experimenting with wash-day cycling like a low-key scientist, make sure it feels good for you.
Because in 2025, hair care isn’t just about shine and growth—it’s about self-expression, self-care, and giving your hair the same attention you give your skin or your inbox.
And if all else fails? A messy bun and dry shampoo are still undefeated.
Have you tried any of these trends? Share your hair wins—or fails—in the comments. We’re all in this (tangled) journey together. 💁♀️
