While tousled bedhead gives a distinct “What party were they at last night?” kind of vibe, a slicked-back style, as Lily Allen has here, says they were the guest of honor and paid the whole bar tab. The wet, sleek look practically drips in confidence, says New York City-based hairstylist Devin Toth, who notes that most of 2024’s short hair trends will air on the sleeker style like this.

To achieve it, comb a generous amount of volumizing mousse (Toth likes the Kérastase Mousse Bouffante Hair Mousse) from your roots to your ends, blowdry your hair with a diffuser attachment, and set it in place with a hairspray.

Kérastase Mousse Bouffante Volumizing Hair Mousse

Pixie

The pixie has long been a hair symbol of fearlessness and radical change, both great notes to start any new year on. “Anyone with the right confidence can wear [a pixie],” says New Jersey-based hairstylist Gerard Caruso, who recommends bringing a photo of your favorite pixie with you to the salon that will help clearly illustrate what you want.

If you’re having trouble landing on the perfect pixie, think about your natural texture and work with, not against, it. For instance, “someone with mostly straight hair would benefit from a pixie that is designed to fall flat and collapse, while anyone with super curly hair should choose a pixie that has a more three-dimensional voluminous shape and texture,” says Toth. While you’ll need trims about every six weeks to maintain the shape of the cut, a pixie should be low maintenance to style day-to-day.

The Rixie