The year 2025 has brought a fresh wave of trends to the beauty and hair industry, and Chicago is one of the cities leading the charge. With its mix of modern fashion, professional lifestyles, and diverse communities, it’s no surprise that many of the best salons in Chicago are seeing clear patterns in what clients are requesting this year. From low-maintenance cuts to bold color expressions, 2025 is all about personality, ease, and texture.

At Styled by Jamie Kinch, Jamie brings her Indianapolis expertise to Chicago for four consecutive days each month, and during those busy days, her chair fills with clients eager to try the latest looks. Drawing from Jamie’s insights and what many consider the best hair salons in Chicago are doing, here’s a breakdown of the most requested hairstyles this year.

1. Lived-In Layers for Every Hair Length

Lived-in layers continue to dominate the request list. Unlike the heavily textured cuts of past years, 2025 is seeing softer, more blended layers that add movement without dramatic removals of weight.

Why Chicago clients love it:

• Works in all seasons (including humidity shifts)
• Adds shape without high styling demands
• Grows out beautifully
• Customisable for both fine and thick hair

At Styled by Jamie Kinch, Jamie personalises lived-in layers to suit each client’s natural hair behaviour and daily routine – a big reason her Chicago clients trust her even though she’s only in the city a few days per month.

2. Modern Bobs With Soft Textur

Bobs never go out of style, but 2025 is seeing a softer take:

• Jawline bobs
• French-inspired chin bobs
• Blunt bobs with slight internal texture

Many of the best salons in Chicago say clients want a bob that feels polished but not rigid. Easy to air dry yet sleek when needed.

What makes this trend so popular:

• Works beautifully on straight and wavy textures
• Looks intentional even as it grows
• Compliments face shapes with custom adjustments
• Pairs well with natural or enhanced color

Jamie’s clients love that she shapes bobs to accommodate natural texture, avoiding the boxy or bulky look that many struggle with.

3. Rooty, Low-Maintenance Blonding

As much as blonde will always be a favourite, 2025 is leaning into natural roots, soft diffusion, and seamless blends. Think:

• Lived-in foils
• Shadow roots
• Subtle brightness around the face
• Less noticeable grow-out

This trend is increasingly requested at the best hair salons in Chicago because clients want to reduce salon visits without sacrificing brightness.

Jamie’s training under Mario Tricoci plays a major role here — she understands how to create dimension that grows naturally and maintains the integrity of the hair.

4. Curl Enhancing Cuts for Natural Texture

Chicago has a massive community embracing their natural curls and waves. And in 2025, curl-specific cuts are one of the top requested services in the city.

The trend focuses on:

• Removing bulk without creating frizz
• Enhancing the curl pattern
• Shaping the face
• Creating movement while keeping hydration in mind

Many of the best hair salons in Chicago offer curl-focused services, but what sets Jamie apart is her careful attention to curl behaviour and her ability to create shapes that last over time — especially for clients who prefer low-maintenance styling.

5. Warm Brunette Tones Return

Cool-toned brunettes have been everywhere for the last few years, but 2025 is seeing a major shift toward warmth:

• Caramel blends
• Honey-brown ribbons
• Chocolate brunettes
• Soft golden lowlights

Clients are asking for tones that reflect more light and add richness — a trend influenced by the growing desire for healthy, glossy, natural-looking color.

At Styled by Jamie Kinch, warm brunettes are especially popular among clients seeking depth without committing to a full blonding routine.

6. Soft Curtain Bangs and ’90s Fringe

Fringe remains one of the most requested add-ons for haircuts in 2025.

Popular choices include:

• Gentle curtain bangs
• Wispy ’90s-inspired fringe
• Soft face-framing layers
• Longer, cheekbone-grazing pieces

These looks are flattering across a wide range of face shapes and pair well with both long layers and shorter cuts. Many Chicago clients request fringe because it’s a simple way to refresh their look without drastically altering length.

7. Glossing and Toner Refreshes

Glosses have become essential maintenance for most color clients in Chicago. This trend is driven by the desire for shine, tone correction, and quick refreshes that don’t require a full blonding or color appointment.

Common requests include:

• Neutralising brassiness
• Enhancing warm tones
• Deepening brunette tones
• Adding shine to natural hair

Glosses are quick, affordable, and extend the life of color which is why they’re offered in nearly every one of the best salons in Chicago, including Jamie’s.

8. Healthy Hair Is the Biggest Trend of All

While the styles themselves are popular, one thing stands out as the biggest trend of 2025: hair health.

Clients across Chicago are choosing styles and colors that are:

• Sustainable long-term
• Lower maintenance
• Less damaging
• Easier to manage at home

This shift means more people are focusing on:

• Hydration treatments
• Bond-building products
• Scalp care
• Realistic color plans

Jamie integrates hair health into every conversation because she wants clients to love their hair not just when they leave the salon, but every day after.

Why Chicago Clients Choose Jamie Over Other Salons

Even though Jamie only visits her Chicago location once a month for four consecutive days, clients consistently book ahead and stay loyal — and there are a few reasons for that:

• She provides personalised, honest guidance
• Her color and cut work grows out beautifully
• She respects the client’s lifestyle and routine
• There’s no pressure or upselling
• Her boutique-style approach feels warm and comfortable
• She focuses on healthy, realistic, long-term results

Her Chicago clients often describe her as someone who listens, understands their goals, and delivers consistent results every visit. Qualities they say set her apart from many larger, high-volume salons.

The Bottom Line: 2025 Is All About Effortless Style

The trends dominating Chicago salons this year share a common theme: effortless beauty.

Whether it’s soft layers, natural blonding, curl-focused cuts, or rich brunette tones, clients want styles that feel like them — easy, authentic, and flattering.

And with the expertise Jamie brings from Indianapolis and her ongoing monthly visits to Chicago, it’s no surprise that many clients consider Styled by Jamie Kinch among the best salons in Chicago and one of the best hair salons in Chicago for modern, customised hairstyles.