Schwarzkopf Professional unveiled the latest global hair trends at the Essential Looks 2024 India Edition. Held at the Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai, this event showcased key trends in hair inspired by international fashion and lifestyle.
Essential Looks serve as an educational tool, curating the latest movements in hair and fashion. The event highlighted trends, looks, and techniques that will shape the coming months. This year’s edition saw attendance from leading salon chains such as Looks Salon, Tony and Guy, Headmasters, BBlunt, Page 3, Straight Salon, Lakme, and YLG. Top hair stylists, beauty influencers, and industry insiders celebrated cutting-edge innovation and style. The glamorous showstopper for the event was Mira Kapoor.
The event began with a welcome note from Kartik Kaushik, Country Head, Henkel Consumer Brands India and South Asia. This was followed by the unveiling of a global film highlighting international trends, with a special focus on Indian aesthetics through an India-edition mood film.
The show presented the latest collection featuring three standout trends: The Optimists, New Realities, and Daring Crowd.
The Optimists trend, inspired by hope and creativity, features versatile, genderless cuts with nostalgic colours. It includes the easy-to-maintain Lived-In Blonde trend. New Realities embraces bold, experimental looks with sharp cuts and neon, electric, and metallic tones. The Daring Crowd pushes boundaries with statement hairstyles, unconventional silhouettes, and textured curls, waves, and braids.
For this edition, Schwarzkopf Professional partnered with renowned industry talents Ryan D’Rozario, Deepak Jalhan, and Vaisakhi Haria from the Hair Artists Kollektiv. These creators brought their unique skills to re-create these trends, aligning them with local sensibilities.
The Optimists
Vaisakhi Haria worked on The Optimists, focusing on versatile, gender-neutral cuts with playful colours. “I’m always excited for Schwarzkopf Professional’s Essential Looks and the hair trends it brings for the year. The trend I worked on, the Optimists, embodies a spirit of hope and creativity with versatile, gender-neutral cuts and a touch of fun in the colours. I drew inspiration from the global looks to create looks that suit Indian hair textures and sensibilities while staying true to the trend. I can’t wait to see how these styles are translated by hairdressers over the next few months.” Haria said
The Daring Crowd
Deepak Jalhan focused on Daring Crowd, celebrating individuality with fashionable, easy-to-manage looks. “Essential Looks by Schwarzkopf Professional is such a fantastic platform for experimentation! The trend I worked on, Daring Crowd, is ideal for today’s era. Seeing how Gen Z loves to express their true selves and stand out, I wanted this trend to really work for Indian hair textures. So, I created a look that’s not just super fashionable but also easy to manage. It’s all about celebrating the beauty of curly hair while giving you tons of styling options to make a bold statement.” Jalhan explained.
The New Realities
Ryan D’Rozario explored New Realities, blending digital vibrancy with physical style. “Schwarzkopf Professional’s Essential Looks is an incredible platform for exploring top global trends, and many of these trends are timeless! Presently, I focused on New Realities, a trend that resonates deeply with today’s generation by blending the vibrancy and creativity of digital worlds with the physical one. By experimenting with this look, I infused a futuristic style, in the haircut, with layers of colour, capturing a sense of eternal youthfulness that mirrors the lifestyle and technology that we interact with daily.” D’Rozario noted.
Schwarzkopf Professional unveils IGORA ZERO AMM
A significant highlight of the event was the unveiling of IGORA ZERO AMM, Schwarzkopf Professional’s new no-ammonia hair colour line, with Mira Kapoor as the brand muse. IGORA ZERO AMM offers a zero-ammonia formula, zero compromise on performance, and zero worries for hair health.
This technology promises vibrant, long-lasting colour with intense care. It caters to modern consumers’ demands for products that are good for their hair and the planet. Schwarzkopf Professional Global Colour Ambassador Lesley Jennison conducted a live demonstration, showcasing the stunning results IGORA ZERO AMM can achieve.
Live Demo by Schwarzkopf Professional Global Colour Ambassador, Lesley Jennison
Schwarzkopf Professional’s Global Ambassadors, Lesley Jennison and Tyler Johnston, created an exquisite look for Mira Kapoor. Lesley, a globally acclaimed colourist, infused Mira’s hair with beige highlights, baby lights, and microlights. She then complemented them with warm brown and chocolate tones. Tyler enhanced her look with expertly cut layers and glamorous, polished waves.