2025 is set to be the year where both hair and culinary styles embrace effortless, modern innovations. OSMO Ambassador Jude Taylor has shared some exciting hair trends for this year, which reflect not just the aesthetic shifts but also the changing attitudes of individuals toward maintenance and styling. Taking center stage this year is the soft movement where lived-in layers replace sharp and structured cuts, allowing for more natural looks.
The big chop is currently making waves, and bobs are continuing to be the go-to haircut for many. Whether sleek and polished or tousled and undone, this versatile style suits nearly every face shape and personal style. Alongside this trend, we see the reintroduction of soft, textured fringes, drawing inspiration from iconic figures like Sabrina Carpenter and Brigitte Bardot. These effortlessly chic, face-framing styles bring dimension and flair, appealing to those seeking low-maintenance updates.
On the color front, 2025 is ushering bolder choices as scalp bleaching makes a major return. The calico color trend—an elevated take on the early 2000s chunky highlights—is also making waves, offering bold contrasts and playful styles. This year, vintage cuts like the ‘70s wolf cut and the ‘80s mullet are expected to evolve even more after their resurgence last year, reinforcing the trend of revisiting and modernizing classic hairstyles.
But it's not just about looks; the health of the hair remains a top priority. With more individuals leaning toward nourishing treatments and moving away from excessive, damaging heat styling, deep-conditioning rituals are becoming essentials. Products like the OSMO Deep Moisture Intensive Repair Mask at £6.70 are gaining traction for their ability to restore softness and shine, providing the needed TLC for tresses. The OSMO Blinding Shine Serum, meanwhile, promises to deliver instant radiance to locks at £12.90, proving popular among those conscious about hair health.
Simultaneously, Unilever Food Solutions' Future Menus report for 2025 unveils four significant culinary trends poised to capture diners' attention. First up, there's Borderless Cuisine, which celebrates the amalgamation of diverse food traditions. This trend champions globalization and migration, providing diners with experiences combining the cultural significance of sauces, spices, and presentation styles. It's not just about fusion anymore; it’s about the stories behind the dishes.
Along these lines, the Street Food Couture trend highlights the public’s desire for traditional street foods elevated to gourmet offerings. The report notes, “Consumers want it all when it interacts with street food, seeking refinement without losing authenticity.” Interestingly, 64% of Gen Z prefers to stay home on Friday nights, representing a fresh opportunity for manufacturers to present posh street food experiences. Using high-quality ingredients and refined techniques, dishes must fuse authentic cuisines together to provide tantalizing, adventurous flavors. Specific ingredients, like the Aleppo pepper, are expected to gain prominence on menus over the coming months.
While Borderless Cuisine and posh street food lead the dining trends, Modernised Comfort Food is not far behind. Consumers are harking back to nostalgic meals but with contemporary twists. This blend of familiarity and excitement can recall cherished memories and offer comforting culinary experiences. Unilever emphasizes, "This modern comfort food still feels familiar yet excites with something new," highlighting the delicate balance chefs must strike to engage today’s consumers.
The Diner Design trend encourages customisation, allowing diners to modify dishes to their liking. This interactive focus aligns with Gen Z’s desire for personalized experiences. “Diners want unique, hands-on experiences they can share both live and online,” making the custom traits of dishes all the more appealing. With the intersection of technology and food ever-growing, it provides valuable opportunities for brands willing to engage with their audiences creatively.
Marketing experts, including Pinterest UK managing director Beth Horn, stress the importance of early trendspotting as brands strive to anticipate consumer desires before competitors do. Horn identifies key strategies, emphasizing organization through the right culture and processes as foundational for effective trend analysis. Will Fisher of Tribe introduces the three “R's” of resource, reaction time, and relevancy, pointing out their necessity for agile responses to rapidly changing consumer interests.
An environment fostering creativity and innovation is equally important. Brands like John Lewis integrate planned reactiveness within their calendars, allowing space for ideas and trends to evolve organically. By leveraging both visual and search data, businesses can secure competitive edges through thorough analytics, refining how they engage with their clientele.
With 2025 approaching, both the hair and food industries stand ready for transformative trends driven by modern consumer needs, desires, and self-expression. Whether through effortless hairstyles or culinary innovations, the spotlight is firmly on those who can adapt and thrive amid changing landscapes. Methods like trendspotting encapsulate this agility, enabling brands to forge meaningful connections and stay at the forefront of their industries.
