We build our beauty routines around trends. Whether it’s the latest hair color (hello, living coral) or a product that industry pros say we can’t live without (salon treatments, here’s looking at you), keeping an eye on what’s new is a full-time job for beauty obsessives.
To help you keep your finger on the pulse of what’s up next, we took a look back at what was hot in 2018—from dark brown hair to lobs. Below, the breakout search terms (as told by Google Trends) from every state. What were your friends, neighbors, and coworkers interested in? As it turns out, probably short hair and hair color trends.
A brief word about our method: These terms were pulled directly from Google Trends between December 2017 and 2018. In the few instances where a state had multiple breakout search terms, we chose the most unique one to feature.
Keep reading to learn more about the most significant breakout trends we saw this year.
2018’s Biggest Breakout Trends
Alabama: Rice Water For Hair
Sometimes we turn to the past as far back as 794 A.D. for the best beauty tricks. In 2018, Alabama residents wanted to learn about using rice water for hair in hopes of minimizing breakage—a process straight out of Japan.
Related: Can Rice Water Really Help Your Hair Grow Longer? We Investigate
Alaska: Dyson Hair Dryer
There’s no keeping the girls away from beautiful styling tools. The Dyson Supersonic dryer comes with a hefty price tag, but the innovative design and rave reviews from influencers make it positively drool-worthy.
Related: This $500 Gold Hair Dryer Is The Most Luxe Way To Style Your Hair
Arizona: Short Hair
For many pros, 2018 was the year of the bob. Women shed their split ends left and right, looking for a fresh cut to show off on social media.
Related: 20 Trendiest Short Wavy Hairstyles To Try In 2018
Arkansas: Short Hair
Arizona wasn’t the only state with its mind on short cuts. Short hair ruled in in Arkansas, too. Once you’ve cut your hair, learning to style it is a whole new challenge—that’s where we come in.
Related: 20 Chic Updos To Try On Short Hair In 2018
California, Colorado: Hair Colors 2018
California has a reputation for being ahead of the curve on trends, so it makes sense that Californians spent their internet time trying to get a sense of the biggest hair colors in 2018.
Related: The 15 Wild Hair Colors That Really Work In 2018
Connecticut: Short Hair
Short hair pops up in Connecticut, which befits a state famous for its preppy reputation. Why not combine a bob with another notable trend of 2018, layers?
Related: Stunning Short Layered Haircuts You'll Love
Delaware: UNice Hair
As beauty consumers grow savvier about wigs and extensions, we see more searches popping up that relate to faux hair. In Delaware, virgin human hair brand UNice ruled Google. Before purchasing, read our guide to understand what you’re getting into.
Related: Hair Extension Methods: The Pros And Cons Of Every Kind, From Clip-Ins To Wigs
Florida: Short Hair
Florida’s humid weather makes short hair ideal. Good thing that just happens to coincide with a major beauty trend!
Related: I Cut My Really Long Hair Into A Bob And Here's What It Was Like
Georgia: Short Hairstyles
In Georgia, it’s not enough just to get short hairstyles–you need to know how to make them look good.
Related: The 25 Best Chin Length Hairstyles You Need To Try In 2018
Hawaii: Balayage Hair Ideas
Hawaiians are easy and breezy, so a low-maintenance hair color technique like balayage suits them fine. Use our guide to gather balayage hair ideas before heading into the salon.
Related: What Is Balayage? An Expert Explains This Hand-Painted Highlight Technique
Idaho: 2018 Hair Trends
If you’re in Idaho, you just want to be included. The state’s residents wanted the hair trends, no matter whether they were cut, color, or style.
Related: The 5 Fashion Week Hair Trends You're Going To See Everywhere
Illinois: Hair Colors 2018
Illinois, too, wanted the latest in hair trends. May we suggest iced latte hair color?
Related: The 50 Trendiest Dark Brown Hair Color Ideas For 2018
Indiana: Rose Brown Hair
Softer than chocolate but more natural-looking than pastel pink, rose brown hair is truly a wonder. This soft fantasy shade helped usher in the increasingly natural-looking hair trends we saw across the country this year.
Related: How To Get Rose Brown Hair For Summer
Iowa: Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes
Customizing the elements of your wardrobe around your complexion and eye color isn’t a new idea, but Iowans are using it to achieve the ideal blonde hair color.
Related: The Blonde Bible: 18 Shades Of Blonde Hair For Every Skin Tone
Kansas: Short Hair
Young women aren’t the only ones looking for hair advice. More middle-aged women than ever before know how to use the internet to find the cuts they want—and we’re here for it!
Related: 10 Timeless Short Hairstyles For Women Over 50
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts: Hair Colors 2018
Beauty obsessives know that salon color is only as good as your maintenance routine at home. Good news! We know exactly which products you should use to help minimize premature fading.
Related: 12 Hair Products To Help You Maintain Every Hair Color
Michigan: 2018 Hair Trends
Just as 2018 was all about beautiful skin for many people, it was the year of gorgeous hair over here.
Related: Hair Sheet Masks Are A Must-Have For Self Care Sundays
Minnesota: Hockey Hair
In the land of snow and ice, hockey players are kings. It only makes sense that Minnesotans searched this flippy, long hairstyle all year long.
Related: 22 Long Hairstyles For Men
Mississippi: Lace Wig
If you have a little disposable income and a desire to try new styles without damaging your real hair, invest in a lace wig. Stephanie Nolan, our resident wig pro, has all the details you need.
Related: What Goes Into The Price Of Your Wigs And Hair Extensions
Missouri: Nadula Hair
Montana: Silver Hair Color
Forget silver and gold, we’re all about silver and gray. Whether you’re embracing your natural shade as you age or trying out a little old lady-inspired style, be sure to read our guides before taking the plunge.
Related: How To Get Metallic Silver Hair And Make It Last
Nebraska, Nevada: Hair Color 2018
Nebraska and Nevada, we’ve got just the thing for you. Smoky hair color is here to stay in 2019, so get a head start on it now.
Related: The Big Chop: How To Prepare For The Big Cut
New Hampshire: Burgundy Hair
Red hair color is notoriously fickle, but all that struggle is so worthwhile when you get it right. Burgundy is an excellent example of this very thing.
Related: 25 Shades Of Burgundy Hair That Flatter Every Skin Tone
New Jersey: Rice Water For Hair
Rice water strikes again. In many cases, women who search it are looking for easy ways to make their hair look shinier. We’ve got you covered.
Related: How To Get Shiny Hair In 3 Easy Steps
New Mexico: How To Grow Your Hair Faster
Whether you’re prepping for a bridal updo, experiencing breakage, or just have hair that never seems to grow long, the wait for extra inches can be like watching paint dry. Our experts have plenty of tips that can help you improve the process.
Related: How To Make Your Hair Grow Faster: 12 Tricks That Actually Work
New York: Hair Color 2018
New York has a reputation for staying one hair color ahead of the curve, which is why residents are always hunting for new ideas. What about toasted white chocolate mocha?
Related: Toasted White Chocolate Mocha Hair Color Is The New Shade You Need
North Carolina: Short Hair
In North Carolina, short hair was a hit—but what about ladies with curls or coils? We delved into everything you need to know about taking the big chop, which traditionally represents a transition from chemically straightened hair to natural texture.
Related: The Big Chop: How To Prepare For The Big Cut
North Dakota: Men’s Hair Company
In the past few years, men have taken a growing interest in their maintenance routine. If you’re from North Dakota and searching for an unfussy men’s hair company to try, we recommend Baxter of California from the L’Oréal portfolio of brands.
Related: Salon Spotlight: Baxter Finley Barber & Shop In West Hollywood, CA
Ohio: Hair Colors 2018
Women with light skin tones weren’t the only ones searching for hair color inspo in 2018. If you have medium or dark skin, we rounded up the best shades to flatter your complexion.
Related: The 20 Best Hair Colors For Dark Skin Tones In 2018
Oklahoma: Facial Hair Styles
Calling all lumberjacks! There’s no need to panic over which facial hair styles are best—we’ve already gotten advice from the pros.
Related: Beard Styles And Facial Hair Types: Complete 2018 Guide
Oregon: Short Hair
Once you have short hair, the second half of the equation is learning how to style it. Buns are doable on even the shortest bobs.
Related: How To Style A Bun With Short Hair: 11 Easy Tips
Pennsylvania: Hair Colors 2018
Need to think out of the box when it comes to the color you try? Let maroon hair color take it from here.
Related: Maroon Hair Color: Why You Should Make It Your Next Shade
Rhode Island: Monat Hair
Many Rhode Islanders looked into Monat-branded hair products this year. We usually start Googling brands around the same time we’re in search of a new routine—why not try our guide to starting fresh for low, medium, and high porosity hair?
Related: The Expert Hair Care Guide For Low, Medium, And High Porosity Hair
South Carolina: Short Hair
In South Carolina, Southern ladies looked for a new way to wear their hair. If you have thick hair, you’ll need a specialty cut—and our experts know just what to ask for.
Related: 3 Insanely Gorgeous Short Bobs For Thick Hair
South Dakota: L’Ange Hair
When a brand pops up on social media, everyone is curious to find out whether or not it’s worth the price tag. In South Dakota, L’Ange Hair’s styling tools made waves. We thought so, too.
Related: The 20 Best Curling Wands You Have To Try In 2018
Texas, Utah, Tennessee: Short Hair
More states searching “short hair” means a greater need for short hair photo inspiration. Texas, have you considered an asymmetrical cut?
Related: The 11 Trendiest Asymmetrical Haircuts And Hairstyles For 2018
Vermont: Biotin
Vermont’s extreme weather and outdoor sports aren’t exactly conducive to healthy, shiny hair. Residents wanted to learn more about biotin, a popular supplement marketed for hair growth. If you’re interested in hair growth, we have the ultimate guide to it.
Related: What Is Hair Made Of? The Complete Guide To Your Mane's Makeup
Virginia, Washington, West Virginia: Hair Colors 2018
More hair colors wanted from states across the nation! Have you checked out silver as a hair color possibility?
Related: Shades Of Gray: Why Silver Hair Works On Every Skin Tone
Wisconsin: Short Hair
If you’re going to go short, really commit to it! A pixie will do the trick, Wisconsinites.
Related: 7 Unique Ways To Style A Pixie Cut
Wyoming: Hair Roller
All things old are new again, which is why hair rollers popped up on Wyoming’s most-searched list. These tried-and-true styling helpers are a godsend for hair that needs help holding volume.
Related: Comeback Of The Curl: Why You Need Hair Rollers For Perfect Curls
2019’s Upcoming Trends
Now you know where we’ve been, but what’s on deck for 2019? Our biggest predictions are a return to natural-looking hair colors like nuance brunette, blonde, and red blends. We also expect all those ladies who tried short hair in 2018 to ask for grow-out advice in the upcoming year.
What are your biggest predictions for 2019? Leave us a note in the comments with your thoughts.
Did this list spark some inspiration? Use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.
