We don't need to tell you that shag and mullet haircuts have been all the rage for the last year — celebrity examples like Rihanna, Keke Palmer, Debby Ryan, Billie Eilish, and Miley Cyrus are all the proof you need — but a new type of haircut called the "wolf cut" is threatening to eclipse both of those styles, and it's all thanks to TikTok. The wolf cut haircut is everywhere right now, but what exactly is it, and why is everyone so obsessed? Keep reading to learn more.
Experts Featured in This Article
Sally Hershberger is a celebrity hairstylist, founder of hair-care brand Sally Hershberger 24K, and a salon owner.
What Is a Wolf Cut?
If the shag and the mullet had a baby, you'd have the wolf haircut. It combines the length and volume of a mullet with the choppy layers of a shag for a very wild and edgy new look. "[It's] a softer take on the mullet," celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger tells PS. "It's a really cool, lived-in, sexy look that has lots of movement and layers."
The main difference between the updated "wolf cut" and your classic mullet is where the layers sit. Instead of the style being layer-heavy only at the top of the head, they're spread throughout. Although people on TikTok are cutting their hair themselves to get the look at home, a professional hairstylist will help you get the shape just right.
Although the wolf cut only recently hit the mainstream consciousness here, the style has been a long-time favorite in South Korea. Many K-pop stars — namely Choi Beomgyu of the band Tomorrow X Together (TXT) — have worn the choppy, short-in-the-front, long-in-the-back hairstyle for quite some time.
How to Get the Wolf Haircut
At the salon, ask your stylist for a wolf cut and come prepared with reference photos. "Ask your stylist for lots of shaggy, wavy layers," says Hershberger. "Depending on the look you want, you can also go for bangs or curtain bangs, which both look really cool with this cut." She emphasizes that the trend can be as dramatic as you want it to be, meaning you can ask your stylist for even more texture for a true wolf-like look or keep it on the subtler side.
How to Style a Wolf Cut
Wolf cut hair isn't difficult to style but it does require some daily maintenance. Should you choose to leave it as is, depending on your hair type, the style won't have as much volume and may fall flat. If you have straight hair, curling it or blowing it out roughly will help give it more shape. If your hair is already curly or wavy, you can let it air dry.
In terms of styling products, look for volume-boosting formulas and products that will add texture. Try sea salt sprays, texturizing pomades, and wavy-enhancing creams, and work them into your hair with your fingertips. To refresh the style throughout the day, simply tousle it with your fingertips to rough it up.
Check out more examples of the wolf cut hairstyle ahead.
Wolf Cut Hairstyles
FAQs
Part of the wolf cut's allure is its ability to look great with all hair types, lengths, and textures. Wolf cut hairstyles range from short to long, although they look best with shoulder-length hair. Thick hair with a wavy or curly hair texture look best with the wolf cut because of it's natural texture and movement.
Is wolf cut still trendy in 2024? ›
A: Yes, you should expect to see hairstyles such as blunt bob, shag, fringe, curly hair with bangs, and the wolf cut, which are anticipated to be the top trends of 2024.
When did the wolf cut become popular? ›
The wolf cut is the younger sister of the shag haircut, first becoming popular in the '70s and '80s in South Korea amongst K-Pop stars. What sets the wolf cut apart from similar designs is that it has more texture than the traditional shag to create a fuller appearance for the hair.
What is the new wolf haircut? ›
Wolf Cut Origins
Korab says that it varies in look and feel depending on your hair texture and how you approach the cut. Generally speaking, though, it's characterized by short, face-framing layers and then shorter layers through the surface and top. These melt into longer layers throughout the mid-lengths and ends.
Who should not get a wolf cut? ›
Those with thin hair should stay away from a wolf cut simply because the layers, especially the longer ones in the back, can make your already thin hair look even thinner. If you still want to rock the style, try a lob length, add a curtain bang and keep the shorter layers around your face.
Do hair stylists know what a wolf cut is? ›
“The wolf cut is a modern twist on a combination of classic decade haircuts from the '70s and '80s,” says hairstylist Dimistris Giannetos, noting that the '70s were all about a bouncy-versatile-voluminous layered look, while the '80s favored the messy dimensionality of the mullet.
Is wolf cut high maintenance? ›
The low maintenance, choppy crop suits most types and textures, and works on both short hair and long hair. From sweet curtain fringes to rocker bangs and micro fringe, the wolf cut works whether your vibe is edgy, chic or glam.
What is the difference between wolf and unicorn haircut? ›
The difference between this sectioning technique and the triple Unicorn technique, is this Wolf cut technique is sectioning the hair in half. The triple Unicorn technique is still cutting all the hair at once, you're just moving the placement of where you tie it.
What is the difference between wolf cut and butterfly cut? ›
It features layers that are choppy and heavily textured, often with shorter layers framing the face and longer layers creating volume and movement. The big difference between the two cuts is that a butterfly style is more rounded, while the wolf cut leans towards a more tousled and edgy look.
What famous girl has a wolf cut? ›
As much as we love a razor-sharp blunt cut, there's something to be said of the opposite: a choppy, layered look that is equal parts edgy and effortless. Maybe that's why the season's most covetable hairstyle, the wolf cut, has been favored among celebrities, including Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, and Keke Palmer.
Discover the latest wolf haircut ideas for older women that will give you a stylish and modern look. Upgrade your hairstyle with these top ideas and embrace your inner confidence.
What is a jellyfish cut? ›
The jellyfish haircut features short layers that resemble a short bob with longer layers underneath. If the name isn't enough of a giveaway, the jellyfish cut is reminiscent of the sea creature from which it gets its name, with a round “body” (the short layers) and billowy “tentacles” (the longer layers).
Why is the wolf cut trendy? ›
The result is a wild and untamed look reminiscent of a wolf's unkempt mane. This edgy style originated in South Korea and quickly gained popularity among fashion-forward individuals worldwide. Drawing inspiration from K-pop idols and Korean street fashion, the Wolf Cut embodies an effortlessly cool aesthetic.
What type of hair is wolf cut good for? ›
Layering and textured haircuts can always be adapted to your face shape, so oval or square, the wolf cut can be adapted to you. Major selling point: the wolf cut is gender neutral and works for wavy, straight, and even curly hair. In fact, for curly hair, it will only emphasize your hair's natural texture.
What is the alternative to the wolf cut? ›
Inspired by the delicate wings of the butterfly, this haircut combines soft, flowing lines and subtle, face-framing layers. You may even have a version of the Butterfly Cut and not even realize it! The key to this layered haircut is customization.
What is the wolf cut reference? ›
Think of it as a hybrid between the Mullet and the Shag Cut. Inspired by the Mullet, the Wolf Cut is heavily layered with short, choppy layers on top and longer, layers around the sides and back, ending just past the nape. The Wolf Cut also borrows its softer, shaggy elements from the Shag Cut.
