You’ve probably seen or heard about the wolf cut fad if you’ve recently spent any time on Instagram or TikTok, or if you’ve ever visited a high school homeroom. Often done with flawlessly tousled waves or curls, the layered haircut is a cross between a mullet and a ’70s shag and is one of the most popular haircut trends of the year.
You can see it on celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Jenna Ortega, and Halsey when you open up a tabloid, but you don’t have to search far to find amazing wolf-cut ideas. The wolf haircut originally came to notice in the winter of 2021, according to Google Trends, but its appeal has only increased over time, particularly as it transitioned from an edgier to a more mainstream style.
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How to Rock a Trendy, Celeb-Loved “Wolf Cut”
Learn more about the haircut by reading on to discover how to style it to add more volume and how to alter it to fit various hair textures and lengths.
What Is a Wolf Cut?
The wolf cut, a contemporary iteration of the classic shag haircut, embraces longer top layers with tapered sides, following the natural curve of the head and neck, according to Lisa Abbey, hairstylist and founder of Flygirl Beauty Brands. This versatile cut suits any hair length or texture, with potential modifications based on face shape and hair texture. The wolf cut often involves a unique technique, utilizing a razor or texturizing shears for a messy texture and controlled chaos effect on the layers.
Defining Your Style
Bangs play a crucial role in defining the wolf cut style. According to Abbey, the bangs or fringe can range from a blunt heavy bang with textured tips for a ’70s look to a curtain-style long wispy fringe for a softer appearance. Your stylist can offer guidance based on your hair type and preferences, ensuring a personalized and stylish result.
Making a Wolf Cut Look More Voluminous
To enhance the volume of a wolf cut, shorter and more exaggerated layers at the top and crown of the head can be incorporated, creating a fuller effect. Blow drying and styling contribute to showcasing the style, with the addition of texturizing spray or dry shampoo after blow drying for extra volume, especially for those with thin or fine hair.
Edgy Wolf Cut with Shaved Sides
An edgy version of the wolf cut with shaved sides has become a popular trend. The narrower layers in this style naturally lend themselves to tighter sides, resulting in a super-edgy wolf look. Consider the grow-out period before committing to this bold variation.
Wolf Cut for Thick Hair
The wolf cut is not exclusive to thin hair; it’s an excellent choice for those with thick strands. Stylists can adapt their technique to suit thick hair by incorporating texturizing or thinning shears in addition to the razor for textured ends. This helps remove excess bulk, allowing the natural waves and texture of thick hair to fall effortlessly into place after styling.
Wolf Cut for Curly Hair
The trendy wolf cut is a fantastic option for individuals with curly or wavy hair. To cater to this hair texture, stylists avoid using a razor, which may increase frizz, and instead opt for extensive point cutting and tipping. Additionally, a smoothing treatment, such as a Korean K-Gloss, can be applied to leave the hair with soft waves and movement, preventing excessive volume.
Wolf Cut Ideas for Straight Hair
Naturally straight hair can also rock the wolf cut by following volumizing tips. Consider incorporating a texturizing wave treatment, like Arrojo’s American Wave, to add extra “oomph” and ensure the choppy layers have life and movement, enhancing the overall style.
Short Wolf Haircut
The wolf cut is not confined to longer lengths; it’s also a major trend for short hair. For a short wolf haircut, a wispy or fringy outline is often favored, with the sides tucked behind the ear. The tips of the wolf layers can be point-cut or razored, maintaining closeness to the head and creating subtle movement and shape.
Rainbow Wolf Cut
The rainbow wolf cut is a captivating and unique hairstyle that involves incorporating multiple colors throughout the hair. Achieving this colorful look requires the expertise of a professional colorist who can guide you in selecting the right amount of color and determining the optimal level of lightness.
“In this look, strands of desired pastel primary colors are strategically placed throughout the hair to accentuate its texture and lengths,” explains Abbey. Rather than using traditional methods like foiling or balayage, the preferred technique for the rainbow wolf cut involves hand-painting the lightener and color. This hands-on approach allows the colorist to carefully follow and accentuate the curves and movement of the layers, resulting in a visually stunning and show-stopping hairstyle.
The rainbow wolf cut is a perfect choice for those who want to express their individuality.
