The "Wolf Cut" Hair Trend is Here

We don't need to tell you that shag [1] and mullet haircuts [2] have been all the rage for the last year — celebrity examples like Rihanna [3], Keke Palmer, Debby Ryan, Billie Eilish [4], and Miley Cyrus [5] are all the proof you need — but a new type of haircut called the "wolf cut [6]" 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?

In short: the wolf cut is the combination of the shag and a mullet. For everything else you need to know, keep reading.

Experts Featured in This Article

Sally Hershberger [7] is a celebrity hairstylist, founder of hair-care brand Sally Hershberger 24K, and a salon owner.

What Is a Wolf Cut?

The wolf cut combines the length and volume [8] 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 [9] says. "It's a really cool, lived-in, sexy look that has lots of movement and layers [10]."

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 [11] 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. We recommend the Not Your Mother's Sea Salt Spray [12] ($10), the IGK Beach Club Soft Styling Paste [13] ($25), and the Ouidad Curl Shaper Bounce Back Reactivating Mist [14] ($24).

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 on Thin Hair

The wolf cut works well on all hair types and textures, including thin or fine hair. The added layers will give thin hair lots of bounce and volume.

Wolf Cut on Medium Hair

Wolf cuts are popular on short hair, but they work on medium-length hair as well. This example has bangs that help break up the look.

Wolf Cut on Long Hair

The wolf cut haircut also works on long hair, especially if you have naturally thick hair and you want it thinned out. The layers will add volume at the roots but keep things full throughout the entire cut.

Wolf Cut on Curly Hair

The wolf cut is extremely popular with those who have curly hair because it's essentially a wash and go style that allows you to have fullness throughout your entire hair.

Wolf Cut on Short Hair

If you have short hair and want to switch things up without losing a ton of length, opting for a wolf cut is a great idea. It will give you a whole new look with added layers. You could even go for bangs as well if you really want to change things around.

Wolf Cut on Straight Hair

Although the wolf cut hairstyle is most often seen on wavy or curly hair, it also works for straight hair, as shown above. Just make sure to style the roots with lots of volume.

Wolf Cut on Wavy Hair

If you have naturally wavy hair and you've been looking for a cut that's easy to style, the wolf cut is for you. You can simply wash your hair and let it air dry and we promise it'll look good.

— Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez [15]

Jessica Harrington [16] is the senior beauty editor at PS, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.

Renee Rodriguez [17] is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.

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