The Wolf Cut Is Social Media's Hottest Hair Trend—Here's What You Need to Know
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Were you Team Janet on Three’s Company? Did you like everything about I Love Rock ‘N Roll-era Joan Jett? Is a candlelit dinner with Ziggy Stardust your idea of a dream date? Then, congratulations: You’re already halfway to being a fan of the hottest haircut on social media—the wolf cut.
This unique hybrid of a shag and a mullet has taken TikTok by storm, with the hashtag racking up 546 million views and counting on the platform. The truly adventurous are DIY-ing the cut themselves at home, pulling their hair into a ponytail and lopping it off at a bias (its ease is clearly part of the wolf cut’s appeal). But TikTok trendsetters aren’t alone in embracing the style—even bona fide celebrities are getting in on the craze. A few months ago, singer Billie Eilish shocked fans when she debuted a blonde tousled take on the wolf cut, and Miley Cyrus has been rocking the look for at least a year now. These days, it seems like everyone is crying wolf.
While the overall aesthetic is an acquired taste, if you’re a fan, there’s no reason you couldn’t give it a try. The cut can look as fresh on curly hair as it does on straighter strands (with some styling help, of course), and variations abound. There are shorter shoulder-grazing versions, longer styles with wispy layers, those that feature a side-swept bang, and ones that combine the wolf cut with one of the season’s other big trends: curtain bangs.
Curiosity piqued yet? We spoke with top hairstylists to answer all your pressing questions about the wolf cut—just in case you’re considering giving it a try.
So, what is the wolf cut again?
Before the style gained popularity here in the States, pre-BTS K-Pop stars in South Korea were already sporting the look—a younger, hipper cousin to the shag cut from the '70s and '80s. “It’s got a lot more texture than the traditional shag and there is usually more separation in the layers, giving it a fuller look on top that blends into a shaggy mullet all around,” says hairstylist Brittany Johnson, content manager for wig, weave, and extensions company Mayvenn. These longer layers are often complemented with some sort of bang (see above) to finish the look.
It’s an intentionally piece-y, messy style (like the mane of a wolf), especially if you go the DIY route: “There’s a choppiness to it, a lack of blend,” says Matrix celebrity stylist Nick Stenson, senior vice president for store and service operations at Ulta Beauty. “If you’re open to a more tousled vibe and looking for a great way to spice up your look, you should try it.”
See a pro for a more refined take.
That being said, the wolf cut can be adapted to suit personal preferences. If you like the carefree lived-in texture but need something slightly less haphazard, Stenson recommends making an appointment with a professional stylist, especially one well-versed in creating cuts with lots of movement, who can tailor it to your tastes and craft a more mature version of the wolf cut. “The major difference is that a stylist will be able to smooth the fabric of the hair and work in smaller sections to give you customization.”
Part of that customizing will likely include using texturizing shears to soften the ends of the layers, says Johnson. A pro can also blend the shorter layers on top into a modified, more subtle mullet from the crown to the nape of your neck. Ultimately, though, if you’re looking for a sleek style that screams 9-to-5, run from the wolf cut like a deer would from a…well…you know.
Will the wolf cut look good on me?
This is all about attitude: If you’ve got the chutzpah to sport a style that’s a little bit retro, slightly rocker, and a whole lot of fun, then consider it. Truth be told, it’s trending mostly with the under-25 set, who are eager to get back in the game after a year of stay-at-home orders and social distancing. “Shags, mullets, and fringe are always sexy in the summer, and it’s such a change from the long, grown-out COVID hair we’ve been seeing,” says celebrity stylist Tommy Buckett. “It’s fresh, cool, and definitely not boring.”
While it works on most types and textures, since the cut relies heavily on layers and volume, those with thicker hair that has a bit of a wave or curl will look best with a wolf cut, Johnson says. “Straight hair will likely require a bit more styling time to create movement or volume at home,” she adds. But be warned: If you have very fine hair that tends to have trouble maintaining body or tightly coiled hair that’s prone to frizz, this is a style you’ll want to skip, Buckett cautions.
This is how you style a wolf cut.
The natural texture of your hair will determine how you style the wolf cut—and you do need to style it. It's not a wash-and-go cut, and if you don’t spend a little time zhuzhing it, the cut can fall flat and make your hair look lifeless.
If you have some texture in your hair already, you won't need to do as much since your natural curls and waves will automatically give the cut some movement. Johnson recommends using a touch of texturizing cream and working it through your hair, scrunching as you go. “This will really help to play up the layers and create that shaggy wispiness,” she says.
Straighter strands need a bit more help in the volume department, especially at the crown. Buckett recommends working some mousse into damp hair from roots to mid-shaft and then using a curl cream mid-shaft to ends. Then blow dry with the diffuser attachment. “If you want to get a bit more '70s with it, use a round brush and your blow dryer to flick and feather the sides for that Farrah look,” he says.
And there you have it: Everything you need to know about this hot hair craze.
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