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.
