Marie Claire

Hair

30 Wolf Cuts That Prove the Shaggy Hairstyle Is Still Leading the Pack

 

Here's how to style them like a professional.

I’ve had the same haircut for approximately... well, my entire life. Save for a questionable lob haircut in middle school, it’s been all long layers and face-framing pieces. Yet, when I find myself dreaming about a life in Paris every year, I feel compelled to reevaluate every hair choice I’ve made. Should I get French girl bangs? Shall I master a twisted chignon? This year, my nagging question is a bit more dramatic: Do I need a wolf cut to look like a chic Parisian?

The choppy cut initially rose to popularity in the fall of 2023, particularly among Gen Z, but it's proved to have serious staying power. It made its presence known in the street style scene during the Spring/Summer 2024 Paris Fashion Week, and plenty of Hollywood stars have taken the wolf cut hairstyle for a spin, too. The edgy, shaggy, layered hairstyle has been spotted on the likes of Renée Rapp, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, and Keke Palmer.

"Wolf cuts are still popular because they are versatile haircuts," explains celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos. "The wolf cut is a modern twist on a combination of classic decade haircuts from the '70s and '80s. It's a layered hairstyle that adds dynamic volume for an effortlessly cool look."

Ahead, experts break down everything you need to know about the edgy style—and what exactly you should ask for when you arrive at the salon to seek out a wolf cut of your very own.

What Is a Wolf Cut?

Cool-girl wolf cut chops “are an edgy style, cut in short, shaggy layers, and combined with full, layered curtain bangs,” explains Rogerio Cavalcante, stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon.

Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, describes the cut as "a playful combination of a shag and a mullet." The care-free style features short layers up top that blend into curtain bangs that frame the face.

"The longer lengths are wispy with soft, airy ends that flick out," she explains. "They are disconnected from the front with choppy layers for movement and separation." New York City-based hairstylist Alexandra Efstratiou, who has long been a fan of edgy, shaggy styles, adds that the style's broad demographic appeal comes from its versatility as it can work with both curly or straight hair.

How Do I Style A Wolf Cut?

Styling the wolf cut is super easy because it's all about embracing that messy, undone vibe. "Depending on your preference, you can leave your hair natural and let the cut work its magic, or you can style it with a blowout or waves," says Giannetos. The best part about a wolf cut is that it encourages you to let your natural texture do its thing, no matter your hair type.

"This haircut is very versatile, fun, and very low maintenance," says Nylza Yepez, Senior Hair Stylist at Jenna Perry Hair Studio in New York. Essentially, if you don't want to have fuss with your hair too much, a wolf cut might be the ideal short hair look to explore.

For Straight Hair

When it comes to straight hair and rocking a wolf cut, Yepez recommends leaning into building volume to emphasize the shag. "For straight hair, I would use a large brush and blow dryer to lift the roots, and maybe a straightening iron on the ends to curve in or out, depending on the length," she shared. Those front pieces can be tucked behind the ear or stay wild and free—whatever your heart desires.

For Curly and Coily Hair

For those with more textured hairstyles, embrace air drying your wolf cut. "If you are going for a more curly look, you can section the hair and apply your favorite air drying product and scrunch the hair," suggests Yepez. "Next, let it dry partially—about 70 percent—flip the hair over and use a diffuser for maximum volume and tighter curls." She also recommends doing final touch-ups with a small curling wand to fix any uneven pieces, following the curl pattern, and leaving the ends out. Finish with a blast of hairspray and it'll be shag-adelic, baby.

For Wavy Hair

For a soft wave or gentle curled look, Yepez also recommends a full air dry of the hair. "After towel drying, apply a small amount of a curl product of your choice and let it air dry," she explains. "Apply a leave-in conditioner to the ends, and maybe a wet spray, such as sea salt spray, to add texture if you have fine hair."

Should I Get a Wolf Cut?

"My favorite part about the wolf cut is how versatile it is and how amazing it looks on all hair types," says Giannetos. "I specifically recommend it for those with thinner hair because it’ll give the appearance of fuller hair."

Still, one of the reasons wolf cuts have stayed so popular is because they work for everyone. "Its versatility allows for multiple styling options even as it grows out," explains Graciano. "With its layers and personalized fringe you can easily transition from natural texture to a smooth and even voluminous look."

What to Ask For at the Salon

Wolf cuts can look great on different lengths of hair and on different hair textures, so make sure to chat with your stylist about what would look the best on your specific face shape—and how much daily maintenance you're hoping to complete. Inspiration photos are always helpful because there are so many ways to go with length and texture.

Wolf Cut Hairstyle Ideas

Smooth Wolf Cut 

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To this day, the most popular celebrity example of the oh-so-trendy wolf cut is Billie Eilish's ice-blonde shag from 2022—a great example of how to turn your bob hairstyle into something a little edgier while it's in the tricky grow-out phase. With her blonde era behind her, she's still loving the cut...albeit with a slightly softer feel these days. If you ask your hairstylist for a Billie-inspired chop, you'll almost certainly walk out with a new edginess. Maybe they'll even convince you to get the lime green roots, too?

Short Wolf Cut 

"Since the bob is so popular this year, I think an amazing way to update the wolf cut is to make it shorter!" says Giannetos. And of course he's right.

If you have more of a bob or lob haircut, consider trying a cut like Miley Cyrus's blonde look above. Her mini-mullet wolf cut is full of voluminous texture (a dry texturizer can help!) that perfectly matches her rock-and-roll persona.

Curly Wolf Cut 

Friends with curly hair, look no further than Rita Ora's shaggy wolf cut to inspire your next chop. The texture is perfectly defined thanks to the layers and, as you can see, the bangs are also doing some major work to keep the curl pattern front and center.

Heavily Layered Wolf Cut

Even if you didn't know how cool Yellowjackets Sophie Thatcher is, you'd be able to tell from her hairstyle, a classic wolf cut with a structure that makes her cheekbones pop. With major layers around her face, the actress's locks reach all the way to her waist in a display of shaggy perfection—it's a cut so good she even kept it for her role in the movie of the summer, MaXXXine.

Choppy Wolf Cut 

One of the most dramatic wolf-cuts that we've ever seen is Doja Cat's from the 2021 Grammy Awards. Created by Jared Henderson, the look was essentially a mullet with longer face-framing layers.

"I think [wolf cuts] are trending because they’re fun and edgy but aren’t as extreme as a mullet, so they’re less scary and grow out really cute," says Efstratiou. If you want to make even less extreme of a change, take a cue from the artist and grab a wig. As another short wolf cut and wig proponent, Miley Cyrus, would say, it's the best of both worlds.

Piece-y Wolf Cut

If you're still a little confused about the structure of a wolf cut, let this photo be your guide. As Abramite explained earlier, the longer layers are disconnected from the front of the hair by the choppiness of the front layer, adding movement to the look as a whole.

Super Shaggy Wolf Cut

Combine the wolf cut with a chic winter hair color trend, rich girl blonde, and you have Renee Rapp's edgy style. Never one to go soft with the layers, her signature wolf cut is one of the best examples we have of the style—if you're looking for pre-salon inspiration, just scroll through the singer's Instagram page. And if you're looking to get the look yourself? Try Verb's Volume Dry Texture Spray, which hairstylist Marissa Marino has used to give the Mean Girls star's locks a lived-in feel.

Long Wolf Cut 

If your hair is wavy, Debby Ryan's wolf cut is the style for you. I mean, look at that texture! The cut—which she's had for years in different iterations—is also on the longer end, so it serves as a great example of how to change up your below-shoulder-length hair. To get that gorgeous wave, try the best sea salt sprays for great results.

Collarbone Grazing Wolf Cut

Jenna Ortega's collarbone-grazing wolf cut, chopped by Dave Stanwell, adds some nice texture to a short and straightforward style. For an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in December 2022, she paired the hair with a Wednesday Addams-inspired black outfit.

Medium-Length Wolf Cut

Since Lizzo first jumped on the wolf cut train, we've seen her wearing the style in multiple lengths. While the major choppy layers here initially offer an optical illusion, her hair actually isn't that short. That's just the magic of the cut!

Loosely Styled Wolf Cut

If you're not ready for a full-on wolf cut, you can pay homage to the shape by including some choppy layers in your style. This shag by Giannetos is a great example: though she hasn't fully committed to the style, Dixie D'Amelio still has that rock star edge.

Voluminous Wolf Cut

To get J.Lo's look, hairstylist Lorenzo Martin began by creating texture throughout the artist's strands, later adding in blunt bangs that begin just below her brows and blend beautifully through her impressive, shaggy layers (no length was sacrificed).

Soft Wolf Cut

Contrary to popular belief, the wolf cut and soft girl beauty trend can go hand in hand. Here, Kaia Gerber shows off a gentle approach to the style with soft waves that extend just to her shoulders. But make no mistake, those major layers are there—zoom in near her chin for proof. In true soft girl fashion, a sweep of brown mascara seals the deal.

Pixie Length Wolf Cut

No, you don't have to choose between two 2024 hair trends—the magic is finding a stylist that makes everything you're interested in work as one. Here, Halsey shows off an ethereal pixie cut/wolf cut hybrid that's as elegant as it is funky. Hairstylist Marty Harper used Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to get the look and perfect that wave, but the sass is the artist's own.

Curly Wolf Cut

Short and sweet—that's the Belissa Escobedo way. A straightforward wolf cut in many ways (as straightforward as a wolf cut can be, anyway), the Hocus Pocus 2 actress chose a shorter length...but didn't at all sacrifice the number of layers present.

Bleached Wolf Cut

Another Giannetos creation, this shag on Nicole Scherzinger is everything and then some. While we won't deny that the bleach blonde shade is adding something mighty special to the look, it's also worth noting that the lack of bangs isn't taking anything away. Yet another shaggy take on the wolf cut, this is a style to consider if you're not obsessed with fringe.

Softly Curled Wolf Cut

While we often see wolf cuts with messy textures and "I woke up like this" energy, this softly curled version on Barbie Ferreira is a refreshing change of pace. With some of the layers pinned back, the model and Euphoria actress's dark strands fall softly over her shoulders in perfect tendrils. It's the sweetest wolf cut we ever did see, but don't be fooled—there's still plenty of edge to go around.

Silver Wolf Cut

Cara Delevingne is always game for a dramatic hairstyle, and this silver-y wolf cut is a great example. The work of hairstylist Danielle Priano (she's also been guiding Camila Cabello through her wolf cut era), small sections were curled outward with a flat iron for added texture.

'90s Wolf Cut

It's always important to credit the classics. Meg Ryan's wispy locks are always the blueprint, and you can see so much of the modern wolf cut at play here. "I got the famous haircut mostly by accident—in French Kiss I played a character stranded in Paris without luggage, money, or a place to live, so it was a stretch to think she had much opportunity to shampoo," Ryan once wrote for InStyle. "[Hairstylist Sally Hershberger] had to figure out hair that looked bad but sort of good all at once."

'70s Wolf Cut

Another cool hairstyle for another cool girl, Suki Waterhouse's wolf cut was a major talking point around the time she was promoting Daisy Jones and the Six. With a heavy bang and choppy layers starting near her ears, it's a cut that works in a '70s-set musical drama and today.

Sculptural Wolf Cut

Thanks to a great hair straightener, we can see the full scope of Natasha Lyonne's wolf cut. And although she's worn the style big and bold with her signature curls before, we appreciate the change-up—and inspiration for anyone looking for a shorter style. It's also worth mentioning that colorist Aura Friedman—one of Marie Claire's Best Hair Colorists in New York City—crafted this gorgeous shade of red.

Dip-Dyed Wolf Cut

If you're looking to add even more edge to your style, try a fun dye job. This stark honey blonde to brunette tip situation is a great example, and if you get sick of the ends you can simply chop them when it's time for your next upkeep appointment.

Micro Bang Wolf Cut

There are so many ways to do up your bangs when you get a wolf cut—you can try a French girl fringe, curtains, or even a straight-across, full design. Here, we see the magic that comes with a micro bang.

Wispy Wolf Cut

If there's going to be a trend, there has to be a trendsetter. And, as per usual, Scarlett Johansson was more than up for the challenge. In May 2003, the young actress pulled up to a movie premiere with this wispy, feathered haircut—the perfect look if you're trying to lighten up your locks in the summer heat. Will we see her rock the style again in 2025? It's entirely plausible.

Whitney Peak's Blonde Wolf Cut

In September 2021, Whitney Peak showed up at a Fenty fashion show with her dark hair bleached and chopped into a wolf cut. With her strands cut close around the temples and tapered in the front, her natural waves shone through at the back of her head, swept back into what we could almost call a mullet. But no, this is a wolf cut—and a great one at that.

Edgy Wolf Cut

Katy Perry loves to keep her fans on their toes—and call them out when she needs to. The most recent fan/star fiasco came when the singer wore a faux wolf cut bob to film an episode of American Idol. When her fans didn't show up to compliment the new 'do, she revealed it was a wig—but I'd say it's cute enough that she should think about a real-life chop.

It's also worth noting the styling of the bangs here. As it turns out, a full fringe isn't necessary if you're trying to get the look—if you're actually more of a side part person, here's a wolf cut for you.

Glam Wolf Cut

With this style, you'll find extremely full layers alongside wispy bangs—a lesson in balance that works exceptionally well. The flipped out layers and the framing around the ears are also staples of a wolf cut done well.

Tousled Wolf Cut

You'll be hard-pressed to show me a photo of Daisy Edgar Jones that I don't immediately connect to her Normal People character, Marianne. And yet! This sweet nod to the wolf cut, which utilizes longer layers, is all Daisy. Notice how the bangs aren't completely even? There's a level of softness here that's incredibly special, made all the better by the warmth of her expertly blended hair color.

Voluminous Curl Wolf Cut

If you have curls, the wolf cut is one of the very best ways to showcase that gorgeous texture. Here, you'll see that while the curls are already defined, the longer layers around the face give the look added dimension and volume. And if you need help with upkeep, scroll through our picks for the best curly hair products.

Wet Look Wolf Cut

“Let me tell you, it's award season—people are stepping it up," Eva Longoria told People when she showed up on the red carpet with a wet wolf cut in January 2024. Crafted by Giannetos and dubbed “the Mick Jagger shag," this edgy style was the result of a wig, a pair of scissors, and some expertly applied product. If you're looking to get the style, apply a decent amount of high-shine gel onto your damp hair—we even have a little breakdown inspired by Zendaya!

Why Trust Marie Claire

Amanda Mitchell and Sophia Vilensky are two beauty experts with bylines across Marie Claire, Byrdie, Refinery29, and Allure. They have a combined 15 years in the beauty industry, and have both written extensively about haircuts, hair colors, and hair trends.

They also tapped five hairstylists with intimate knowledge of the wolf cut to establish how to style a wolf cut, what to ask for if you want a wolf cut, and the best practices for embracing natural hair texture with a wolf cut.

Meet the Experts

Dimitris Giannetos
Celebrity Hairstylist

Dimitris Giannetos has worked behind the scenes at fashion shows around the world including Paris, Milan and New York. He has worked with brands such as L’Oreal and has styled many notable celebrities including  Camila Cabello, Ciara, Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Cindy Crawford, Joey King, Alessandra Ambrossio, Meghan Trainor, Britney Spears, Amal Clooney, Rosalia, Maria Menounos, and many more.

Devin Graciano
Chief Product Officer, Goldie Locks

Devin Graciano is a seasoned product development professional with over a decade of dedicated experience specializing in the dynamic realm of hair care. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in collaborating with a diverse range of entities—CPG giants, pioneering startups, and established brands—to sculpt and refine hair care products that transcend industry standards.

Amy Abramite
Creative Director, Salon Educator, and Stylist

As Maxine's creative and educational director since 2004, Amy runs the cutting and styling program. She was part of the Kérastase T.E.C.H. and Shu Uemura Artistic Teams as an educator for five years. A stylist since 1998, she specializes in everything, whether it's cutting hair, styling with flat irons and curling irons, blowouts, bang-taming, special occasion updos and Japanese thermal straightening.

Alex Efstratiou
Hairstylist

Alex Efstratiou is a hair stylist and colorist in New York City. Hailing from the Hudson Valley, after graduating from hair school she quickly found herself in Soho immersed in an intensive apprenticeship at Arrojo. After many years of traveling the country as a sought out haircutting educator, she decided to shift her focus and incorporate hair coloring into her salon repertoire. With over 14 years in the industry, she is known for her dynamic haircutting skills and sun-kissed hair colors.

Nyzla Yepez
Hairstylist at Jenna Perry

Trained under hair experts Leo Manetti and Marco Santini. Worked on many NYFW shows. Specializes in textured haircuts and playing with shapes. Hairdresser since 2011, and a part of the team at JPH since 2019.

Rogerio Cavalcante
Hairstylist

The Second Floor Salon was founded by Rogerio Cavalcante, an experienced hairstylist who moved to the U.S from Brazil 15 years ago and has built a clientele in NYC through his top quality service and customer service. The culture of beauty and innovation has been deep-rooted in Rogerio’s life for as long as he can remember. Since his childhood, Rogerio was surrounded by hairstylist influences in his family, with over nineteen family members working in the hair industry.