Wolf Cuts are Trending—These 21 Takes on the Cut are Perfect for Your Next Style

From Jenna Ortega to Halle Berry, these are the celeb wolf cut pictures to bring to your stylist.

Anneke Knot

Published: Apr 18, 2024

Emma McIntyre / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images

TikTok has a new hair obsession every week, but the wolf cut has been one of the few hairstyles with staying power. In fact, Rodney Cutler, the owner of Cutler Salons in New York and California and Redken Ambassador, describes this style as “the hottest style of 2024.”

According to Jennifer Korab, a professional hair stylist and colorist based in New Jersey, the wolf cut started making a resurgence around 2022 thanks to social media and celebrities like Billie Eilish, Keke Palmer, Jenna Ortega and more. However, the wolf cut has been around a lot longer than the past few years.

“The wolf cut started in South Korea,” explains Jennifer Nast, a senior stylist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon in New York City, “A few K-Pop stars rocked the look for the first time in the mid-2000’s.” The style takes inspiration from shags and mullets, which were popular in the eighties and nineties.

Ahead, find our beauty team’s 21 favorite wolf cuts and tips from experts on how to try the style for yourself.

Featured experts

Rodney Cutler is the owner of Cutler Salons in New York and California and a Redken ambassador
Jennifer Korab is a professional hair stylist and colorist based in New Jersey
Jennifer Nast is a senior stylist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon in New York

What is a wolf cut?

“The ‘wolf cut’ is a very layered haircut, typically with a fringe,” explains Nast, “It has been described as a mix between a shag and mullet. This haircut will give you lots of texture and movement.”

The wolf cut boasts layers of varying lengths, typically shorter layers framing the face with longer layers towards the back. The result is a shaggy, tousled look, explains Korab.

How to style a wolf cut

“As long as you work with the cut and you’re okay with it being more disheveled, it is a fairly simple cut to style,” says Cutler.

Korab suggests keeping an armor of texturizing products on hand, like sea salt or texture sprays, to enhance movement.

For an everyday “I woke up like this” style, Nast recommends using a leave-in conditioner and a mousse on wet hair. The Redken Full Volume Mousse ($27) gives your strands some added lift.

“Then, use your hands to scrunch the natural texture into your hair and use a diffuser on low to slowly dry the hair,” she recommends, “Once dry, add texture spray to up the volume.”

With all of the layers in the cut, it’s easy to get lots of movement and piecey texture. “Using styling products can help you to get lift and longevity. Don’t be shy,” says Nast.

Who is the wolf cut right for?

Cutler recommends the wolf cut for anyone who wants to add some edge to their look. Because of this style’s versatility, it can be suited to any face shape or texture.

“If you have sharp features, a wispy fringe can help to soften your look. If you have round soft features, going with choppy fringe and lots of face framing pieces can be very flattering,” recommends Nast.

Whether you want something bold and edgy or soft and understated, our inspiration photos below showcase a variety of takes on the wolf cut.

What to ask for when you want a wolf cut?

When asking your stylist for a wolf cut, Korab recommends first communicating your desired overall length and layers length. Because the style can be tailored to your personal preference, it is paramount that you are specific about what you are looking for. Both Nast and Cutler recommend bringing in photos of the type of style you are looking for so nothing is left up to the imagination.

Korab also suggests asking for the texture and choppiness you desire to achieve the look you are looking for.

“Lastly, discuss your styling routine and how you would like to wear your cut,” she says. This ensures that you know exactly how to style this cut moving forward.

21 celebrity wolf cuts we love

1 / 21

Jennifer Lopez

The image of a wolf cut may conjure images of cropped cuts and mullet-esq styles but don’t worry, you don’t need to sacrifice your beloved length. Jennifer Lopez’s take on the look shows how versatile the style can be.

2 / 21

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish is one of the modern muses for the wolf cut. Whether she’s wearing her hair black, blonde or bright red, her tousled tresses remain a constant on our mood boards.

3 / 21

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega’s red carpet hair consistently makes headlines, and this look is sometimes credited for helping bring the style back. Spritz the Color Wow Style on Steroids Color-Safe Texture Spray ($28) section by section for a tousled, touchable look. For even more volume, flip your head upside down and then spray.

4 / 21

Ciara

Ciara is no stranger to switching up her look, but her take on the wolf cut deserves its time in the spotlight. Her fringe bang paired with choppy layers add lots of bounce and versatility to the look.

5 / 21

Halsey

If you are feeling bold, take a note from Halsey. Her above the shoulder cropped cut shows off her curly texture. Add a few pumps of the Bread Beauty Supply Hair Foam ($26) for added definition.

wolf cut hasley — Samir Hussein/WireImage/ Getty Images

6 / 21

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus regularly takes inspiration from decades past. Enter her Tina Turner inspired hair at the 2024 Grammys. Her take on the wolf cut is no different. Instead of a baby fringe, she rocks longer curtain bangs and matching layers.

7 / 21

Doja Cat

Speaking of bold—Doja Cat’s wolf cut is not for the faint of heart. If you are interested in copying her platinum blonde color, make sure to have a purple shampoo like the Dae Violet Hour Purple Shampoo ($32) on hand.

8 / 21

Debby Ryan

For a beachy take on the trend, look no further than Debby Ryan’s undone waves. The BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium Ionic Deep Waver ($90) can deliver this look without unnecessary indentations.

9 / 21

Whitney Peak

If you don’t care about tying your hair back in a ponytail, Whitney Peak’s pixie/shag /wolf cut combo might be worth trying. Let this length air-dry for a lived in texture or blow dry for something more polished.

10 / 21

Lizzo

Think of Lizzo’s hairstyle as a cross between a wolf cut and a mullet. Except in her version, it’s a party in the front as well as the back. Be warned: this is not a low maintenance look. Expect to spend time styling every day.

11 / 21

Kaia Gerber

Wolf cuts are known to be edgy, but Kaia Gerber offers a softer view on the style. Instead of piecey bangs, she opts for a blunt line, and the layers throughout feel soft rather than choppy.

12 / 21

Halle Berry

For another approachable option, Halle Berry’s hairstyle is long enough so you can still pull your hair back but different enough to draw attention.

13 / 21

Yara Shahidi

Wolf cuts aren’t limited by hair texture, and Yara Shahidi makes a strong case for curls. The different layers show off her curl’s definition. Protip: keep a curl refreshing spray like the Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Refreshing Spray ($10) on hand to liven up your natural texture.

14 / 21

Barbie Ferreira

If you are looking for ways to try this style without sacrificing your length, Barbie Ferreira’s style may be right for you. Her bangs are cut on a slant with that shorter layer carrying through the rest of the style.

15 / 21

Natasha Lyonne

In her latest show, Poker Face, Natasha Lyonne sports an edgy ‘do, and it has almost become synonymous with her character. Use a small round brush, our team loves the Drybar Half Pint ($36), when styling the bangs.

16 / 21

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson’s short ‘do somehow feels like it was ripped from the eighties without losing a modern flair. In order to achieve her piecey-ness, use a styling gel to accent small chunks in the front.

wolf cut scarlett johanssen — Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/ Getty Images

17 / 21

Lucy Hale

Many wolf cuts require blunt or micro bangs. If that feels too intimidating, never fear. Bangs are not a prerequisite for the style. Take Lucy Hale’s cut. Her face framing layers in the front are long enough to be tucked behind the ears and nicely flow into the bottom rung.

18 / 21

Camila Cabello

Camila Cabello offers a way to take part in the trend without sacrificing your length. In order to keep your ends healthy, regularly use a moisturizing hair mask like the Gisou Honey Infused Hydrating Hair Mask ($57) in your hair-care routine.

19 / 21

Jodie Comer

One look at Jodie Comer’s bouncy strands could convince someone with waist length strands to come in for a chop. She highlights her shorter layers by blowing them out and adding a brush curl in at the ends.

20 / 21

Wendy

Wendy’s wolf cut is cropped like some of the others on this list. However, instead of going for the piecey approach, she keeps her layers facing the same direction.

21 / 21

Mary Steenburgen

You can always rely on Mary Steenburgen to perform iconic roles on screen and serve a chic, shoulder length ‘do while she’s at it. This time, she’s added a blunt bang and some long layers for an attainable take on the wolf cut.

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