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24 Amazing Wolf Cut Hairstyles for All Genders & Hair Types

aida turner

Published by Aida Turner

Fact checked by Annie

Key takeaways:

  • The wolf haircut is a mix of a mullet and shag.
  • The wolf haircut was first a topic of interest in the early 2000s when Kim Byung Ji wore it to the soccer field.
  • The wolf cut suits everyone, regardless if your hair is straight, wavy, curly, long, or short.
  • You can style your own wolf haircut using good hair products (like texturizing spray), a round brush, a curling iron, and a blow dryer. But you can also ask a hairdresser to do it for $20 to $50.

It’s hard to pinpoint precisely when the wolf cut started.

However, it appeared as a topic of interest in the early 2000s when South Korean soccer player Kim Byung Ji started wearing a hairstyle that seemed like a softer and more gradual shaggy cut.

Then in 2005, the queen of KPop herself, BoA, wore the wolf hairstyle during the Girls On Top era.

Image Source: Koreaboo

The interest in the wolf cut hair died again before being revived in the 2010s thanks to WINNER’s Mino and BIGBANG’S G-Dragon’s bright red hair.

Image Source: Zimbio

Other celebrities have tried out the wolf hairstyle as well. But it wasn’t until 2021 that it was finally on the list of Gen Z trends.

The style was garnering MILLIONS of views on TikTok. Pinterest and Google also saw a rise in people who searched it on their sites.

On March 2021, the hairstyle attracted a lot of interest when Billie Eilish posted on Instagram to show her new blonde hair.

Image Source: Instagram

Many Hollywood artists have also embraced this edgy and shaggy style, including Keke Palmer and Miley Cyrus.

Image Source: Instagram

The hairstyle has also taken the KPop scene by storm. Later in June that year, TXT member Beomgyu also donned the wolf cut.

Image Source: Instagram

Let’s dive deeper into what this hairstyle is all about and the many trendy variations you might be interested in trying out!

What Is the Wolf Cut?

It’s pretty tricky to pin down what a wolf haircut exactly is since it’s a mix of hairstyles. However, the most common description is that it’s a mix of a mullet and shag haircut.

It’s a tapered hairstyle with short choppy layers. The style has shorter layers in front or on top that blend into blunt or curtain bangs. Meanwhile, the longer layers of hair seem wispier and flick out.

You also get a lot of LIFT and VOLUME at your hair roots and crown!

Because the wolf cut is a mix of hairstyles, it’s typically described as messy, edgy, and even rebellious.

However, the messiness of the cut is actually part of what makes it appealing to many people.

Wolf Cut vs. Mullet vs. Shag Cut vs. Layer Cut

Because the wolf haircut is a combination of different hairstyles, it can be difficult to tell it apart from other similar cuts that result in various hair lengths — like the mullet, shag, and layer cut.

Below, we’ve created a table to give you a general idea of how these styles differ from one another:


Hairstyle | Style in Front | Style in Back | Key Features

Wolf Cut | Short and heavily layered with bangs | Longer layers | Front layers framing the face

Mullet | Short and heavily layered | Long | Long “tail” of hair at the back

Shag Cut | Short and framing the face | Long | Voluminous around the crown of the head

Layer Cut | Framing the face | Varying lengths | Clean uneven cut


24 Wolf Cut Hairstyle Ideas

There are a lot of variations of the wolf haircut depending on the length, style, hair type, colors, and more. We’ll show you some examples of the most common wolf haircut ideas:

Classic Female Wolf Cut Ideas

The classic wolf cut for women skims the shoulders and has very choppy layers. You also get curtain bangs and a lot of hair texture on top.

Classic Wolf Cut

The classic of the classics gives off the typical messy and tousled style.

Image Source: Instagram

Messy Wolf Cut

This is a unique but still trendy wolf cut that has a lot of choppy layers. It also has fuller bangs and longer face-framing strands of hair.

Image Source: Instagram

Tamed Wolf Cut

If you’re not ready for the wild way a typical wolf cut looks, a tamed version has a more relaxed look. This is because the hair around your crown isn’t as voluminous.

Image Source: Instagram

Classic Wolf Cut Ideas for Men

The wolf cut is gender-neutral, so there are many ways for men to rock it as well!

Thin Midi Wolf Cut

This works well for those with fine hair since the way it is styled gives the illusion of a more voluminous wolf haircut. (Also, yes, it looks exactly what your favorite KPop idols/actors were rocking in the late 2000s.)

Image Source: Medium

Shaved Wolf Cut

Shaving the sides makes for an edgier look. It will also highlight the volume and fullness of your hair — especially the crown.

Image Source: Pinterest

Kim Byungji Cut

Of course, why not get the same style as the guy who started it all?

Image Source: Twitter

Short Wolf Cut

The wolf hairstyle is excellent for those with short hair since it actually makes it easier to get the illusion of volume.

Shaggy Wolf Cut

This wolf hairstyle is shoulder-length, with the ends thinned out. Despite these textured ends, this cut doesn’t look too wild. You also get the illusion of more volume on top.

Image Source: Instagram

Pixie Wolf Cut

Pixie cuts are classic and versatile hairstyles too. You can give them a modern twist by adding the choppiness and volume known to wolf cuts.

Image Source: Instagram

Black Hair With Pop of Color

If black is your natural color, you can add a pop of any color to level up your layered cut.

Image Source: Instagram

Long Wolf Cut

There’s so much you can do with long hair! There’s more room to work with, so you can add as many layers or add as much texture as you want.

Blonde Wolf Cut

Are you inspired by Billie Eilish’s ice-blonde wolf cut? You can get the same bleached blonde hair, or maybe get something more sunshine yellow.

Image Source: Instagram

Long Textured Wolf Cut

This great edgy wolf cut hairstyle makes the long and short layers look more blended. It’s heavily textured, and the length makes creating volume easier too.

Image Source: Instagram

Subtle Wolf Cut

If you’re not fond of that heavily layered and textured look, you can opt for a subtle cut. This happens if you DON’T use choppy layers to result in a more tousled style.

Image Source: Instagram

Wavy/Curly Wolf Cut

Curly and wavy hair would actually be wonderful with the wolf haircut! That’s because the layers aren’t so obvious, making for a more blended look.

Red Wavy Wolf Cut with Micro Bangs

Really short bangs give your crown good volume without getting in your eyes. Add to that some red hair, and you look ready for rock and roll!

Image Source: Instagram

Fluffy Wolf Cut

You can recreate this look even if your hair is naturally straight. The main idea is to create hair textures that frame your face. It also gives the illusion of healthier and thicker hair.

Image Source: Instagram

Curly Hair Wolf Cut with Pop of Pink

Give your curly hair a pop of color. A shock of pink will go well with brown hair, but of course, you can experiment with any other hair color you want as well.

Image Source: Instagram

Korean Wolf Cut

KPop and KDramas are taking the world by storm. Feel closer to your favorite celebrities or shows by having a wolf haircut that gives the same vibes.

Red and Black Wolf Cut

For our guys out there, G Dragon’s bright red wolf cut might be too intimidating to try to pull off. If that’s the case, EXO Baekhyun’s black-and-red hair can be something you can go for.

Image Source: Soompi

Wispy Bangs Wolf Cut

Wispy bangs on short hair will result in a more feminine look. At the same time, it’s quite simple but also stunning!

Image Source: Instagram

Pink Wolf Cut

Wolf cuts are typically seen as edgy, but dyeing your hair a light or baby pink can soften it.

Image Source: Instagram

Wolf Cut for Straight Hair

The wolf haircut may require a lot of volume and texture, which is easier for hair that’s wavy or curly. But if your hair is naturally straight, you can still pull it off with the right styles.

Sleek Wolf Cut

A wolf hairdo is typically wavy or curly. But if your hair is naturally straight and you don’t want to style it every day, then a simple, sleek wolf cut is a great option.

Image Source: Instagram

Spiky Wolf Cut

“Spiky” is relative. You can make the spikiness as pronounced as you want to customize how “rebellious” or “punky” you want your look to be.

Image Source: Instagram

Layered Wolf Cut

This is a stylish option that’s not very dramatic. You also get to look cool while having a low-maintenance cut.

Image Source: Instagram

Wolf Cut With Bangs

A wolf hairdo usually utilizes curtain bangs. But as already been mentioned, you can adapt this hairstyle to whatever suits you.

Blunt Bangs Wolf Cut

Blunt bangs can make you look younger by hiding forehead wrinkles and fine lines. It helps frame your face better, too, drawing attention to face shapes.

Image Source: Instagram

Thick Fringe Wolf Cut

This style is great for those with thick hair since they get to keep some of the volume on their crown. The more defined the fringe, the better it can complement the different hair layers.

Image Source: Instagram

Micro Fringe Wolf Cut

The bangs are the main feature of this cut. It’s also quite close to mullet because of the longer lengths of hair at the back.

Image Source: Instagram

How to Style a Wolf Haircut

Because of how varied the wolf cut trend is, there’s really no one way to style a wolf cut. But we’ll give you a general step-by-step guide that you can adjust based on your needs and wants:

  1. Wash and towel dry your hair.
  2. Prep your hair with a hair treatment product like the Aveda Botanical Repair Intensive Strengthening Masque to protect it from the heat tool.
  3. Use a round brush and blow dryer to style your fringe. We recommend the T3 Volume Round Brush, which has heat-resistant bristles that make for professional-level styling. For the blow dryer, BaBylissPRO’s Nano Titanium Hair Dryer is lightweight but has a strong airflow for easier use. Brush your bangs forward and down with the blow dryer.
  4. Highlight the layers using an iron. The Remington S9500 Pro is a great companion for this since it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver.Just take small sections of hair at a time and flatten the ends. You can do this with all layers or those just mid-length and longer.
  5. Put a dollop of texturizing spray through your hair. The R+Co Balloon Dry Volume Spray is a good option since it works for all hair types and isn’t chalky.

Who Is the Wolf Cut Ideal For?

The wolf cut is for everyone!

It’s GENDER-NEUTRAL, working great on both straight and curly hair. Not to mention, it can be done on different hair textures and lengths.

Its versatility and ability to be DIY-ed have appealed to people who want to try something new with their hair.

In fact, some people just put their long hair in a ponytail and chop it off for easy layers!

Younger women, in particular, are drawn to the wolf haircut since they can adjust it to look as edgy or feminine as they want.

While this style can be recommended to anyone, it’s still best to consult with a skilled hairstylist regarding which style of wolf cut will suit your face shape best.

Alongside that, you can also talk about whether you should stick with your natural color or go for another hair color that might suit you.

How Much Does a Wolf Cut Cost at a Hairdresser?

A wolf haircut would cost as much as a typical haircut. After all, it’s essentially just a fringe cut with layers that add volume.

However, if you want it styled too, expect to pay an additional $20 to $50, depending on the service.

You can hope your hairdresser understands you the moment you ask for a wolf haircut.

In case they aren’t familiar with the term, you can try to describe the look. For instance, you can say that you want “longer and softer shapes and layers” for a subtle cut.

Alternatively, have a screenshot or Pinterest board ready to lessen the misunderstanding of what kind of cut you want.

Of course, if either one of you isn’t sure they completely understand what’s going to happen, it’s best to have a longer consultation.

Here, the hairdresser can style a wolf cut that suits you the most. They’ll check things like hair texture and face shape. If you want to dye your hair, they can also help you choose a color that matches your skin tone.

How to Maintain a Wolf Cut

The wolf cut hair trend is one of the more low-maintenance looks you can have.

However, you’ll want to make sure the messiness of the style still looks good — rather than looking like you woke up with a bad case of bed hair.

#1 Start Smart Hair Habits

A basic but excellent tip is to have good hair care habits:

  • Brush your hair daily. A round brush will help create volume.
  • Use a detangling spray if your hair is prone to knots.
  • Trim every 8 weeks. This can help preserve the shaggy bangs and layers.

#2 Use Good Hair Products

To make your wolf haircut work, you’ll want to find products that can help you maintain its texture, fullness, and hold.

Some products you can consider are:

  • For thick hair
    • Leave-in conditioner
    • Curl-defining cream
  • For wavy hair
    • Dry shampoo
    • Gel
    • Sea salt spray
  • For straight hair
    • Mousse

In general, a mousse and volumizing spray will help any kind of hair.

How Long Does Wolf Cut Hair Last?

The best thing about the wolf haircut still looks GREAT even when it’s worn long. After all, the more hair you have, the more volume you get.

But for those with thick manes or short hair styles, it would be best to get your hair trimmed every 5 to 7 weeks.

If you have thinner or longer hair, 8 to 10 weeks is a good time to trim.

But generally, you can go two to three months without looking like you need a haircut.

FAQs

Have more questions regarding the trendy wolf cut? We’ll answer some of them below:

Final Thoughts

The wolf cut is a hair trend that has slowly been in the making.

Starting in the early 2000s, it’s now something that younger women and men are open to embracing. Despite that, everyone can rock it — regardless of age, hair type, and gender.

This is thanks to the wolf haircut being very versatile. You can adjust it according to your needs and wants so that it can flatter your features as much as possible.

As long as you choose the right wolf hairstyle that you feel confident in, you can turn heads wherever you go.

aida turner

Aida

Founder & Hair Beauty Specialist

I’m Aida and this is my blog where I write mostly about beauty and make up related stuff, but I like to spice it up a bit with lifestyle and photography posts. Or with whatever that comes to my mind. Hope you will enjoy the reading enough that we will ‘see’ each other more often!