The wolf cut has been making waves in the hair world, with its heavy layers and voluminous crown becoming a viral sensation on TikTok. Loved by women for being edgy and rebellious, this cut looks like a mix of shag and mullet. Many women are taking the scissors into their own hands, creating this daring look at home by tying their hair into a ponytail and cutting it off. However, getting the perfect wolf haircut may be better suited to a professional stylist. So, whether you prefer a dramatic or more subdued look, the wolf cut may be the exciting hairstyle change you need.
RELATED: 60 Best Shag Haircuts for Women
What is a Wolf Cut Haircut?
Wolf cut hairstyles mix two of the most popular trends to create a unique layered look. Combining elements of the mullet and shag, wolf cuts feature a mixture of layers and bangs that can be styled in a variety of ways. The result is a versatile and edgy hairstyle that can suit a range of face shapes and hair lengths.
Wolf Cut vs. Shag
There are many similarities between the wolf cut and the shag haircut. The wolf cut has been inspired by the shag, and also features layers with volume and the crown and thinning toward the ends. Both cuts are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit your face shape, desired length, and hair texture. However, the defining difference between these cuts is that the wolf cut has elements of the mullet hairstyle and is often choppier in appearance. It has a more noticeable distinction in length between the top of the hair and the ends.
How to Style a Wolf Cut?
- Choose bangs based on your face shape. Bangs are a defining element of the wolf cut, and hairstylists experiment with various styles to create different face-framing layers. For rectangular and square faces, curtain bangs help balance out the angles, while round faces can benefit from side-swept bangs to create a wispy look.
- Use a combination of air-drying and blow-drying. Instead of relying solely on blowouts, the messy wolf cut hairstyle benefits from a mix of air-drying and blow-drying techniques. Attach a diffuser to your blow-dryer and angle your head down when your hair is partially dry. Scrunch up sections of your hair using the diffuser to add body and volume, achieving the soft, wavy hair look associated with the wolf cut.
- Embrace texture. The messier, the better for the wolf cut. Play with your natural hair texture to achieve a tousled, shaggy wolf cut. For wavy and curly hair types, enhance your natural curls and add volume with a styling mousse. Opting for hair products for curly hair also helps prevent frizz throughout the day.
- Set the look with hair spray. To maintain the tousled appearance, lightly spritz hair spray on top of your hair. Hold the spray bottle about six inches away from your head to avoid oversaturating the roots.
Wolf Cut Hairstyles
1. Curly Wolf Cut
The wolf cut is one of the sexiest curly hairstyles for women and is an excellent hairstyle choice because the natural volume and movement of your curls enhance the layers of the cut. This creates a blended and subtle look, with the curls adding a softness to your appearance. For an extra touch, consider wearing the cut with bangs that gently fall across your face, giving a softer look while accentuating your best features.
2. Korean Wolf Cut
The wolf cut is one of the top trending women’s hairstyles on social media. It has become an exceptionally popular hairstyle for Asian women because it is expressive, versatile, and can be easily adapted to suit the hair texture. It is also a look that has been popular with K-Pop and is believed to have first emerged in South Korea. This style features soft layers that fall gently against the face. This can be incredibly flattering and an excellent way to highlight your features.
3. Shag Wolf Cut
The wolf cut is characterized by its layered and relaxed appearance, resembling a combination of a shag haircut and a mullet. You have the freedom to individualize this style by choosing your preferred bangs or emphasizing a specific element of the hairstyle. The shag is a layered haircut that adds thickness, volume, and movement to the hair, creating a flattering and low-maintenance hairstyle for women.
4. Wolf Cut Mullet
The mullet wolf cut is a variation of the hairstyle that prioritizes the mullet appearance over the shag. It involves keeping long hair at the back while keeping the top and sides shorter. You might have seen superstar Miley Cyrus sporting this modern mullet for several years, with the hair on the crown standing out. This haircut gives a voluminous and full look, with heavily layered hair that tapers towards the ends. It’s a bold and cool combination that works well with vibrant colors if that’s your preference.
5. Wolf Cut Long Hair
The wolf cut is one of the most stylish long hairstyles for women. This haircut complements longer lengths and medium to thick hair textures, making it suitable for various age groups. It helps to remove bulk from long hair by adding layers throughout. The result is a fresh and cool look that is wearable and versatile. Personalize your hairstyle by adding bangs, such as curtain bangs, which can enhance your look by framing your face and drawing attention to your eyes.
6. Wavy Wolf Cut
One of the best hair textures for the wolf cut is wavy hair. The cut is defined by its heavy layers, which create a choppy and voluminous appearance. Length is kept on the top of the head by using short layers which are thinner toward the bottom. The natural waves in your hair make styling the cut much easier; it does need to be styled, despite looking as though you haven’t touched it. Wavy hair can boost volume but also achieve a more blended appearance.
7. Long Textured Wolf Haircut
The wolf cut can be achieved on hair of any length, but it works best on longer hair for a textured and slightly undone look that isn’t too choppy. When done with long hair, the top and bottom layers blend together more seamlessly. While the style is intentionally messy, it’s important to style your hair, and having naturally wavy or curly hair makes the process much simpler.
8. Bleached Blonde Wolf Haircut
Bleached blonde hair is ideal for showing off your hair texture and highlighting your chosen cut. This color looks unnatural, with a slight yellow tinge, but it is great for those who want to make a statement; if you love the idea of trying out a fresh and modern cut, like the wolf cut, which combines the shag and the mullet, then wearing it with bleached hair will highlight the choppy layers. You can also wear it with curtain bangs for a flattering and youthful approach that will draw attention to your facial features. The only downside is that bleach can be damaging, and it is important to work with a trained colorist to minimize this damage.
9. Choppy Layered Wolf Haircut
The choppy layered wolf haircut is achieved by creating layered, textured strands in a choppy fashion that gives it a wild and untamed appearance. This haircut is unique and can be customized to suit different face shapes and hair types, making it a versatile and practical choice for those looking to switch up their hair game. With its bold and striking look, the cut is definitely a style that is not for the faint of heart. If you’re bold enough to try it out, it will surely give you the fierce and fabulous look you’ve always wanted.
10. Medium Length Blue Hair with Wolf Cut
What better way to express yourself than with bright hair colors? Blue hair is a color that will demand attention and make you stand out from the crowd. It is also associated with calmness, freedom, and creativity, and who doesn’t want to channel these vibes with their hair? Dyeing your hair an unnatural shade also lets you have fun and show your playful side to the world. If you want a cut that complements your bold choice of hair color, a wolf cut is what you need.
11. Wolf Haircut with Messy Curtain Bangs
The wolf haircut has been popping up everywhere online, and there is a lot to love about this hairstyle. It is ideal for creating volume and giving your hair movement and makes a deliberately messy and unstyled appearance, giving you an effortlessly cool look. The cut can be adapted to suit your preference, this includes how you style the fringe, and curtain bangs are a great addition. These bangs will frame the face like a curtain on a window and are incredibly flattering. They can be long or short, full or wispy, and will transform your hair and highlight your facial features.
12. Rainbow Wolf Haircut
Hair doesn’t get much more expressive than opting for a rainbow head of hair. This hairstyle combines several colors to mimic the appearance of a rainbow and has been popular since the 70s thanks to the punk scene; although, over the years, it has changed to have a more modern twist. This cut is a mixture of the shag and a mullet, with short layers on top, creating volume and longer layers in the back. You can strategically place your color in a way that frames the face or highlights the choppiness of the cut.
13. Two Tone Wolf Cut
The two-tone hairstyle is not for the faint of heart and takes a lot of confidence to pull off. The colors you choose could be any combination, including natural shades of brown and blonde, to bright and bold colors that demand attention. You can also experiment with the placement of the colors; on a wolf cut, this could be one color on the top of the head and another on the bottom. The cut is fuller, with shorter, choppy layers on the top and longer layers on the bottom. The right color combination can accentuate the cut even more, leaving you looking effortlessly cool.
14. Red Hair Wolf Cut
Red hair is bright and bold, making it a perfect color for drawing attention to your haircut and texture. Even the simplest looks are great on red hair, but the color complements something daring like the wolf cut. The choppy layers will be more visible, and you can wear the hair long or short, depending on your preference. You can also style it with bangs, including face-framing curtain bangs or a wispy fringe to add softness to your look.
15. Thick Fringe Wolf Cut
The wolf cut is a gender neutral haircut that is excellent for highlighting your natural hair texture. If you have thick hair, you may want to retain some of the volume on the top of the head, including with the fringe. A more defined fringe can create a contrast with the thin and choppy layers on the bottom half of the head. The wolf cut works well on thick hair as it can complement the heavy layering and remove bulk and weight. The appeal of the cut is that it looks messy and undone, leaving you with a relaxed aesthetic.
16. Wolf Cut Short Hair
The wolf haircut is a style that relies heavily on layers. The top layers are cut shorter to give the crown more volume and fullness, while the rest of the hair appears thinner. It is a cut that can be created on hair of all lengths and textures, including short hairstyles for women. The difference between short hair and longer lengths is that the cut will be much more noticeable and less blended when shorter. It will have a choppy appearance and could also be harder to style. That said, this is a wonderful option for someone who wants to express themselves with their hair and wants a fun, modern, and interesting look.
17. Wolf Cut Natural Curly Hair
You are in luck if you have natural curly hair because the wolf cut will look amazing on you. The style creates volume on the top of the head and gets thinner toward the ends. If you like the idea of the cut and feel it would be a fresh and fun way to wear your hair, then take the plunge and do it. The appeal of your hair texture is that it will soften the layers, creating a more subtle finish. You can cut it to your desired length, keeping it short or long.
18. Wolf Cut Older Women
The wolf haircut has an effortless and unstyled appearance, which is deceiving as it does require some styling. For this reason, it works best on hair that is naturally textured, which adds to the volume and prevents the hair from looking flat. The appeal of this cut is that it is surprisingly versatile and can be created in several ways, letting you adapt it to suit your hair length, thickness, and type. The wolf cut is one of the best hairstyles for older women that can make a youthful appearance.
19. Wolf Cut Thin Hair
For women with thin hair, finding the perfect haircut can be a challenge. Fortunately, the wolf cut is a versatile option that can work for all hair types and textures. While thicker, naturally textured hair may be the ideal fit for the wolf cut, those with fine hair can still pull it off with a few adjustments. Keeping the cut shorter and adding volume can help give the illusion of thicker, fuller locks. With the wolf cut, the focus is on creating length and volume at the top of the hair and gradually thinning it out into choppy layers.
20. Wolf Cut Shaved Sides
When it comes to the wolf hairstyle, adding shaved sides can take the edgy look to an even more rebellious level. But it’s not just about making a statement – the shaved sides also serve a functional purpose. By highlighting the top of the head, where layers are cut for volume and fullness, the shaved sides create a contrast that demands attention. It’s an interesting and eye-catching look that’s sure to turn heads, whether you’re walking down the street or strutting your stuff on stage.
21. Spiky Wolf Cut
Adding subtle spikes to the wolf cut not only highlights the crown of your head but it also gives the illusion of fullness. This hairstyle allows for customization based on hair texture and desired length while offering a rebellious and punk-inspired look when combined with spikes. It’s important to keep in mind that the spikes should be short and soft, avoiding the excessively stiff look of the 90s. Whether you opt for a wild or understated style, the wolf cut with spiky hair is a look that is sure to turn heads.
22. Wolf Cut Thick Hair and Long Fringe
The wolf cut is known for its effortless appearance and adaptability. It offers the freedom to customize the style based on personal preference, framing the face and accentuating features. When it comes to the fringe, maintaining a longer length makes it easier to grow out. By wearing it just below the browline, it draws attention to the eyes and creates a youthful look. Additionally, this cut works wonders for those with thick hair, as it complements the weighty layers.
23. Wolf Cut Blunt Bangs
The wolf cut is a versatile haircut, and you can enhance your face shape by selecting the right type of bangs to pair with it. Opting for blunt bangs will draw attention to your face while accentuating your features. Moreover, this haircut can provide a youthful glow and help conceal forehead wrinkles and fine lines. If you have straight hair, the blunt cut will showcase the precision of the style, while on curly or wavy hair, it will create a softer and more blended look.
24. E-Girl Wolf Haircut
The e-girl hairstyle look is another trend that TikTok has inspired, and it makes sense to combine two trendy social media hairstyles; thus, the eGirl-inspired wolf haircut was born. The appealing thing about the e-girl aesthetic is that it is expressive, letting you find a way to show your fun side and also create a look that best reflects your style. One of the easiest ways to do this is with hair color, and the placement is everything with this cut. Strategically placed statement highlights will frame the face and complement the choppy layers. It can also be added to just one side of the hair to balance a side parting or just give your appearance some edge.
25. Wolf Cut Medium Hair
The wolf cut is one of the best medium-length hairstyles for women. It offers a tousled finish rather than a heavily textured and layered appearance. Some wolf cuts feature pronounced layers, resulting in a noticeable distinction between the top and bottom portions of the hair. The top layers are shorter, adding fullness at the crown, while the lower half of the hair is thinner. However, you also have the flexibility to customize it according to your preference, including creating a more subtle and blended look.
26. Wolf Cut Straight Hair
The wolf haircut is best on hair that is textured because it makes styling so much easier; you need to create volume and avoid the hair looking flat or lifeless. However, there is a definite pro to straight hair, making the layers more visible. The choppy cut is heavily layered, and this can show up better on hair that is not textured, although it will need more styling. Wearing it with a medium-length hairstyle will create the best results. You can also leave a few wispy pieces to fall around the face to add a softness to straight wolf cut.
27. Wolf Cut Short Bob
The wolf haircut combines the shag and the mullet, giving a textured and voluminous look that can be adapted to suit different hair textures and lengths. This includes wearing it in a short bob, which is classic and versatile. The length of the hair and how it falls can complement all face shapes and look good on women of all ages. It can also give you a youthful glow. Pairing this length with the texture of the wolf cut gives your hair a fresh and modern twist. You can opt for a bright and bold color, like orange or red, to highlight your look.
28. Wolf Cut Pink Hair
What’s great about the wolf cut is that it can be personalized to suit your individual style. For example, if you’re feeling bold, you can add a pop of color like pink to really turn heads. Not only is this a fun way to express yourself, but it also has symbolic meaning. Pink hair is often associated with femininity and love, so if you’re looking to make a statement, this could be the perfect way to do so.
29. Fluffy Wolf Cut
The wolf haircut is a popular choice because it is textured and voluminous. If you love big hair, you can add to this by using heat styling and blow-drying. The process is also great for achieving different textures and can create curls, waves, or straight hair. This cut would be an excellent option for drawing attention to the wolf cut layers throughout the hair, particularly around the face. The more volume, the better; it can soften your features and frame your face. Big hair looks healthy, thick, and full of life.
30. Pixie Wolf Cut
You have probably seen the wolf cut on social media and wondered if you can pull it off. This combo between the mullet and shag is excellent for achieving texture and volume; the layers make the crown appear full and voluminous, with hair thinning toward the ends. The appeal is that it can be created in various lengths, from short to long, and you can also take some aspects of the cut that you like, such as the heavy layers, and work them into a different style. The pixie cut is a short hairstyle for women that is classic and versatile. Add the choppiness and volume at the crown to your pixie, giving it a modern update.
31. Curly Wolf Cut Wispy Bangs
Curly hair is great for the wolf to cut because it reduces styling. This is a voluminous and textured cut, and on straight hair, you need to spend more time achieving this, whereas on curly hair, the result is effortless. The great thing about curly hair is that it can also soften the cut, making it less edgy and more wearable. Pair it with bangs of your choice to transform your face and highlight your features. Wispy bangs are thin and light, giving the hair a feminine and romantic finish and drawing attention to your eyes. They can also be easier to style than thicker bangs and those that require structure.
32. Short Straight Bob Wolf Cut
The wolf cut looks great with short hair; you can keep it at bob length. This length is incredibly versatile and flattering on all face shapes. It is also ideal for women of all ages and will give you a youthful appearance. This is an especially appealing choice if your hair is thick, as it can look fluffy and voluminous. Although shorter length makes the hair more manageable, it can also involve less styling if your hair is naturally textured; straight hair requires a bit more finessing to get it right.
33. Wolf Cut with Highlights
Statement highlights are an 80s look that has made a big comeback recently because it is trendy and cool. Adding thick streaks of color to the hair can be incredibly flattering, especially when they are strategically placed to fall around the face, framing it. The colors you choose can be natural, for example, blonde highlights on brown hair, or more daring with a bright color like pink or blue. This versatile option can be created in various ways and has a youthful appearance.
34. Wolf Cut Brown Hair
There are different ways to style the wolf cut depending on your hair texture and desired length. You can opt for an edgy and choppy look, which demands attention, or you can decide on a more subtle version of the cut. Instead of thinning out the hair dramatically toward the ends and focusing all the volume on the top, you can work with your hairstylist to create a more blended appearance. Your haircut will feature short layers throughout but can be easily adapted to your preference to compliment your face shape. This can also be achieved with your choice of bangs; curtain or blunt bangs are ideal.
35. Wolf Cut Textured Fringe
A fringe can draw attention to your best features and give you a youthful appearance. It can also disguise problem skin and hide fine lines or wrinkles. In addition, fringes can be adapted to suit all hairstyles, including the wolf cut. This cut has become a viral sensation because it is easy to do at home, and the choppy, heavily layered appearance gives you an effortlessly cool look. Wearing your hair with a textured fringe pair well with the deliberately messy appearance of the wolf cut and complements it. You can style it long and straight or sweep it to the side, depending on your preference.
36. Wolf Haircut with Neon Yellow Stripes
What is a guaranteed way to make your hair stand out? With neon yellow, of course! Adding neon strips to your hair will demand attention, but they can also be strategically placed to complement your cut and frame your face. With a wolf cut, this could be on the sides of the face, highlighting your features. It can also give you an edgy, punk vibe. There is no denying that this hairstyle will turn heads and let you express your fun side, but the downside to neons is that they can be high-maintenance and will fade quickly.
37. Platinum Blonde Wolf Cut
Platinum blonde is a bright, bold choice that instantly highlights your chosen cut. The hair color will lighten your appearance and is excellent for showing off your natural hair texture or an interesting style, like the heavily textured wolf cut. The downside to this color is that it undergoes bleaching and toning to achieve the desired hue, and this process can be incredibly damaging; this is especially true if your hair is darker. Platinum can also be time-consuming to achieve, high maintenance, and expensive.
38. Long Wolf Cut with Subtle Blunt Ends
The wolf cut can be personalized with your choice of bangs and how you style and cut it, including opting for blunt ends. A standard blunt cut lacks layers, but this option offers a bit of both. This wonderful look will complement your hair length and make the cut more noticeable. It is great on hair of all lengths, but the wolf cut can appear more blended and less choppy with longer hair.
39. Curly Wolf Cut with Highlights
Regardless of your hair texture or desired length, you have the option to rock the wolf cut. This trendy and versatile hairstyle creates a purposely messy look that exudes effortlessly cool vibes. Although it may seem low-maintenance, styling is still required, especially for curly hair that already has volume. Enhance your hair’s depth and dimension by incorporating highlights, either as statement pieces framing your face or throughout your hair for a more subtle effect. Collaborate with your stylist to find a color that complements your natural hair and skin tone.
40. 90s Wolf Cut
The wolf haircut has recently come on everyone’s radar because of its popularity on TikTok. But before it was a viral sensation, some version of the look already existed, although it was much less dramatic. If we think back to the 90s hairstyles, we may recognize this look that features heavy layers flicked out and textured. The look is also voluminous and frames the face but is sleeker.
41. Layered Wolf Cut
The wolf cut is a style that is a blend between shag and mullet. It includes elements of both of these cuts but is defined by its heavy layers. Layered hair can be incredibly flattering; in this case, it creates fullness and volume at the crown and thins toward the ends. You can experiment with how you add the layers, opting for subtle, nuanced layered hair or creating a messy finish with choppy layers.
42. Shoulder Length Wolf Cut
The most popular length to wear the hair is around shoulder length. Shoulder length hair gives you versatility because it is short enough that it is low-maintenance but long enough that you have versatility with styling the hair. The wolf cut is an appealing hairstyle because it is heavily layered and easily adapted to suit all hair textures. It is also flattering on women of all ages, creating an effortlessly cool and youthful finish.
43. Wolf Cut Round Face
The appeal of the wolf cut is that it looks good on everyone and can be adapted to suit your face shape and hair texture. It can be particularly flattering on round faces, especially when cut around shoulder length. The movement of the cut and the way it falls around the jawline can be incredibly flattering. It can soften your features, creating a more balanced finish.
44. Soft Wolf Cut
The way you add layers to the hair will determine the result. For those who want a soft wolf cut, create less choppy layers, instead opting for layers that blend smoothly with the rest of the hair to create a more subtle finish. There will be a less distinct difference in length and texture between the crown and the hair at the ends. You can also add layers or wispy bangs around the face to soften your features.
Wolf Cut Styles FAQs
Is a wolf cut easy to maintain?
A wolf cut is a low-maintenance look that is effortlessly cool. One of the reasons it is so popular is because the layers are deliberately uneven, giving you room for mistakes. It can also be cut at home and is styled to look undone and messy, although, for the best results, you should seek the help of a professional hairstylist. The hairstyle works best with naturally textured hair to give it lift and movement, making it even less hassle.
Can you get a wolf cut with thin hair?
Wolf cuts work best with thick hair but can also be styled with thin hair. It will give the illusion of thickness and create volume. This is achieved by focusing the volume and length at the top of the head, with the cut gradually thinning toward the ends. The key is not adding as many layers, which can overwhelm your hair and make it look even thinner.
Cailyn Cox holds a degree in journalism and has been working with The Trend Spotter as a writer for over ten years. She has worked with some of the most prestigious women’s and men's lifestyle publications. For her, writing is not just a job; it’s a passion, which is why each article she writes is approached with such enthusiasm and dedication. She has extensive knowledge of hairstyles, tattoos, and beauty and has made a career out of creating informative articles that appeal to women and men of all ages.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.