Change Up Your Style With a Cool Wolf Haircut

Social media is great for keeping tabs on friends, following brands you care about and without a doubt, learning about new beauty trends. This season, some of those new beauty trends include pop art nails, Gemini hair color and layered haircuts like the jellyfish cut and the wolf cut. 

The viral wolf haircut is leading hair trends and it’s backed by countless celebrities, models and influencers that are claiming this undone style. If you’re not familiar, think of the wolf cut as a modern take on the ‘70s shag cut, prioritizing texture, movement and body with lots of layers. Because of this, it suits all hair types and lengths, and it’s a great way to refresh your style for the spring season and, honestly, year round. Keep scrolling to learn more about the viral wolf cut, including wolf haircut ideas to inspire your next ‘do and how to style one yourself. 

What Is the Wolf Haircut?

The wolf haircut gets its name from its untamed, textured style that resembles the fur of it’s namesake. Some people say the wolf cut is a modern-day mullet, while others argue it’s more of a shag haircut. What we know for sure is that this edgy style is a current iteration of hairstyles dating back to the ‘70s and ‘80s. It has tons of layers with shorter ones in the front and longer pieces in the back. It also features face-framing layers or side-swept bangs to give the style even more body. It’s tousled, fierce, textured and a bit wild, just like its name suggests.  

What Face Shape Is a Wolf Cut Best for?

A layered haircut is great for adding texture, but does a wolf cut look good on everyone? With the right adjustments for your features, a wolf haircut can suit every face shape. The choppy, short layers around the face make the wolf haircut a flattering choice for a round face shape. If you have an angled jaw or sharper features, a wolf cut can help to soften those. If you have an oblong face shape, opt for a shorter wolf cut so you’re not elongating your face. 

Those with oval and heart-shaped faces have the most options because their face shape can flatter a number of different hairstyles and the wolf cut is no different.

10 Wolf Cut Hairstyle Ideas to Update Your Look

Now that you know what a wolf haircut is, keep reading for some unique takes on the style to serve as inspiration for your next salon appointment.

1. Short Auburn Wolf Cut 

Auburn is one of the hottest hair color trends and it shows no signs of slowing down. When paired with a shorter wolf cut, the shaggy style and choppy layers only elevate the rich, deep crimson hue.

2. Wolf Cut Lob 

Lob hairstyles are great for any hair type and length, and a wolf cut lob is an edgy, modern take on the timeless style. It gives the hair movement and body and gives a style a more lived-in appearance.

3.  Balayage Wolf Cut

The sun-kissed-looking balayage highlights give your hair a gorgeous glow and luminosity as we enter spring and summer. Paired with shaggy ‘70s layers, this style is a gorgeous upgrade for those that want to sport a wolf cut without sacrificing their length.

4. Gemini Wolf Cut 

If you want to rock bold hair color, a Gemini wolf cut is the way to go. Gemini hair color is a nod to Gemini’s infamous dual personalities and features two contrasting shades, like pink and brown, black and light blue or blonde and lavender, for a color-block effect. The duality of shades creates a striking, eye-catching look, and the wolf haircut provides just the right amount of added edge. If you want to experiment with colors sans commitment, try the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray. It provides bold color that lasts until your next shampoo. 

5. Curly Wolf Cut 

6. Platinum Blonde Wolf Cut 

If you’re into bold hair colors and cuts, opting for a platinum blonde wolf cut is a great way to engage in both at the same time. This color and cut combination frames and brightens the face beautifully all while maintaining an undone look. 

7. Mushroom Brown Wolf Cut

8. Wolf Cut With Blunt Bangs

Adding any type of bangs to your wolf haircut is a great way to play up the nostalgic shaggy texture. With blunt bangs in the mix, this hairdo is super flattering for a round or oblong face shape.

9. Black Wolf Cut 

If you’re all about the grunge look, make opting for a wolf cut with a shiny black hair color your next move. It’s sleek and polished while remaining a bit sultry and mysterious. 

10. Curly Shag Wolf Cut

With long curls, the wolf cut leans into its ‘70s shag styling and has the ultimate bounce and body. Plus, it’s a great way to remove bulk from your style without sacrificing length.

Are Wolf Cuts High Maintenance?

Wolf cuts can be a more high-maintenance style depending on your hair type. Since the wolf cut is all about texture and movement, those with naturally wavy or curly hair are going to have the easiest styling because they already have natural texture. 

If you have naturally straight hair, that’s not to say a wolf cut won’t look on you, just that you’ll need to spend more time styling it to get the tousled, untamed look. Those with thin hair should stay away from a wolf cut simply because the layers, especially the longer ones in the back, can make your already thin hair look even thinner. If you still want to rock the style, try a lob length, add a curtain bang and keep the shorter layers around your face. 

How to Wash and Style a Wolf Cut

Since the wolf haircut is all about texture, volume and body, you’ll need to make some adjustments to your hair routine once you commit to this style. Apply these simple tips to your hair care regimen to give your wolf cut the proper wash and style to maintain its textured facade.

1. Wash With a Volumizing System

To boost volume, use a shampoo and conditioner, like L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo, Paraben-Free and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Plump Hydrating Conditioner, Paraben-Free. This pair is formulated with hyaluronic acid to replump dry, dehydrated strands while adding bounce, body and shine.

If your hair is on the curly or wavy side, use the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Push Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Seal Conditioner. This duo also includes hyaluronic acid, plus castor oil to shape curls and help the hair retain moisture without weigh down.

2. Use a Leave-In Treatment

Because the wolf cut is all about texture, air drying your hair is a great way to achieve an easy style without relying on heat. To make sure that your wolf haircut air dries sans frizz, a leave-in conditioner is a must. For curly hair and waves, use a curl-enhancing leave-in, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-in Conditioner. It adds hydration and shape to your curls while keeping frizz under control. 

If you have straight hair, try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Midnight Color Care Serum. Free of synthetic fragrance, sulfates, parabens and dyes that can irritate your scalp, this gentle leave-in conditioner smooths the hair while enhancing shine.

3. Apply Heat Protectant

Sometimes, you can’t deny the call of your blow dryer or curling iron. The good news is that if you’re keeping heat styling to a minimum and always apply heat protectant, your hair should remain in healthy condition. If you’re on the hunt for a good heat protectant, try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant, which smooths and protects wet hair. If you’re heat styling your dry hair, the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In helps to reduce frizz and protects from heat up to 450 degrees.

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Photo Credit: IG/@thelooksalonoviedo, @dawngormanstylist, Photo Design: Sarah Duvivier