Over the past few years, the wolf cut hairstyle has gripped young men and women alike, emerging as one of the most in-demand haircut choices for the TikTok generation; and those straddling the awkward in-between space between Gen Z and millennial.
Check out BH’s selection of the best wolf cut haircuts & hairstyles for men below, as well as everything you need to know about the viral hair trend.
Jump To:
- 1. Classic Wolf Cut
- 2. Long Wolf Cut
- 3. Short Wolf Cut
- 4. Full Wolf Cut
- 5. Wolf Cut with Curtain Bangs (AKA Middle Part Wolf Cut)
- 6. Wolf Cut with Side Burns
- 7. Straight Wolf Cut
- 8. Textured Wolf Cut (AKA Layered Wolf Cut)
- 9. Curly Wolf Cut
- 10. No-Mullet Wolf Cut
- 11. Korean Wolf Cut
- 12. Wolf Cut with Colour
- What is a wolf cut?
- What face shape works well with the wolf cut?
- Men’s Wolf Cut Styling Tips
1. Classic Wolf Cut
The Classic Wolf Cut is a masterclass in controlled chaos—shaggy layers up top, cascading into a tapered, untamed flow. It’s what happens when a ‘70s shag and an ‘80s mullet have a love affair and produce something cooler than both.
The volume is intentional, the texture is everything, and the attitude is non-negotiable. Ideal for thick or wavy hair, it thrives on movement, looking effortlessly tousled—until humidity turns it into a crime scene. Styled right, it’s rockstar nonchalance.
Mullet-shag blend; heavy layers and volume; short at the crown and, as outlined above, gradually lengthens on the lower parts of your hair.
2. Long Wolf Cut
The Long Wolf Cut is casual and untamed, combining shaggy, layered, and effortlessly cool elements, effortlessly. Think flowing length with feathery texture, volume up top cascading into wild, face-framing layers.
It’s low-maintenance in theory, but let it go too long without a trim and things can get bad quickly. Best suited for thick, wavy, or curly hair, it’s equal parts rebellion and refinement and a great way to showcase volume and texture by growing out the length.
3. Short Wolf Cut
Less extreme than other kinds of men’s wolf cuts; not as choppy and more low maintenance.
The Short Wolf Cut is all bite, no bark, serving up a razor-sharp blend of shaggy layers and confident energy. It’s the edgier, low-maintenance sibling of the longer version, keeping the signature volume and texture but ditching the extra weight.
Cropped layers up top add effortless lift, while tapered ends keep it from veering into helmet territory. Perfect for thick, wavy, or straight hair, it walks the line between effortless and deliberate and when it’s styled right you’ll turn heads.
In essence, it’s less extreme than other kinds of men’s wolf cuts as it’s not as choppy and much more low maintenance.
4. Full Wolf Cut
A contemporary and calculated expression of vintage wildness, the Full Wolf Cut is an unapologetic explosion of layers and volume. Thick, choppy layers frame the face, cascading into a riot of movement that screams effortless edge when you nail the styling.
Best suited for wavy or thick hair, it demands confidence and a solid styling routine—think texturizing spray, not just wishful thinking. To break it down, it’s a volume-centric variation of the men’s wolf cut; volume is added through manipulation of layer lengths, blow-drying, and products (i.e. sea salt spray, hairspray).
5. Wolf Cut with Curtain Bangs (AKA Middle Part Wolf Cut)
The Wolf Cut with Curtain Bangs is the ultimate mix of chaos and charm—wild in the back, business in the front (but in a chic, rockstar kind of way). The signature shaggy layers and tapered ends create effortless volume, while the curtain bangs add a soft, face-framing elegance that suggests your appearance is no accident.
It’s best suited for rectangular and square faces thanks to it being less edgy and more romantic, while it also softens your angular features. It’s also perfect for wavy or thick hair, delivering equal parts grunge and glamour.
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6. Wolf Cut with Side Burns
The Wolf Cut with Sideburn’s hairstyle is pure and unfiltered attitude. A fusion of shaggy rebellion and sharp, face-framing precision, the signature choppy layers and effortless volume remain, but now, elongated sideburns add a razor-sharp edge, balancing vintage grit with modern cool.
Think Bowie meets Tokyo street style, equal parts rock ‘n’ roll and avant-garde. Ideal for wavy or thick hair, it thrives on movement and texture and is a more structured and intention-driven variety of the men’s wolf cut. Just make sure you keep the sides clean to emphasise said sideburns.
7. Straight Wolf Cut
The Straight Wolf Cut is layered but without much texture; framing the face nicely though it can appear “flat” unless you intervene (products, blow-drying, etc). Unlike its wavier cousins, this version trades volume for edgy definition, with feathered, choppy ends.
The structure is intentional: shorter layers up top add movement, while the longer, tapered lengths keep it from looking like an accident. Ideal for straight or slightly wavy hair, it’s low-maintenance in theory—but neglect it, and you won’t recognise yourself in the mirror.
8. Textured Wolf Cut (AKA Layered Wolf Cut)
The Textured Wolf Cut is ideal for those with straight hair who don’t want to alter nature too much but also works for curlier hair. This version leans into movement, with choppy, feathered layers that create volume without looking like a poodle attack.
It’s similar to the full wolf cut, volume is added through manipulation of layer lengths, blow-drying, and products (i.e. sea salt spray, hairspray). Built for thick, wavy, or curly hair, letting natural texture shine while maintaining that signature edge, with the secret to nailing this style found in texture spray, confidence, and the commitment to looking intentionally undone—not just overdue for a trim.
9. Curly Wolf Cut
The Curly Wolf Cut is a variation where layers can create a blended look that softens your facial features. Designed to let natural texture take centre stage, it softens the usual Wolf Cut’s sharp edges, replacing them with controlled bounce and movement.
Shorter, face-framing layers add dimension, while the longer, tapered ends keep it from looking like a DIY disaster. Styled right, it’s rockstar nonchalance.
10. No-Mullet Wolf Cut
The No-Mullet Wolf Cut is the renegade cousin of the classic version—still wild, but decidedly more refined. Gone is the infamous “business in the front, party in the back” vibe; instead, it’s all sharp, face-framing layers that gradually flow into a tapered, voluminous silhouette.
Ideal for those who crave the Wolf Cut’s rebellious edge but aren’t ready to pay homage to mullet history, this version keeps the volume and texture without crossing into country-western territory. Perfect for thick or wavy hair, it’s low-maintenance without sacrificing style.
11. Korean Wolf Cut
As seen in K-pop and K-Drama heartthrobs (extremely youthful and playful); this style is less choppy, has more texture and depth, is more flowy; and can be bleached, coloured, or permed. It’s the sleek, modern cousin of its rowdier counterparts—more polished, yet still effortlessly cool.
Characterised by softer, more defined layers, it frames the face with precision, offering volume and texture. Ideal for straight or wavy hair, it’s a cut that demands little upkeep but delivers maximum impact.
12. Wolf Cut with Colour
The Wolf Cut with Colour is similar to many other styles we’ve already covered, but with an added dimension that only arrives with dye. Think shaggy layers and untamed volume, but now with the added punch of highlights, tips, and bleaching.
The colour works in perfect harmony with the layers, amplifying your natural textures and is ideal for thick or wavy hair. This cut demands both commitment and confidence—if you’re not fully in, you’ll regret it.
What is a wolf cut?
A wolf cut is essentially a modern hybrid of the mullet and shag haircuts, named as such due to the inspiration it draws from messy wolf’s fur, and renowned for its incredible versatility.
Beyond its unisex appeal (being complementary to both masculine and feminine features), it’s suitable for any hair length and texture, as well as a variety of face shapes (more on this later). As long as you have the necessary volume and thickness, you’re good to go.
The hairstyle traces its origins to Asian pop culture during the 2010s, ranging from South Korean actors and South Korean singers in the K-pop scene to Chinese idols and even Japanese anime; and arguably to the statement cuts of the 90s before that.
Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and what have you — as well as the rise of e-boys and e-girls, who swiftly adopted this look — is how it broke into the Western mainstream.
In terms of what a wolf cut actually involves: you’re dealing with a combination of short choppy layers around the crown of the head, and longer layers that gradually lengthen down the sides.
The difference between a wolf cut & mullet
While both are throwback-inspired statements, the key distinction between a wolf cut and the mullet involves the former’s additional layers and the latter’s noticeable lack of sides.
And where the wolf cut (short on sides, long at the back) is intentionally messy with a contemporary alternative twist, the mullet (virtually non-existent on sides, long at back) feels more structured with a striking contrast.
A wolf cut also feels more casual and acceptable compared to the rebellious and somewhat unapologetic nature of a mullet.
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What face shape works well with the wolf cut?
As mentioned earlier, the wolf cut can be rocked by most men and women without an issue, however, certain face shapes are more compatible with this hairstyle than others.
Standout face types include the following:
- Heart-Shaped Face
Widest at the forehead and cheekbones with a narrow, pointed chin. - Oval Face
Balanced proportions with a slightly wider forehead and gently rounded chin. - Rectangular/Oblong Face
Long and narrow with a straight forehead, cheeks, and jawline of similar width. - Triangular Face
Broad jawline and narrows at the forehead, giving it an inverted triangle appearance. - Round Faces In General
Moonface representation!
Umbrella explanation: the wolf cut’s cropped sides downplay the softer curves of a face, while the layers up top accentuate angular features.
Men’s Wolf Cut Styling Tips
Styling a wolf cut is all about that natural, textured, and slightly messy aesthetic. Here’s a quick rundown on how to make it look effortlessly cool.
Add texture with a spray (sea salt or otherwise)
- Sea salt or texturising sprays help bring out your natural wave and give hair more body/volume.
- Spritz it onto damp hair, scrunch it up with your fingers, and let it air or blow dry.
Add definition with a matte pomade or wax
- Work small amounts throughout your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends, which helps enhance the choppiness without that greasy sheen.
- Avoid using too much product — remember: wolf cuts are meant to look “effortless,” so keep it light.
Finish with a light hold hairspray
- Once you’ve achieved the level of texture and volume you want, a light-hold hairspray will subtly keep everything in place without making it stiff.
Embrace your natural texture
- Wavy, curly, or straight hair… the wolf cut works best when you lean into what you have. Avoid over-styling or straightening.
- If you have naturally straight hair, add some light waves or curls for extra dimension and volume.
Blow-dry for volume
- Pretty self-explanatory — if you want more control when you set it, use a brush or wide-tooth comb for that salon-finished texture (without losing the cut’s rugged essence).
Regular Trims
- Keep those layers sharp by getting trimmed from time to time; even though the wolf cut is supposed to look a bit grown-out, maintenance is key to preserve the shape and prevent yourself from becoming unkempt.
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