When it comes to a rebirth of styles and trends from decades past, we can usually thank Gen Z and the internet at large for their inspirational discovery. Case in point: The Wolf Cut. Named for its resemblance to the pattern of a wolf’s mane, a wolf cut is a haircut with a lot of movement and a lot of short layers. The lovechild of a shag and mullet (more so the former), there are a few key differences in style.
“A shag cut is more of a soft haircut. The layers are longer, and everything is more blended. And in a wolf cut, you will see that the layers will be shorter and there can be a big disconnection in the lengths—this will make the wolf cut stand out,” says Ann Leivsgard, Balmain Hair’s International Educator.
“It basically blends two iconic, defining periods in music, style, and pop culture—the ‘70s and ‘80s—and gets morphed into a more modern-day look,” adds professional hairstylist Philip B, who notes you may recognize the cut on rock stars like Rod Stewart, Patti Smith, Mick, Kiss, and Joan Jett.
With all that said, you may be wondering if a wolf cut can work with curly hair. The answer? Absolutely. We asked Leivsgard, Philip B, and celebrity hairstylist Bennett Grey for their advice on how to style a wolf cut if you have curly hair.
Meet the Experts
- Ann Leivsgard is Balmain Hair’s International Educator.
- Philip B is a celebrity hairstylist and hair specialist. He is the founder and creator of Philip B Haircare, a luxury line of pure botanical hair, body, and skincare treatments.
- Bennett Grey is a celebrity, editorial, and print hairstylist based in New York City.
