33 wolf cut hair ideas for 2023, whether you're grunge, glam or edgy

There's no denying the Wolf Cut is one of TikTok's biggest protege hair trends. Since we first flagged the choppy crop as the cut to watch in May 2021, it's gone next-level viral with over 4.1 billion views. Originally set to the "I'm not gon' do it... I was just thinking about it" soundtrack, plenty of us “did it”, and continue to do it, including celeb stans Jenna Ortega, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish and Whitney Peak.

As the style has exploded, we've seen dozens of renditions that make the wolf cut work whatever your vibe: grunge, glam, edgy, cutesy or somewhere in between.

For the uninitiated, we've put together everything you need to know before committing to the cut, as well as tons of inspo to get stuck into.

What is a wolf cut?

The wolf cut is an audacious mash-up of two of the most drastic throwback cuts trending right now: the 70s shag and the 80s mullet, brought together in a very modern collab. “A wolf cut is simply a shaggy mullet or mullety shag,” confirms LA's coolest hair stylist and king of layered cuts, Sal Salcedo. As its name suggests, the wolf cut is a little wild, thanks to loads of shaggy, wavy disconnected layers that nod to a slight mullet shape since they're cut shorter around the crown to create volume, with longer layers in the back.

The good news? It can be as ballsy as you like, depending on how short or soft you decide to go with the layers and how mussy you style it. The general jist is to look just the right amount of feral to give the style a relaxed, cool-girl feel, without going so radical that it's impossible to style. But, we've seen it taken in different directions with swooshy girl-next-door curtain fringes, heavy rocker bangs and elfin micro fringes.

What should you know before getting a wolf cut?

Full disclaimer, it is a commitment, especially if you're taking the layers quite short around the crown, so it can take a while to grow out. But, it promises months of enviable volume. Or you can create a softer wolf cut with longer layers if you reckon you'll want to switch it out again before the year's out.

What face suits a wolf cut?

If you're wondering if the cut would work on your face shape, the answer is yes. The chop works on “any face” says Sal. “The trick is to work towards balancing the face,” he explains. To do this, “the hair stylist should aim to make the face into more of an oval shape,” Sal says, using layers and length to “bring balance.”

Will wolf cut suit thin hair?

Choppy layers in fine hair can end up looking a little on the stringy side if it's overdone, but a good hair stylist can counter this with some considered cuts. “The main point when cutting thin hair is to leave pieces more blunt in areas where the hair is the thinnest, creating more fullness there,” says Sal.

Is wolf cut good for thick hair?

Thick har is great for layering, but to create the airy, voluminous feeling the wolf cut is known for, some pruning is necessary. “Something to watch out for when working with thick hair is to work on removing weight from areas that are thickest as well as steering away from blunt ends or layers,” Sal explains.

How do you ask for a wolf cut at a salon?

The say a picture's worth a thousand words, and certainly when it comes to communicating exactly what you want from your stylist, reference shots will do a lot of the heavy lifting. “I would recommend bringing in photos, videos or both, of hair you love and hair you don’t,” says Sal. “A lot can get lost in translation, so please bring inspirational content to your stylist,” he advises.

Is wolf cut supposed to be messy?

If you like a neat, prim chop, wolf cut hair is not for you. “The whole idea is for it to be effortlessly cool. Think of a thoughtful messy feel,” says Sal. “Too done is not cool, less is definitely more here.”

Does wolf cut have curtain bangs?

The beauty of the wolf cut is you can personalise it to you, especially when it comes to face framing. “You can add a curtain bang for a softer look, and blunter, piecier bangs for more of an edgy badass persona,” says Sal.

What length hair does a wolf cut work on?

The wolf cut works on all hair lengths, whether you want it long and witchy, or we've seen wolf cut styles on short hair with more of a pixie cut influence.

How to style a wolf cut?

Styling-wise, the cut does a lot of the hard work for you. You might be able to get away with misting in some texturiser and roughing up your hair with your hands. However, just know, if your strands are naturally straight and sleek this won't be a wash and go situation, you'll need a hair dryer and a lot of texturiser. "Everyone wants a wolf cut until they realise... ur [sic] hair will be flat unless you style it," one TikToker called Maddy wrote. So take some time to acquaint yourself with a new routine that works well with your chop.

Tempted? Here's all the inspo you need…

Tucked wolf cut

Platinum short wolf cut

Waterfall wolf cut

'70s wolf cut

Cropped wolf cut

Wolf cut mullet

Piecey wolf cut long hair

Mussy wolf cut hairstyle

Collarbone wolf cut

Growing out your hair but want to add some extra texture? The collarbone wolf cut is perfect

Wolf cut bob

We love a shag, we love a mullet, we love a bob. This is the ultimate trifecta.

Glam wolf cut

Flicky wolf cut

Wolf cut for short hair

One of the most popular way to wear the cut. Keep things cute by exaggerating the flick at the bottom.

The micro fringe wolf cut

Shoulder-length wolf cut

Loosely cut wolf cut

Grunge glam wolf cut

Wolf cut with a deep mullet

Actress and singer, Debby Ryan took the mullet aesthetic further back into her hair-line for a layered fringe that extends to her ear. It's a little badass but totally wearable, too.

Wolf cut with light layers

This has the classic wolf cut shape, fuller at the top, tapered at the bottom. The flicky lobe-length layers give it structure but it still feels more laid back and less drastic than other renditions.

Curly wolf cut

Craft curls by stacking them on top then trimming them toward the bottom.

Extreme wolf cut

An wild way to wear the trend, opt for ultra shaggy layers at the top with an extreme taper toward the bottom.

Soft wolf cut

Don't want to fully commit? Opt for a softer nod to the shape with a few choppy layers around the crown.

Wavy wolf cut

XXL wolf cut straight hair

The feathered wolf cut

The laidback wolf cut

Colour pop wolf cut

Chin-length wolf cut

Peach wolf cut

Midi wolf cut

Ethereal wolf cut

Choppy wolf cut

Pixie wolf cut

Chunky wolf cut

For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk.