You have probably scrolled past it dozens of times without knowing its name. That shaggy, layered, effortlessly undone haircut on your favorite celebrity or the coolest person at your coffee shop – the one that looks like it requires zero effort yet somehow radiates maximum attitude. You may have even wondered whether you could pull it off, or whether it demands a specific hair type, face shape, or level of commitment you are not ready for. The answer, according to the stylists who create these cuts every day, is far more welcoming than you might expect.
Why this layered look refuses to fade away
The choppy, shaggy style first surged into the mainstream in the fall of 2023, winning over Gen Z in particular, but its appeal has stretched well beyond a single season or demographic. It dominated the street style scene during Paris Fashion Week and quickly found its way onto some of Hollywood’s most-watched heads – Renée Rapp, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, and Keke Palmer have all embraced versions of it.
So what exactly is it? Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago and a working stylist since 1998, describes the look as a playful combination of a shag and a mullet. Short layers sit on top and blend into curtain bangs that frame the face, while the longer lengths remain wispy with soft, airy ends that flick outward. Those longer pieces are disconnected from the front by choppy layers that create movement and separation. Rogerio Cavalcante, stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon, echoes that description, noting the style is cut in short, shaggy layers and combined with full, layered curtain bangs.
Celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos puts the staying power down to versatility. He views the cut as a modern twist on classic silhouettes from the ’70s and ’80s – a layered hairstyle that adds dynamic volume for an effortlessly cool look. And New York City-based hairstylist Alexandra Efstratiou, who has over 14 years of experience and is known for her dynamic cutting skills, adds that the broad demographic appeal comes from the fact that it works on both curly and straight hair. She also notes that because the style is fun and edgy without being as extreme as a full mullet, it feels less intimidating and grows out gracefully.
How celebrities are personalizing the cut in every possible way
One of the most striking things about this hairstyle is how differently it can look from person to person. Miley Cyrus has sported a mini mullet version full of voluminous texture that channels her rock-and-roll energy – a dry texturizer helps achieve that effect. Sophie Thatcher of Yellowjackets wears hers as a classic, waist-length interpretation with major layers around the face that accentuate her cheekbones; she liked the cut so much she kept it for her role in MaXXXine. On the other end of the spectrum, Jenna Ortega’s collarbone-grazing version, chopped by stylist Dave Stanwell, keeps things shorter and more streamlined. She debuted it during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in December 2022.
For curly hair, Rita Ora’s shaggy take provides excellent inspiration – the layers define the texture perfectly while the bangs keep the curl pattern front and center. Kaia Gerber, meanwhile, proves the style can coexist with a soft girl aesthetic, wearing gentle waves that extend just to her shoulders with layers visible near her chin. And Halsey has merged a pixie cut with a wolf cut into an ethereal hybrid, styled by hairstylist Marty Harper using Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to perfect the wave.
Even the look’s origins nod to this kind of range. Meg Ryan once explained to InStyle that her now-iconic wispy haircut happened almost by accident on the set of French Kiss, where hairstylist Sally Hershberger needed to create hair that looked bad but sort of good all at once. That spirit of beautiful imperfection runs through every modern version of the style.
Exactly how to style it for your hair type
The good news is that maintaining the look does not require an elaborate routine. Giannetos notes that you can leave your hair natural and let the cut do its thing, or style it with a blowout or waves depending on your preference. The cut encourages you to embrace your natural texture regardless of hair type. Nylza Yepez, Senior Hair Stylist at Jenna Perry Hair Studio in New York, agrees, calling the cut versatile, fun, and very low maintenance.
For straight hair, Yepez recommends using a large brush and blow dryer to lift the roots, and possibly a straightening iron on the ends to curve them inward or outward depending on the length. If you have more textured or curly hair, she suggests sectioning the strands, applying your favorite air drying product, and scrunching. Then let it dry about 70 percent of the way, flip the hair over, and use a diffuser for maximum volume and tighter curls. Final touch-ups with a small curling wand – following the natural curl pattern while leaving the ends free – complete the look before a finishing blast of hairspray.
For a softer wave, Yepez recommends towel drying first, then applying a small amount of curl product and letting it air dry completely. A leave-in conditioner on the ends, along with a sea salt spray for fine hair, can add texture without weight. Giannetos specifically recommends the style for anyone with thinner hair, noting it creates the appearance of fuller locks. And because the bob is popular right now, he suggests updating the look by going shorter.
What to bring to the salon chair
The single most important takeaway from every expert is this: bring photos. Because the style can range from Doja Cat’s dramatic, mullet-leaning version at the 2021 Grammy Awards (created by Jared Henderson) to Barbie Ferreira’s softly curled, pinned-back interpretation, your stylist needs to see exactly which direction you want to go. Discuss your face shape, your daily maintenance tolerance, and how much length you are willing to part with. Product development professional Devin Graciano points out that the layers and personalized fringe allow you to easily transition from natural texture to a smooth, voluminous look – even as the cut grows out. That built-in flexibility is precisely what makes the style worth committing to, whether you go bold or start with a few choppy layers to test the waters.
