40 Most Popular Gen Z Hairstyles: Top Haircut Trends & Ideas

Gen Zs are liberal and express themselves differently, including in their haircuts.

We’ve got you covered if you’re considering rocking a cool Gen Z haircut.

40 Most Popular Gen Z Hairstyles

Here are 16 of their most popular haircuts:

Wolf Cut

The wolf cut is a cross between a shag and a mullet that was probably popularized by Miley Cyrus, though the look can also be traced back to 1960s Jane Fonda. It’s an entirely unisex, badass cut that looks great regardless of hair texture. 

An excellent volumizing spray and matte wax are essential for pulling off this cut. It’s also the anti-blowout style – the key is to let your hair air dry.

Wet Mop Hairstyle

The “wet mop” and “broccoli” haircuts are nearly identical. They’re the go-to cuts for all TikTok’s young heartthrobs. The style, which is long on top and closely cropped or faded on the sides, is a decades-old silhouette that has evolved.

In the 2000s, buzzed sides with a mohawk or faux-hawk on top were popular; in the 2010s, we went longer with a man bun on top.

We’re seeing a shaggier bang, like the wet mop, or a curlier bang, like the broccoli cut, these days. These outfits are a throwback to the ’90s with a K-pop twist.

Gen Z Natural Texture

The focus of Generation Z is on embracing and enhancing their natural beauty. If you have naturally curly hair, you’ll rock it and show off what your parents gave you. Everything feels effortless and natural.

Y2K Nostalgia

Every generation longs for the ‘simple time’ before they were born, and Generation Z is no exception. They happen to miss the campy Y2K looks of the past. Some Y2K-inspired barrettes and accessories, such as claw clips, are popular among Gen Z.

On the other hand, pigtails and pigtail braids will have a big summer moment: it’s fun, fresh, and an excellent style for hotter seasons.

Check out some braids for men’s haircuts.

Middle Part Haircut

Middle parts are popular among the younger generation. A Gen Z starlet or pop star with a side part is rare, and even the boys are embracing the ‘butt cut,’ which was feared for two decades.

Both of these looks emphasize effortlessness and ambivalence toward volume. These looks are likely to last a few more years.

Gen Z Braided Hairstyle

Effortless hair will always be fashionable, but people are having more fun with their hair. The younger trends are more playful. Baby braids, for example, are skinny face-framing braids frequently used to add a bit of flair to hair that is simply down or up and braided.

They’re also helpful, especially for those who are trying to grow out bangs or get short layers off the front of the face. You can also try other trendy fringe hairstyles.

Hair Accessories

Why pin your bangs away with an essential Bobby pin when you can load up with barrettes? This generation sees hair accessories as a fashion statement and a means of expression rather than a necessity.

Even something as simple and practical as a claw clip now comes in many colors and patterns. It’s never been easier to express yourself while keeping your hair out of your face.

Heartthrob Hair

The classic heartthrob hairstyle worn by many male icons, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp, has evolved into a slightly longer, wavier style. Long, messy hair is the new ‘boy next door’ look, thanks to celebrities like Tom Holland and TikTok’s Gen Z boys.

It’s ideal for clients who are in the middle of growing out their hair or who want to get rid of the man-bun but not the length. Look to celebrities like Brooklyn Beckham, Milo Anthony Ventimiglia, Timothée Chalamet, and Harry Styles for modern reincarnations, sometimes with earrings.

Buzz Cut

The understated buzz cut has been a standout style over the last year. The ‘buzz’ started among TikTok users and quickly spread to Gen Z boys everywhere. A classic, low-maintenance style with uniform length and ease of styling.

It may appear simple to execute, but as with all simple things, it must be done well to look truly spectacular. Grown-out-look buzzcuts, such as a two all over with no shape-ups and bleached, are a great way to promote your color services to guys.

70s Bowl Haircut

You can still rock the 70s bowl haircut and look great in it. The trick here is understanding how to convert your haircut into a more contemporary look.

You can look up some chili bowl haircuts and identify one that works great. Work closely with your stylist to achieve and maintain your look.

Z’s Messy Mullet Hairstyle

What started as a fun lockdown activity (mostly a joke) for Gen Z boys became a hot universal trend. Social media saw groups of boys attempting to recreate the look, but for those who have chosen to maintain the trendy look, here are some expert tips on how to do so.

Before you begin the haircut, consider the shape and final appearance. Maintain the length on the sides to create a subtler graduation of length for a softer natural mullet. Take sides much tighter to create a starker contrast for a more extreme look.

While cutting, keep all the length in the back until it has dried, then visually reduce the length in the back with a point-slicing technique.

Cropped Bangs Haircut

Gen Zs have a thing for old-school haircuts and have done an impressive job recreating some of the most iconic haircuts. You’d think that bangs are old-fashioned, but this generation has created a fashion statement with the haircut.

They wear the bangs naturally and crop them to make them more fashionable and modern.

Gen Z’s Colored Roots

How about coloring the roots of your hair? Yes, for most men, coloring the tips of the hair is a fashion statement, but what if you colored the roots alone? This is another beautiful hair statement that Gen Zs have adopted and looks highly fashionable.

The looks give you a sharp, edgy look and set you apart from other men. You can try the purple color on your roots and see how great you look. You can also look up other hair color ideas for men.

Long Beach Waves

Gen Zs with long curly hair has not been left behind in the wave of recreating popular haircuts to make them more stylish and modern.

Look at how they wear their long beach waves to give them a strong masculine appeal and an added sense of fashion. This is a to-die-for look if you wear your hair long and would love a style that’s easy to maintain and carries a deep masculine aura.

Sleek High Ponytails

Another Gen Z hairstyle for long hair is a sleek ponytail. Again, most men would think this is old-fashioned, but wait until you see a Gen Z rocking this style. You must only work your hair into a ponytail and hold it with a good hair gel or pomade.

Keep your hair moisturized to reduce frizz and flaking.

Z’s Messy Space Buns

Gen Zs are a liberal group with little regard for neat and well-placed hairstyles. This is why they look so good with messy space buns. If you like wearing your hair in buns, you could try this look ad see if it works for you. You can also try other man bun haircuts.

Millennials vs. Gen Z

To calculate the differences between the two demographic sectors, brands must understand each individually. Millennials are people aged 24 to 40 (born between 1981 and 1997), while Gen Zs were born between 1997 and 2017.

Not only do these generations differ in terms of age, but research shows that the two groups also differ vastly when looking at trend habits, brand interaction, and financial views. Fashion truly goes beyond just clothing or accessories.

It is a creative form of self-expression and a way to express oneself through personal style. Trends change over time and can vary depending on a variety of factors. To understand the fashion trends of either group, you must understand their preferences and ideologies.

How to Get and Maintain Gen Z Haircuts

While Gen Z haircuts are recreations of old hairstyles, you must understand how to style and maintain them, so you don’t look like a ghost from the oldies.

Here are some tips to help you:

Step 1 – Pick the hairstyle

Choose the right hairstyle depending on your lifestyle and the style you want to achieve. Speak to your stylist to help you choose the right style.

Step 2 – Style it

Use quality hair products such as pomade to style your hair. You can also use brushes and combs to keep your hair styled.

Step 3 – Keep your hair clean

Wash it with quality natural hair shampoo. You can also condition it regularly to lock in the moisture.

Step 4 – Use some hair products

You can use products like pomade, gel, shampoo, conditioner and hair dye to maintain your Gen Z haircut.

FAQ

What is the Gen Z haircut called?

It’s called the wet mop, the classic wet look, or the broccoli haircut.

Does Gen Z curl their hair?

Yes, depending on their preferences.

Why does Gen Z part their hair in the middle?

Because it’s fashionable and easy to maintain.

How much effort do Gen Z hairstyles require?

It all depends on the specific hairstyle.

Who popularized Gen z hairstyles?

TikTok stars and other celebrities have popularized Gen Z hairstyles.