Harry Styles is more than just a chart-topping musician and former member of One Direction. Over the years, he has become a fashion icon and trendsetter, with one of his most recognized features being his ever-evolving hairstyles. From long flowing locks to modern, choppy cuts,
Harry’s hair choices have sparked widespread admiration and influence across the globe. One of the most popular looks to emerge from his ever-changing hair evolution is the Harry Styles haircut—a signature style that combines timeless sophistication with a touch of rock star flair.
In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the Harry Styles haircut, exploring its various iterations, how to achieve the look, and why it has become so iconic. Whether you're looking to channel a similar hairstyle or simply admire his chic, relaxed style, this guide will give you all the details you need to know.
What Is the Harry Styles Haircut?
Harry Styles' haircuts have gone through a series of transformations, but his most iconic look is a voluminous, wavy, and textured style that emphasizes his natural hair texture. This cut generally features:
- Long, Wavy Hair: Harry is often seen with medium to long hair that has a natural wave or curl. The length varies, but his hair typically falls around his shoulders, giving him a relaxed, carefree appearance. The waves create volume, texture, and a slightly tousled effect.
- Layered Texture: His haircuts are often layered to enhance movement and texture, preventing the hair from looking too heavy or flat. The layers help frame his face and add depth to his look.
- Slightly Tapered Sides: While the top section of Harry’s hair is usually left longer, the sides are often slightly tapered or shorter. This contrast allows the hair on top to have more volume while maintaining balance.
- Soft, Natural Bangs: Harry’s haircuts have occasionally incorporated soft, face-framing bangs or fringes, blending seamlessly with the longer layers. These bangs are never too blunt; instead, they are kept soft and layered for a more natural, relaxed feel.
Overall, the Harry Styles haircut is an effortlessly chic and timeless look, combining elements of classic rock 'n' roll with modern, fashionable appeal. It's the perfect example of how long hair can be styled to look polished yet laid-back.
The Evolution of Harry Styles' Haircuts
Harry Styles’ hair has undergone several transformations throughout his career, each iteration showcasing different phases of his personal style. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most memorable Harry Styles haircuts:
1. The Early One Direction Look (2010-2012)
During the early years of One Direction, Harry Styles sported shorter, more voluminous hair that was still long enough to have movement and texture. His hair was slightly messy, often with a bit of a wave or curl, and he made a name for himself with his signature "charming curls." At this stage, Harry’s hair was often styled with a bit of volume on top, using product to define his natural texture.
How to achieve the look: If you have curly or wavy hair, you can achieve this look by letting your hair grow out to a medium length and using a curl-enhancing mousse or cream to define natural waves. For straight hair, you may need to use a curling iron or styling gel to add texture.
2. The Longer Flowing Locks (2012-2014)
As his time in One Direction progressed, Harry Styles began growing his hair out, showcasing longer, flowing locks. During this period, his hair was often worn loose, with natural waves and layers that gave it a relaxed, beachy vibe. This was the phase where his hair became one of his defining features—long, voluminous, and carefree.
The longer hair also gave Harry the opportunity to experiment with different textures and styles. He occasionally pulled his hair back into a half-up, half-down style or let it cascade freely over his shoulders. The look was soft, effortlessly cool, and a perfect complement to his relaxed personality.
How to achieve the look: To emulate this longer, flowing style, you’ll need to let your hair grow out to shoulder length or beyond. Using a leave-in conditioner or styling cream will help enhance your hair’s natural wave. Regular trims are important to keep the hair healthy and free of split ends while maintaining the natural flow of the layers.
3. The “Rock Star” Look (2015-2017)
Around 2015, as Harry embarked on his solo career, his hair began to take on more of a rock star vibe. He often styled his hair to emphasize the volume and movement, with longer waves falling to just below his shoulders. This era of Harry’s style was all about embracing natural texture, with his hair styled slightly tousled or with a subtle curl to enhance the laid-back vibe.
During this period, Harry experimented with a variety of accessories, including headbands, hats, and bandanas, often pulling his hair back or tying it in a loose ponytail to maintain a cool, rock 'n' roll aesthetic.
How to achieve the look: If you want to channel this rock star-inspired Harry Styles haircut, focus on adding volume to the top of your head while letting the rest of your hair naturally fall into waves. You can use a texturizing spray or mousse to add body and movement. For a more refined style, use a lightweight styling gel or pomade to define the layers and enhance the waves.
4. The Modern Choppy Crop (2019-Present)
In recent years, Harry Styles has embraced a shorter, choppier look while still maintaining some length on the top. This style offers a more polished and refined appearance compared to his previous long, flowing locks, while still incorporating texture and layers. The top of his hair remains voluminous with a tousled, almost messy look, while the sides are kept shorter and tapered. Harry's recent looks feature soft, subtle bangs or a side part that blends seamlessly with the layers.
Harry’s more recent haircut is a blend of youthful energy and sophisticated charm, and it's one of the most versatile styles he has ever worn.
How to achieve the look: To get this modern choppy crop, start with a medium-length cut on top, and ask your stylist to layer the hair for volume and movement. The sides should be tapered slightly, and you can ask for soft bangs or fringes if you want to emulate Harry’s look. Texturizing products will be key to achieving this effortless, messy style. A texturizing spray or matte pomade can help create the tousled effect that Harry is known for.
How to Achieve the Harry Styles Haircut
Getting the Harry Styles haircut is all about working with your natural texture and creating volume while maintaining some softness. Here’s how you can recreate his signature looks:
Consult with Your Stylist: Since Harry’s haircuts vary in length and style, it’s important to communicate with your stylist about your desired look. Whether you want a longer, flowing style or a choppier, shorter version, your stylist can help tailor the haircut to suit your face shape and hair type.
Embrace Layers and Texture: The key to the Harry Styles haircut is layers. Whether you’re going for longer waves or a more refined, choppy crop, layers will add texture and movement to your hair. Ask for a cut that will enhance your natural texture—this will create the effortless volume and flow that Harry’s hair is known for.
Maintain the Volume: Harry Styles’ hair is always full of volume, so don’t be afraid to add some lift at the roots. You can use a volumizing mousse or root-lifting spray before blow-drying to achieve the same fullness.
Go for Natural Waves: To get the iconic wavy texture, you can either let your natural hair texture shine through or use a curling iron to add some loose, beachy waves. Keep the waves soft and undone—this isn’t a sleek, polished look but rather a relaxed, tousled style.
Use the Right Hair Products: To maintain the Harry Styles look, make sure you have the right hair products. Texturizing sprays, sea salt sprays, and light styling gels will help create movement and maintain that messy, effortless look. Avoid heavy gels that can weigh your hair down and opt for lightweight products that give you natural texture.
Why the Harry Styles Haircut is So Iconic
Harry Styles’ haircuts are iconic for a few key reasons:
- Versatility: Harry’s haircuts have the perfect balance of classic and modern elements, making them adaptable for various occasions. Whether he’s performing on stage or attending a red carpet event, his hair always looks effortlessly cool.
- Embracing Natural Texture: Harry Styles is known for embracing his natural hair texture, and his haircuts emphasize volume and texture rather than perfection. This approach makes the haircut achievable for a wide range of hair types.
- Timeless Appeal: Unlike many trendy haircuts, the Harry Styles look is timeless. It combines vintage rock influences with contemporary style, making it appealing for both young fans and older generations.
Final Thoughts
The Harry Styles haircut has become a symbol of effortless cool, embracing natural texture, volume, and layers. Whether you’re channeling his early One Direction days with longer, flowing locks or his modern choppy crop, this versatile and stylish cut can work for anyone looking to add volume, texture, and personality to their hair. If you’re ready to take the plunge, the Harry Styles haircut is sure to make a bold and timeless statement, no matter your age or style.