Classic Curly Wolf Cut

A wolf cut style works best on most curl and wave types and plays best with a lived-in texture with lots of movement.

If you regularly wear your strands in their curly state, Grey notes that maintenance shouldn’t be too different from what you’re already used to doing. ‘If your locks get a little disheveled between washings, just go with it—texture is the name of the game,” he says. “A curl-refreshing spray and dry shampoo will also help in a pinch.”

Airy Curls

Want a soft, subtle finish like this one on Indya Moore? Philip B recommends opting for longer layers. “Fewer, longer layers with a longer wispy or curtain bang will blend more and will be softer,” he says.

Cropped Wolf Cut

A short, cropped version of the wolf cut, like Alia Shawkat’s, is a more dramatic, true-to-the-era take on the look. “Short, choppy layers and a more blunt cut to the bang will be more intense with more volume,” Philip B says.

Soft Waves

“Curly hair thrives with this cut,” says celebrity hairstylist Bennett Grey. “The shaggy, heavily layered style removes weight and bulk near the crown of the head, giving curls that would normally be weighed down some extra bounce and volume.” According to Grey, a longer version of the wolf cut like Sandra Oh’s gives the look more versatility, allowing you to pull your strands back into different styles as you see fit.

Wispy Tendrils

While the featherweight effect seen on model Micah Barnes can usually go up to eight weeks between maintenance trims, Philip B notes that the style often looks even better as it grows out, allowing you to buy even more time between salon visits. “Wolf cuts can get shaggy and can take on a longer life of their own, while looking good with pretty low maintenance,” he says.

Face-Framing Waves

According to Philip B, a wolf cut is defined by wispy pieces around the crown, balanced by tapered, tousled layers cascading downwards. Juliette Lewis’ look toes the line between a wolf cut and a bob, and is a great option if you want to embark into the wolf cut territory, but at a gradual pace.

Bottleneck Bangs and Waves

Bottleneck bangs, or bangs that can be split in the center, work well with wolf cut styles and can be worn in their natural state or blown out, depending on the look you want to achieve.

“Physically show the stylist where you want your bangs and the layers to start and where you want the length to hit,” says Grey. “The biggest challenge is making sure the haircut flows from the bangs to the face frame and isn’t over-layered—you want to make sure you’re leaving enough weight through the bottom so the hair doesn’t start looking stringy.”

Caramel Curls

“Consider your lifestyle and how much time you want to spend on your hair daily,” Grey says. “While it doesn’t particularly require a lot more daily maintenance, it’s important to know this style includes bangs, which typically will require more upkeep than the rest of the haircut.” If you typically wear your bangs smooth, a style like Stephanie Beatriz’s is a good option for mixing textures.

Wavy Shag

A wolf cut doesn’t require a ton of maintenance, Grey says, as curly and wavy strands won’t experience much bulkiness as the style grows out. Longer curtain bangs work to frame the face and are easy to blend with the rest of your curly wolf cut, adds Philip B.

Long-Layered Wolf Cut

A wolf cut like Natasha Lyonne’s can be worn both curly and blown out, which is something to consider when going for a similar look. “If you are looking to switch back and forth between a sleek, straight blowout and your natural curls, a traditional wolf cut may not translate,” Philip B says. “You need to address that with your stylist for an adapted version of layers in the cut that can work for both types of styles.”

Joan Jett Vibes

Sophie Thatcher’s short wolf cut gives off Joan Jett realness with the short layers concentrated around the crown. “Focus on the crown height and designing the face framing, and you can play up the layers however you want,” Philip B says.

Golden Curls

The ombré highlights on this style work to enhance the overall cut, playing up the face-framing effect.

’70s Realness

The lash-grazing curly bangs and soft layers in Naomi Campbell’s haircut emanate some serious disco-era energy.

Voluminous Wolf Crop

A mixed, layered cut like the style seen here on Lena Situations is a great option for decreasing the bulk on thick, curly hair, Philip B says.

“Curly hair needs a lot of products if you want your hair to look shiny and healthy all day,” adds Leivsgard. You’ll want to keep a leave-in conditioning spray, curl cream, styling gel, texturizing spray, and a shine spray close by while styling.

Rocker-Chic Curls

Shorter, choppy layers around the crown give these lush curls some extra volume, throwing serious ’80s rocker vibes.

Subdued Wavy Bob

Leivsgard emphasizes that the wolf cut “can be done in many different lengths.” Stylewise, Billie Eilish is known for her black hair, but here, the singer’s platinum blonde, wavy bob reads subdued wolf cut. It’s a style that all wavy-haired folk can rock.

Wolf Cut with Eyebrow-Grazing Fringe

We’re not sure what we love more, Zendaya’s voluminous curly cut, her eyebrow-grazing fringe, or her well placed copper highlights that hat complements her naturally dark strands.

’70s Rock Goddess

Miley Cyrus’s hairstyle here may read more shag than wolf cut, but there is some curl and texture to her strands. To keep it that way, Leivsgard recommends a good texturizing volume spray when hair is dry, followed by a wax for shiny and defined curls.

Baby Wolf Cut

You can call it a wixie (winged pixie), but we’re also calling Ruth Negga’s short curly style a baby wolf cut. “A wolf cut is a really good hairstyle if you have curly hair as it will make your curls pop even more,” says Leivsgard. “Because you are cutting the hair in so many different layers and getting rid of those dry ends your hair will be healthier and the curls will curl even prettier.”

Wispy Wolf

From root to tip, Selena Gomez is rocking wispy hair. Her golden caramel highlights add even more movement to her already loose curls. For curls like this, Leivsgard recommends a curling iron and light hold spray.

Wet Look Wolf

The wet look hairstyle isn’t fading anytime soon, and it actually works rather well for a wolf cut. “It’s not quite as simple as ‘wash and go,’ but it can definitely be as simple as a ‘scrunch and go’ look,” says Philip B.

Lengthy Wolf

Halle Berry’s strands end at her décolletage, making this a longer version of the typical mid-length wolf cut. Choppy layers and waves eliminate any bulk that may weigh her hair down, and her caramel highlights complement her skin perfectly.

Tendril-y Bangs

When it comes to haircare and style, Philip B recommends using a microfiber towel or cotton to absorb excess water, closing your cuticles with a pH spray, and keeping your favorite curl-enhancing leave-in conditioner or styling cream handy. “Most people will not need to use any hair tools and very little heat since air-drying is often the easiest and best option, but you can also use a diffuser if needed,” he adds.