Beyond the Wolf Cut—16 Androgynous Hairstyles to Consider for Your Upcoming Salon Appointment

      Hair is an intensely personal aspect of identity. The color you choose, your hair's texture, and the styles you adopt all serve as powerful forms of creative expression, which is why selecting a hairstyle that feels authentic to you is crucial. Whether you prefer a sleek short cut or longer locks, there is an abundance of hairstyles that challenge traditional gender norms. There are no strict definitions of what makes a hairstyle feminine, masculine, or anything else. Celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway proposes, "Consider hairstyles with bold lines complemented by a playful strand of hair brushing your eye." She favors short cuts such as pixies, shags, mullets, mohawks, bowl cuts, and blunt lobs. For an added flair, she recommends incorporating a deeper side part to introduce an element of allure and intrigue to your appearance.

      It’s clear that there is a wealth of inspiration to explore when choosing your next haircut. Below, discover 16 androgynous hairstyle ideas that flatter various face shapes and hair types, while breaking away from heteronormative styling conventions.

      **16 Androgynous Hairstyle Ideas**

      **Layered Bob**

      A simple entry into androgynous hairstyles is a cropped, deeply parted bob that grazes just above the shoulders. The movement in this style comes from layers throughout its length combined with face-framing pieces that curl at the jawline. This look particularly enhances heart-shaped faces by highlighting high cheekbones.

      **Wavy Shag**

      Embrace your retro flair with a wavy shag cut. This style sports a face-framing fringe that stays short at the front and flows elegantly towards the back. Most length is found behind the ears, and it looks especially stylish with curly ends. This cut suits various hair types, particularly those with waves and curls, as it requires minimal maintenance and utilizes your natural texture for volume.

      **'80s Mullet**

      For those who want to maintain length while adding some edge, the retro '80s mullet is the perfect choice. "The modern mullet is playful, slightly rebellious, and completely gender-neutral," says professional stylist Sean Michael. Short layers at the front create the illusion of thick bangs, while the back maintains uniform shortness before extending longer with minimal blending. Whether cropped at the chin or shoulder, this hairstyle radiates effortless coolness.

      **Natural Afro**

      The afro style does not adhere to any gender, celebrating your natural texture. Whether you shape your curls into tight spirals or fluff them for maximum volume, the afro is always in vogue and expressive. Redway suggests starting with a solid foundation by using a restorative curl cream to accentuate your natural texture, recommending Dove Amino Curl Define Curl Cream for nourishing and defining curls.

      **'70s Shag**

      This shag echoes the groovy styles of the '70s—think of icons like Stevie Nicks and Farrah Fawcett. Featuring sweeping bangs and cascading layers, this style blends a brow-skimming fringe with the longest sections. To add volume, air-dry your hair to showcase natural texture and finish with a texturizing spray.

      **Piecey Wolf Cut**

      While it's not the sole option, the wolf cut deserves mention. Suki Waterhouse's effortlessly chic version melds the '70s shag with the '80s mullet, resulting in a contemporary style. With choppy bangs and differing lengths, all tied together with layered pieces, this cut is versatile enough to be worn at various lengths, and we particularly love it longer.

      **Cropped, Curly Pixie**

      A classic yet captivating close-cropped pixie cut—especially in curls—will always be fashionable. This style has defined curly bangs sweeping just above the brow while remaining short throughout. While it stands out on its own, pairing it with a trendy pillbox hat enhances this mini cut's appeal.

      **Trendy Baby Bangs**

      This bob with baby bangs exudes coolness. Keeping the bangs significantly shorter than usual (around mid-forehead), this trend-approved look challenges gender norms and appears effortlessly chic at any hair length, as long as the fringe is prominent. You can style it straight for a sleek appearance or embrace curls for a more dynamic look.

      **Textured Crop**

      This cool cut seen on Emma D'Arcy is one to consider. Opt for a bob that ends at the nape of the neck, keeping the front shorter and face-framing while heavily layering the back to retain length. Volume is essential for this look—apply serum to define your texture before teasing the roots with volumizing mousse for that chic, wind-swept finish.

      **Modern Bowl Cut**

      Though the term "bowl cut" may conjure memories of unfortunate childhood hairstyles, consider this refined chic version, as seen on Taylor Hill. The length flows uniformly from brow-grazing bangs to the nape; an undercut or buzzed base can enhance the look