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gender neutral hairstyles haircuts
Yoora Kim

25 Stylish Gender Neutral Haircuts That Embrace Androgyny

Express yourself with your chop. 💕

By Samantha Olson and Abby Dupes

The days when society dictated every choice people made about their fashion and beauty choices, citing BS rules like "short hair is for boys" and "long hair is for girls" are long gone. It's 2023, which means those oppressive ideas of "gendered" hair, beauty, and fashion trends have been kicked to the curb. Any haircut can be gender-neutral, whether it's short, medium, long, curly, wavy, or straight 🗣! The only idea we won't be shaving off today is that hair is an important part of how we express ourselves to the world and affirm our identities.

"Our world, our society has this constant need to label and gender everything so historically everything and every cut has been gendered," says Jessie Brown, a stylist at the queer-owned barber shop and salon BADDIES STUDIO BK. "I’m trying to break away from gendering haircuts in any capacity. To me, all haircuts are gender-neutral like colors, clothes, etc. It’s all the same to me," they say.

Some may choose a gender-neutral look to play with the idea of androgyny (aka a blend of traditionally feminine and masculine qualities of appearance), while others simply have a DGAF attitude and want the look they've always dreamed of.

Ready to put your own stamp on an androgynous look? It's time to *finally* feel like your outside matches what you're feeling on the inside. Along with suggestions from pro hairstylists, here are gender-neutral haircut ideas that flatter all varieties of face shapes, hair textures, and lifestyles.

Wolf Cut

the 2023 met gala celebrating "karl lagerfeld a line of beauty" arrivals
Mike Coppola//Getty Images

In 2022, the wolf cut garnered over 3 million searches and earned more than 2.7 billion views on TikTok, according to Cosmetify's annual hair report. Cara Delevingne even rocked a shorter version of the popular style at the 2023 Met Gala. A wolf cut mixes a '70s-inspired shag with an '80s-inspired mullet to create a heavily chopped, layered look.

Stitch Cornrows

28th annual critics choice awards
Phillip Faraone/GA//Getty Images

If you're looking to slay a shorter style, Janelle Monáe's stitch cornrows are definitely peak inspo. Use a parting comb to create three parts in your hair and knot some braids in each section. Secure them in place with hairspray and bobby pins.

Shoulder Length Waves

edith bowman and 2023 newport beach film festival uk honorees
Joseph Okpako//Getty Images

Don't want to sacrifice all your length? Opt for a shoulder-length wavy style like The Last Of Us' Bella Ramsey. The low-key lightweight style can be worn on its own, or you can style it with fun parts and accessories.

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Buzz Cut

us singer willow smith attends the 2022 vanity fair oscar party following the 94th oscars at the the wallis annenberg center for the performing arts in beverly hills, california on march 27, 2022 photo by patrick t fallon  afp photo by patrick t fallonafp via getty images
PATRICK T. FALLON

If low maintenance is your goal, a close-to-the-head style should be top of mind. To keep some hair like Willow Smith's look, ask your stylist to use a guard on the clippers. There are different sizes of guards that allow for more or less hair to be left, so work with your stylist to choose the right hair length for you. Alexandra Hartt, a barber at Hairrari Barbershop NYC says, "I am a firm believer that everyone should shave their head once! It is such a freeing feeling and experience."

Baby Pompadour

los angeles, ca   november 24  recording artist miley cyrus attends the 2013 american music awards powered by dodge at nokia theatre la live on november 24, 2013 in los angeles, california  photo by larry busaccaama2013getty images for dcp
Larry Busacca/AMA2013

In 2013, Miley Cyrus reclaimed the feminine origins (it had a lot of clout in the French court during the 18th century according to Popsugar) of the previously masculine-associated haircut, the pompadour. Miley paired the look with a dirty blonde color, adding even more dimension to this standout style. And the tight clipper cut on the sides? Uh, yeah. You can bet fans loved this look. Brown tells us that a pompadour requires a bit of TLC, so get ready to break out that pomade and hairspray!

Voluminous Curly Shag

muna naomi mcpherson haircut
Naomi McPherson//Instagram

MUNA's Naomi McPherson rocks their bouncy curls, from the red carpet to the stage at some of the biggest music festivals like Bonnaroo and Coachella. The style consists of face-framing layers that add structure to the cut. For more volume, scrunch a defining curl cream and diffuse your locks with a blow dryer by tilting your head on both sides.

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Twist Out

us rapper lil nas x attends the songwriters hall of fame 51st annual induction and awards gala in new york on june 16, 2022 photo by angela  weiss  afp photo by angela  weissafp via getty images
ANGELA WEISS

Lil Nas X is known for his boundary-breaking fashion and beauty choices, which is why his platinum blonde twist-out 'do is a must-try for natural hair. Turn up the look a notch by adding an eye-popping blue or hot pink temporary tint. If you decide on a permanent color, make sure you consult a professional colorist to do the job for you, as dying your hair can be a damaging process when done incorrectly.

Braided Bob

2020 vanity fair oscar party hosted by radhika jones roaming arrivals
Rich Fury/VF20//Getty Images

While most people opt for longer braids, Amandla Stenberg's bleached braided bob is a lightweight protective style that slays for any occasion. Be sure to add some nourishing hair oil to your roots to lock in extra moisture for your natural strands under the braids.

Short and Textured Black Shag

king princess haircut
King Princess//Instagram

Frame your face with some short fringe and leave the sides and back parts of your hair a little longer for a modern-day shag á la King Princess. If you feel like you need some more edge, go darker with some black hair dye.

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Buzzed Sides with Bright Color

ssdaley front row lfw february 2023
David M. Benett//Getty Images

Elevate your buzzed sides with a pop of color like hitmaker Arlo Parks. If you're not into permanent bright hues, try hair makeup and play with different options once it fades.

Shaggy '90s Lover Boy Cut

beverly hills, california   march 27 timothée chalamet attends the 2022 vanity fair oscar party hosted by radhika jones at wallis annenberg center for the performing arts on march 27, 2022 in beverly hills, california photo by frazer harrisongetty images
Frazer Harrison

I think we can all agree that Timothée Chalamet's fluffy and luscious locks are envy-inducing. To get the look, ask for long layers with a bit of shagginess around the hairline and ears. For the final touch, tell your stylist that you want strands that fall right above your eyes to be kept longer so that you too can swish your hair out of your eyes flirtatiously like Timmy.

Baby Mullet

los angeles, california   may 27 demi lovato is seen arriving at the 2021 iheartradio music awards on may 27, 2021 in los angeles, california editorial use only photo by emma mcintyregetty images for iheartmedia
Emma McIntyre

We've all seen the jaw-dropping mullets on Insta that make us long for the business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back style — but tbh, you may not be ready to commit to the full look. That's where Demi's baby mullet comes in. Brown says that the soft perimeters (aka the sideburns) of Demi's cut make the look more feminine. As for the forehead finisher, Brown says they "Call those bangs shark teeth bangs! Which is basically just really textured baby bangs."

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Choppy Face Frame

los angeles, california   january 07 editors note image has been digitally retouched kristen stewart attends a special fan screening of underwater at alamo drafthouse cinema on january 07, 2020 in los angeles, california  photo by kurt krieger   corbiscorbis via getty images
Kurt Krieger - Corbis

Kristin Stewart is heading back to her roots, but not in a boring-Bella Swan way. Kristin's "Middle parted cut with face-framing curtain bangs is a longer version of Robert Pattinson's haircut in 2008 Twilight," Topher Gross, a trans hairstylist with 20 years of experience making people fabulous in NYC, Amsterdam, and beyond, says. We love that the hair roots are kept dark as it gives an IDGAF, chic attitude. This look is supposed to be kept messy, meaning just a quick comb or brush and you'll be out the door.

Short and Sweet

new york, new york   september 13 elliot page attends the 2021 met gala celebrating in america a lexicon of fashion at metropolitan museum of art on september 13, 2021 in new york city photo by arturo holmesmg21getty images
Arturo Holmes/MG21

Mr. Elliot Page's look has got it all. Short back? Check. Short sides? Yep! How about a little length on top? You betcha'. The textured bangs and longer strands on top give lots of room to play with new and exciting styles, meaning it's perfect for those who get bored easily. You can also play around with hair parts (we are partial to a deep side-part, with the hair slicked back), add texture to give it a more bedhead vibe, and use hot tools to train the trim into a baby quiff.

The Shag

west hollywood, california   november 18 conan gray attends the gq men of the year celebration on november 18, 2021 in west hollywood, california photo by leon bennettgetty images
Leon Bennett

The classic shag haircut which immediately conjures up Stevie Knicks vibes is very rock 'n' roll, with a casual appearance that is fuss-free and low maintenance. This style features choppy ends, layers around the crown of the head, and lots of texture. As you can see from Conan Gray's rendition, curly hair looks fab with this cut, but this style works well with most textures according to Brown.

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Teased Tall

new york, ny   may 01  zendaya at rei kawakubocomme des garçonsart of the in between costume institute gala at metropolitan museum of art on may 1, 2017 in new york city  photo by jackson leefilmmagic
Jackson Lee

Queen Zendaya hasn't missed the mark since appearing back on the Disney Channel and it shows. For this picked-out, glam goodness, Zendaya wears her hair natural with triangular round layers. Starting at the corner of her eyes, the volume and layers flow outwards, before rounding out as the hair hits her shoulders. "Showing a stylist this picture or showing the shape with your hands when talking about where you would like volume will be helpful when describing this," says Hartt, "It is also important that you let them know this is to be worn naturally."

Blunt Lob With Curtain Bangs

westwood, ca   october 26 actress millie bobby brown arrives at the premiere of netflixs stranger things season 2 at regency westwood village theatre on october 26, 2017 in los angeles, california photo by jeffrey mayerwireimage
Jeffrey Mayer

Let us be blunt — Millie Bobby Brown can do no wrong with her hairstyle choices and it's super easy to find a style of hers that gives you that sense of awe. We adore this sharp blunt lob that ends right at her shoulder, with blunt curtain bands hitting right at the highest point of her cheekbones. It's a grown-up look that instantly screams *baddie*. BEWARE: you probably want to give this style some extra love, smoothing it out with a flat iron. Give your trim some bounce with a curling iron or with a blow dry and round brush combo.

Crop Cut With Long Top

los angeles, ca   march 23  joey king poses with award at nickelodeons 2019 kids choice awards at galen center on march 23, 2019 in los angeles, california  photo by rich furykca2019getty images for nickelodeon
Rich Fury/KCA2019

Versatility is what you'll find with Joey King's cute crop cut! The longer hair at the top of the head leaves room for styling choices (how cute would the strands look clipped back?!). "Clients should definitely state how short is "too short" on the sides," says Gross, "This cut is also great with a fade in at the nape of the neck or sides."

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Bowl Cut

seoul, south korea   december 25 jungkook of bts attends the 2018 sbs gayo daejeon battle of the bands at gocheok sky dome on december 25, 2018 in seoul, south korea photo by the factimazins via getty images
THE FACT

This isn't the bowl cut your mom tried to give you in the '90s! Jung Kook shows us how to modernize the look with a subtler approach. When knowing what to ask for, Hartt has got all the answers. "The section underneath appears to be about a clipper #2 or #3 because there is no scalp showing in the undercut," she says "The top is disconnected around the head with some layering to make sure that it does not sit too heavy on the front and sides."

"Lastly, when asked about the length of the bangs, I usually recommend it being about half an inch above the eyebrows so that when it grows in, you have some time before it’s in your eyes," she adds.

Slicked-Down Pixie with Side Part

beverly hills, california   march 27 halsey attends the 2022 vanity fair oscar party hosted by radhika jones at wallis annenberg center for the performing arts on march 27, 2022 in beverly hills, california photo by daniele venturelliwireimage
Daniele Venturelli

Giving 1920s glam, Halsey's haircut is perfect for vintage lovers out there who want a retro style. "The client can chat with the stylist about just how short they would like the back, [and] whether the sideburns or hair in front of the ear is softer to tuck behind the ear," says Gross.

Headshot of Samantha Olson
Samantha Olson
Assistant News Editor

Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn't draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.  

Headshot of Abby Dupes

Abby is an editorial assistant at Seventeen, covering pop culture, beauty, life, and health. When she's not busy watching the latest true crime docuseries, you can find her strolling through Sephora, thrifting the perfect dress, or jogging with her pup. 

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