The Jellyfish Haircut: Layered Variations and Styling

There’s a bold new haircut taking social media by storm, with billions of views on TikTok. With East Asian roots, it mimics the silhouette of a jellyfish and it’s as fashion-forward as it gets. So what is a jellyfish haircut? It’s an edgy evolution to the mullet, with a higher contrast approach to layering. Featuring a blunt, rounded top section and a longer, separate bottom layer, this sea creature inspired cut is a celeb and influencer favorite. Read ahead for everything to know about the jellyfish haircut.

Let’s start with how the trendy style compares to other tik-tok approved haircuts like the mullet and the wolf cut. The key difference is that the jellyfish haircut has a clear, blunt break between tiers. A mullet features a gradual transition from short to long. And a wolf cut is shaggy, with lots of choppy, textured layers throughout. Both of these cuts are characterized by blended layers. Unlike the jellyfish haircut, which is highly disconnected, with two distinct layers. The top mirroring a classic bob, while the bottom layer hangs long and flowing.

The jellyfish haircut is a statement style that’s not for the faint of heart. It's most flattering on oval, heart and oblong faces, highlighting the natural symmetry of these shapes. And in terms of texture, thick hair is best suited, as the shorter layer reduces a lot of bulk in thick hair. But it does work on very fine hair, it just needs a softer interpretation. Because there are different iterations of the cut, the length of the layers is customizable, but a true jellyfish haircut features a drastic difference in the length between the top and the bottom layers. It can be styled sleek or messy, offering lots of opportunities for self-expression. But keep in mind that this cut requires daily styling effort so you’ll need to be willing to allocate time to perfect your look.

If you’re not quite ready to embrace the full edginess of this trend, a layered jellyfish haircut gives the same effect without being as bold. Layers can soften the top tier making it less severe. Try a face-framing variation or pair your cut with curtain bangs for movement. 

The cut can be adapted on shorter hair for a mod editorial feel. The top tier of this jellyfish cut hits at the chin, with the lower tier sitting just past shoulders. A shorter jellyfish makes an incredibly cool men’s hairstyle too.

A jellyfish haircut curly hair version creates a softer, more natural separation between tiers. But because curly hair behaves differently than straight, it requires a specific cutting technique. See a stylist skilled in the Deva Cut technique (cutting curl-by-curl on dry hair) and consider curl shrinkage when planning the lengths of your tiers. 

The jellyfish haircut is versatile when it comes to styling from edgy, avant-garde looks to more wearable, day-to-day styles, offering lots of different ways to express your personal style. But styling requires some effort so allow some time to perfect your look. From big volume to messy texture and sleek, these are our favorite ways to style the trendy cut.

If you’re ready to try the coolest cut of the year, here’s how to ask for it. The jellyfish is a highly technical haircut so seeing a skilled specialist is essential to get the look. And If you have curly hair, choose a stylist with experience in cutting curly hair. When it comes to the jellyfish haircut it’s important for you and your stylist to consider both your face shape and hair texture. Bring several reference photos showing both front and side views, on hair types and textures similar to your own. Ask for a disconnected, two-tiered cut, with a blunt break between the upper and lower tiers. Decide if you want a stark contrast between tiers or a slightly more blended transition for everyday wear. Consider where you want the top to land, and whether you want a blunt bang or wispy face framing layers. And when it comes to the bottom, the length should suit your hair texture. Remember that shrinkage impacts length on curly hair.

The jellyfish haircut requires regular trims to keep the top layer looking distinct. Schedule trims every 6–8 weeks to keep the silhouette crisp. Care for your strands in between appointments by using a gentle shampoo and lightweightleave-in conditioner in your routine. Deep condition with nourishing hair masks regularly and protect your hair anytime you heat-style. Finally, use high quality formulas made from natural ingredients to style your jellyfish haircut, like the ones in the styling collection from Davines.