Haircut trends, like fashion, come and go. Some cuts, however, prove to have staying power. Layers have long been a cornerstone of full, bouncy tresses, while curtain and wispy bangs offer an introduction to fringe without a bold, blunt cut. And when these two characteristics come together? Well, that’s just about the trendiest haircut of 2025. Say hello to the hush cut.

“The hush cut is a soft, airy, and layered haircut that blends subtle volume with effortless movement,” says hairstylist and IGK Hair Care co-founder, Aaron Grenia. “It’s inspired by the wispy, face-framing layers, popular in South Korea. It’s trending because of its versatility. It works on various lengths and textures and gives a lived-in, yet polished look. It’s low-maintenance and enhances natural beauty without looking overly styled.”

Sound like your kind of cut? Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about the hush cut, including how to achieve and maintain this trendy strand silhouette. 

What Is a Hush Cut? 

As the name implies, the hush cut isn’t loud, but it still makes a statement. 

“The hush cut is about creating movement through subtle layers and wispy bangs,” says celebrity hairstylist and colorist Dimitris Giannetos. “It is a low-maintenance, understated look. With the hush cut, we see medium and long layers.”

Don’t get it confused, though. The hush cut stands apart from its choppier cousin, the wolf cut. “With a wolf cut, you’re seeing shorter layers and a more shaggy, undone appearance toward the top of the hair,” Giannetos says. “A hush cut is a little more polished than a wolf cut, if that is the look you are going for.” 

With medium-to-long layers, the hush cut is more universal, both in terms of suitable hair types and necessary styling skills.

“The reason it’s trending right now is because of its versatility,” says hairstylist and R+Co Vice President of Technical Education Adam Federico. “It’s low-maintenance, yet high-impact—perfect for the person who wants something stylish but doesn’t have time for high-maintenance hair. With a bit of shaggy texture and soft movement, it works on a wide range of hair types, and I think it’s the blend of lived-in coolness and structure that resonates with people right now.”

(It’s worth mentioning, though, that a hush cut is largely up to interpretation. While all of the stylists we spoke with agree that the current hush-cut trend is about universal, low-maintenance lob styles, some folks on TikTok frame it as the butterfly cut’s cousin—which requires length and regular blowouts and roller curls to perfect the volume.)

How to Ask For a Hush Cut

Hush cuts are the result of thoughtful, medium-to-long layers. 

“Ask your stylist for soft, blended layers that start around the cheekbones and flow through the ends, creating a natural, airy movement,” Grenia says. “The key is to avoid harsh or choppy layers—everything should feel seamless and light.”

And don’t forget the wispy bangs! “Ask for long and medium face-framing layers with feathered, wispy bangs,” Giannetos says.

As for length, most hush cuts border between a bob and a lob. “When you’re sitting in the chair, ask your stylist for a ‘shaggy bob with soft layers’ or a ‘textured bob with lots of movement,’” Federico advises. “The key is having layers that don’t feel too heavy or blunt, but are still defined enough to keep the shape. You want it to be slightly longer in the front and to have a layered, undone vibe that’s soft but full of life.”

Hair Type Considerations

The best part? The hush cut is pretty universal. “The hush cut works with almost every hair type, which is part of its charm,” Federico says. “For finer hair, it adds volume and texture without looking heavy or weighed down. For thicker hair, it works beautifully to remove some of the bulk and create a more manageable, shape-defining cut. Curly hair can rock this look too—just ask for shorter layers on top to keep it from being too bulky at the crown, but leave enough length to keep the natural curl shape.” 

That said, Giannetos warns that the hush cut might not be quite as effortless if you have super-straight, fine hair. More on that in a bit.

How to Maintain

Since hush cuts are defined by their layers, it’s important to maintain their definition. Otherwise, your hush cut might lose its statement-making style. That’s why Grenia says regular trims are a must. “Keep the shape fresh with a trim every eight to 10 weeks to prevent layers from growing out unevenly,” he instructs.

Beyond snipping the shape, hush-cut maintenance boils down to optimal hair hydration. After all, without proper nourishment, the medium-to-long layers will become frizz and static-prone, or could develop unsightly split ends. With that in mind, Grenia suggests incorporating a lightweight leave-in conditioner into your routine, and to minimize heat styling. 

How to Style

Prioritizing a hydrating, low-heat styling routine is key for hush cuts, but there’s more to styling them than just that. 

“The key to recreating these looks is a balance of natural texture, volume at the roots, and layers that are soft but full of movement,” Federico says. “It’s all about finding that perfect mix of chic and laid-back.”

There are a few ways to check these boxes. 

“Apply a light texture spray to damp hair—it gives you that beachy, windblown texture, which is what you want for a hush cut,” Federico says. 

You’ll also want to be mindful of how you dry your hair when you do incorporate hot tools. “A round brush can help define the layers,” Federico says. “Focus on lifting the roots and adding volume through the mid-lengths to keep that tousled look. If you want a more styled version of the cut, use a curling iron to add some soft waves. Keep it loose so it looks effortless, not perfect. I love using a wand for this because it gives you a relaxed, undone wave.”

Meanwhile, if your goal is to enjoy a super low-maintenance haircut in 2025, there’s always the scrunch-and-go option. “On days when you want to embrace the natural texture, just scrunch your hair with some mousse or texture spray, and let it air-dry,” Federico says. “The hush cut looks great with that ‘second-day hair’ vibe.”

Hush Cuts IRL

Now that you’ve read all about the allure of the popular hush cut, it’s time to check it out in person. Below, see how stunning it can look on a variety of hair textures and types. 

Alexa Chung

“She has the perfect hush cut,” Federico says. “The key to her look is the natural texture and how the layers frame her face. To get the Alexa look, ask your stylist for face-framing layers and make sure your texture is soft, not overly tousled.”

 Riley Keough

“Her hush cut is a bit longer, with loose waves and a touch of rock ‘n’ roll,” Federico says. “To get Riley’s vibe, I recommend using a texturizing spray to create volume and finish off with a light sea-salt spray for a beachy, lived-in feel.”

 Margot Robbie

“Margot’s hush cut is the perfect blend of sleek and messy, with some structure around the front,” Federico says. “To replicate her style, add some smoothness to the ends using a smoothing serum to keep the edges sharp while maintaining that light texture.”

Zendaya

“When Zendaya wears her hush cut, it’s slightly more refined but still has that soft, effortless vibe,” Federico says. “To get her look, use a round brush while blow-drying for volume, and apply a lightweight styling cream to enhance the layers.”

Taylor Swift

“Taylor’s hush cut is modern with a bit of polish,” Federico says. “It’s a bit more structured around the face, with just enough softness in the ends. To recreate her version, you can smooth out the ends with a flat iron for a more polished look, but keep the volume and texture at the crown.”