What is the hottest hairdo right now? One that appears a little rough. Textured crop cuts, as seen on celebrities such as CORTIS’ Martin, Edvin Ryding, and Emma Chamberlain, are popular. Despite their celebrity backing, there’s a good reason why people are gravitating toward these choppy crops.
Cropped fashions have been popular for a long time, but they’re seeing a rebirth that some may consider a recession indicator. “People are leaning into shorter hair these days for less hassle and more volume,” says celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos to Teen Vogue. It began with the bob and its several iterations. The bixie, a combination between a bob and a pixie, was then used as a transitional style before committing to the super short appearance. The fad is now taking on a new twist, with blunt-cut strands that may even appear to be accidental. Bonus points if they truly were. And more is better.
The choppy hairstyle is currently seeing a resurgence, thanks to the rise of alternative aesthetics. Blunt, choppy hairstyles were popular in the 1990s and early 2000s among alternative communities, particularly punk. The hairdo gained popularity among the subculture and eventually made its way into the mainstream. Now, the trend cycle is repeating itself.
Most notably, CORTIS has benefited from the punk rebirth with their fun and feisty attitude, with vocalist Martin fully embracing the look with a blonde chopped haircut. Ryding has been wearing this cut since last year, shifting between punk-style off-duty looks and more regal clothes. Joe Keery adopted it as well, giving his musical alter ego Djo an alternative feel.
Chamberlain has worn her ashy blonde hairstyle since September of last year. In her YouTube video, she claimed that her hair was severely damaged due to constant coloring and a few mishaps, prompting her to emphasize hair health and a style that best suits her. She revealed her new style, stating that she wanted a “fun,” “risky,” and “ballsy” hairdo. The following year, she went even shorter, with harsh, wispy bangs and a more daring style.
With all of the information available on the internet and a post-COVID mindset, at-home haircuts are not uncommon and well fit with the punk ethos. Self-expression is a true principle of these current changes, particularly while dealing with harsh social, political, and economic challenges. As a result, many people take issues into their own hands, expecting to save money while also taking advantage of the independence that comes with doing things themselves. “I think people are gravitating towards more DIY to save money,” Brian O’Connor, hair stylist and Good Dye Young Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, tells Teen Vogue. “For some hair, nails and personal care are priorities but aren’t always within the budget.”
Fittingly, O’Connor thinks all you need for a textured crop at home is a guarded feather razor and a hand mirror. “Keeping a shaggy slightly grown out look to this choppy look, you want to start with slightly damp hair and go in with the razor horizontally making soft even strokes remover length in the area you see fit,” according to him. “Make sure to keep the soft, slightly shaggy grown out look around the perimeter of the hair and around the ears.”
“After you’ve achieved the desired length and shape, use the razor vertically and make delicate, even strokes to carefully remove weight from the inside of the hair on the top, back, and sides. This will generate a jagged texture and reduce bulk in regions that are frequently overly heavy,” he adds.
And the best part? It does not have to appear perfect. The more choppy and messy, the better. So, if you have a different appearance in mind, this can be your fallback option. “I love this trend because short, choppy cuts are forgiving, modern, and actually work in your favor if a DIY moment does not go as planned,” says hair stylist and XMONDO hair founder to Teen Vogue. “The uneven texture breaks up harsh lines and helps disguise mistakes while adding movement and attitude.” It is one of the few styles in which imperfection is part of the aesthetic, making it immensely liberating for people to experiment at home.”
Furthermore, it is simple to manage. You might only need to touch it up in the mornings. “This cut style feels more casual and effortless while holding shape thanks to the layers,” according to Giannetos. “For those looking to make the chop, I’d recommend you have a good styling cream (my favorite is L’Oreal Paris’ Anti-Frizz Slick Back Hair Styling Cream).”
So, whether you want to make a statement, save money, have complete control over your hair, or simply feel the urge to cut it all off (we’ve all been there), don’t worry. Become choppy.
