It wasn’t that long ago when long hair was the only “acceptable” style for women. But over the last hundred years or so, it’s become more and more accepted for women to sport short hair and other traditionally masculine haircuts.
One of the newest and most versatile trends for women’s hair today is the undercut. It’s modern, it’s cool, it’s edgy, it’s fun – and done right, it can still be very feminine too.
WATCH BELOW: How to style a short pixie
Bored with your regular hair? Want to try something new? Not afraid of being different? Spice it up with an undercut – and check out our top undercut hairstyles for women below.
What is an undercut?
The undercut for women is actually derived from the male undercut, which features short/shaved sides with longer hair on top. This provides an interesting contrast and texture, not to mention it’s perfect for the hotter summer months when too much hair just gets in the way.
Undercuts for girls come in different styles. We’d even say that there’s more variety than its male counterpart! You can have it with a bob or a pixie cut, straight or curly hair, classic or with funky designs. The most common undercuts include shaving the hair near the nape (keeping it “hidden” underneath long hair) and/or the side part of the head, keeping all of the hair on the other side.
Undercuts on female celebrities
If you want to rock an undercut, you’d be in good company. Several female celebs and stars have sported the trend, such as:
Rihanna
Riri herself has been seen showing off her undercut on multiple occasions, from long and curly to short and spiky. It looks great either way, but let’s be fair – everything looks good on Rihanna.
Miley Cyrus
When Miley Cyrus went from the long locks of Hannah Montana to a daring pixie undercut, it shocked critics and fans alike. But the new look matched the edgy sound of her then-newly released album Bangerz, which featured a more mature (and definitely raunchier) Miley.
Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton proves that the undercut transcends age. The androgynous actress has had short hair for as long as we can remember, and the side-swept undercut is one of her signature looks.
Choosing the right undercut for you
Like we said, there are many different ways to wear an undercut. If you want to chop off all of your hair ala Miley or Tilda, that’s great! But you don’t have to go short, masculine, or androgynous to cop the look. Your hair, your rules – it’s all about expressing yourself and finding the style that makes you feel good.
One of the things you might have to think about is your family, school, or job. If you have conservative parents or work at a company that has a strict dress code, you might need to be sneakier about your undercut. In these cases, you might want to skip the side shave and go for the neck shave instead, allowing you to hide the cut when your hair is down.
Top undercut haircuts for women
Looking for some hair inspiration? Many women with undercuts have gone before you, and you can learn from their hair successes and fails. Here’s our gallery of the best undercut styles for every personality and hair type.
5. Long hair/nape undercut
Having a nape undercut is like having a fun secret that nobody knows about. Until you tie your hair up, that is. This low-key style is best for women who want to add edge without deviating too far from their current style. You can keep it simple with a basic shave or ask your barber to “draw” in patterns like v-cuts, mandalas, and more.
4. Long hair/side undercut
Combining long hair with an undercut makes an incredibly dramatic statement. If you’re still testing the waters, you can “cheat” the undercut and ask the salon to cut the side of your hair short instead of completely shaving it. But if you’re ready to step it up a notch, you can even dress it up with lines, stars, or anything else you can think of.
3. Short hair/side undercut
Wavy or curly hair looks G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S in a short, layered undercut. And it’s low-maintenance too – just run some product through your hair using your fingers and tousle it up a little bit. You’ll get that perfect “just woke up like this” look every time.
2. Pixie undercut
Just because you’re a woman, it doesn’t mean you can’t rock a man’s undercut! Get your hair shaved on all sides – left, right, and bottom. Then leave the top part slightly long, and viola! A sexy pixie undercut. Go even bigger and bolder by incorporating some colour – a nice pastel pink will add a feminine touch to this otherwise masculine look.
1. The combo undercut
If you’re the kind of gal who just can’t decide whether to get a side or nape undercut…why not get both? This ultra-short asymmetrical undercut is sure to turn heads.
Some people may feel like they’re not “cool” or “young” enough to pull off an undercut, but all it really requires is some courage and confidence. If you’re looking for a way to mix up your look, an undercut is just the thing you need.
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