It’s a Party in the Front AND Back! The Ultimate Guide to the Jellyfish Haircut & How to Style it

Short hair or long hair? Why not both at the same time?

Animal-inspired haircuts like the wolf, butterfly and octopus cuts are trending, and now the unique jellyfish haircut is making waves in the hairstyling world. 

The distinctive style merges the heavily layered shag with the classic bob, resulting in a daring and edgy look that's capturing attention everywhere.

Having a dilemma between wanting to chop off your hair and grow it? Here’s something for you!

What is the Jellyfish Haircut?

Amy Abramite, the creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, describes the jellyfish haircut as an ‘unblended bob with long, disconnected strands that mimic jellyfish tentacles.’

Image: @stanleyman001 on Instagram

Essentially, it's a bi-level haircut that combines varying lengths and styles into one striking and unique look. With shorter pieces or bangs around the face and top and longer layers flowing down the back (the shorter layers typically don't exceed the length of a bob) - making it a versatile and trendy option.

How do you spot a Jellyfish Haircut? 

Well, this one is really hard to miss but still - the jellyfish haircut has a distinct appearance, with its combination of short and long layers. It's an avant-garde style that has gained massive popularity on TikTok, amassing nearly 2 billion views. 

Sudden surge in interest has led celebrities like Zendaya, Shay Mitchell, and Lizzo to embrace their versions of the jellyfish cut this year.

Lizzo showing off her jellyfish cut on Instagram (@lizzobeeating)

It’s not just a passing trend; it’s a bold statement piece that fits the modern desire for individuality and creativity in hair fashion.

Where does it come from? 

The jellyfish haircut isn’t a completely new concept. It draws inspiration from traditional Japanese fashion and anime, particularly the hime cut from the Japanese Heian period. Typically characterised by blunt, bob-length fringes in the front and long tendrils in the back. 

Modern interpretations of this style can be seen in popular anime characters such as Yumeko Jabami from Kakegurui, Boa Hancock from One Piece, and Hinata Hyūga from Naruto. These characters embody the unique blend of styles that the jellyfish haircut represents.

Yumeko Jabami from Kakegurui, Boa Hancock from One Piece, and Hinata Hyūga from Naruto

It’s not a Mullet – more like a distant cousin!

Although the jellyfish haircut may bear some resemblance to a mullet, it stands apart as a unique style. It’s more avant-garde, with less hair left long in the back. This gender-neutral style is perfect for those looking to experiment with a short, blunt front while maintaining length in the back. The trend has shown that bold and daring styles are highly favoured, with TikTok proving to be a significant influence on hair fashion trends.

They’re not just cool, they’ve got versatility too

It suits almost every face shape, but we have to be honest, it’s not a low-maintenance option. 

Because of its unblended design it creates a weighty look with thin lengths underneath, which adds a unique structure and style to the haircut. It’s a trendy and bold choice but requires a level of commitment. When opting for this style, it’s best to ask your stylist for significant layers around the face with bangs, while keeping the back pieces longer. You can choose a subtle look with softer layers or go for a dramatic effect by cutting a bob and leaving longer pieces at the back.

Image: @littlechicaboo on Instagram

However, once you’re committed to it and 100% locked in, maintaining it won’t seem like such a chore anymore, it's relatively straightforward. 

Regular trims to clean up the front and sides are essential, while the longer back layers can grow out as desired

Bonus! If you decide to move on from this trend, transitioning back to a classic bob is simple. Just trim the longer tendrils, and you’ll have a more traditional look.