The Hush Cut Will Be Your Go-To Hairstyle For Fall 2023

If we were to base it on the billions of TikTok views alone, people have been captivated by the wolf cut ever since it shook up the hairstyling scene in 2021. And who can blame them? This easy, breezy, wispy cut has that effortless, "I woke up like this" appeal while still providing the hair with body and movement.

It may have found a contender, though. The hush cut, touted to be the It haircut for Fall 2023, is its softer, longer variation. Though it retains some of the edge that made its predecessor a huge hit, the hush cut is more romantic, a little more traditional. Mad Cherry described it as "a distant cousin of the octopus haircut and the shag," with the former characterized by voluminous layers on top that flow down to thinner, longer strands or "tentacles." "The [hush cut] is layered throughout, which creates a beautiful distribution in weight and movement in the hair," The Hair Bros founders Sean Paul Nother and Nick Latham elaborated to Vogue. If the wolf cut is a little too daring or intimidating for you, the softer, face-framing hush cut might be right up your alley. As stylist Bradley Leake explained to Bustle, what separates this low-maintenance style from other layered cuts is its lack of harsh lines.

Just like the wolf cut, this hairstyle originates from South Korea. Some of the country's biggest stars such as Hoyeon Jung, Park Sodam, and IU have been spotted sporting it at various lengths.

Though the full glory of the hush cut's S-curves and soft movement can be seen with longer lengths, it also works well with something as short as a chin-length bob, as seen on Wendy from the K-pop girl group Red Velvet. "The front layers, however short you decide to go, should connect and blend into the rest of the haircut," hairstylist Marcus Francis described to Bustle. In fact, Hairstyles Feed asserted that the cat pixie is the shortest version there is of the hush cut, with the hair cut in a micro, layered fringe across the forehead then gaining length as it falls over the ears and down the nape. 

No matter the length of your hair, the hush cut is great for trimming bulk. If your hair is naturally dense and heavy, you can get more defined layers so your it looks and feels lighter without sacrificing body. For thin, fine tresses, the layers must be cut subtly to keep them from becoming unruly flyaways. After all, low maintenance hair doesn't mean unkempt-looking.

As for different hair textures, the hush cut is also versatile. "On straight hair, it can be worth going slightly shorter with the layers to ensure they are visible," Nother and Latham told Vogue. For wavy or curly hair, it's best to cut the layers slightly longer to allow for shrinkage. When it comes to bangs, this style goes well with either a blunt or soft, wispy fringe.

Because of a few key differences between the hush cut and the wolf cut, it helps to give your stylist clear directions on what you want. Francis's tip to Bustle? "[Ask] your stylist for a shag with lots of long layers." TikTok account @usfinatelier also shared a clip of a client specifying how she wants her hush cut to look, especially from the back, and the stylist explaining how the layers would work with her hair type. Bringing pictures of your ideal haircut taken from different angles is also helpful, as are photos that show how you want the layers to frame your face.

Express to your stylist too how you prefer to style your hair regularly. Although the hush cut lends itself well to those who have a wash-and-go hair routine, your stylist can advise you on the shortest layer length you might want to get with this cut as well as the type of fringe to go with it to match your lifestyle.

According to Bustle, "The goal with the hush cut is to look like you got an amazing short haircut a year ago, and now it's grown out." What also makes it appealing is how great it still looks while it gains length, thanks to its subtle layers.

For that cool, slightly mussed-up look, apply a texturizing product on damp hair and let it air dry. Run your fingers through the resulting waves to "loosen" them up and make them look more natural. If you have extra time in the morning, you can blow dry your hair but use your fingers to separate the strands rather than a round brush. "If you use a round brush, it could make it feel too done," Francis explained to Bustle. "The beauty of this cut is the natural movement in the texture that's brought out by the layering." For a sleek-looking hush cut, especially if it's cut shorter, apply a heat protectant to dry hair then use a flat iron to smoothen your strands. Add shine to your tresses with some hair serum. 

You can switch things up by teasing the hair on your crown for volume then gathering everything up in a messy bun. Another option is the half-up half-down look, with the shortest layers of your hair pulled away from the face into a bun or ponytail and the rest left to cascade naturally. Leave some tendrils down to frame your face for a romantic effect.