The Kitty Cut Is The Ultimate Hair Trend If You Want A Sleeker Shag

We may only be less than halfway through the year, but we've already seen a bunch of trendy haircuts in 2024. Which is great! When there are more looks to choose from, you have a far better chance at finding one that you not only really love, but one that you can totally and effortlessly rock. 

One of those trends is the kitty cut. "For this haircut, my interpretation is a mix of a shag and traditional layering of a haircut," hairstylist Val Cobio tells Real Simple. "Beginning with cutting internal layers, it can be modified in different ways pertaining to how short or long you want it, as well as the density of the hair." Like one of the trendiest haircuts of the '90s, The Rachel, the kitty cut is also cut in a way to frame the face, but heavy on the layers, Cobio points out.

If you're thinking you need a haircut and you want to go for one of the most fashionable of the moment, then consider the kitty cut. It looks great short or long, and because there are a lot of layers going on, it works for most, if not all hair types.

If you have wavy hair, a kitty cut is a great option because it can give you sort of a rocker type look. Shaggy layers will have people wondering if you're actually you or maybe a Joan Jett doppelganger. And, let's be honest, when it comes to women who rock, you can't get much cooler than Joan Jett. 

Thick hair and kitty cut layers are practically a match made in heaven. As celebrity hairstylist Briana Cisneros tells Real Simple, "The combination of long layers and face-framing removes weight at the bottom, adds volume at the crow, and gives an overall lighter and weightless look to all of the hair."

If you have naturally straight hair that falls past your shoulders, then a kitty cut is really going to shine on you. While it works on all hair lengths, it's this length in particular that really showcases the layers and the way they impeccably frames the face. With blonde hair, in particular, you can get a clear look at the power layers have because of how they reflect the light, brightening up any shade of blonde. Even those with ashy blonde hair will see a big difference in their color thanks to the layers of a kitty cut.

Although some stylists say that the kitty cut should fall somewhere between the shoulders and collarbone, don't believe the hype. While shorter layers can give you more dimension and depth, it doesn't mean that you need to shed all your length in order to pull off a kitty cut. In fact, longer, face-framing pieces can give you a breezy, more relaxed take on this trend. This will soften the dark hue's intense appearance, while making your facial features — especially your eyes — really pop.

A kitty cut is a great style if you want to play with color because of how the layers reflect light. Whether you want to get outrageous in your color choice (pink or blue) or opt for the luminescent blonde trend of 2024, the rounded shape is ideal for giving your color a blended appearance. 

As much as the kitty cut looks great on any length of hair, it really slays at chin-length; especially for those who have slightly thin hair. When styled with a flat iron to flip the ends outward, it creates curtain bangs that accentuate the cheekbones and jawline. Also, with summer right around the corner in the northern hemisphere, it's a great, low-maintenance cut for those unavoidable hot summer days ahead. 

You know what color will never go out of style? Platinum. When paired with a kitty cut, this color is serving up major boldness and attitude. Use curlers to create swooping waves that offer a modern take on an Old Hollywood look. 

If you think your curly hair might be standing in the way of you jumping on the kitty cut bandwagon, then think again. "The kitty cut can be tailored to all hair types, textures, and lengths," celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa tells Popsugar. "[Since] the most common length for this cut lays just above the collarbones, [it] creates a great opportunity if you want to chop off some length for a refresh." This can bring the bounce back to your curls if they've been looking limp.