How to Get the Joker Hairstyle

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: February 15, 2022 References

The Joker’s hairstyle is a classic, neon green look that is instantly recognizable. Copying this infamous character is a fun way to dress up for Halloween or to spice up your own everyday look. Whether you have long hair, short hair, or something in between, you can cut, style, and color your hair to look like the villainous Joker.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Joaquin Phoenix in Joker (Shoulder-Length Hair)

1
Keep your hair shoulder-length. In the movie Joker, the Joker has medium length hair that sits just above his shoulders. If you have hair longer than that, cut it short so that it just hits the top of your shoulders.^{[1]
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- If you don’t want to cut your hair, you don’t have to. However, it will look the most authentic if your hair is the right length.
2
Cut layered bangs in the front of your hair. Get your hair damp and grab a pair of hair cutting scissors. Create some choppy, swooped bangs on the right side of your forehead, then cut layers going down the side of your face for more texture.^{[2]
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- This technique can be a little hard to do, so you may need to go to a professional.
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3
Slick your hair back with a comb. Use a fine tooth comb to push the hair on your forehead back over the top of your head. Smooth down the top of your hair as much as possible so it looks flat.^{[3]
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- If you don’t have a fine tooth comb, you can also use a brush.
4
Add some gel to keep your hair in place. Squirt a dime-sized amount of gel into the palms of your hands and rub it around. Gently comb it through your hair with your fingers, focusing on the top part of your hair that’s slicked back. Pat down any flyaways with the gel so your hair looks smooth and shiny on top.^{[4]
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- If you need to, you can comb through your hair again to disperse the gel evenly.
5
Spray green hair color onto your hair. Get a small piece of cardboard and place it on your forehead to protect your Joker makeup. Shake up your can of green hair spray and hold it about 6 inches (15 cm) away from your hair. Spray a thin layer of green all over your hair, including the back and undersides.^{[5]
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- Look for a bright, neon green to match the Joker’s hair color.
- You can find green hair spray at most costume supply stores, especially around Halloween.
6
Touch up your hairline with green face paint. If you missed any spots with the spray or you couldn’t quite get your roots above your forehead, grab some green face paint and a small paint brush. Gently dab green face paint onto any parts of your natural hair that are still showing through the green.^{[6]
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- Try to find face paint that matches the green color of your hair spray.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Jared Leto in Suicide Squad (Short and Slick)

1
Clip up the top section of your hair. Grab the hair from your ears up to the crown of your head and put it up with a clip. Use a comb to make sure the parts on each side of your head are straight and even to ensure that your hairstyle looks symmetrical.^{[7]
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2
Shave the sides of your head to about 1 in (2.5 cm) long. Using a set of clippers, grab a 1 in (2.5 cm), or #8, guard. Use the clippers to cut off all of your hair that you didn’t put up into a clip, including the back and each side.^{[8]
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- If you have really long hair, use scissors to cut off the majority of the length before you go in with your clippers. This will make it easier to shave the sides of your head.
3
Trim the top section of your hair so it’s about 4–6 in (10–15 cm) long. Leaving your hair dry, let down the rest of your hair from the clip and pick up a pair of hair scissors. Hold your scissors upwards and gently trim away the ends of your hair, leaving about 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) of length on the top. Try to cut in jagged lines to give the ends of your hair some texture as you cut.^{[9]
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- You can find hair cutting scissors at most beauty supply stores.
- This haircut is called an undercut.
4
Dry your hair with a round brush to give it volume. Grab a round brush and use it to brush the top of your hair backwards and away from your face. Point the nozzle of your hair dryer down at your hair as you brush it to give it more volume.^{[10]
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- Don’t worry about adding a part to your hair just yet.
- If you have a nozzle attachment for your hair dryer, put that on to focus the hot air in the direction that you want it to go.
5
Slick back the hair on top of your head with gel. Comb back your long hair with a fine tooth comb and use it to smooth down the top. Grab a dime-sized amount of gel and rub it into your hair, focusing on slicking down the top of your hair and making it look smooth.^{[11]
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- Gel helps to keep your hairstyle in place all day long.
6
Spray on green hair spray to color your hair. Use a piece of cardboard or tape to cover your forehead and protect your skin. Shake up a can of neon green hair spray and spray a fine mist all over your hair, including the top, sides, and back. Try to make it look even throughout so that it looks like a natural hair color.^{[12]
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- For a more permanent option, you can bleach your hair and then dye it neon green. However, this can be very damaging for your hair, especially if you have dark hair.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Heath Ledger in Dark Knight (Short and Curly)

1
Cut your hair so it’s about 3 in (7.6 cm) all over. Grab some hair-cutting scissors and, while your hair is dry, cut at an upwards angle all around. Give yourself a haircut that’s about 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length all over, or to the middle of your ears.^{[13]
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- The haircut doesn’t have to look perfect—in fact, it’s better if it’s a little messy.
2
Enhance your natural waves or curls with sea salt spray. Grab a bottle of sea salt spray and spritz it all over your hair. Then, use your hands to scrunch it into your curls, making them light and wavy.^{[14]
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- You can find sea salt spray at most beauty supply stores.
- If you don’t have any natural curls, the sea salt spray will add some beachy waves to your hair, which is perfect!
- You’re going for a damp, disheveled look.
3
Part your hair on the right side of your head. Using your hands, gently push your hair into a part on the right side of your head above your right eye. Don’t worry about making the part super even, as it’s supposed to look a little haphazard.^{[15]
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- Try not to brush your hair, as it could take out the natural curls or waves.
4
Spray dull green hair spray all over your hair. Grab a can of dull green hair spray and hold it about 6 inches (15 cm) away from your head. Lightly spray the nozzle all over your hair, making sure to get the back and underneath as well.^{[16]
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- Heath Ledger’s Joker is slightly different in that he has a duller, less neon color in his hair.
5
Leave your hair tousled and messy-looking. To achieve your final look, use your fingers to rake through your hair a little bit to leave it looking messy. Don’t add any hairspray or gel, and just let your hair fall where it wants to.^{[17]
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