How to Style Wolf Cut Hair: Shaggy and Sleek Options

Written by Nick Arrojo | Edited by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: November 12, 2022 References

The wolf cut has become really popular for very good reasons—it's super low-maintenance and it looks fantastic! If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, you don't have to do much to style the wolf cut, especially if you're going for a shaggy look. If you've got fine or straight hair, a wolf cut is a flattering 'do that adds volume and looks sleek. Either way, we'll show you exactly how to rock the wolf cut in style.

This article is based on an interview with our master hair stylist, Nick Arrojo, founder of Arrojo NYC. Check out the full interview here.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Styling a Curly or Wavy Shag

1
Apply mousse and curl cream if you have fine or straight hair. Squeeze a dime-sized amount of body-building mousse or foam into your palm and rub your hands together. Scrunch the product into your hair from the roots to the ends. Then, do the same thing with a curl cream or leave-in conditioner to keep your hair hydrated throughout the day.
- These products add texture or volume to your fine hair and prevent flyaways that could make your hair look frizzy. If your hair is completely straight, choose products that say they're texturizing since these can help you achieve a shaggy look.
2
Use gel and an anti-frizz serum if your hair is medium to thick or coarse. If you've naturally wavy hair or lots of volume, focus on preventing frizz. Squirt a dime-sized amount of styling cream or gel into your palm and rub your hands together. Scrunch your hands into your hair from the roots to the ends to distribute the product. Then, repeat the process with an anti-frizz hair serum.
- Serum keeps your hair smooth and manageable. Look for an anti-frizz product that contains nourishing oil like Argan oil. Argan oil adds shine and protects your hair from flyaways.
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3
Let your hair air dry if you’ve got natural volume. The wolf cut is truly one of the easiest cuts to style since it looks great when you air dry it. Once your hair is dry, just run your fingers through it to make it look a little messy or shaggy. Then, you're good to go!^{[1]
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4
Blow-dry your hair with a diffuser if you want to dry your hair quickly. Push a diffuser attachment onto the end of your blowdryer and tilt your head to the side. Hold the blow dryer below your hair, so the tips of your hair fall into the diffuser. Continue to blowdry your hair until it's almost dry.^{[2]
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- A diffuser spreads the heat and air from the blowdryer, so your curls and waves stay intact.
- If you've got fine hair, you'll get a boost of volume by blow drying it with a diffuser.
5
Tease your bangs with your fingers to break them up. Bangs look amazing on a shaggy wolf cut. Run your fingers through your bangs as they dry, so they look messy and casual. Loose, choppy bangs soften the look.
- If your hair is fine, rub a drop of texturing cream between your fingers and work it into your bangs before they dry.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Styling a Straight, Smooth Look

1
Apply anti-frizz serum to your damp hair. Squeeze a dime-sized amount of anti-frizz serum or mousse into your palm and rub your hands together. Then, run your hands through your damp hair to evenly distribute the product. This keeps your hair smooth and manageable all day long.
- Look for an anti-frizz product with a nourishing ingredient like Argan oil, which adds shine and prevents frizz.
- If you frequently blow-dry your hair, spritz a heat protectant spray on your hair, too. Heat protectant spray prevents your hair from becoming damaged.
2
Brush your hair while you blow-dry the roots. Begin brushing your damp hair from the roots to the tips while you point the blow dryer at the roots. Use a low-heat setting, so you don't damage your hair. Keep brushing and blow-drying until the hair next to your scalp is dry.^{[3]
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3
Go back with a round brush and blow-dry your hair to curl the ends. To soften the look and add volume, switch to a round brush. Pull a section of hair onto the brush and direct the blow dryer at it while you slowly pull the brush down from the roots. Then, twist the round brush when you reach the ends, so they curl slightly away from your face.^{[4]
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- You can use a flat iron to get the same slight curl at the ends of your hair. Put a small section of hair between the flat iron near your roots and slowly pull it down to the tips. Twist the flat iron away from your face if you want the tips to flip out or turn the iron toward your face for tips that curl in softly.
- If you want extra volume at the roots, go back and use the round brush on the hair near your scalp.
4
Wrap your bangs around a round brush to add volume. Curl the bangs over your round brush and slowly rotate the brush while you blow-dry the hair. Then, tease the bangs with your fingers to break up the large curl. If you like, you can separate the bangs, so the hair falls on the sides of your face.
- If you want a more dramatic effect, blow-dry your bangs without the round brush to create a straight, blunt look.