The Mushroom Haircut: How to Get the Look

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Discover styling tips and variations for this versatile bowl cut
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In the 1980s and 90s, the mushroom haircut was the preferred style of high-profile celebrities like Brad Pitt and Leonardo Di Caprio before it went out of fashion. Now, in the 2020s, Gen Z is bringing it back! Dig deep with us to discover why this fungi-inspired cut is popular again with men and women, plus all the ways you can style it and make it your own.

Mushroom Haircut At a Glance

A mushroom haircut – also known as a bowl cut – is a rounded hairstyle with short, sometimes buzzed layers of hair on the bottom and longer, stacked layers on top. Men and women wore this style in the 80s and 90s, but it was considered out of fashion until the look made a comeback on social media in the 2020s.

Section 1 of 5:

What is the mushroom haircut?

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    The hair on the top of the scalp is cut into a thick layer (or layers) with even edges all around the head. The layers on the bottom are either buzzed or cut close to the scalp to form the mushroom "stalk." [1]
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Section 2 of 5:

How to Get a Mushroom Haircut

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    Show them a picture of a specific mushroom style you want for your hair, and let them know if you want to customize it or combine it with another style. Your main goal is to ensure the top layers of hair are left longer and thicker than the bottom.
    • Play with the versatility of the mushroom cut. For example, if you want long side pieces, ask the stylist to taper the top layers downward, so each side ends naturally at your cheek or jaw. You can also go short or long, fringe or no fringe – it's up to you how you want to customize it.
    • Ask for touch-ups to make the mushroom perfect. For example, if you notice one side looks too long or you don’t like the shape, let your stylist know.
Section 3 of 5:

Mushroom Haircut Style Variations

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  1. 1
    Go full mushroom with rounded edges and a connecting fringe. In 2005, rapper Lauryn Hill wore her top layers tapered slightly longer in the back and connected to a face-framing fringe in the front. You can adopt this mushroom and exaggerate it even more by curling the ends with a curling iron. [2]
  2. 2
    Embrace a mushroom bowl cut with a head-hugging top layer. In 2010, singer-songwriter Rihanna flaunted a more bowl-like version of the mushroom cut. Mimic her look by rocking an eyebrow-skimming fringe and connecting it with the sides and back of your top layer in a single straight edge. [3]
    • Keep the back bottom layers cut short or shave them to enhance the top layer's mushroom cap-like appearance.
  3. 3
    Hop on the Latino-inspired Edgar trend the boys are loving. The Edgar haircut is the latest mushroom trend among Latino men and boys. To achieve it, opt for a blunt fringe, cut thick, short layers on the top of your head, and leave a low fade in the back. [4]
  4. 4
    Reach for the sky with the volume-driven Broccoli cut. The Broccoli cut features a mushroom-like mop of curly hair on top of the head, while the back of the head and sides are shaved. This style is perfect for showing off your natural curls! [5]
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Section 4 of 5:

Mushroom Haircut Styling Tips

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  1. 1
    Blow your mushroom cut out to achieve a soft look. Apply a heat protectant to your damp hair to prevent damage and comb it to remove any tangles. Turn your hair dryer on low heat and point it at your hair at a downward angle. Use your fingers to brush through and tousle your hair while you dry. [6]
    • This is a quick and easy way to style your hair that recalls 90s mushroom haircut icons like John Stamos from Full House or Rider Strong from Boy Meets World .
  2. 2
    Straighten your top layers for a sleeker mushroom. Turn your flat iron on medium-high heat. Apply heat protectant to your dry hair and work your flat iron through your hair in sections.
    • At the end of each section, you can turn the flatiron inward, so that it curves slightly, or keep pulling down to make it blunt.
  3. 3
    Work in texturizing product to make your mushroom look tousled and effortless. Hair texturizing product is a slightly tacky type of hair gel that lets you embrace your hair’s natural look while adding more movement and definition to your layers. The result will look messy but in a cool, intentional way! [7]
  4. 4
    Enhance your natural curls to achieve a voluminous mushroom. Use your fingers to work mousse into your wet hair (the mousse will hold your curls, plus add volume). Dry your curls with a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to keep them intact instead of blowing them apart. Apply hairspray when you’re done to lock the look in place. [8]
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Section 5 of 5:

Why is the mushroom haircut popular?

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    Gen Z wants to appear and act different from their Millennial and Gen X predecessors, and hair is a popular way to stand out. [9]
  2. 2
    The mushroom haircut fulfills Gen Zers’ desire for gender-neutral styles. It’s such a versatile cut that men, women, and non-binary identifying individuals feel comfortable adopting it and adjusting it according to their preferences. [10]
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    Faux fur coats, crop tops, and bowl cuts are trends many Millennials and Gen Xers consider relics of the past. Yet in the 2020s, they’re more “in” than ever! [11]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/4hC7wDw8aYA?si=aSxDHhkXOsqXaI6h
      2. ↑ https://www.essence.com/news/hairstyle-file-lauryn-hill-2/
      3. ↑ https://www.thecut.com/2010/06/rihanna_has_a_new_red_bowl_hai.html
      4. ↑ https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article290989995.html
      5. ↑ https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article290989995.html
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/4hC7wDw8aYA?si=iwvCddZ1r1Tu6CwN&t=357
      7. ↑ https://www.hair.com/mushroom-hairstyle.html
      8. ↑ https://www.tiktok.com/@cjcuts3/video/7151714737821109506?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7430847654763955755
      9. ↑ https://www.yahoo.com/video/broccoli-cut-8-other-gen-120000244.html
      1. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/hair-nails/1075205/gender-neutral-haircuts/
      2. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/news/g5852/early-2000s-celeb-trends/

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