Is the Jellyfish Haircut Your Perfect New 'Do for the New Year?

If this season’s hottest haircuts have one thing in common, it’s layers upon layers upon layers and we have the butterfly haircut, the modern shag cut and the octopus cut to serve as the ultimate proof. Joining that layered lineup is the jellyfish cut and its combination of short and long layers displays sort of like a mullet and sort of like a bob, making for a hybrid haircut with avant-garde flair. 

The style has the internet divided — you either love it or you hate it — but as we see it, this controversially chic haircut is easily aimed at separating one from the status quo. If your curiosity is piqued, here’s the scoop on this season’s buzzing jellyfish haircut. 

What Is the Jellyfish Haircut?

The jellyfish haircut sports disconnected layers that resemble a short bob with longer layers underneath. If the name is any giveaway, it truly resembles the round body and longer, billowy tentacles of a jellyfish. While we’ve seen a combination of short and long layers in styles like the aforementioned octopus cut and the modern mullet haircut, the jellyfish haircut is definitely the most dramatic take on the look to date. 

The jellyfish haircut is a flattering pick for all hair types because the disconnected layers keep the hair looking full while removing bulk. The disconnected layered are even suitable for thin strands because they have blunt ends which allow them to appear like two different haircuts in one. If you’re toying with the idea of making the chop but find yourself attached to your longer length, the jellyfish cut offers the best of both worlds because the longer layers still allow for updos like pigtails, braids and space buns. 

Editor’s tip: To ask your stylist for a jellyfish haircut, it’s best to show a picture of the hairstyle. How short you want to go is up to you but the separation of the short and long layers is what really helps to achieve the dramatic and edgy jellyfish styling. 

4 Tips for Styling a Jellyfish Haircut

Anything goes when it comes to styling the jellyfish haircut because this dramatic style definitely stands on its own. If you do need some ideas, check out our top tips for styling this bi-level haircut. 

1. Always Use Heat Protectant if You’re Using Hot Tools

If you’re going for a smooth and bouncy look, prime your strands with a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris Everpure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant before reaching for your blow dryer and round brush. It’s a great way to play up the shorter layers of your jellyfish haircut. 

2. Try Heatless Styling 

Regardless of how healthy your hair is, you’ll never regret giving your strands a break from your hot tools which is why we love heatless styling options. Plus, they really help to speed up your morning routine. 

Apply one pump of the L’Oréal Paris Everpure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Midnight Color Care Serum to your wet hair and separate your longer layers into two equal parts, like you’re creating pigtails. Create two braids and secure both with a hair tie. 

To tend to the shorter layers, create four or five loose braids randomly placed throughout the hair to create a natural-looking wave. In the morning, remove the braids from both sections of layers and brush through your hair with your fingers to reveal a Y2K-inspired, crimped hairstyle. 

If you prefer to embrace your natural curls, opt for a curl enhancer like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dream Curls Leave-in Conditioner. This leave-in conditioner has a fruity-floral scent and is formulated with hyaluronic acid and castor oil to define and nourish your curls without weighing them down. 

3. Use Products That Add Texture

A jellyfish ‘do looks exceptionally great with texture and it really helps to play up the edgy, creative styling. An easy way to add texture is with a tinted dry shampoo like the L’Oréal Paris Everpure Sulfate-Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Blonde Hair for light hair and the L’Oréal Paris Everpure Sulfate Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Brown Hair for dark hair. It can also help refresh your style by absorbing oil and camouflaging overgrown roots or gray hairs. 

Another way to add texture is with a styling paste such as the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty, which helps to provide texture and hold without making your hair look greasy or feel sticky. Use your fingers to scrunch the product into your hair for a natural-looking, undone style. 

4. Play With Temporary Hair Color

Due to the jellyfish haircut’s non-conforming nature, it’s the perfect hairstyle for playing with vibrant color. For temporary hair color that lasts until your next shampoo, try the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray, which comes in shades like Purple, Red and Blue. For semi-permanent color that lasts through a few more washes, give the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color a try.

Next: The ’90s Bixie Haircut Is Back and Trendier Than Ever

Written by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo Credit: IG @/jesikanovoa.hair, Design Credit: Sarah Duvivier