One of the most searched haircuts in the world right now? The “hush” cut, which—according to Google—is currently trending in both the U.S. and the U.K. Super versatile and flattering on a number of different face shapes, the style originally hails from Korea and is light, feathery, and ultra-low maintenance. Here’s what you need to know before booking in.
What is the hush cut?
“The hush cut is a soft, layered haircut that is nearly always paired with a wispy fringe of sorts, or at least shorter, face-framing layers,” explain Sean Paul Nother and Nick Latham, founders of The Hair Bros. “The haircut is layered throughout, which creates a beautiful distribution in weight and movement in the hair.” When hair is cut to move, it naturally falls into form, meaning you don’t have to do as much styling. This makes it perfect for anyone who wants an effort-free look, while still maintaining lots of face-framing shape and detail.
“It’s a great hairstyle for those who want to try a fringe and more exaggerated layers, without opting for a drastic cut, like a full fringe or wolf cut,” they add. “For so long, people have toyed with the idea of revisiting fringes or layers, but are traumatized from some pretty awful childhood haircuts of the 2000s! This cut is everything that soft layers should be – it’s a statement through its softness.”
True to its name, the hush cut is softer, subtler, and quieter than its more overt counterparts: think delicate tendrils but lots of shape, floaty layers, and airy, detailed movement.
How to make the hush cut work for you
The hush cut relies on attention to detail when it’s being cut by a professional—it won’t work if it hasn’t been executed correctly. “There shouldn’t really be any straight lines cut into the hair,” Nother and Latham say—both often use a razor in the salon, instead of scissors. “As soon as the hair starts to feel heavy, it loses the soft, airy feel that epitomizes this cut.”
To prevent any “hair language barriers” with your stylist, it’s always worth bringing in pictures to show the kind of looks that you love, and those you don’t. “As always, choose your stylist wisely,” the pair say. “Check out their work online and take your time during your consultation.”
The beauty of this style is that it can work on most hair types, and can be tailored to face shape and aesthetic. “On finer hair, we might layer the hair slightly less, whereas with thicker hair, we would exaggerate some pieces more,” they explain. “On straight hair, it can be worth going slightly shorter with the layers to ensure they are visible, whereas on wavy or curly hair, we tend to leave hair slightly longer, so that it can shrink in to place.” A great style to accentuate your features—especially cheekbones—it can be adapted based on the areas you want to highlight.
How to style the hush cut
The shape of the cut means you shouldn’t have to style it too much. To accentuate layers and create a mussed-up effect, seek out imperceptible texturizing products or those that help the hair air dry effortlessly to enhance the flowy details of the cut.
“A few of our favorites are Hairstory’s Undressed, which is a rosewater spray. It’s a good alternative to salt as it creates a beachy texture without making the hair crunchy. Evo’s Whip It Good is great for curly hair as it’s super lightweight and hydrating. And Davines’s Dede spray, which hydrates the hair and helps soften the cut into your desired shape,” they recommend.
