Is The Broccoli Cut The Most Divisive Men’s Hair Trend Of 2024?
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3 months ago
The internet's most loved (and hated) haircut
It’s the hairstyle most (if not all) teen boys have right now: short, tapered sides crowned by a giant mass of curls. But while the broccoli cut is a staple amongst Gen Z, the trend is successfully mystifying every generation before them. Here’s the down low on this hairy debate.
What Is A Broccoli Haircut?
A broccoli haircut – sometimes known as a ‘zoomer perm’ or ‘bird’s nest’ – is a men’s hairstyle that features tapered or faded sides with layered curls on top. These curls, which are often quite voluminous, are created with a perm and give the illusion of broccoli florets. (Although we promise this is a hairstyle that looks a lot more inviting than its green counterpart.)
The cut itself is thought to have originated sometime in the 1980s, being a big hit amongst new age bands like Soft Cell, Duran Duran and Wham! Although this version was more like a grown-out, unstyled quiff finished off with a thick layer of hairspray.
@petergosling_ The 🥦 top! Super popular trending trim with the young folk! @GLASSBOX #haircut #tiktokhairstylist #tutorial #inspo #barber #barbershop ♬ Animals x Starboy (slowed to perfection) – TikTok Remix – TommyMuzzic & ZeddMusique
Flash forward a couple decades, and generation TikTok has set its sights on the hairstyle. The broccoli haircut has resurfaced a few times over the years – usually with minimal styling and volume – but not like this. Especially popular with teens and young adults, the hairstyle has taken over salons in all its poofy, floreted glory.
It’s perhaps most talked about on TikTok, where there are over 200 million posts tagged under the topic. Although it’s not all praise. A further 99 million videos are dedicated solely to poking harmless fun at the cut, and the people who wear it. But why?
Why Is It Divisive?
Despite being a fairly unoffensive-looking cut, broccoli hair has garnered something of a bad reputation – usually from those who deem it a ‘TikTok haircut’. It could also have something to do with it being a fad amongst Gen Z, who often bear the brunt of ‘silly trend’ discussions.
There’s aesthetics to consider too. Some people just simply don’t like the look of it – including stylists, who feel TikTok fatigue when it comes to up-and-coming hair trends. It’s a distinct look, one which stands out for good and bad reasons. This makes it feel a bit like marmite: either you love it, or hate it.
And then there’s the nickname itself. With a name like ‘broccoli’, it’s not really a surprise this is a haircut that can be seen as unflattering. But, whether you like it or not, the broccoli is here to stay.
Who Suits This Cut?
This is a cut that can help soften features, thanks to its signature curls. It’s also fairly easy to adapt to a myriad of face shapes. Oval, round, square and heart face shapes will do best with bigger, longer curls on top to help lengthen the face, while long face shapes will benefit from more volume on the sides to create a balanced width.
As for hair itself, those with curly or textured hair will get the most out of this cut as it will require less maintenance. But you can always use a perm to get you there if you have naturally straight hair.
@x.lumi Replying to @Art Vandelay appreciate your opinion though #haircut #hairstyle #broccoli🥦 ♬ original sound – Lumi
How To Ask For A Broccoli Haircut In The Salon
If you don’t fancy saying the word ‘broccoli’ to you barber, simply ask for short sides with voluminous curls on top. If you need some extra volume, you can also ask for a perm.
Make sure to also take plenty of reference images in for your stylist. This will give them a better idea of what you’re after.
How To Style A Broccoli Haircut
The curly texture on top is the key defining factor of this hairstyle, so you’ll want to use lightweight styling products like mists and salt sprays to maximise volume. You can also use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to enhance curls without disrupting their natural pattern, although it’s best to air dry where possible.
Is It A Good Hairstyle To Try?
As with any hairstyle, it all comes down to personal preference. This isn’t an inherently ‘cool’ or ‘uncool’ cut – and considering its monumental popularity now, we’re likely to still see the broccoli haircut going strong in the barbershop for another good few years.
Hair Inspiration
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Featured image: Bozhin Karaivanov, Unsplash
