Fact: I love broccoli. The fibrous green is great chopped up in my Sweetgreen salad or dipped in a bit of ranch. Another fact: The veggie has the best marketing team since brussel sprouts. Social conversations about broccoli have increased by 25.02 percent over the past year—and in a wild turn of events, many of said conversations are happening in the beauty world.
A few months back, the internet convinced everyone (including yours truly) to use broccoli heads as faux freckle devices. Every beauty editor, influencer, and tween I knew was dipping the leafy green in some bronzer and stamping it onto their cheeks. Now, the leafy green is striking once more. This time, as haircut inspiration.
You know the look. It’s the TikTok tween boy hallmark. Curly—occasionally permed—hair piled on the top of the head that tapers down to shorter, more structured sides and back. But don’t let the likes of Josh Richards, Harry Jowsey, and Bryce Hall fool you; the broccoli cut is versatile for all short hair types. It’s really just another rendition of the pixie cut.
“The broccoli haircut can indeed be versatile and personalized to suit a wide range of individuals,” says celebrity hairstylist and founder of Basic Principle Jasmine Burnside. “Whether you're looking for a quirky and fun style or a trendy and fashionable cut, the broccoli haircut can be adapted to fit different genders, hair types, and personal styles.”
To get the full breakdown on the ever-controversial broccoli cut—what it is, how to style it, what textures it works for—read ahead. Burnside and hairstylist and Blue Dunes founder Clara Purvis are sharing insight into the viral veggie trend.
What Is a Broccoli Haircut?
Don’t read into it too much—the broccoli haircut is pretty literal. You’re cutting your hair to resemble a stalk of broccoli; curly and unruly at the top, tapered and structured at the bottom. While might originally notice it as the it-haircut for tween boys, it’s truly a gender-fluid style worth considering if you have short hair. “It’s both a playful and cheeky look for someone who wants to enhance the volume and texture on top,” says Purvis.
“The broccoli haircut seems to have originated as a variation of the classic mushroom cut or bowl cut, modernized with a more textured and voluminous top,” explains Burnside. “The trend has been driven by the likes of popular TikTok users and celebrities who sport the look, making it highly desirable among teenagers and young adults.”
Does the Broccoli Haircut Work for Everyone?
“It works on any gender that wants to rock it,” says Purvis, but you definitely want to make sure your hair has some grit to it before embracing the chop. “The broccoli works best on hair with some texture, but with the right styling, even a straighter-haired person can make the style work,” says Purvis.
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How to Style a Broccoli Haircut
If you’ve committed to the vegetable-inspired haircut, it’s key you know how to style it to ensure the top doesn’t look like its wilting (pun intended). Building volume is the most important factor, so avoid heavy creams. “I recommend going light or even using no conditioner to allow for maximal volume to occur,” says Purvis. “A volumizing product is a great product to apply in wet hair, and you want to style the hair either with a diffuser to maximize the curl or using a round brush or round blowdry brush.”
You might even consider adding some medium-hold pomade, curl cream, or mousse to the mix to add definition and secure the style for the day.
Broccoli Haircut Inspo
The broccoli haircut has many different iterations, so you can find the best version for your texture and length. “Women might prefer a slightly longer top or more subtle fade,” explains Burnside, “so you can adjust the top and sides to suit your face shape and personal style.” You can add hair accessories or a pop of different colors, too. Might I suggest a green dye?
The Mullet Meets Broccoli Cut
Put a longer-length spin on the broccoli haircut by keeping the back of your hair a little longer. You'll still want to buzz the sides underneath the top layer to keep the style light and low maintenance.
The Straight Broccoli Cut
Don't have curly hair? Not a problem. You can embrace the broccoli cut with a straighter texture, too. Just add a bit of pomade into your hair to create grit.
The Buzzed Broccoli Cut
If you're looking for a breathable haircut for summer, allow this to be your inspiration. Keep the top forward-facing and voluminous, but buzz the sides and back entirely.
The Curly Broccoli Haircut
The most true to-description broccoli haircut, this example perfectly exemplifies a stalk of broccoli. Throw some gel or curl cream in and your style will last all day.
The Full-Bodied Broccoli Haircut
While this leans a bit more bowl cut than broccoli cut, it's still a great way to get in on the trend—especially if you have coily hair. Just try to style the front pieces downward to ensure you resemble the vegetable.
