The jellyfish haircut, often referred to as the "jellyfish bob" or simply "jelly bob," has been making waves recently, capturing the attention of celebrities, TikTok trendsetters, and the fashion-forward alike. As you might have already guessed, the edgy haircut is characterized by its resemblance to a jellyfish.
Whether worn with natural hues or enhanced with vibrant colors, styled sleek or playfully tousled, the jellyfish haircut presents endless opportunities for self-expression, pushing the boundaries of traditional hairstyling and revealing a modern artistic edge.
The Mixie Cut Is One of the Biggest Hair Trends of the Moment
Below, we reached out to a duo of celebrity hairstyliststo tell us more about the trending jellyfish haircut.
Meet the expert
- Sophie Gutterman is a celebrity hairstylist and texture specialist.
- Jennifer Korab is a celebrity hairstylist and hand-tied extensions specialist.
What Is the Jellyfish Haircut?
The jellyfish cut, similar to the Japanese hime cut, is made up of two very distinct separated layers: the top layer mirrors a classic bob, while the bottom portion of hair hangs long and flowing. It was TikTok creator Mari Trombley (@sillyyerba) who first used the hashtag #jellyfishhaircut and helped popularize the look on TikTok.
Before deciding to get the jellyfish haircut, it is highly recommended to have a thorough consultation with a skilled stylist, explains Gutterman. By doing so, you can gain valuable insights into what lengths suit your unique face shape best. Additionally, it's crucial to keep in mind that this cut requires daily styling effort—it isn’t a wash-and-go look. “Embrace the fact that you will need to allocate a few extra minutes each morning to perfect your look," says Gutterman.
How to Style a Jellyfish Haircut
How you style the jellyfish haircut varies depending on your hair type. If you have curly hair, you definitely want to use a product that will enhance the volume to create the round shape. “My favorite product to use on a curly Jellyfish haircut is the All About Curls Wonder-Full Waves Gelee,” says Gutterman. “You can also use this on wavy hair with a diffuser to get the most movement and bounce out of this style. On straighter hair, use a round brush and a blow dryer, like the T3 Featherweight StyleMax, to create a rounded shape up top and add texture to the bottom using a wand to create a fuller look. The T3 Switch Kit is perfect because it comes in all sizes.”
To get a pin-straight finish, Korab recommends applying a smoothing lotion like Pureology Smooth Perfection Smoothing Serum and doing a sleek blowout, followed by a flat iron.
How to Give Yourself the Perfect Silky Blowout
If you want to maintain a sharp and clean look with your jellyfish haircut, it's important to keep the top trimmed. According to Korab, trimming your hair every six to eight weeks is the best way to keep up with this style. She also emphasizes the importance of using a heat protectant when styling your hair; this will help protect your ends and keep your hair looking healthy and hydrated.
Jellyfish Haircut Inspiration
“I love this version of the Jellyfish haircut on Lily Collins; it’s a softer, more subtle take on the trend,” says Korab. “To recreate this look, I recommend starting with Pureology Style + Protect Weightless Volume Mousse, then using a large round brush to blow it out. Follow with Pureology Style + Protect Soft Finish Hairspray and the Beachwaver Pro 1.25 Curling Iron to create the soft bend in the hair.”
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If you're not quite ready to go full-on jellyfish haircut but want to ease your way into the style, this look is a good starting point.
If you want to go for a smooth, sleek look, take inspiration from Kerry Washington’s Jellyfish haircut. “To recreate this look, I would smooth out the hair by using a flat iron and follow with a shine finishing spray,” says Korab.
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This blonde Jellyfish haircut is a head-turning choice. The sharp, precise ends add a dramatic flair to the look and the blonde hue gives it a modern edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the jellyfish haircut work on any face shape?
“Yes, the jellyfish haircut can work on any face shape, but the best shapes for this cut are round or diamond, as it helps elongate the face,” Korab explains. But don’t worry if you don’t have a round or diamond face shape; Gutterman says you can still try out this style by playing around with bangs to see what suits you. “The haircut will create a round shape, so make sure you’re okay with that silhouette before going for the chop,” says the hairstylist.
Can the jellyfish haircut work on any texture?
Although this cut is often styled straight, works on all textures. "I have seen this cut on some girls with curly hair, and I wasn’t mad at the end results," says Gutterman. "If you’re into it and want to try something different, why not?!”
Can the jellyfish haircut work on any hair density?
Because the shape of this haircut is so disconnected, you want to ensure you have enough hair to create a round shape on top and some length left to keep the hair longer on the bottom. “I’d say this style works better with fuller hair than finer hair,” says Gutterman. “You can add layers to break up the haircut slightly, but this won’t work as well if the hair is finer.
