If you’re sick and tired of your current haircut and craving a fresh look, look no further than an octopus cut. Unique and versatile, the octopus haircut has been gaining enormous traction this season, and for a good reason.
What is an octopus haircut, anyway? “The layering makes the cut.” – Shonda Broadus, our consulting hairstylist explains. “The crown is meant to be full, layered, full of body. Mid way down to the ends, the hair is longer and thinner, with less volume to it.”
This layered style can be adapted to suit a variety of hair types and lengths, so there’s an octopus haircut perfect for each woman out there. Check out our compilation to get some inspo for your next salon visit.
1. Accentuated Bangs
Octopus haircuts are incredibly versatile – combining different hair lengths, shades, and textures allows for creating absolutely unique looks. If you love standing out but prefer keeping minimalist, consider accentuating your bangs with a contrasting color, like this baby chocolate brown strands on the blonde base.
Instagram / @jayne_edosalon
2. Octopus Cut with a Pastel Pink Touch
Long tendrils cascading down the sides of your head make an octopus cut an outstanding choice for women who want to make a statement and show off their wild side. Messy top layers add a good deal of volume even to thin hair, while pastel pink highlights make for a head-turning effect.
Instagram / @stanleyman001
3. Octopus Cut with Longer Top Layers
For a more classic look, keep your top layer sleek and long, just around the chin length, and let your lower strands go wild with texture. It’s best to get a centered part since irregular parting doesn’t work well with longer top layers.
Instagram / @nunzio_nyc1
4. Short Blonde Octopus Cut
This octopus has some strong mullet shape and can work wonders if you’re looking to balance out your round face and outstanding forehead. Short top layers and collarbone-length “tentacles” do an excellent job of elongating round faces. At the same time, thick, choppy bangs are unrivaled at covering high foreheads.
Instagram / @nakedeyebeauty
5. Octopus Cut with Wispy Curtain Bangs
You can spice up your classic octopus cut by adding wispy curtain bangs that seamlessly integrate with the top layer. A middle part and a deep dark brown shade make this hair look elegant and stylish.
Instagram / @aprilchristinataylor
6. Long Octopus Cut
If you crave a major change in your look but don’t feel like saying goodbye to your long tresses and dyeing them, an octopus cut has you covered. It allows for keeping the length yet helps create a totally new look through layering which makes the hair more voluminous and dynamic.
Instagram / @moratisirhanis
7. Hot Blonde Octopus Cut
An octopus cut can inject a fresh twist into your mid-length blonde hair, making it appear more voluminous and defined. You might also want to add choppy bangs for an ultimately cute look.
Instagram / @rachelwstylist
8. Octopus Cut for Curly Hair
Curls love being layered – they immediately start looking bouncier and more defined, which makes an octopus cut a perfect idea for natural curls. Add a sprinkle of vivid highlights here and there to make your curly octopus cut look even more remarkable.
Instagram / @samvillahair
9. Octopus Cut with Swoopy Layers
If you’re looking for a more elegant option, consider a longer octopus haircut with swoopy layers and curtain bangs. It looks dazzling on women with dark hair and a warm skin tone.
Instagram / @ryennesnow.hair
10. Wispy Octopus Haircut
For an irresistible teenage vibe, opt for wispy layers on top that seamlessly blend into curtain bangs. This version of the octopus cut on thin hair makes it immediately recognizable! Consider this hairstyle if you don’t mind adding youthfulness to your look.
Instagram / @stanleyman001
11. Blonde Octopus with See-Through Bangs
An octopus haircut is the shortest way to make a naturally wavy hair texture shine through – layering makes waves more defined and adds volume. In addition, such a haircut combines well with the blonde hair color, resulting in a feminine and romantic look.
Instagram / @newrossbeautyexperience
12. Octopus Cut for an Elongated Face Shape
Guess what! You can rock a trendy octopus cut and balance out your elongated face at the same time. The secret lies in thinner “tentacles” and thick bangs to cover your forehead. For your bangs to perfectly fit with the heavily layered octopus cut, ask your stylist to make them choppy.
Instagram / @chellsiedanielle
13. Brunette Octopus Cut
If you’re endowed with silky, thick hair, you might want to leave your top layer longer to showcase your beautiful texture. On the other hand, get your lower layer textured more heavily to let them go wild and create a gorgeous silhouette.
Instagram / @mangoblowdrybarandspa
14. Play of Color
While each octopus cut is unique in its own way, this one’s really one in a million. It has three distinctive layers instead of the conventional two, with the middle layer dyed in a contrasting peek a boo color.
Instagram / @doubleqnyc
15. Dirty Blonde Layered Cut
This messy octopus cut is a great way to express your vibrant personality. Long curtain bangs, wild waves, and the daring dirty blonde hue are everything you need to make a statement. To keep your beautiful mess thriving, don’t forget to use some texturing mousse.
Instagram / @forge_studio_az
16. Long Octopus Cut with Micro Bangs
A long octopus cut won’t leave you unnoticed, especially if you’re bold enough to juice it up with pastel green ombre! For that irresistible cutie effect, embrace choppy micro bangs.
Instagram / @hairbynadja
17. Piece-y Layers
If you’re looking for a wash-and-go version of the octopus cut, this one might have you covered. The piece-y texture requires little maintenance while delivering a daring high-school-drama-queen vibe.
Instagram / @dirtysouthhair
18. Full Bangs and Red Highlights
This collarbone-length cut with bangs looks absolutely charming due to bright red highlights framing the face. Steal this idea if you love experimenting with color but don’t feel like dyeing your entire head.
Instagram / @nataliarok
19. Long Octopus Haircut with Curtain Bangs
An octopus haircut might be your best choice if you’re searching for a fun and flirty style with a touch of a punk rock edge. Moreover, it’s a great way to showcase your natural hair texture without the daunting styling routine.
Instagram / @addieraehair
20. Messy Octopus Cut
If you’re a fan of voluminous, messy hairstyles, an octopus cut might be your way to go – multiple shaggy layers are just the right canvas for creating outstanding volume. For a stronger volumizing effect, don’t let your locks go lower than your collarbones.
Instagram / @yukistylist
21. Octopus Cut for Heart Shaped Faces
Women having heart-shaped faces often struggle to balance out their face shape with the help of the right haircut. The good news is that it’s quite achievable with a mid-length octopus cut and curtain bangs.
Instagram / @moratisirhanis
22. Multiple Soft Layers
For a soft, elegant look, don’t let your top layers run wild. Instead, let them beautifully frame your face and use some shine spray to create a well-groomed, glossy look.
Instagram / @aprilchristinataylor
23. Jet Black Octopus Cut
While an octopus cut saves the day by making thin hair more voluminous, it’s also a perfect choice for thick hair. The edgy octopus cut helps reduce thickness, resulting in a lighter, more dynamic look.
Instagram / @strangebirdsalon
24. Shoulder Length Octopus Cut
If you’re blessed with thick but manageable hair, an octopus cut might be your lowest-maintenance option. Elaborate layering will make your top layers curl inside and lower layers outwards, effortlessly creating the signature octopus shape.
Instagram / @dreamhairbycelaa
25. Chin Length Layers and Short Wispy Bangs
An octopus cut is a go-to haircut if you want to add a fresh twist to your luscious locks without losing the length. Besides making your look youthful and flirty, it helps achieve the gorgeous volume you might’ve been dreaming of.
Instagram / @ryennesnow.hair
With its wild, curly tendrils and playful vibe, an octopus haircut is sure to turn heads and make a statement wherever you go. Feel free to experiment with textures, lengths, and colors to achieve a unique look.
