The Hush Cut
The hush cut is the softly layered, airy haircut taking over 2025—think whisper-light movement, subtle face-framing, and effortless styling with a polished finish that grows out beautifully. Originating from Korean salon techniques, it blends long, fluid layers with curtain bangs to add volume and texture without sacrificing thickness or length.
What is the hush cut?
The hush cut features medium-to-long layers focused around the face, paired with soft curtain bangs for an “undone yet refined” look that’s easy to live in.
It channels the spirit of a shag but with gentler transitions and airy movement rather than choppy texture, making it versatile for everyday styling.
Why it’s trending now
Clients want styles that read modern without high upkeep, and the hush cut delivers low-maintenance styling with high-impact shape and movement.
It’s forecast as a leading 2026 trend thanks to its universality across hair types and its quietly cool, polished vibe.
Hush cut vs wolf, shag, and butterfly
Compared to a wolf cut, hush is more polished with fewer short, choppy crown layers and a softer silhouette through the ends.
Compared to a shag, hush uses subtler layering concentrated near the face instead of obvious, razor-cut texture throughout.
Compared to a butterfly cut, hush keeps more weight at the ends and favours sleek, airy movement over big, blown-out volume, suiting finer hair too.
Who suits it?
The hush cut works brilliantly on medium to long hair and is adaptable for fine, medium, or thick textures because it removes internal bulk while keeping visible density. It’s especially flattering if you want to maintain length, introduce movement, and soften facial features with feathered framing.
Key technical elements (for the curious)
Pro takes often start with four-quadrant sectioning, a triangular fringe zone, and “ghost” or shattered internal layering to create weightless movement without compromising perimeter fullness.
Shortness in the front contrasts a subtle weight line through the back, creating complementary lines that move and contour beautifully around the face and shoulders.
Styling it day-to-day
Air-dry with a light volumising mousse and a flexible cream on mid-lengths and ends to keep the finish soft and swishy, not stiff.
For quick polish, blow-dry with a large round brush to lift the crown and bevel the curtain fringe; it enhances the airy layers without heavy heat styling.
If you prefer heat-free styling, use velcro rollers at the fringe and crown for 15–20 minutes to set that lifted, “quiet luxury” curve.
Maintenance and grow-out
The hush cut is designed to grow out seamlessly thanks to its fluid layering, so trims every 8–12 weeks usually preserve the shape while avoiding split ends. Curtain bangs can be refreshed slightly more often to keep the face-framing crisp while the lengths remain long and glossy.
Salon-level pro tips
Ask for soft, fluid layering with preserved perimeter density, plus curtain bangs starting around lips to cheekbones depending on your face shape.
If your hair is thick, request internal debulking with slide cutting to release weight while keeping a full outline; if fine, go lighter on interior removal to retain body.
Bring reference photos that show movement and fringe length you like—small adjustments in fringe and face-framing make a big difference to balance.
Common FAQs
Can you do it on shorter lengths? While it’s strongest on medium to long hair, the concept can be adapted to shorter cuts with airy face framing and a softer crown, though expect a subtler effect.
Is it high maintenance? Not really—its appeal lies in low-effort styling with a brush or rollers and light products to enhance natural movement.
Will it thin my ends? Unlike heavy shags, good hush cuts intentionally keep more weight at the perimeter for a thick-looking finish.
Ready to get the hush cut right for your hair? Our award-winning stylists at Gusto Hairdressing are here to help. Book your consultation today.