The Ultimate Guide to the Trendy Comma Hairstyle

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How to achieve this stylish, K-pop inspired look

Co-authored by Frankie Sanderson and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: August 18, 2024 Fact Checked

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What is the comma hairstyle?

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How to Do It

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Variations & Styling Tips

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Will comma hair look good on me?

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What to Wear with Comma Hair

If you’re a fan of K-pop or Korean fashion, you may be familiar with the viral “comma hair” trend. But what exactly is the comma hairstyle, and how do you achieve it? If you’re looking for the answers to these questions, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll go over what the comma hairstyle is, how to do it, and who it looks best on. We’ve also included styling tips and variations to try out, plus advice from expert hairstylist Frankie Sanderson, so keep reading!

What is comma hair?

“Comma hair” is a men’s hairstyle that involves curling the bangs inward, so they’re shaped almost like a comma. It starts with a two block haircut, which is longer on top and short around the sides and back. The long pieces around the face are then curved inward with a straightening iron to create the comma effect.

Section 1 of 5:

What is the comma hairstyle?

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A comma hairstyle involves curling the bangs inward to resemble a comma. The hair is usually trimmed short around the sides and back but left longer and more voluminous on top. The longer pieces are then curved down and toward the face with a straightening iron, so that they look almost like commas.^{[1]
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- The hairstyle originated in South Korea, and it exploded in popularity when Korean celebrities, such as members of the K-pop band BTS, started wearing it.^{[2]
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How to Do the Comma Hairstyle

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Ask your hair stylist or barber for a two-block haircut. The name “two block” refers to the way that the hair is cut into two different sections—the long, voluminous top portion around the crown of the head, and the short, trimmed section around the sides and back.^{[3]
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Research source} To get this cut, ask your barber for an undercut on the sides, a light taper or fade in the back, and longer texture on top.
- Like the comma hairstyle, the two block haircut originated in South Korea and was popularized by Korean celebrities and K-pop artists.^{[4]
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To make sure your style lasts, start with wet hair. You can either shower and wash your hair, or just spray it with water. Next, part your hair in the middle or on the side, according to your preference.^{[5]
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Apply a texturizing spray to your hair, paying special attention to the front, face-framing pieces.^{[6]
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Research source} You can use whatever texturizing spray you have on hand, but Sanderson recommends sea salt spray to achieve a volumized look.
Blow dry both sides of the hair in a downward motion to start forming the curved comma shape.^{[7]
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Research source} Towards the back, blow-dry the hair downward and slightly backward at the same time.^{[8]
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Use a straightening iron to curve your bangs inward. To create a more pronounced comma shape, slowly run a curling iron through the front pieces of your hair in a curved motion. Start with the pieces of hair right around your ear on both sides, then continue forward until you reach your bangs.^{[9]
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- And that’s it! You now have the basic comma hairstyle. There are, however, several variations of the look and different ways to style it, which we’ll cover below.

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Variations & Styling Tips for Comma Hair

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Leave your hair wavy and tousled on top. The classic comma hairstyle usually features straight hair that’s subtly curved into the comma shape. However, if you have naturally wavy or curly hair, you can achieve a more chilled-out, tousled version of comma hair. Just follow the steps above, but without using the straightener to create the curved shape.
- You can also use any products you typically use on your waves or curls, like mousse, gel, or styling wax.^{[10]
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- If you have straight hair but you want to achieve the wavy look, consider getting a perm. Sanderson explains that a perm may dry your hair out a little bit, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it will also help you achieve the tousled texture you’re going for.
If you want to go for a youthful, unique look, consider getting some subtle highlights throughout the longer portion of your hair. Then, simply follow the steps above to achieve the comma hairstyle. The highlights will create depth and dimension and make the style even more interesting!^{[11]
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Dye your hair a fun color. For a bold statement, try dying your hair a fun color, like red, blue, or platinum blonde, then complete the steps above to create the comma hairstyle. This is a great way to personalize your look and show off your unique personality!^{[12]
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- To really accentuate the different sections of your two block haircut, you can even dye the longer top portion one color, and then leave the shorter hair on the sides and back your natural color.^{[13]
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If you aren’t ready to go all-out and get the two block haircut, try adding the comma bangs to your normal haircut. Just wash and dry your hair as you normally would, then use a straightening iron to curve the front pieces inward. This is a great way to test out the look if you’re unsure about it!

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Will comma hair look good on me?

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Comma hair looks good on most face shapes. The base hair cut (the two block cut) is very versatile, and it can be customized to accentuate different face shapes—oval, square, heart-shaped, round, you name it!^{[14]
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- Sanderson also explains that, when you visit a professional hairstylist or barber, they’ll be able to assess factors like your facial features and hair texture and create a cut that will be flattering for you.

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What to Wear with the Comma Hairstyle

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The comma hairstyle looks great with a suit, as evidenced by the Korean celebrities and K-pop stars who sport the look on red carpets.^{[15]
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Research source} If you have an important formal event coming up (or if you just like to look your best!) consider pairing your comma hair with a slim-fitting, dapper suit.^{[16]
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For a less formal (but still polished) look, consider opting for a preppy style. Preppy pieces like knit sweaters, blazers, button-down shirts, and tailored trouser pants all look great with a comma hairstyle.^{[17]
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If you’re going for a more relaxed, tousled vibe with your comma hair, try pairing it with casual pieces like bomber jackets, T-shirts, jeans, or looser fitting trouser pants.^{[18]
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