This article was reviewed by Jasmin Todd and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophie Burkholder, BA. Jasmin Todd is a Curly Hair Specialist and the Owner of Austin Curls in Austin, TX. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in cutting and styling naturally curly hair. Jasmin trained at the world-famous Ouidad salon and is Ouidad certified. In 2022, Mane Addicts named Austin Curls as one of the Top U.S. Salons for Curly Hair.
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The warrior cut may evoke ideas of strength and toughness, but it’s really an effortlessly cool and laid-back look that anyone can pull off. The TikTok-trendy hairstyle pairs a soft fade around the back and sides with textured, piecey layers on top. The resulting look might evoke vintage looks like Brad Pitt’s Fight Club style or Titanic-era Leo, but the warrior cut is definitely seeing a renaissance in the year 2024. To get, style, and maintain your very own warrior cut, read the comprehensive guide below on this I-just-woke-up-like-this look.
Styling a Warrior Cut
To style your warrior cut, towel dry and muss up your hair with your fingers to get your desired shape. Then, apply a strong-hold matte hair paste to the roots and scrunch your hair. Spritz a sea salt spray to the top layers to give them some texture, then tousle your hair (as needed) until you’re happy with the look.
Steps
How to Style a Warrior Cut
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Towel dry your hair and tousle it with your fingers. The warrior cut is a pretty laid-back look, so the messier, the better! After washing your hair in the shower, squeeze excess water out with a towel. Run your fingers through your hair to mess up the strands and set the shape how you like it best. Wait until your locks are about 60% dry before moving on to add any products.[1]
- Check your hair product’s package directions—certain products may recommend that your hair be completely dry before use.
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Apply a strong-hold matte hair pomade or paste. Choose a strong-hold medium-matte paste, clay, balm, or pomade to bring out the textures of your warrior cut. Check the package directions to see how much product you should use. Then, apply that product to your roots while avoiding your scalp. Work the product from root to ends, scrunching your hair to give it your desired look.[2]
- Along with staying away from your scalp, don’t worry about applying product to the back and sides of your hair (where the taper is!).
- Avoid hair gels, which will make your warrior cut look over-styled and won’t help to texturize your hair, giving it that natural bedhead look.
- Remember that the warrior haircut is an effortless, messy, just-rolled-out-of-bed look. Don’t worry too much about the pomade looking perfectly sleek or manicured. Instead, use the product to give your hair a natural, lived-in appearance.
- Styling product recommendations: Baxter Of California Hard Cream Pomade (4.5 stars on Amazon), Kevin Murphy Night Rider Firm Hold Texture Paste (4.5 stars on Amazon), and Paul Mitchell Mitch Clean Cut Styling Hair Cream (4.6 stars on Amazon).[3]
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Finish off your look with a texturizing spray or sea salt spray. Spritz a sea salt spray (or other texturizing spray) over your locks and give them a final tousle with your fingers. Texturizing sprays can bring out the natural wave in your hair, giving the top of your warrior cut a pleasing, lived-in look.[4]
- If you choose, you can carry a travel-sized sea salt spray around with you to freshen up throughout the day.
- Styling product recommendations: Davines This is a Sea Salt Spray (4.6 stars on Amazon), Slick Gorilla Sea Salt Spray (4.2 stars on Amazon), and Bumble And Bumble Surf Spray (4.4 stars on Amazon).
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://coveteur.com/2017/09/25/air-drying-hair-how-to-expert-tips/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/1FahPI_hf-Q?t=163
- ↑ https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-hair-products-men-paste-wax-spray-pomade.html
- ↑ https://www.apetogentleman.com/best-sea-salt-sprays-men/
- ↑ https://www.refinery29.com/en-au/dry-haircut-method-benefits
- ↑ https://perfectstylestudio.com/news/2015/12/3/to-bring-or-not-to-bring-pictures-to-the-salon
- ↑ https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/how-often-should-cut-hair
- ↑ https://www.mensjournal.com/style/best-shampoos-men
- ↑ https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-conditioners.html
- ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-hair-mask
- ↑ https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-hair-masks.html#overall
- ↑ https://www.londonschoolofbarbering.com/point-cutting/
- ↑ https://fashionista.com/2022/04/gen-z-hair-cuts-styles-trends
- ↑ https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&geo=US&q=warrior%20cut&hl=en-US
- ↑ https://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue42/6/8.cfm
- ↑ https://www.fashionbeans.com/article/brad-pitt-haircuts/
- ↑ https://manforhimself.com/mens-hairstyles/austin-butlers-hair-tousled-quiff/