Credit: Getty / Christian Vierig
3 min read
We asked a top hairstylist what you need to know about the collarbone cut before trying it yourself.
So, you’re bored of long hair but think you might regret getting a bob? Enter: the collarbone cut. This versatile cut provides the perfect in-between: enjoy the weight lifted from your lengths without immediately googling ‘how to grow my hair back fast’ afterwards.
Hailey Bieber and Cindy Bruna are just a couple of people who’ve been seen wearing the cut recently, so to get the lowdown, we called in the help of celebrity hairstylist James Lear.
What is a collarbone cut?
In short, the collarbone cut is longer than a bob but too short to be a midi cut. “It’s not as short as that “scary chin or jaw-length cut but long enough that you can still wear it in a ponytail,” explains Lear. The cut works for all hair textures and face shapes because of the visibility and ease of where it sits. It has the ideal in-between in that “it’s long enough to have weight pull it down, but also short enough to create volume”, he adds.
When creating this haircut, Lear likes to approach the cut in two ways. The first is keeping the hair one length for elegant, clean lines – ideal if you like to straighten your hair. The other is adding a few layers to the back without many at the front to “maintain the drama of the length at the front with take away width and weight for thicker hair”, he adds. If you have fine hair, Lear recommends doing the latter to allow for volume and movement when blow drying.
What to ask your hairdresser for and any styling tips?
Lear says that you’ve got to be specific when it comes to the length you’d like. A collarbone cut is specific in its length as too short and you risk it being a bob but too long and you’re getting into midi cut territory. Curly hair types should be mindful of shrinkage.
“Be cautious that you have enough length and thickness at the front of your hair. If your hair is super-layered or broken at the front, and most of your length comes from the back, then you might need to add some extensions in the front areas, such as Beauty Works Slimline Tape Extensions. “Ask for the layers to be minimal and more towards the back,” he adds. If you want to add a fringe, Lear recommends making sure it’s disconnected from the sides meaning there’s a distinction between your fringe and the rest of your hair.
How to style the collarbone cut?
Your hairstylist can help show you tips and tricks once you’ve had it cut, but Lear advises against shaping the front of this haircut otherwise it risks looking too round. If you’ve got thick hair that’s prone to frizz, he recommends smoothing the hair out using Colorwow Dream Coat before straightening or adding a soft wave. If you’ve got fine hair, make sure to give the roots a good lift with a volume mousse or spray and dry the hair upside down. For curly hair, add lots of moisture and diffuse to add that natural volume. Lear also likes to add Kérastase Première Intensive Shine Repairing Oil to finish the look off.
Collarbone cut inspiration
Images: Getty
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