Calling all those with curls: have you heard the good word about the halo haircut? No, I’m not talking about a literal halo, although the style is angelic. 

This trend refers to a specific set of layers and a fringe that forms a halo shape that encircles the head. It can be long or short and works beautifully with textured hair. 

Think big, bodacious 1970s-esque glam that’s softer than a typically angular bob or edgy shag but makes no less of a statement.

What is a halo haircut?

It’s similar to the hugely popular shags and mullets we’ve seen in previous years, but a lot less blunt. On people with straight hair, the halo is reminiscent of a pageboy cut (in a very chic way). But the circular nature of the style works perfectly with a head of curls, kinks and/or coils. 

“The halo haircut is essentially the pageboy cut brought into 2024, which can work with all variations of texture and lengths,” Sian Wood, director and curl specialist at Taylor Taylor London, tells Stylist. “It’s a beautiful curved haircut that’s cut in soft sections towards the ear to create the signature halo shape. The result is a naturally round perimeter style which frames the face, with strong lines running from the almost bowl-shape heavy fringe back down along the length of the hair.”

I’ve got the halo cut myself, courtesy of the soft, short layers done at my favourite salon (DKUK in Peckham, south London), and I’m a huge fan. I love any cut that frames my face and works with my curls rather than against them, and adore the way it lets me play with maximum volume.

Who can get a halo cut?

Wood, who has glorious curls herself, says the halo is “perfect for curly hair, as the shape of the cut really enhances the natural movement of the curls – think Zendaya’s curls when she sported a heavy fringe and hair to her collarbone. Specifically on curls the shape would certainly have a 70s, disco-era vibe, creating a type of love-heart shape around the face with the heavy fringe and textured lengths. It also allows the curls to look fuller and enhances the silhouette.”

What to ask your stylist for

Wood says you need to take as many pictures as possible for your stylist to use as references for your halo cut.

She adds: “You can be brave and tell the hairdresser that you are after an updated ‘bowl’ cut, but that it should be a love-heart shape to keep the width around the face and include a heavy, blunt fringe, which follows the brow down to the cheekbones and tapers in to the nape of the neck. 

“As the look showcases heavy lines around the face, the ‘bowl shape’ needs to be carefully personalised to your face shape,” Wood continues. “Be sure to discuss the suitability of your face shape with the hairdresser as this is a bold cut that does not suit all face shapes. 

“It can be created with all hair types but this is a hairstyle that really does suit curly and coily hair, as the natural movement in this hair type breaks up the heavier lines for a softer, more wearable look.” 

How to style the halo cut

“When styling at home,” says Wood, “add your favourite curl cream for hold and slowly diffuse the hair on a low speed and low heat to add more texture and volume.”

Alternatively, you can do what I do, which is run my favourite curl creams through my freshly washed hair, give everything a good scrunch, and wrap my hair up in a microfibre towel before letting the rest of the moisture air-dry (with more scrunches). I also shake my hair out at the roots for extra volume.

Halo cut inspiration

Images: Getty