Emo Hairstyles: Classic and Modern Looks

The side fringe. The flat iron. The can of hairspray that lived in your bag. Emo hairstyles are one of the most iconic looks in alt history, and they never fully went away. Today they're back with a mix of classic 2000s cuts and newer shapes like wolf cuts and shags.

Here are the looks to try, how to ask for them at the salon and how to style them at home without frying your hair.

The classic emo looks

The side fringe

The one and only. A long, heavy fringe swept across your forehead and over one eye, with the rest of the hair cut in choppy layers. It works on any gender and almost any length.

• Best for: straight or slightly wavy hair, though curly fringes look great too.
• Styling: a flat iron on the fringe, a little texturizing spray, then sweep it into place with your fingers.
• Classic color: jet black. Bonus points for a single bright streak.

Choppy razor layers

The back and sides of a classic emo cut are layered and choppy, often cut with a razor so the ends look piecey. It gives that "I just woke up like this, after 40 minutes" texture.

The short emo cut

Shorter on the sides and back, long on top, with a fringe that sweeps across one eye. This was the go-to for a lot of guys in the 2000s, and it's still easy to wear today.

• Ask for a short back and sides, plenty of length on top and a long side fringe.
• Use matte paste or wax to piece out the ends.

Long emo hair

Long, straight, dark hair with face-framing layers and a long side fringe. Low maintenance and very 2005.

Scene hair (emo's louder cousin)

Scene hair took emo and turned the volume all the way up. If you want a look that says "my Top 8 was a war zone," try:

• The teased crown: a big, backcombed volume at the top of the head.
• Raccoon tails (or coontails): stripes of alternating color, usually black and white or black and a bright shade, near the ends.
• Extensions: for length and volume, sometimes in neon colors.
• Bright color: hot pink, electric blue, lime green, purple, often mixed with black.
• Accessories: bows, clips and headbands.

Our look back at scene kids has more on the whole era.

Modern emo hairstyles

The new wave mixes 2000s emo with shapes from the last few years. These are perfect if you want an emo vibe that still feels fresh.

The wolf cut

A shaggy cross between a mullet and a shag, with lots of layers and a fringe. Add dark color or a skunk stripe and it reads instantly as modern emo.

The emo shag

Feathery layers all over, a choppy fringe and tons of texture. It grows out well and looks great on wavy and curly hair.

The mullet

Short at the front, long at the back. Pair it with a messy fringe and some bleached pieces for a look that sits right between emo and punk.

The hime cut

Straight, blunt side pieces at cheek or jaw length, with longer hair behind and a full fringe. It's popular with goths and emos alike and looks amazing in black.

The skunk stripe

A two-tone look with a bold stripe of color right at the front, usually framing the face. Black with platinum is classic. Black with red, pink or blue works too. See our alt hair color ideas for more combinations.

Emo hair for every texture

Emo hair is for everyone, not just people with pin-straight hair.

• Curly hair: try a curly side fringe, a curly shag or a curly wolf cut. Let the curls do the choppy layered effect for you. Use curl cream instead of a flat iron.
• Coily hair: a tapered cut with a dyed top, a fringe on a wig or a protective style, or bold color on a short natural shape all carry the vibe.
• Thin or fine hair: choppy layers and texturizing spray add volume. Avoid over-teasing every day.
• Thick hair: ask your stylist to thin out the bulk so your fringe actually lies flat.
• Short or buzzed hair: a bright dye job, bleached tips or a stripe pattern can be very emo.

How to ask your stylist

"Emo hair" means very different things to different people, so be specific.

1. Bring photos. Two or three from different angles.
2. Point out the fringe. How long, which side, and whether it should cover one eye.
3. Ask for texture. Say "choppy," "razor-cut" or "point-cut layers."
4. Talk about upkeep. Fringes need trimming every few weeks. Ask if they'll do quick fringe trims between full cuts.
5. Plan color separately if you're going from dark to bright. Bleaching black hair can take more than one session.

A stylist who's into alt hair helps a lot. Check local salon accounts on Instagram for alt and vivid-color work.

Styling at home

What you'll need

• A flat iron (with a heat protectant, always).
• A teasing comb if you're going for scene volume.
• Texturizing spray or sea salt spray.
• Dry shampoo, which gives grip and volume, not just freshness.
• Matte paste or wax for short cuts.
• Hairspray, obviously.

A quick daily routine

1. Start with dry hair and spray heat protectant.
2. Flat iron your fringe straight and slightly toward the side you want it to fall.
3. Add texturizing spray to the layers and scrunch.
4. For scene volume, tease the crown in small sections, then smooth the top layer over.
5. Finish with a little hairspray.

Keep it healthy

• Use heat protectant every time.
• Don't flat iron at the highest heat.
• Use a color-safe shampoo if you dye.
• Get regular trims so your ends stay choppy, not crispy.

Finish the look

Hair is half the look. For the rest, check out our emo outfits guide, and pair it all with smudgy liner from our goth makeup for beginners tutorial, since the basics overlap a lot. Want the culture behind the cut? Read What Is Emo?.

Not sure you're ready for the big chop? On Alt Chat, the one-tap Altify feature turns your profile photo into an alt version, which is a fun way to preview a darker, edgier look before you commit. And once your new fringe is perfect, put it front and center on your profile.

FAQ

What is the classic emo hairstyle?

The classic emo haircut is a long, side-swept fringe that falls over one eye, with choppy, razored layers and usually jet-black hair. It was everywhere in the mid-2000s and is still the most recognizable emo look.

Can you have emo hair with curly hair?

Yes. Curly emo looks are great: a curly side fringe, a curly shag or a curly wolf cut with dark color or bright streaks. Work with your texture instead of flat-ironing it every day.

What should I ask my hairdresser for to get emo hair?

Ask for a long, heavy side fringe that sits over one eye, with choppy, razor-cut or point-cut layers and lots of texture. Bring two or three photos, because "emo" means different things to different stylists.

What's the difference between emo and scene hair?

Emo hair is usually darker, flatter and fringe-focused. Scene hair is bigger and louder, with a teased crown, extensions, bright colors and patterns like raccoon-tail stripes.