The jellyfish haircut is the unexpected trend making a comeback in 2025
From the runway to the red carpet — there's no escaping it
You know how when you'd ask your hairdresser for layers, the keywords you'd generally use would be 'smooth' and 'gradual'? And how if they spun the chair around to reveal one layer cut at ear-length and the remainder of your hair hanging as it was, you'd probably combust into a crying puddle? Apparently those days are over.
The latest 'animal-inspired' haircut has hit the scene —- after making a splash in 2022 — making an appearance on runways and red carpets alike. Following in the footsteps of the kitty cut (a modern take on the shag) and the butterfly bob (a way to work both long and short layers into one cut) — the 'jellyfish cut' is the current cut to watch.
While the jellyfish-inspired chop takes its inspiration from said butterfly layering, it does away with any need for a gradual layer blend. Instead, the sharper and more glaringly obvious the difference, the better.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s not open to interpretation. Take Lily Collins, for example, who adapted the style to look a bit more wearable; lingering in a safe space between the jellyfish cut and a curtain fringe.
Still confused about the style? Say no more…
What is the jellyfish haircut?
The jellyfish aesthetic is actually an homage to the 'hime' cut, hailing from Japan. Said style features a similar contrasting cut with long tendrils stemming out from beneath a blunt bob. The most notable differences between the two? The layer lengths and the optional fringe factor.
"The Jellyfish haircut has been a big trend this season. It started on the catwalk last year, but now it's really making its way into the mainstream," Dyson's Global Styling Ambassador, Dylan Bradshaw, tells BEAUTYcrew.
"It’s a great way for people with long hair to use layering techniques and subtle tweaks to create different face shapes. The key is adjusting the angle — some versions are straight, others hit at the jawline, and some, like Lady Gaga’s, are more cheekbone-focused to soften the shape," he explains.
Image credit: Getty Images
Image credit Getty Images
How to style the jellyfish haircut
According to Bradshaw, styling this cut is really easy with a powerful hair dryer like the Dyson Supersonic r™ Professional hair dryer ($799 from Dyson) on hand.
"Full heat, full speed, and the right prep product allow you to manipulate the hair exactly where needed," he tells us. "You can leave the rest of the hair shaggy for texture or go super sleek and straight."
"Use a hair dryer and a brush to shape and enhance the layers, whether around the cheekbone or jawline, bringing the whole look together in a modern, versatile way," Bradshaw advises.
And if you ask us, it's 11/10 important that those layers are as soft and hydrated as humanly possible, so be sure to top up your hair's moisture stocks with a rich, reparative mask, like the Klorane Nourishing Mask with Mango ($25.99 at Adore Beauty), to keep the ends fresh.
Main image credit: Getty Images
Want more hair inspo? Here are the hottest hair trends of 2025.
Delaney began her career in the Australian beauty media industry in 2015, landing amidst the glossy world of women’s lifestyle magazines (or more literally, in their beauty cupboards). Since then, she has gone on to write across a multitude of beloved Australian media brands, including OK!, NW, InStyle, and Harper’s BAZAAR. She’s covered every side of beauty content, from directing beauty editorial shoots to rounding up the best glossy serums for golden hour skin. Having spent nearly a decade immersed in the beauty realm, Delaney’s knowledge of beauty is as extensive as her collection of tinted lip oils (read: extremely extensive). Delaney is currently the Digital Managing Editor of BEAUTYcrew, and her beauty wisdom also appears across beautyheaven, ELLE and Marie Claire. She enjoys channelling her personal hobby (testing beauty products) into her professional work (talking about testing beauty products), and considers perfecting the art of a cat eye in a moving car her life’s greatest accomplishment.
