25 Cool Asymmetrical Haircuts Because Perfect Hair Is Overrated

Lupita Nyong'o

Albert L. Ortega / Contributor / Getty Images

It's easy to get bored with your hair. It's also easy to not make major hair switch-ups because they're scary. But hair changes are good. You've probably second-guessed your haircut millions of times by now (we all do), but it just might be the time to make the chop. Instead of going the traditional route, try out an asymmetrical haircut, which is when you go shorter on one side and keep the other side of your hair's length a little longer at an angle.

Asymmetric hairstyles add an undeniable cool factor to cuts. Since your hair is two different lengths, it brings dimension by framing your face, and most importantly, it looks amazing in photos. From sleek styles to voluminous and textured, we rounded up some cuts that work for all textures, and spoke to celebrity stylists Ashley Streicher and Adam Livermore for tips on the best asymmetric styles.

Meet the Expert

• Ashley Streicher is a celebrity hairstylist, co-owner of STRIIIKE, and R+Co Collective member.

• Adam Livermore is an Oribe educator and hairstylist based in New York City .

Keep reading for 25 of our favorite asymmetric haircuts.

01 of 25

Sleek and Angled

Demi Lovato

Steve Granitz / Contributor / Getty Images

When Demi Lovato chopped their long, dark strands, we were here for it. But then they went even shorter with this angled cut, and we fell in love.

02 of 25

Wavy Lob

Margot Robbie

Frazer Harrison / Staff / Getty Images

 

Margot Robbie's wavy lob is so good it'll make anyone think about chopping their mane. Her cascading blonde strands are the ultimate haircut inspo.

03 of 25

Rocker Chic Waves

Mary J. Blige

Andrew Toth / Getty Images

Mary J. Blige proves that you can still achieve an asymmetric cut with a pixie. We're digging her perfectly tousled, rocker chic waves and blonde highlights. To replicate these waves, apply a lightweight mousse to wet hair, before air-drying and curling. We like Ouai Air Dry Foam ($28).

04 of 25

Classic Bob

Jada Pinkett Smith

Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

With not a strand out of place, Jada Pinkett Smith's sleek asymmetric cut is the definition of red carpet-worthy. "I love a short asymmetric bob, but only if it’s parted on the side," says Streicher. "Something like this is very chic and wearable."

05 of 25

Brown Lob

Kim Kardashian West with asymmetrical haircut

Matt Winkelmeyer / Stringer / Getty Images

Kim Kardashian West's brown asymmetrical lob is somehow incredibly simple yet sultry. The fact that it's bone-straight shows off its chestnut brown color and face-framing shape.

06 of 25

Chin-Grazing Lob

Zoe Saldana

Stuart C. Wilson / Getty Images

For a more subtle approach to asymmetric hair, take a cue from Zoe Saldana, who pairs her chin-grazing lob with retro waves and red lip—a winning combination.

07 of 25

Tousled Bob

Taraji P. Henson

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Taraji P. Henson is the queen of bobs, so, of course, the actress has rocked asymmetrical cuts many, many times. This time, in particular, is a beautiful example of how show-stopping this style looks with tousled waves. To get a similarly sexy look, lightly mist a salt spray, like Sachajuan’s Ocean Mist Spray ($34), over damp hair and let air-dry.

Using your fingers (rather than a tool or brush) to scrunch the hair while it air dries will help further amp up the bedhead vibes.

08 of 25

Asymmetric Wig

Emily Ratajkowski

 

George Pimentel / Contributor / Getty Images

Emily Ratajkowski's angled lob had us fully believing that she made a big chop. While attending the 2017 Golden Globes, she revealed this was only a wig, but it certainly deserves an award of its own.

09 of 25

Ombré With Curls

Beyoncé

Jason LaVeris / Contributor / Getty Images

Beyonce's asymmetric cut goes down in history as dream hair if we've ever seen it. A honeyed ombré coupled with a middle part makes room for ultimate texture.

10 of 25

Platinum With Bangs

Rita Ora at the 2015 Grammys

 Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Rita Ora edged up her cut with bangs that gradually get longer swept across her face with cropped styles. This is what you call an asymmetric cut that's not for the faint of the heart.

11 of 25

Silver Bob

Jourdan Dunn

George Pimentel / Getty Images

We say "yes" to supermodel Jourdan Dunn's cheek-grazing bob. The angle of this cut falls perfectly against her face. We can't pick whether we're more in love with her silver strands or her cut.

12 of 25

Pixie With Bangs

Ginnifer Goodwin

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

I mean, can Ginnifer Goodwin's hair get any more picturesque than this? Now we're on a hunt for a step-by-step tutorial of this specific style because we've never seen a fluttery cut look cooler.

13 of 25

Blunt Bob

Lucy Hale

Pascal Le Segretain / Staff / Getty Images

Lucy Hale has been rocking a shorter length for as long as we can remember, and has experimented with different lengths. This razor-sharp asymmetrical cut is just one of many times she's worn the style.

14 of 25

Deep Side Part

Chanel Iman

Mike Coppola / Getty Images for Michael Kors

 

Chanel Iman's asymmetric cut is accompanied by a deep side part and a barely-there bend. To add a bend to the hair, like Iman's, take a cue from Livermore. "If you’re using a curling iron to get that face-flattering bend, you absolutely need a heat protectant like Oribe Mystify Restyling Spray ($44)," he says. "It is lab-tested for heat protection up to 450°F, plus adds light moisture and a little bit of hold."

15 of 25

Twists

Lupita Nyong'o

Albert L. Ortega / Contributor / Getty Images

Lupita Nyong'o's twists are an uber-trendy take on the asymmetrical style, offering texture and contrast.

16 of 25

Modern Mullet

Mel B.

Steve Granitz / Contributor / Getty Images

Mel B's asymmetric style takes inspiration from the mullet, with a shorter look up front, and a longer "tail" in the back. Here, the singer styles it by placing the longest strands to the side, further highlighting the off-balance nature of the style.

17 of 25

Dip-Dyed

Simone Smith

Earl Gibson III / Stringer / Getty Images

LL Cool J's wife, Simone Smith, allows the color of her asymmetric look to take center-stage. For a similar dip-dyed style, ensure hair is ultra moisturized so it doesn't dry out from the harsh color over time.

18 of 25

Long Pixie

Katy Perry - Long Pixie Cut

 Todd Williamson/Getty Images

When parted over to one side, Katy Perry's long locks help showcase her short sides, which are kept closely-cropped. This modern take on the standard pixie is made all the more fun with a two-tone hue.

19 of 25

Twisted and Bleached

Kristen Stewart

Jamie McCarthy / Staff / Getty Images

The fun thing about Kristen Stewart's asymmetric look is that even a standard cut can pull it off. Here, locks are twisted and held in place in the back, to give the illusion of an asymmetric shape without actually having to commit to an avant-garde cut.

20 of 25

Natural Textured Cut

Danai Gurira

Steve Granitz / Contributor / Getty Images

The beauty of Danai Gurira's style is all about the texture, which is kept super high and with plenty of volume.

21 of 25

Choppy Bob

Zoey Deutch

Allen Berezovsky / Contributor / Getty Images

Zoey Deutch demonstrates that a bob and a shoulder-length cut can go hand-in-hand. Here, her cut is short with a few longer pieces for interest. To ensure hair stays frizz-free without being weighed down, use a lightweight serum such as Briogeo Farewell Frizz ($30), which won't weigh hair down.

22 of 25

Blunt Bob

Danielle Brooks with a bob with bangs

Gary Gershoff / Stringer / Getti Images

Danielle Brooks's angled bob is paired with a heavy side-swept bang. The blunt ends add a modern touch.

23 of 25

One-Sided With Baby Bangs

Keke Palmer

Noam Galai / Contributor / Getty Images

Keke Palmer's chop is a true asymmetric 'do, in that one side is completely shaved to the scalp and the other is long. The addition of baby bangs lends a punk rock quality.

24 of 25

Inverted Lob

Constance Wu

John Shearer / Contributor / Getty Images

Constance Wu's lengthy bob is clearly inspired by Old Hollywood glamour. For a similar style, ask your stylist to invert your cut, so that it's shorter at the back and longer at the front.

25 of 25

Chin-Length Asymmetric Bob

Anja Rubik

Emma McIntyre / Staff / Getty Images

Anja Rubik's chin-grazing bob is cut to a myriad of different lengths, with some longer and shorter than the others. Piecey texture is key here, so try a product such as Kristin Ess Dry Finish Working Texture Spray ($15).

FAQ
  • Does it matter which way you part your hair with an asymmetric hairstyle?

    It actually does, because your part will determine how the hair falls (and, therefore, what side of the hair is longer than the other). If you do have an asymmetric style, you should style it with the same part you had when you got it cut.

  • How often should you get a trim if you have an asymmetric haircut?

    That depends on how short your hair is, but as a general rule, those with asymmetrical styles should get a cut every 6 to 7 weeks.

  • Can I give myself an asymmetrical haircut?

    Asymmetrical haircuts require a lot of precision. It's therefore best to stick with a professional when rocking this particular style (otherwise, you might end up with uneven ends, which will mask the whole point of the off-balance cut).

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