Behold: The 45 Best Undercuts We Found on Instagram

And they're easier to pull off than you think.

written by

updated Oct 16, 2020

woman with undercut hairstyle — @pinkrosecuts

If you're not familiar with an undercut, it's traditionally known as a hairstyle in which the back or sides of your hair are shaven underneath the longer hair on top. Undercuts may seem intimidating and a little risky on the surface. But the style options for undercuts run the gamut—you'll see 50 very different looks, below—and the benefits of undercuts go beyond just aesthetics.

In fact, undercuts are so amazing in particular because of their functionality. Less hair means less maintenance, and less maintenance usually means an easier lifestyle and getting-ready process. It also takes weight off, so your hair can feel more lightweight than ever. Not convinced yet? See the sometimes-bold, sometimes-subtle and always-cool undercuts for women, below.

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Pattern & Pigtails

A graphic undercut pairs perfectly with hair swept up in pigtail buns. (Because we'll never say no to pigtail buns.)

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Peek-a-Boo Back

With long hair, you can do an undercut at the nape of your neck that you can hide when you so choose. And when you want to show off your cute peek-a-boo pattern? Just throw up those locks to get all the looks.

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Long & Short

Can't quite quit your long hair? Keep one side parted and lengthy and the other buzzed for a cool asymmetrical cut that does it all.

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Sweet Swirls

When you section off a larger part of your hair for an undercut, you can have all the more fun with a pattern. We can't stop staring at this clean, swirled creation.

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Lightened Up

Play with color and cut. With a line detail separating the undercut from the top of the hair, we love the edition of bleach-blonde tips on top.

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Rose-Gold Goals

A buzzed sidecut is the perfect complement to a side-swept, layered pixie cut. That stunning rose gold hue doesn't hurt either.

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Heart It

There are so many options for undercut designs, but we really "heart" this adorable one in particular.

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Shaved Sideburns

With shaved sideburns hidden under a layer of longer tresses, you can choose to show it off—or hide it behind your tresses—depending on your mood. (Personally, we vote for "show 'em off.")

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Sleek Undershave

An undershave is where the hair on the sides of your head and nape of your neck is shaved to the scalp, while the hair on the crown is styled normally at a longer length. This white-blonde version is everything.

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Blunt Bob

We're always fans of a super-blunt bob—and with the combination of an undercut, this futuristic-feeling one certainly takes the cake.

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Short & Blunt

Take inspiration from this bold, blunt bob. The subtle undercut adds a major fashion-forward edge—and we can't get enough of those cool, flipped-in ends, either.

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Under Braids

If you love a good crown braid, you might just find that adding an undercut will make your life (and hairstyling) easier.

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Volume on Top

A stylized pixie cut is the perfect complement to an undercut. If you keep your length long on top, you'll have plenty of hair to work with every day—and this coiffed, voluminous 'do is giving us major hair envy.

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Edgy Lines

If you're getting an undercut, why not have a little fun with it? These edgy, playful lines are straight-up amazing.

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Shapes & Waves

Play around with graphic lines, shapes, and waves on your undercut. (Especially if you have long, thick hair you can hide it under in case you don't love how it turns out. But if you go to the right hairstylist, you definitely will.)

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Subtle Design

If you're used to wearing your hair up high, an undercut with a subtle design is the perfect way to spice things up.

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Bleach Blonde

Could this style get any cooler? We think not. A flipped, platinum pixie pairs perfectly with a contrasting undercut.

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Flower Power

This undercut accentuated with a hibiscus-flower design might be the cutest thing we've seen all day.

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Super-Close Shave

Get up-close-and-personal with your undercut by getting a clean-shaven pattern combined with buzzed accents while still keeping your long, thick hair on top.

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Subtle Sides

Go extra-subtle with some simple shaved sides that are barely noticeable until you get close. (And get your hair this voluminous with our fave heavy-duty mousses here.)

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Side Swept Pixie

Colored hair? Make a side-swept, layered pixie cut even more dramatic with a side cut in your natural hair color for a bold contrast.

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Lots of Layers

With a long, layered pixie, it's always a good rule of thumb to have a longer length on top and a shorter length on the sides. Take the "short length" to a new level (literally) by shaving off the sides and nape of your neck completely for a chic undercut look.

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Star Power

Pick a shape you'll love showing off—like this star design that we're totally obsessed with now.

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Ponytail Undercut

If a ponytail is your go-to style and you're feeling bold, take things up a notch with a cool undercut style that'll complement your pony perfectly.

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Cheeky Pattern

Accentuate a cheeky patterned sidecut with extra, dramatic volume on top and chic highlights.

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Pretty in Pink

We'll always encourage experimentation—so if you're bold enough for an undercut, may we suggest an on-trend hue, too?

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Ultra-Blunt

An ultra-blunt bob with a visible undercut at the nape of the neck will always be next-level cool.

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Braided Style

Show off your undercut with a cool braided style you'll want to wear again and again.

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Short & Sweet

A short, cute, and blonde pixie cut with sideburns shaved gradient-style? Say no more.

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Allover Buzz

Keep things short with a buzzcut all over, accentuated by a clean linear design.

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Large Section

You can, of course, choose how much hair you want included in the undercut section—and we're pretty partial to this dramatic buzzed layer. The cute little ponytail is the cherry on top.

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Purple Haze

The natural-hued lowlights that cascade into an undercut is the coolest complement to this already-incredible purple layered pixie.

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Symmetrical Lines

Clean, symmetrical lines are the perfect pattern to complement an undercut section on the nape of your neck.

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Shaved Nape

A buzzed-nape undercut is subtle enough to be able to hide if you want to—but we think you'll want to show it off instead.

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Clean Lines

No matter your hair type, you can't go wrong with a clean, linear undercut design.

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Razor Sharp

If you want something really show-stopping, this lavender-hued undercut is something to marvel at. The hairstylist took a razor blade to make a sharp, symmetrical pattern on the back undercut section of the hair—with the look of a layered pixie cut from the front.

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Zig Zag Design

Whether you call it a "zig zag" or "lightning bolt," one thing's for sure—we want to copy this undercut design STAT.

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Bold Blue

If you're looking to do something big, don't stop with just an undercut—teal-blue hair is trending, and we're totally here for this chic pixie cut.

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High Undercut

As the name suggests, a high undercut means the undercut section goes—you guessed it—higher up the crown. The pointed, triangle-esque shape of this one feels totally unique and fresh.

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Close Cut

There are buzzcuts—and then there are down-to-the-scalp cuts. We love the look of clean-cut sides with a perfectly styled coif on top.

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Shaved Sides

With some simple shaved sides, you'll make a major statement. (Especially when your slicked-back bun is this good.)

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Sideburn Spotlight

Put the spotlight on your sideburns (and make your ponytails even cooler) with a subtle linear undercut design above your ears.

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Splash of Color

Make your undercut even more of a statement by dyeing it a splashy hue, like this punchy red. The red highlights throughout and the braided hairstyle take it to the next level.

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