ATTN '90s Girlies: The C-Cut Hairstyle Is 2025's Answer to The Rachel

FYI, ‘90s hair trends are back and my millennial heart is in beauty heaven. I predicted flipped hair, micro bobs and fluffy hair. But there’s one hairstyle I still haven’t talked about that I maintain *will* become super popular this year. If you’re familiar with ‘The Rachel,’ you’re going to love its Gen-Z sis. Let me introduce you to the c-cut hairstyle, a layered look that stylists say adds fullness, volume and length. I chatted with two professional hairstylists to learn more about the buzzy hair look and find out how it can be achieved for the season. 

• Charlie Gouveia is a hairstylist at Maven A Collect in Boston, where he specializes in balayage, color correction and blonding. With advanced certifications from L'Oréal, Goldwell, and Wella, as well as IBE and So.Cap bonded extensions, he brings expert technique and precision to hair transformations for his clients. 
• Scott Fabian is a senior stylist at the Sally Hershberger NoMad salon in New York City. He has been in the industry for over ten years and specializes in custom halos and various types of extensions.

The c-cut hairstyle works for all hair types *and* face shapes. According to Gouveia, the look may differ depending on texture. He adds, “It can enhance movement for thick hair, add volume for straight hair and help wavy/curly hair lay in a flattering shape.” In regards to face shape, the c-cut hairstyle can work wonders on framing your face and accentuating your facial features (i.e, jawline and cheekbones) making it an ideal oval face haircut for enhancing balanced proportions.

Is the C-Cut Hairstyle Good for Thin Hair? 

While a c-cut can help remove weight and bulk for thicker locks, this haircut can also work to make thin hair appear fuller and thicker. The gradual cut offers more volume at the crown, while giving the illusion of length and movement. When it comes to styling, Fabian suggests adding a root booster and hair thickening spray to the hair before rough drying. He adds, “Once the hair is partially dry, I use a round brush, blow dry all sections of the hair inward to accentuate the ‘C’ shape for thin hair.” 

First, come prepared with photos and videos of your ideal c-cut hairstyle. From there, a stylist can assess your hair type, length and texture to get you one step closer to your desired cut. According to Gouveia, the technique is going to differ depending on your hair: “You want to keep the layers long and blended to achieve natural movement for straight hair. However, you’ll want to add internal layers to enhance wavy patterns and place layers strategically for curly hair to control bulk and define shape.” 

As for the language to use in the salon? Here are three phrases straight from the professional hairstylist himself: 

• “I want long layers that create shape around my face without taking off too much length.”
• “I’d like a cut that gives me movement and volume but still looks natural.”
• “I want a soft, layered cut that enhances my hair’s flow and texture.”

How Do You Style a C-Cut Hairstyle?

Once you achieve the cut, the styling portion is pretty simple. If you’re going for a voluminous blowout, reach for a round brush and hair dryer to really emphasize and shape the curved layers. Gouveia also suggests applying a lightweight volumizing spray or mousse to add lift. And if you want to amp it up, the stylist recommends using rollers or a curling iron for extra bounce. 

Looking for a sleek style? Laura Harrier is a great reference to show your stylist. Apply heat protectant before going over each section with a flat iron, moving the tool inwards to keep the curve at the ends. Finish the look off with shine spray for a glossy, smooth finish. 

If you’re looking for a bouncy hairdo, influencer Matilda Djerf has you covered. Whether you use a round brush or rollers, the voluminous shape helps create movement and dimension to her blonde locks.