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Asymmetrical Haircut: 9 Best Asymmetrical Hairstyles

How you can dare to be different - by Sarah Firth
  • 16 Dec 2019
Asymmetrical Haircut: 9 Best Asymmetrical Hairstyles

It can be easy to get stuck in a bit of a hair rut.

But asymmetrical haircuts and hairstyles are a great way to keep things fresh, and even a little edgy.

An asymmetrical haircut is one where the hair isn't all the same length, it could be longer on one side of the face, or even longer at the front than it is at the back. 

It's a different and daring look that can make you stand out from the crowd.

Common examples for short hair include asymmetrical bobs, either straight or wavy, and asymmetrical pixie cuts. 

Short haircuts are a more natural fit for an asymmetrical style, but there are intriguing options for long hair too.

For longer hair, you might have one side cut shorter than the other, creating a striking frame for your face.

This can look particularly good with wavy hair as it creates a beach babe or boho vibe. With straight hair, it can create a dramatic look.

xx

Asymmetrical haircuts work on all face shapes

Getty Images

For shorter cuts like a bob, you might want to have mismatched layers chopped in or go longer at front than the back.

Whatever your hair length, you could reach for the shears and go for a shaved side.

In general asymmetrical hairstyles require a bit more styling than a regular haircut to look their best. If you have fine hair or thin hair, you may well need to reach for the hairspray to keep your hair perfectly in place.

If you feel like making a statement with your new hairstyle, this might be the look for you.

If so you'd be in good company with stars like Lucy Hale, Natalie Dormer, Reese Witherspoon and Kim Kardashian all having worn an asymmetrical haircut.

1.Short asymmetrical bob with straight hair

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The Bold and The Beautiful brunette bob (without all the pesky daytime drama)! ☕️Captivating, coffee color and chic asymmetrical cut by Craigers! #craigpiattisalon #austinstyle #boldandbeautiful

An asymmetrical cut is a modern twist on the timeless bob.

They tend to work best on oval, heart-shaped and longer faces as they can make round faces look rounder.

If you're set on this look and have a round face, avoid bangs or a fringe as this can make your face look small.

For thin hair, a blunt cut can add volume while thicker locks can benefit from layers chopped in.

Celebrity fans of the asymmetrical short bob include Rihanna and Selma Blair.

Rihanna

Rihanna

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"A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life " Coco Chanel 🖤

2. Short asymmetrical bob with wavy hair

Asymmetrical hairstyles can appear more subtle if your hair is wavy or curly. The uneven chop combined with tousled tresses can conjour up a relaxed and free-spirited vibe.

Wavy hairstyles, such as a wavy bob, can have a softening effect on features.

But as brunette star Lucy Hale and Downtown Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern prove, an asymmetrical short bob can still be glamorous.

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3. Asymmetrical long bob with straight hair

A long bob (also known as a lob) is where the hair is cut to the collar bone or shoulder length.

They're often less maintenance than a bob, and depending on your hair type, won't need as much styling.

Add in an asymmetrical cut and you've got a trendy take on a simple hairstyle. Best of all, they suit all face shapes!

Stars like Rosamund Pike and Reese Witherspoon have embraced a sleek medium length asymmetrical lob.

Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike

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Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon

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4. Asymmetrical long bob with wavy hair

Add some curls or waves to a long bob, and you've got a brand new look.

Actresses Ashley Benson's blonde hair cut by stylist Marc Mena was a gorgeous asymmetrical clavicle bob.

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5. Asymmetrical short pixie cut

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Short pixie cuts particularly suit those with a heart-shaped face. But if you aren't a heart, fear not. Most people can pull off a pixie cut, but it's best to work with a stylist who can tell you what super short hairstyles are right for your face.

If you have fine hair, and are open to a more edgy look, you could try a shaved side to make your longer locks on top look more full.

Pixie hair cuts can also work with thick hair. Talk to your stylist for hair ideas that would work for you.

Famous faces to wear an asymmetrical pixie cut include Ruby Rose, who parts her hair to the side, and Gwendoline Christie, who had side swept bangs pushed back when she sported a short pixie cut for Game of Thrones.

Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose

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Gwendoline Christie

Gwendoline Christie

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5. Asymmetrical long pixie cut

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Long pixie cuts often make use of a deep side part to add weight to one side, while showing off a shaved side or much shorter length on the other side.

Face shapes best suited to a long pixie cut include long and oval, while round and heart-shaped looking best with a shorter crop.

It's no coincidence that long pixies are often combined with a bright hair color as it's an edgy and attention grabbing asymmetrical style.

Sometimes the side sweep can come down to chin length, creating a more dramatic look.

Katie Perry, who has an oval face, rocked a long pixie cut, with heavy side swept bangs. Her dark to blonde ombre amped up the contrast between the two sides of her hairstyle.

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6. Shaved side

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A shaved side is an asymmetrical style that works with hair of different lengths. While it's more common to see a shaved side paired with a pixie cut, when paired with long hair is creates feminine yet striking look.

This hairstyle might be best suited to those with thick hair as its important the longer side has volume to accentuate the asymmetry.

If you have fine hair, be prepared to put some time in to create volume once you're out of the salon and away from your stylist.

Actress Natalie looked incredible when she wore her shaved side with long blonde curls and a braid. 

And, as Natalie's later short curly bob proves, growing out shaved sides needn't be a hassle.

Natalie Dormer

Natalie Dormer

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Natalie Dormer

Natalie Dormer

Getty Images

7. Shorter at the back

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As short asymmetrical hairstyles go, this one is a great option if you're looking to experiment without a bold front-on change.

This look works best with a short bob or a lob.

Hair is cut shorter at the back and then gradually gets longer towards the front, while both the left and right sides are usually even.

You could mix it up however, and have the hair at the back of your head cut on an angle, like this lilac asymmetrical bob.

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Some more angles of @lexxish new color and cut! #bobhaircut #angledbob #asymmetricalbob #edgybob #edgyhait #trendyhair #pastels #pastelhair #razoredbob #akronsalon #stackedbob #asymmetricalhair #twotoned

8. Geometric

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GEOMETRIC METAL - Strong geometric shapes paired up by taking, Amy's hair down to a new lightness of gun metal grey. Firstly using #bleach & #olaplex to gently push the natural dark brown base down to the desired shade. Then using the @mukhaircare dark intense ash blonde to blanket over from roots to ends to tone beautifully 📍 Both services mastered by @marc_rawanthonynader ✔️ #RawAnthonyNader #HairSalon #SurryHills #AsianHair

This short asymmetrical haircut is a bold look. Hair is bluntly chopped in sections, without gradual layers. 

It works well with round faces due to the contrast between the soft face shape and blunt edge.

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9. Long asymmetrical hair

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Asymmetrical haircuts for long hair are less common than short cuts. 

The look requires more styling and hairspray to make sure the different lengths stay where they should.

Long hair can elongate long faces, but a long asymmetrical cut with side swept bangs could soften the effect.

Kim Kardashian's black hair looked fabulous when she sported a long asymmetrical style.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

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Sarah Firth
Sarah Firth
Sarah Firth is a writer, editor and content producer.

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