This Spring, We’re Crushing on the Heartthrob Haircut Trend

I took a peek through my grandpa’s senior yearbook last week and concluded that a heartthrob defies the decades. Somehow, you can just tell who everyone was swooning over when you see a class photo from any given year. And it has a lot to do with hair. Even from a still photograph, you can picture them flipping their head to get strands out of their eyes à la Trip Fontaine in The Virgin Suicides.

The “heartthrob haircut” is trending in a big way these days—it seems the population has finally caught on to its magnetic effects. “It has the versatility to push back or forward, and you can wear it messy or styled,” says Isabella Sementilli, a stylist at the dreamboat factory Mare Salon in Los Angeles. And no matter how you wear it, you’ll have the same effortlessly cool vibe.

Ahead, learn everything there is to know about the trend from the people who know it best. While styling advice is included, the flirting power you’ll wield is entirely your responsibility.

The Trend

While we can look to the likes of Josh Hartnett through Sofia Coppola’s lens or ’90s Leonardo DiCaprio and his bixie as prime examples of the style, a lot of modern girlies are also taking note. Emma Chamberlain’s short chop is full heartthrob, and Gracie Abrams has exhibited a little longer version.

“The heartthrob haircut is trending again because everything was effortlessly cool [in the ’90s], and I think that’s translated well into modern-day hairstyles,” says Sementilli.

Everyone wants something low maintenance, but they also want to look good.

“People are loving the heartthrob cut right now due to the super-sexy but feminine edge to it,” adds Jacob Sirianno, a bicoastal colorist and stylist (he’s seeing the look thrive in both New York and L.A.). “Leaving some length in the front allows you to have tons of options for styling and creating different looks. This cut can be as easy as wash-and-go or you can create gorgeous effortlessly chic styles that go from day to night.”

Another modern heartthrob is Vanderpump Rules star Katie Maloney, whose 2023 chop shook the Bravoverse in the best way and possibly inspired America Ferrera’s 2024 Oscars bob styling.

“The initial inspiration was definitely Natalie Imbruglia in her “Torn” video, and since then, we’ve played around with the fringe and layers. Sometimes we go Trinity from The Matrix, but lately, we’ve been keeping it more one length. Her hair grows so fast it’s easy to play around with!” says Maloney’s stylist, Mara Aghdami.

How to Get the Look

If you’re ready to step into your heartthrob era, Sementilli says to ask your stylist for a push-back haircut with a middle part.

“You want it long enough in the back to see the hair on the neck and medium-length on top for the option to have it flop forward,” she says.

As far as styling goes, this cut is perfect for a get-up-and-go moment after you’ve woken up next to your lover in a key movie scene, giving them a crooked smile that’ll be saved as a GIF and reblogged on Tumblr for the rest of eternity.

“The more texture, the better,” adds the artist. “Bedhead is a great way to style it! Or some sea salt mist and texture spray if your hair is naturally straight.”

Aghdami adds that it looks nice when you add a cream with some slight hold like Bumble and bumble’s Grooming Hair Styling Cream. Then, let some pieces fall to the front.

Who the Heartthrob Haircut Works for

While everyone has heartthrob potential, this isn’t the cut for you if you’re not down for regular salon appointments. Aghdami says getting a trim every four to six weeks is crucial if you want to keep up with it.

Because Maloney has a lot of hair, she makes it work with an undercut to remove most of the weight. If your hair is on the denser side and you don’t want an undercut, Aghdami would recommend a different short style as you’ll want to remove that thickness. On the flip side (reminder: Flip that hair!!), it works perfectly for her clients with baby-fine hair.

Do you hear “Magic Man” playing yet? I do, but maybe it’s just in my head. There’s nothing like a good cut. Or a good crush.