The hime cut is a hairstyle that people know about, or have never heard of, with no in-between. To be honest, I get really intersted when a client asks for a hime cut because it shows intention, unlike most requests like “I want bangs and layers.” A hime cut is a whole look, with blunt side pieces cut to cheekbone length, and a long back length, plus a fringe. All these elements together most hairstyles do not achieve a strong frame for the face.
One time a few years ago, one of my clients brought in a photo of a hime cut from some random old Japanese street style site and, honestly, I was thinking the proportions would be terrible on her because she had a very round face and fine hair. I was completely mistaken. The hime cut actually provided the structure that added weight and shape to her hair that it was previously lacking, and those blunt side pieces made her cheekbones pop. I think people don’t really understand armature hime cut is for the face so whether you’re already committed or just toying with the idea, here are 15 long to hime hairstyles that I truly believe are worth your time.
#1: Plum-Toned Hime Cut with Soft Layered Movement
I like when someone comes with a color like this deep plum and pairs it with a hime cut because it all feels more elevated than it would with just a plain one-length cut. The layers here are very minimal, just enough to make sure the ends don’t feel heavy and the fringe is doing what it needs to, sitting at the just right height to frame without going too far into ’80s territory. If your hair is straight and medium density, this is one of those cuts that will basically style itself after a good blowout with a boar bristle round brush.
#2: Red Ombre Hime Cut with Sharp Blunt Ends
The color on this one is my fave! The red ombre effect really intensifies the color because a single-process color wouldn’t achieve the same dimension. The blunt ends look clean and structured, which is what you want when you’re going this bold with color. Otherwise, it can start to feel chaotic. I will say, if you go this route, be ready to get a good color-depositing shampoo because that red will fade faster than any other shade and it will humble you if you’re not ready for that.
#3: Copper-Kissed Hime Cut on Wavy Dark Hair
This hime cut has a cool texture that most wigs don’t have. The muted color has some natural waves which makes it look alive. The copper highlights are very thoughtfully placed. They are around the face and in the mid lengths so they catch the light. Highlights that frame the face are so good. Hime cuts shouldn’t be really straight, and this one is great because it uses the waves. For medium to thick hair with some natural waves, this style might actually look better than the more polished looks because the waves do so much.
#4: Silver Balayage on a Long, Flowing Hime Cut
Getting silver balayage on long hair is all about the maintenance. While silver balayage can be stunning, long hair is often a hit or miss. A long silver balayage can sometimes be a little closer to a bleach grow out look which is not the goal. With silver balayage, hip cuts, or hime cuts, have more dimension at the top which I think adds more volume to a longer style. Be cautious with toning; you’ll need to use a purple shampoo now and again to avoid unwanted brassy tones. The result will not look accidental; it’s cool and intentional.
#5: Sleek and Sharp Hime Cut with Statement Bangs
The bangs here are really bold, and I respect that. They are thick and blunt and sit right on the eyebrow without any apologies. When combined with the long, straight hair, this look requires no effort to put together. For this sort of style, if your hair dries straight and smooth, you’ve hit the jackpot because styling it will be the bare minimum. If that does sound like your hair type, plan on doing some serious work with a flat iron in the morning. For this style, expect to be trimming the bangs every three weeks, or at least until they start doing their own thing.
#6: Soft-Fringed Long Hime Cut with Textured Ends
The ends have a nice texture so the sleek look will still show through. The fringe cut here is softer and laces a little compared to the other blunt cuts. This is good for you since you don’t have to go to the salon every few weeks for a bang trim. If you’re home-haircut curious, this is a good place to start if you don’t want to go for too much. It has that relaxed feel that I often recommend to clients who want a little structure without the crazy high maintenance look.
#7: Highlighted Hime Cut with Textured, Face-Framing Bangs
I especially love how the colors are applied. The most of the highlights are concentrated around the face and through the bangs. This draws the eye where you want it and gives the cut a dimension in color that one single color wouldn’t achieve. The bangs have a great textured weight. They are not so heavy that they feel like they are a wall across your forehead. However, they are decisive enough to make a statement. I would definitely suggest this to someone with finer hair who wants the hime silhouette but needs some help creating the illusion of thickness. That highlight placement really does trick the eye.
#8: Glossy Black Hime Cut with Bold Straight Bangs
Straight bangs & jet black hime cuts are a killer combination. The high shine of dark hair boosts the overall effect of the cut while the bangs are cut to perfection. One of the bangs falls to the side which makes the haircut look a bit softer. Extreme precision like this will really add thickness to fine and medium hair as the contrast from the clean lines will be very stark.
#9: Electric Blue Hime Cut on Dense, Straight Hair
I am not the biggest fan of bright colors since they can come off as costume-y, but the cut’s structure really gives the look some grounding. The blue streaks and dark base create a nice contrast along the neutral lines, while the thick hair is what really sells it. If you’re planning to go with bright colors, I’d suggest getting a sulfate-free color-safe shampoo to minimize washes. Each wash takes some of that blue with it.
#10: Sleek Blunt-Banged Hime Cut for an Effortless Refresh
I suggest this kind of cut to someone who walks in and says, “I want to change something but I don’t want to change everything.” The blunt bangs are a total game changer! And as far as the touch-up maintenance goes, the length will be okay. With hair this straight and smooth, the style practically carries itself until the next wash. It’s deceptively simple, and that’s why it works. The gloss on this hair is either amazing hyped up genetics or really great gloss treatment, probably both? That amazing finish is what makes a minimal cut like this really expensive instead of boring.
#11: Layered Hime Cut with Clean Straight Bangs
The layers are clever here. They give volume through the mid lengths without the ends looking thin or messy which is the ever present issue with layering long hair. The blunt bangs keep it anchored so it doesn’t drift into “just a layered haircut” territory, it still reads as a hime cut which is important because the silhouette is what matters most. If your hair falls flat, this type of layering will alter your relationship with your hair because you gain movement and volume without losing the length you’ve likely been growing out for a long time.
#12: Polished Hime Cut with Soft Side-Swept Bangs
With a Hime haircut, side-swept bangs look softer and provide a face framing effect and some added softness when compared to blunt bangs. If heart shaped customers are worried about bangs, then I would recommend this look as the side-swept bangs open the face instead of making the proportions feel off and working against the forehead. This look provides an overall polished finish that gives off the “I have my life together” energy, so whether this is true or not, it is a good look to have when leaving the salon.
#13: Airy Hime Cut with Feathered Layered Edges
I can appreciate the fact that the softer, layered edges on finer hair provide an airy cut, free from the more robust blunt cut lines, making it resemble motion even if the wearer is standing still. To elevate the look, subtle woven highlights would be a great addition. That said, it’s fine without highlights. Sometimes, a great cut on healthy hair is all that is needed. Adding more is simply distracting. It’s not common for me to think that, but I really do believe in ‘less is more’ for this one.
#14: Precision Hime Cut with Thick Blunt Bangs and Rich Color
These bangs (which were most likely cut dry due to the precision and placement of the bangs) are cut to perfection! Cutting thick bangs bluntly without creating gaps or an uneven finish is no easy feat. The color is surprisingly rich and perfectly blends with the hair, enhancing the overall look. Thick, straight hair can often show off the full potential of your hair instead of just diminishing or losing control over it. Adding a finishing serum to the ends of the hair would be the icing on the cake!
#15: Elegant Long Hime Cut with Angled Side-Swept Bangs
I really like the angle of these bangs! It’s unexpected and gives the entire cut an asymmetric feel which is great because it keeps it from being overly predictable. The length is good and the smoothness of the texture makes the bangs the focal point of the cut, which I think is a good idea for someone who wants to add some interest without sacrificing too much of the overall length. If you’re trying to grow your hair and you want to avoid the look of just “hair that’s getting longer,” then I think bangs like this would do the trick!
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