50 Hottest Alternative Hairstyles to Consider Right Now

Cindy Marcus
Cindy Marcus Hairstylist, Editor-in-Chief

Trendy alternative hairstyles bring edginess and a distinctive flair like no other! These haircuts are designed to steal the show. They vary from shaved, undercut styles to mullets and mohawks.

Crystal Terror, a salon owner from San Antonio, TX, shares her thoughts on this cut. “It allows women to customize the cut based on their features, lifestyle, and preferences,” she says. “You’ll be able to pull off a 90s hairstyle easier if you are comfortable and confident wearing it.”

Terror points out the rigorous styling routine needed as the drawback of this cut. “It takes some time to style this hairstyle,” she says. “If you are not good with handling time, it might be hard for you to adjust to its styling routine.”

In styling this cut, Terror explains how women don’t need to use a lot of hairsprays. “Most of the styling is in backcombing it properly to create a base and height. You need to have a good amount of hair to create certain styles; add hair extensions if you don’t have enough hair.”

Terror suggests asking your hairstylist for their suggestions. This way, your stylist would be able to integrate the style they have envisioned for you. Also, pay close attention to how your stylist styled your hair, for you to be able to replicate it at home.

Check these images of popular alternative hairstyles. Get inspired and show your top 3 picks to your hairstylist.

Photos

#1: Gothic-Style Chop with an Undercut

A gothic-style chop with an undercut can be brushing one day or betting on curls the next. A 90s hairstyle is the new bet and is very cool and trendy.

Long straight hair with half black and half red color

#2 Half Black Half Red Long Hair

This bold half black, half red long hairstyle is perfect for those looking to make a striking statement. The hair is sleek, straight, and falls to the chest, highlighting the contrast between the deep black and vibrant red sections. Ideal for those with thick, straight hair, this style offers an edgy, high-impact look. However, it requires regular maintenance to keep the colors vibrant and the hair looking healthy. Suitable for oval and heart-shaped faces, this hairstyle adds a touch of drama and individuality.

Very Short Blunt Bowl Cut Alternative Hair
Instagram @danieljianing

#3: Very Short Blunt Bowl Cut

A beautiful cropped bowl cut can flatter many face shapes and enhance their best features. This cut is for someone who wants attention, boldness, and creative edge. If an undercut is added, it will create softness underneath. It will also allow the hair to lay closer to the head, particularly around the parietal ridge. It’s a common place where hair sticks out, being the widest part of the head. Keeping into consideration your face shape, your stylist will pick a length best suited for your face and profile.

#4: Buzzed Mullet with Super Short Bangs

The hairstyle is a buzzed mullet with super short bangs. This is a great cut for someone with thick, coarse, straight hair. The buzz cut will reveal your sharp features, while the mullet offers a significant contrast in the haircut. This hairstyle allows your facial tattoos and unique creativity to shine. Following the curvature of the head shape and your face shape, your stylist or barber will create the perfect shape and lines to contour and flatter your style.

#5: Medium Wolf Cut with Micro Bangs

The is a medium-length wolf cut accompanied by micro bangs. A wolf cut implies a shaggy and textured hairstyle that frames the face. Micro bangs contribute to a feminine look by creating a soft framing effect around the face. Long textured tresses through the nape characterize the wolf cut. This style is also referred to as a shullet or shaglet.

Alt Shaggy Short Mullet with Bold Orange Tone
Instagram @epsalonbeauty

#6: Shaggy Short Mullet with Bold Orange Tone

The haircut is a shaggy short mullet with vibrant orange tones. A shullet with great texture adds plenty of volume and edge to your hair, offering a unique style. This haircut suits pear, round, and oval faces. Its micro bangs help balance these face shapes. The orange tone accentuates the look. The color should be lightened to a shade between level 8 and 9 yellow for the best results.

Alternative Dark Gray Spiky Mohawk
Instagram @epsalonbeauty

#7: Dark Gray Spiky Mohawk

A dark gray, spiky Mohawk is often the style of choice for creative and edgy individuals who are not afraid to stand out. Shaving your head with a zero or 000 setting on your shaver gives a clean cut and ensures the Mohawk style lasts longer. Using slicing techniques, razors, and textured shears, you can achieve the needed texture of this edgy Mohawk. A strong hair product like clay, wax, or hair spray can maintain the hairstyle for several days.

Step Cut for Neck-Length Bob with Bangs Alternative Style
Instagram @moeko_furuya

#8: Step Cut for Bob with Bangs

If you’re searching for an edgy style that complements your face, you should consider a step bob. This cut can surprisingly work on various face shapes because its varied lengths create balance. You can alter this cut to fit your shape by adjusting the length of the bangs, cheeks, and neck. Please note that the step-cut bob will grow out unevenly. So, when you’re ready for a change, you have a few options. You can go for a shorter haircut, wait for the hair to grow longer, or reshape the cut to have a more pronounced facial framing that blends with the back.

#9: Disconnected Bob with Light Fringe

The mentioned ‘disconnected shape’ is a unique hair design where a square bob with a blunt cut is paired with a markedly longer front portion. A very light, wispy fringe gives movement and softness. Wear it straight or wavy for an attractive look.

Alternative Straight Mullet with Green Underlights for Medium Hair
Instagram @moodstyle.sciresa

#10: Straight Mullet with Green Underlights

The haircut that’s styled shorter on the sides and front than the back is in the mullet category. Highlight this distinctive shape by using a bold block color. Make sure to choose a color that stands out, or it may not be noticeable. Always use a shampoo that’s safe for colored hair to maintain the color’s vibrancy.

Alternative Short Wavy Mullet with Micro V Bangs
Instagram @cortesbrab0s

#11: Short Wavy Mullet with Micro V Bangs

This style is a mullet that’s cut very short on the front and sides. Make sure to trim around the ears to show them off. An extra focal point can come from a super short micro bang, which can be styled in different ways – squared off, rounded, or even a v-shape for the adventurous. Contrast this by wearing the back naturally with texture.

Alt Mid-Length Bouncy Shag for Curly Hair
Instagram @yourstrulyeddy

#12: Mid-Length Bouncy Shag for Curly Hair

Try to enhance your natural curly hair by selecting a mid-length cut with round-shaped layers. This style gives your curls bounce and a modern shag look. Also, add a tapering fringe for softness around the face. I highly recommend telling your stylist about your desire for a natural look. Be aware that blonde curly hair can sometimes be dry, so keeping it well hydrated with a conditioning mask is crucial.

#13: Flat Twists Updo with Curly Bangs

For an edgier style, an updo with curly bangs and flat twists is a great choice! The flat braids will keep your hair neat all day. For versatility, your bangs can be left natural or blown out.

#14: Colorful Hime Cut with Horizontal Dye Job

Try a hime cut for a literal edge. Add a colorful horizontal dye job to it. A hime haircut has sharp and defined layers. These layers reach cheek length and frame the face. The color in a hime cut is horizontally placed. This placement mirrors the cut’s edges, emphasizing every angle.

#15: Bright Orange Pixie with Fringe

If you want your style to scream rather than whisper, consider a bright orange pixie with a fringe. First, lighten your hair, then add the bright fashion shade to create the desired color. Bear in mind such unusual hair colors fade very quickly. To get this cut, you must trim the sides and nape, create a point cut for the top and fringe, and apply texture putty with your hands. Enjoy your cool style, and be free to be yourself.

Alt Girls Short Bob with Longer Front Pieces
Instagram @kittykatdoeshair

#16: Short Bob with Longer Front Pieces

Take the classic bob to a modern level by making the side sections long and separate. This will give you two hairstyles in one. Here’s a pro tip: To see a noticeable difference, make sure the bob is a few inches shorter than the front hairs.

Alternative Mid-Length Textured Green Mullet with Wavy Bangs
Instagram @ponytrick

#17: Textured Green Mullet with Wavy Bangs

Ask about a textured green mullet with wavy bangs. Your personal style might influence styles for wavy hair. Consider a pixie, shag, or mullet style. These face-framing cuts deliver a pixie vibe and have a flowing mane. The mentioned styles are great for those who like to care for their hair simply. Try adding some Cult King &ldquoJelly&rdquo for a volumizing textured finish.

#18: Asymmetrical Cut with Pink and Green Accents

Try an asymmetrical haircut that has pink and green highlights. Mixing textures, lengths, and hair colors can help you create the perfect style. If you have an oval face and a protruding profile, opt for a short textured side fringe and layers on top for a natural volume and shape.

Medium Alt Hairstyle with Textured Top and Bangs
Instagram @local_honey

#19: Medium Alt Hairstyle with Textured Top

This is a medium-length, alternative hairstyle with a textured top. This bold style requires confidence and a love for alternative hairstyles. Try this hybrid hairstyle – a choppy pixie crop with long mullet tendrils. This hairstyle complements diamond and oval face shapes. If you wear glasses, bangs with face-framing details look great.

#20: Punk-Style Mohawk Pixie with Faded Sides

If you’re after a unique style with a short cut, a mohawk is a great choice. Hair is longer from the front hairline to the back of the neck than the hair around the temples, ears, and outside of the neck. The mohawk style can look sharper with faded sides, transitioning from very short hair to gradually longer hair.

Copper-Colored Long Jellyfish Alt Hairstyle with Micro Bangs
Instagram @rion_mari

#21: Copper-Colored Long Jellyfish Hair

Picture a jellyfish – with a rounded top and long tentacles. This is jellyfish hair. It’s a short, blunt bob that sits over a long panel at the back of the head. It’s a bold, edgy style, not for the shy. Pair it with a bold color for a strong look.

Disconnected Long Textured Alternative Cut
Instagram @alt255hairstudio

#22: Disconnected Long Textured Cut

If you want lots of texture and layers in your long, thin hair, then a disconnected cut is key. The disconnection maintains your hair length. It also enables shorter internal layers around your face and the crown, which a traditional cutting method cannot provide. Discuss your styling preferences with your stylist to determine the required length of your layers.

#23: Vivid Colors on Long Thick Hair

If you have long hair, consider trying a vivid color for a wow effect. Request a bold color placement near your face for a high-impact look. Choose colors and tones that work well together, especially if you’re going for more than one hue. Bear in mind vivid colors tend to fade quickly. Always use a color-safe shampoo to lock the pigment in. Don’t forget to ask about upkeep before your appointment.

Alternative Unique Pixie Mullet with Shaved Lines and Colored Accents
Instagram @kbarber_

#24: Unique Pixie Mullet with Shaved Lines

Add shaved lines to the back and sides to enhance your unique pixie mullet. This haircut, reminiscent of a rocker vibe, showcases a fusion of fun colors with your natural dark shade. Complete this look with a texture paste to highlight your layered cut and vibrant color shades.

Alternative Mid-Long Blue Razor Cut Hair with Vampire Bangs
Instagram @maggie.cuts

#25: Blue Razor Cut Hair with Vampire Bangs

For a unique style, try a razor-cut hairstyle with vampire bangs and an overall bright blue color. This razor-cut hairstyle results in ultimate texture and sharp edges. Razor cutting reduces bulk, ensuring your hairstyle stays textured and slim with minimal effort. For the color, I recommend scheduling a salon color refresh every 4-6 weeks.

#26: Short Elfcore Cut with Mini Bangs

Choose this popular Elfcore style, which features small bangs on the front. You can dye all of your hair a bright color to make your short cut stand out or keep your natural color for a more toned-down look. The overall short length of this hairstyle makes it easy to style, and the longer hair at the front offers various options.

Punk-Inspired Updo for Grunge Girls
Instagram @bunnie.b4by

#27: Punk-Inspired Updo for Grunge Girls

A punk-inspired updo for grunge girls is a fun alternative hairstyle. Create this look with a few hair ties and bobby pins. Keep a small section behind the bangs out and part your hair in two sections. Tie each section into ponytails and backcomb the hair and bobby pin it into messy buns and step onto the scene looking fresh and confident.

#28: Asymmetrical Long Bob for Emo Girls

An asymmetrical long bob for emo girls is perfect for fine hair. The asymmetry and light layering create movement and depth to this feminine alternative hairstyle.

#29: Curly Mohawk Haircut

A curly mohawk haircut is perfect for thick, curly hair. Consider this alternative hairstyle if you are looking for a new way to enhance your natural texture. Ask for a tight fade on the sides so you can have the option of a design.

Tousled Shag with Ombre
Instagram @ellienorski

#30: Tousled Shag with Ombre

A tousled shag with ombre creates movement and depth to long hair. Try alternative styles to preserve your length and have fun with your ombre.

#31: Emo Braids

Emo braids are the perfect style for keeping your hair down and out of your face. Rock this emo hairstyle with one braid or two, the next time you are wanting to up your hair game for a night out with the girls.

Cute Punk Mohawk
Instagram @pink_nouveau

#32: Cute Punk Mohawk

Rock a cute punk mohawk in a stylish way. This cut requires care during transformation and subsequent maintenance at home with some moisture products.

#33: Choppy Layered Bob Haircut

A choppy layered bob haircut is great for hair of all textures, from straight to frizzy. These cuts can be styled with a blow-dryer, flat iron, or curling iron.

Long Mohawk with Shaved Sides
Instagram @kerideherrera

#34: Long Mohawk with Shaved Sides

A long mohawk with shaved sides creates a look with a lot of style and attitude. It can be styled with fixation spray to ensure volume and shape.

Short Dreadlocks for Natural Hair
Instagram @faridaxmimi

#35: Short Dreadlocks for Natural Hair

Short dreadlocks for natural hair are made using a crochet hook to tangle the locks of hair and create the shape of the dread.

Shag with Curtain Bangs for Alt Women
Instagram @randa.rivera

#36: Shag with Curtain Bangs for Alt Women

A shag with curtain bangs for alt women can have a difference due to the passage between the lengths, which can be very gradual or more abrupt, depending on what you like best.

#37: 90’s Mohawk for Women

A 90’s mohawk is for independent and bold women. Try different colors to make the look more fun. Creative hairstyles like this are perfect for women with a round face.

Flat Side-Swept Bangs for Medium-Length Hair
Instagram @ayhanonluel

#38: Flat Side-Swept Bangs for Medium-Length Hair

Flat side-swept bangs for medium-length hair is a 90’s haircut that’s very trendy. Medium haircuts are great options for those looking for a stylish and practical look.

#39: Shaved Head with Designs

A shaved head with designs is not permanent, which makes the trend even more fun, as the designs can be changed frequently.

Spiky Pixie for Alternative Girls
Instagram @kortri

#40: Spiky Pixie for Alternative Girls

A spiky pixie for alternative girls is very stylish. Adopting colored hair is a process that requires care, both during the transformation and subsequent maintenance.

Undercut with Designs
Instagram @paulina.zuzock

#41: Undercut with Designs

An undercut with designs is a great option if you are a woman with personality and, above all, who is not afraid to innovate.

Curly Shag for Punk Girls
Instagram @bareeminimum

#42: Curly Shag for Punk Girls

A curly shag for punk girls looks beautiful when styled using a curl definer product. 90s hairstyles are great if styled with mousse on the root and get more volume.

Alternative Cut with Green and Blue Hair Color
Instagram @toniiii_j_hair

#43: Alternative with Green and Blue Hair Color

An alternative cut with green and blue hair color can be styled in different ways. For 90s haircuts, you can style with pomade to give movement and volume.

Mullet for Alternative Women
Instagram @nataliarok

#44: Mullet for Alternative Women

A mullet for alternative women is a great option for those who like layers, light volume, and texture. An alternative hairstyle is bold and goes well with many face shapes, hair types, and styles.

#45: Androgynous Hairstyle for Women

Opt for an androgynous hairstyle for women. It’s shredded in the middle of the forehead and complemented by layers that cover the ears and reach the end of the neck.

Extra Choppy Bob with Layers and Bangs
Instagram @yukistylist

#46: Extra Choppy Bob with Layers and Bangs

An extra choppy bob with layers and bangs is a short haircut that adds a classic and sophisticated touch to the look. See more short, choppier bob cuts.

Grunge-Style Shaggy Mullet
Instagram @katiepdxhair

#47: Grunge-Style Shaggy Mullet

The grunge-style shaggy mullet is mid-length and great for weight removal for dense hair.

Asymmetrical Pixie Cut with Flat Bangs
Instagram @teksalon

#48: Asymmetrical Pixie Cut with Flat Bangs

An asymmetrical pixie cut with flat bangs has both sides of the head shaved, leaving only the top of the head with longer hair. Stylish, bold, radical, and always on the rise.

Short Rainbow Colored Pixie Cut
Instagram @stephhstyles

#49: Short Rainbow Colored Pixie Cut

A short rainbow-colored pixie cut is perfect for women who like a daring style. This haircut makes the style and the short hair more evident.

Messy Bun with Wispy Ends
Instagram @taya.hair

#50: Messy Bun with Wispy Ends

A messy bun with wispy ends is a great everyday look for women in the workplace. This hairstyle can be done with shoulder-length to long hair. Keep it loose and wispy to create an effortless look.