Dakota Johnson hair ideas likely stem from the desire for that rich brown color and effortless curtain fringe with soft, flowing hair.
Most people probably don’t know this, but Dakota Johnson doesn’t actually do anything. This is what makes her style so hard to replicate. I once had a client come in with about 15 screenshots from the Fifty Shades movies, and said “I want it to look like I didn’t try at all.” and I thought, “Okay, but she definitely tried.” There’s an entire relaxation technique behind that look. Lots of people focus on the bangs, which are nice, but the real secret is the layering. This is done to make it appear as if you’ve got a lot of hair and also looks unbothered. This is also about balancing the weight at the ends because if you thin it too much, you lose the illusion of density.
Clients who get the closest to her look tend to do a good neutral-to-warm gloss every 6-8 weeks because without that reflective quality, brunette hair looks really flat. And with those bangs, I suggest that when you blow dry, you take them first with a medium round brush and then sort of split the bangs and bend some pieces a little away from the face so that they don’t just look like a curtain. But in the meantime, let me show you all the different instances of this look that are actually worth it to save for your next appointment.
#1: Long Layers That Just Fall Right with Curtain Bangs
This is one of those styles that doesn’t look like much on the hanger, but ends up stunning on the customer. The hair layers are very long, almost non-existent, and just sway with just enough movement. Those curtain bangs will hit that fabulous spot that is between the cheekbone and lip. The warm blonde shade looks so good for her skin tone, and pulls gold out in her complexion that a cooler shade just wouldn’t. I’d say if your hair is fine like this, I think you’ll get about three good weeks out of those bangs before they start doing their own thing, so keep those trims on.
#2: Long and Layered with a Strong Blunt Fringe
I love the attitude on this one! The blunt bangs definitely add an edge to the overall look. The bangs look thick and intentional, which is pretty much the opposite of a softer bang style which could look a little more relaxed. It is true that you do need at least medium density hair to pull this off because otherwise, the bangs will look see through by lunch. I also love the dark base color with highlights as they add dimension, but don’t make it look like she spent four hours in a salon which is the goal for a lot of my clients! If you are okay with trimming your bangs every three weeks then this cut is super easy to maintain, it will even look polished on day two without a wash!
#3: Ashy Platinum with Layers That Actually Move
Shag haircuts are gorgeous! But be careful with ashy platinum on long hair, it is a time and money commitment. You’ll have to come in to touch up those roots pretty often. You’ll also need some purple shampoo, that will help combat the brassiness that will come in between visits. Now for a fresh canvas like this it really is something special! The soft wispy bangs, and the layers that are cut at different lengths and catch the light, it’s just beautiful. The placement is smart, the movement is all there and it doesn’t make thin hair look stringy. For those with medium to thick hair, and are ready for the commitment, this is one of those styles that when you see your reflection it will completely change your mind on how you feel about your hair!
#4: Straight and Shiny with Those Effortless Face-Framing Pieces
The haircut does not try too hard to impress you, and I like that. It works because of the design’s understated quality. The layers are literally just face framing pieces that fall to the front and soften the features around the cheeks and jaw. The length that has been left alone adds to that healthy and weighty look that people associate with good hair. It’s a Tuesday morning haircut, which means it will look just as good on a random weekday as it does the day you leave the salon. Those are my favorite types of cuts to give.
#5: Warm Layers with Highlights That Catch Summer Light
This look centers on color and has eye-catching highlights near the eyes and along the part. The rest of the strands are rich dark brunette, which really anchors the overall look. The soft waves are similar to the type of waves you get after damp braiding your hair and letting it set overnight. You can also get it by quickly scrunching and spraying a texturizing product. There isn’t a lot of fuss to the hair. I always think this kind of highlight placement is more flattering than a full balayage because it elongates the face and highlights the center instead of drawing the eye down with a lot of color. The subtle layering here is just to remove some weight at the ends so it doesn’t hang flat.
#6: Rich Burgundy Layers with Bangs That Frame Everything
I tend to shy away from burgundy as it can look costume-y, but with the rich wine hue that can look almost natural in some lights, it is frankly beautiful. The finger bangs are soft enough that they don’t close the face in. They suggest a frame without being too bold. The thick hair layers mid-lengths movement look luxurious instead of heavy, which is the whole challenge with the thicker textures. I will note that burgundy and red tones tend to fade quicker than any other color family, so as soon as you go that route, color-depositing shampoo is a must and cool water rinses do help a ton, trust me.
#7: Long Cascading Layers with Warmth Around the Face
With this haircut, people probably get compliments every day on their hair, and they may not even know why. Part of this is probably because the work is concealed because of the high starting point of the layers that produce this cascading effect. It makes hair look like it’s constantly in motion. The warm face framing highlights are not brassy, which means her colorist probably knows what they’re doing, and that’s easy to mess up. I think this haircut really earns most of its keep looking its best on medium to thick hair, where that internal movement is necessary to prevent things from looking like a solid wall of hair, and a deep conditioning treatment once a week would keep that shine from fading between appointments.
#8: Glossy Dark Layers That Look Expensive
I love how this style captures what expensive dark layered styles look like. Gloss is elevating the cut far more than a highlight would. Instead of static one-color hair, the layers become more apparent with the light reflections at different angles. The cut sits long, layered, and below the chin, and gives a substantial feeling to the length. She will also avoid that awkward blunt-cut heaviness thanks to the right amount of texture added to the ends. If you prefer keeping your hair dark and simple, this cut will reward you for not dying your hair or chasing fads. It’s the look that celebrates healthy hair, and a good gloss will deliver.
#9: Elegant Side-Swept Bangs on Long Layers
The curtain bang trend on social media makes it easy to overlook side-swept bangs. Depending on the shape of your face, I still think side bangs can look good. They make a nice diagonal line across the forehead and really define that side of the face. You still have the softness around the temples, and the long layers underneath are loose enough to create movement. This style works really well with my hair type, and I think it looks good at every stage of grow-out. Day one looks gorgeous with a blowout, and by day four it’s just as nice when I pull it back into a low pony. I really appreciate that kind of versatility in a cut, and it’s something that I consider every time I get a haircut. The multiple shades along the lengths give the effect of a very subtle balayage or natural sunlight. It’s just enough.
#10: Layered Black Hair with That Natural Bounce
This type of thick dark hair is fun to cut because a good texture like this allows for a lot of sculpting. Textures that are finer don’t give a stylist as much to work with. The layers are doing their job by taking out enough bulk at the mid lengths that the ends can move without making the whole thing feel like a cape. That little flick at the ends is the kind of detail that happens when the layers are cut at the right angle and you don’t even have to style it to get that result. If you have this type of hair and you are not getting layers, you are making things difficult for yourself.
#11: Dark Brown with Highlights That Look Like Sunlight
The highlights look great because they look natural. It looks like light is hitting her hair in a few different spots and that’s not a skill every colorist has. The layered look is also soft and easy going and has just enough shape to give her hair some direction without making it look like a distinct hairstyle. If that makes sense, it looks simply like really great hair. The way the layers frame the face highlights the eyes and cheekbones which is always the goal. This style works for just about everyone because it’s not trying to be overly dramatic. It’s just a style that’s enhancing what’s really there while staying out of the way.
#12: Sleek Layers with a Silky Finish
This would be a great start if you want your hair to look like a commercial. The first layers begin at the chin, and the cut tapers to look like silk, and then for face framing pieces, they aren’t too much shorter so they give a nice curtain look without bangs. The most essential part if you want to recreate this look is a good flat iron and a setting lower than high on the heat. You want to do a single pass through each section to minimize killing the movement by over straightening and letting the layers do their thing. The narcissistic side of the cut really shows when the hair is healthy and fresh, so don’t skip out on trims.
#13: Textured Shoulder-Length Layers with Soft Bangs
I appreciate the length for recommending because it’s so much easier to manage and style while still feeling like you have long hair. The layers create a nice lived-in look so you don’t have to do a lot to it. The bangs are also nice and soft and aren’t blunt, so they grow out without that annoying phase that people regret having. There is a slight wave to the mid lengths whether it is natural or from a big barrel curl, and either way it adds a casual fullness that is super flattering. This type of haircut does a lot without looking like that.
#14: Layered with Bangs That Sit Just Right on the Cheekbones
My bangs graze my cheekbones and blend so seamlessly with the layers that you can’t even tell where the bangs and the layers separate. That’s due to a special cutting method called point cutting. Rather than cutting the bangs straight across, the bangs are cut to blend with the layers that frame the face so the bangs and layers appear to be all one piece. The stylist executed that technique amazingly because it gives the impression that the cut had been styled by a professional. The natural wave gives most of the cut its personality, but the cut also creates so much more movement and volume that you simply can’t achieve from a straight hair look. I wouldn’t recommend using too many styling products and I think a low shine finishing spray from the salon used with a light cream from home will do. Just let the cut do its magic.
#15: Long and Smooth with Bangs That Open Up the Face
Dakota Johnson’s territory ranges looks include soft long hairstyles with bangs that start a little off center and graze past the eyes. What makes this one particularly effective is that there is just enough wave to prevent the hair from appearing flat and lifeless, there is some smoothness present but it is not straightened fully and that small amount of movement gives the style a lot more depth. A typical way to approach this kind of hair is to add a lot of layers for extra volume, but I actually think the restraint here is most effective. The length remains heavy enough to have that nice bounce, and the bangs provide all the shape you need around the face. It is also important to point out that for the bangs to retain their fullness and health, more frequent cuts may be required because on fine hair bangs tend to look stringy more quickly than anticipated, which can disturb the balance of the haircut.
#16: Glossy Layers with Bangs and That Mirror Shine
The cut is beautiful, featuring soft layers and light bangs. The big thing that makes the picture pop, however, is the glassy reflection in the hair. That shine comes from healthy hair. You’ll need to start off with solid smoothing treatments, leave in conditioner, and a good product to trade off to get that reflective shine. If your hair is dry and damaged, it won’t matter what cut you get, you won’t achieve that look. The bangs are also lightly separated, which is great to keep the hair looking more effortless and not like a helmet. The layers are so, so minimal that they are just keeping the ends from looking blunt. All in all, I think this is a low maintenance cut for high maintenance hair and I think it is a fair trade for the right person.
#17: Long Layers with Highlights That Frame Without Overwhelming
I like how muted the color is. The highlights are primarily around the face, in the top layers that do a lot of work, while the under layers still keep that rich, natural tone. This helps the color look more expensive and less done. The bounciness of the layers tells me there is good density to this hair, and judging by the thickness of the cut, they did this by leaving enough weight in the ends so those layers don’t fly away, while providing good movement in the mid-lengths. The cut and color are working in harmony. The highlights help define the layers, while the layers help the highlights pop, and when these two elements work together, the overall effect is so much more refined.
#18: Long Sleek Hair with a Precise Blunt Fringe
I always tell people that if you’re doing blunt bangs, you have to really commit, and this is the ultimate commitment. These bangs are chunky and straight, and sit just above the eyebrows in a way that deliberately accentuates the eyes. The long, sleek hair underneath provides a nice balance so that the overall look doesn’t feel too heavy or too vintage. It should be mentioned though, this is more than just a wash and go hairstyle. These bangs are going to require daily upkeep. Specifically, they’ll need a small round brush and a hairdryer each morning if you want this look to remain clean and polished like it is in the photos. If you can handle a little daily commitment, and realistically it will only take a few minutes once you get the hang of it, this hairstyle really adds a bold statement to the collection and is suitable for a Tuesday meeting or a Saturday night out.
#19: Bold Bangs Blending Into Long Textured Layers
This style stands out compared to other blunt bangs because of how the bangs flow with the rest of the hair. There’s a nice graduation where the line of bangs eases around the temple and blends into the longer layers that frame the face, so you don’t get that disconnection that can happen with thick bangs. It’s a small detail but it helps modernize the haircut and avoids the two hairdos stacked on top of each other look. The consistency in texture and the bounce in the layers throughout the hair length is due to some point-cutting or end-razoring which adds to a modern look. This style works optimally with hair that has inherent volume because the bangs need a good amount of hair to appear full, and the layers ought to be a bit messy, not too clean or structured to preserve their shape, as the layers are intended to move.
#20: Soft Shoulder-Length Layers with the Prettiest Wispy Bangs
These bangs are cut perfectly to where they make look like they just fell on her forehead. That’s the type of look I want to achieve. Once the bangs start to look chunky, they lose all their charm. The shoulder length cut here is very flattering, and the length is just right to graze the collarbone. The hair naturally flips at the ends which is great, and the layers are soft enough that the shape holds for restyling every day. Honestly, I think this is the most flattering combination I’ve seen in the whole collection. The length suits most face shapes, and the bangs can grow out without looking bad. Most of the maintenance is great. If you’ve been thinking of getting bangs, I would recommend this look.
#21: Textured Waves with Bangs and a Bit of Warmth
What stands out to me the most is the softness of the entire look. It has a really nice natural feel to it. The waves aren’t too overdone, the bangs are light, warm subtle highlights give a glow without being too processed. It really gives the vibe that you have amazing hair naturally, which i think is the biggest compliment you can get. The style is even more elevated with how everything is seamlessly integrated. The most important thing is the hair texture. Most people are somewhere in the realm of waves that are actually straight. They end up curling or straightening it to try to look different or better. I really love this look. The most ideal looks I find is when it’s evident you put in a texturizing product, then let it be. Just a wee bit of texturizing product in damp hair is all you really need. This look is my absolute favorite style to have.
#22: Long Textured Layers with Bangs That Have Some Weight
These bangs are more substantial than the other, wispier bangs in the collection, and because of that, I think these are the best bangs to pair with this cut. The layered lengths have more texture and movement than the rest, so having the bangs be more substantial help center the focus to the head. It’s all about balance; the light bangs with the heavy layering create an almost empty look, but this piece avoids that. The layers look modern and not damaged which is due to their great texture – some serious point cutting was likely involved. For medium to thick hair and long layers, this cut is a nice evolution of style that keeps the length while giving a fresh look.
#23: Dark Flowing Waves with a Soft Fringe
The shade and waves create a vintage feel that you might expect from hollywood royalty. It is also casual enough to wear to brunch. The waves are a bit of a thick set but the layers allow the hair to move and settle into the right form. For hair like this, I think you can skip the highlights since a good cut and some natural sunlight will do all the trick. The light will be caught and reflect as long as there are a few breaks in the cuts for the light to play with. The only maintenance with this cut is keeping the hair out of a frizz look and intentional waves. If you can get away with an anti frizz serum from the mid lengths to ends.
#24: Classic Curtain Bangs on Long, Easy Hair
This may be the best example of Dakota Johnson’s style from the whole collection. It’s a simple long, layered look with curtain bangs that part in the middle and frame the face. The ends are slightly layered enough to avoid a blunt-cut look, with the overall thickness being fine to medium. This contributes to that airy quality found in thicker hair. What I enjoy most about this look is the off-duty vibe. This style is reminiscent of great second day hair, a loose ponytail, and a fresh blowout when you want to look nice. To me, that versatility is what makes a cut great. The bangs are also long enough to be tucked behind the ears for a break from them, which is always a plus.
#25: Black Waves with Wispy Bangs and All That Movement
In the end, I really like this one the most. Everything meshes, the waves the bangs, everything. The effort on this one seems minimal and thats what I like about it. The fact that it looks like she just rolled out of bed is a compliment to the cut. The wispy bangs do not gel stiff and helmet-like. Having the rest of the hair move around them is nice as well. For this style, loose waves are way better than neat curls. To achieve that nice texture, it’s best to let the hair do its thing and provide a bit of guidance with some scrunching. If you’re in a hurry, just diffuse and leave it alone. The black color is also solid, since the waves create natural dimension. Each wave reflects light in a unique way, giving the hair a multi-tonal look that you can’t achieve with highlights.
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