GUIDE TO HIME CUTS

If you love keeping on top of hair trends, you’ve probably seen hime haircuts start popping up in your favourite hair care websites, magazines and blogs.

But what is the hime cut? How can you maintain it, and more importantly, who can pull it off? We’ve done all the research - so here’s what you need to know.

What’s a hime cut?

The hime cut is a traditional Japanese hairstyle that dates back to the Heian period, when noblewomen would grow their hair long and cut shorter sections to frame their face. The word ‘hime’ means ‘princess’ in Japanese, and this hairstyle continues to channel regal, elegant looks - especially among girl idols.

Hime cuts can vary depending on individual preferences, but they tend to feature all three of the following:

• A blunt, straight-across fringe that’s optional but traditional.
• Jaw-length side sections that frame the face.
• Long, straight back hair, often reaching past the shoulders.

The style enjoyed a resurgence in 2024, thanks to its popularity with anime, J-pop, and K-pop idols. It frames and accentuates your face like a short bob would, but you still maintain that long feminine length in the back.

How to get a hime haircut

When you book your next hair appointment and you’re set on the idea of a hime cut, be clear about your expectations.

• Bring in photos and work with your stylist to see what’s achievable, bearing in mind your hair’s texture and condition may influence the finished result. Showing pictures of the cut you’re after will be far more helpful to your stylist than trying to explain what you want.
• Ask for a layered cut with face-framing locks, including sharp, blunt, jaw-length side pieces and longer back hair.
• Do you want a fringe or not? Traditional hime cuts often include blunt, straight-across fringes, but you can always go for a curtain or side-swept fringe to soften the look.
• Think about the length of your hair at the back. Many people keep it long, especially if they have long hair to start with, but it’s up to you if you want to keep the length or take things shorter.

How to maintain a hime cut

Hime cuts need to look fresh and cared-for to keep those clean, straight lines looking good. Here’s how to keep your cut looking polished:

Regular trims

• The blunt edges of your side sections and fringe need trimming every 3-5 weeks to maintain their sharp shape.
• If you want a slightly grown-out, softer look, you can stretch trims to 6-8 weeks.

Keep your hime cut looking sleek

• Style with straighteners or blow dry with a round brush to keep your hair sleek and straight.
• A lightweight hair serum or smoothing oil will help prevent frizz and add shine.

Fringe and side sections styling tips

• Blunt fringes need daily styling to keep them straight - especially if you’ve got thick hair.
• Use a smaller straightener (or a mini straightener) for precision styling, and to add a bit of volume to your fringe or sides, blow-dry them downward with a brush.

Different types of hime haircut

There are numerous variations of the hime cut, due to idols making the cut their own, and their fans also getting creative with the cut.

• Classic Hime Cut: Blunt-cut side locks with a blunt-cut straight-across fringe, and long straight hair.
• Soft Hime Cut: Uses more natural-looking layering with a wispy, feathered fringe.
• Gothic Hime Cut: Similar to the classic hime, and often dyed black with a sleek, dramatic aesthetic.
• Short Hime Cut: A bob-length version of the hime cut - the length of the back hair is kept short, but there’s still a clear differentiation between side sections and the back.
• Hime with Layers: A more blended look with subtle layers for movement and texture.

Will I suit a hime cut?

That’s a question for you and your stylist - but as a rule, the hime cut is surprisingly versatile. It works well with:

• Oval and heart-shaped faces: It’s great for framing your features
• Straight and wavy hair: These hair types can be easier to style
• People who love bold, structured styles: If you’ve always wanted an alternative look, the hime cut lets you explore anime-influenced, J-fashion, and Harajuku aesthetics.

You may find a hime cut a little more challenging to care for if you have naturally curly hair or very thick hair, but it’s still possible to pull the look off if you’re willing to spend some extra time on styling.