Everything you need to know about cherubim hair

We assembled a roundtable of experts to break down the new trending look, Cherubim Hair, discussing where the style originated, why it’s popular now, and how you can recreate the look for your clients.

What is Cherubim Hair?

The Cherubim Cut is named after the youthful, boyish look it offers, but is more clearly defined as “a cut that sat between the shoulders and chin and was full of glossy waves and tumbling tresses – in fact, the trend was so defined by lustrous locks it had an almost feminine quality,” according to Thomas Hills, director of TH1 Hair. The origins of the Cherubim Cut date back as far as 70 years ago, with Thomas noting that the look “was first made famous by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in the Sixties.” From there, Toni & Guy Billericay owner Jim Shaw has noted that the look resurfaced in the 90s, and again in the early 2010s, with many citing a young Justin Bieber’s surge in popularity as a pivotal moment for the cut. “Like a lot of men’s hairstyles, it’s a look that comes in and out of fashion.” “It’s almost a bit of a play on the dreaded bowl cut but, by adding curls and some great styling, makes it look more up-to-date,” shares James Alfie Parr, celebrity session stylist and manager of the Brotherhood. “This hit cut is great for guys with natural movement.” “This grown-out bowl look is popular with people who are more relaxed about their hairstyle and like the length for versatility when styling,” continues Grant Lewis from Room 97 Creative in Wakefield.  

Why is Cherubim Hair popular again?

There’s a few reasons why Cherubim Hair has seen a recent resurgence, including the same guy who popularized it a decade ago re-adopting the look. “Justin Bieber is one of the many celebrities that has sported this look, but older celebrities are also starting to wear this style, giving them a more youthful appearance,” says Jim. https://www.instagram.com/p/CE5YnQjnY3h/ Bieber’s not the only heartthrob who has repurposed this boyish look in 2020, either. “Harry Styles showcases that it can be worn in loungewear just as easy as a red carpet really well, and I expect to see this become the festive season favorite,” predicts Jonathan Andrew, Fudge Professional global brand ambassador. “I think the hairstyle is great and worn well by the likes of Harry Styles and Justin Bieber,” agrees Joe Hemmings from Bloggs Salon. “It’s really nice to see men moving away from shorter styles and embracing movement in their hair.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVcrA7nwUr/ Many have also noted that lockdown has had a big impact on men experimenting with longer lengths and more natural textures. “Time out of the office environment allowed men to grow out shorter cuts and go through the messy period out of sight,” says Ian Harrold, American Crew Allstar and owner of Attitude Men’s Hair. “Men have found a new love for their hair’s natural texture but now they are allowed back into the barber shops they want to give these longer lengths some control and structure.” This doesn’t mean that the look hasn’t undergone any new changes from all the way back in the 60s, though. “This season the cherubim haircut takes on a slightly more masculine edge, with cuts worn shorter and choppier – bangs are optional – but no less lustrous and touchy-feely,” says Thomas. “This is in direct contrast to other old-school vibes, such as the pompadour and quiff, where hair was kept away from the face.”  

What makes Cherubim Hair great?

Other than the sense of youthfulness the cut can bring to men, there’s a whole host of other benefits to the Cherubim Cut, including how easy it is to achieve and maintain. “One of the great things about this look is that it requires little maintenance and looks its best when worn naturally, embracing the clients natural texture,” says Jim Shaw.  “I have seen some people tired of really long hair opting for something more mid length. I feel this is a really versatile haircut because it can be worn in a number of different ways, and really takes advantage of lots of texture in the hair,” Jonathan shares. “The real benefit of this haircut is almost the less you do the better it looks. This to me is the equivalent of women with beachy waves, soft unstructured and left to their own devices.” The look is also a fantastic opportunity for hairdressers and barbers, says Robert Eaton, creative director at Russell Eaton Leeds and Barnsley and Wella Professional's technical director: “Lockdown hair has given men the opportunity to reconsider their look and embrace new styles like this, which is good news for salon stylists as it involves cutting and shaping men’s hair, bringing men back into the hairdressing fold.”  

How do you achieve the Cherubim Cut?

“With this hairstyle, it’s best for clients to visit their men’s hairdresser or barber to have texture added into the hair in the form of layers,” says Jim on recreating the Cherubim look on clients. Both Ian and James would recommend using a razor when cutting the hair to both “enhance texture and shape” and “avoid everything feeling too neat and tidy, while giving a real expensive rock and roll high fashion feel.” From there, it’s all about the feel. “The key to styling this trend is to focus on creating a soft, natural texture, which can be created using minimum products (a salt spray or a soft wax are ideal) that have an almost intangible feel and finish,” Thomas says. “Use a styling paste to mould the hair gently and hold it in place without it looking too product heavy,” adds Ross Charles, owner of Ross Charles Hairdressing.  

How do you maintain the Cherubim look?

As noted by Grant Lewis: “It can seem messier as it isn’t a slicked-back haircut, so maintaining it takes more effort. However, it looks better as it grows naturally, just add some mousse, salt spray or re-workable paste to encourage the natural texture.” “For any clients who would want to opt for this look I would need to ensure they are willing and able to style it properly, if not it will indeed end up looking more like a bowl cut,” says James. “By explaining the styling steps to your client, you will thoroughly ensure they can create this look at home. I recommend they add a sea salt spray to damp hair.” “The key to this style is length in the hair,” concludes Ross. “It needs to fall forward onto the face and quite a bit of length is required. Second to this is texture. This style is edgy and unkept. This style is youthful for your clients too. It won’t be for everyone but it is an interesting style to experiment with this season.”