The Boyfriend Bob. The Jellyfish. The Butterfly. These are just a few of the names that have caused a stir on social media over the past 12 months. And there’s a new addition on the scene: The Cub. So, where did this new style get its name – and is it even a new style? HJ has done a little digging to get the lowdown…
What's In a Name?
First things first, The Cub is said to have got its name thanks to its similarity to the Wolf Cut, with Suzie McGill, Artistic Director at Rainbow Room International, explaining: “The Cub is almost the ‘baby’ of the Wolf Cut, thus the name.” Simon Tuckwell, owner of Tuckwell & Co, also shares his thoughts on the name, adding: “In modern society, we love to put a name to things. Take the Wolf Cut or the Bixie for instance – styles become more accessible and popularised when a trendy name is put beside them. It gives clients the confidence to know what to ask for when they step into the salon.” However, despite there being some overlap between the two cuts, Suzie points out that this is indeed a new style, adding: “As it’s a brand-new trend, many hairdressers may not be aware of it yet, but I think it’s a haircut trend we will start to hear a lot more of and hairdressers will familiarise themselves with, particularly as we head further into spring/summer, where clients are looking for shorter haircuts and a new look for the new season.”
So, What is "The Cub"?
Andrew Smith, Owner of Andrew Smith Salons and Z.One Concept Global Ambassador, explains what makes The Cub different to its predecessors, sharing: “The Cub is very similar to the Wolf Cut, resembling a shag/mullet with lots of layers to add texture, but is a lot shorter in length – resembling that of a bob. “It differentiates from a choppy bob, though, as the layers are a lot softer and more seamless and understated. The shag again is slightly longer than The Cub. It’s similar in the way that it combines a number of layers at varying lengths for lots of volume, but being shorter it does not look as overtly choppy as the shag and has more of a natural finish.”
Siobhan Haug, Colour Director at Haug House London, adds: “While a short cut, I think it’s different from a bob. Bobs by nature have a lot of strength in the perimeter, whereas this look keeps the softness on the perimeter.”
Who Can Wear The Cub?
The Cub is a particularly versatile cut, placing it in contention for the title of this spring’s hottest style. However, Suzie notes: “This cut is particularly fantastic for those with thinner hair types, who want to give their hair a thicker and fuller appearance, as the layers help to create the illusion of fuller hair. It’s also great for those with thicker hair who want to get rid of some excess weight and add some movement throughout. “For clients who want to embrace their natural hair texture and want a low maintenance cut that requires little-to-no styling at home, The Cub is also a perfect choice as they can simply spritz some styling product, like a sea salt or texture spray, through the hair to give it added texture and to enhance the layers within the cut and the natural hair’s movement. It also looks great when simply left to air dry – perfect for clients always on the go.”
Feature Image - Suzie McGill, Rainbow Room International.
