The Rachel is back (again), but with a twist! Recently, we’ve seen The Rachel-inspired styles such as the Octopus, and the Oval Layer haircut take centre stage on social media and in salons. Now, as more and more hairstyles circle on TikTok, it’s all about the C Cut. And we expect it’s going to be popular.
What is the C Cut?
Queue 90s nostalgia…
“The C Cut is a heavily layered long style with lots of face-framing layers – a new version of the old-school ‘Rachel’ for the 2000s,” Amelia Evans of HARE & BONE Artistic Team, tells us. And this haircut is all about the layers. “Layers are cut throughout the hair to give the style instant volume, body, and movement, but are more concentrated at the face, as well as graduated,” explains Suzie McGill, Artistic Director at Rainbow Room International. “The effects of this are that the layers give softness to the face and help frame the face to make client’s facial features – especially the eyes – really pop.”
But one of the best things about this look, is that it’s very low maintenance and requires little to no styling, so it’s perfect for those clients who have busy lifestyles and are always on the go. “The layers add instant volume into the hair and look naturally beautiful without the need to use heated styling tools or styling products,” says Suzie. And as it will grow out into a longer, softer version over time, “Three months maximum is the most amount of time I would recommend for maintenance,” says Amelia.
But will this look suit all clients? The answer is yes. Not to be confused with the Waterfall Cut, The C Cut is extremely versatile and is perfect for any hair texture and density because of the shape it adds around the face. "On curly hair, it will jump and look rounder, and on straighter textures, it will create more movement within the hair," Amelia tells us. And because it focuses primarily on layers, the layers can be tailored to suit each client’s face shape. “For those with more prominent jaw lines, this cut is ideal as it works to give softness to the face whilst elongating the facial features,” says Suzie.
Master the cut
As this look is concentrated on the layers within the cut, the graduated layering technique is best. “Starting the shortest layers at the chin to help frame the face and gradually taking the layers longer as you work back towards the longer lengths of the hair,” explains Suzie. “It’s key that the layers don’t look harsh and choppy and instead, look soft and wispy to give that beautiful flowy look with body and fullness.” However, Amelia highlights that razor cutting and blending around the front will also work on the right hair texture.
Shape and style
When it comes to styling the C Cut, it’s important to enhance those layers. “I like to scrunch some mousse into the hair before blow-drying using a round brush, taking the hair in sections, and directing each section in different directions to give the hair that professional bouncy blow-dry finish,” says Suzie. This can also be done with heated tools by directing the plates in different directions as you get towards the end of the hair to give the layers a little ‘flick’ in appearance.
“On the finished look, I love to apply hair oil, distributing this into the palm of my hands and scrunching through the mid lengths and ends of the hair to give them further body and volume, as well as shine,” Suzie adds. “To finish, add a light mist of hairspray to give the look extra shine and lock the style in place.”
But for those clients who embrace a more natural and effortless look, Amelia tells us: “Texturising spray or sea salt spray along with leaving the hair to air dry, will give a slightly natural ‘flicky’ movement.”
Image courtesy of Carla Phillips Hair, Rainbow Room International.
