Wavy hairs inspired by Nirvana and Kurt Cobain
A touch of grunge for summer hairstyles
June 19th, 2024
Thirty years ago, Kurt Cobain passed away, but his influence remains immense—not just musically, but also aesthetically. Fashion and beauty industries continue to draw inspiration from Cobain and the grunge movement, bringing back plaid shirts tied around the waist, worn-out jeans, shapeless striped sweaters, and smudged makeup looks. It's no surprise then, that among the trends for 2024 are the Nirvana hair styles, available in two basic versions: the clavicut in Nirvana style and the Nirvana waves.
Nirvana Haircut
Cobain often wore his blonde hair (sometimes dyed red or brown) in a layered long bob with strands at chin length, often tucked behind his ears to frame his face. This natural, effortless style reflected the same apparent nonchalance he applied to his outfits: messy locks, rebellious and slightly texturized, giving his hair a lived-in look. The Nirvana frontman's haircut suits everyone and can be lengthened, shortened, worn with a middle or side part, tied in a ponytail, or half-up and messy, with or without bangs. Its versatility has made it popular among celebrities who have recently chosen to sport it, each in their own unique way. Gigi Hadid gave it a fresh, easygoing vibe, Emma Stone and Isabelle Huppert prefer it wavy, Sydney Sweeney slightly curled the ends, and Lucy Boynton adorned it with a cool fringe in the film The Greatest Hits.
Nirvana Waves
Just in time for summer, the Nirvana cut has met the Botticelli hair trend, resulting in what renowned hairstylist Samantha Cusick has dubbed Nirvana waves. Their signature feature? A disheveled texture that mimics the "no makeup makeup" look. This relaxed, super cool, slightly messy style is characterized by waves that are not perfectly defined, but rather artfully tousled to create a natural, easy effect, which also looks great in a wet version. Jessica Biel sported airy, wild waves with highlighted accents at the 2024 Met Gala, but other fans of this grunge mermaid look include Hailey Bieber, Dua Lipa, Chiara Ferragni, Paris Jackson, Elsa Hosk, and Anitta.
How to Create Nirvana Waves
There are many ways to achieve Nirvana waves, varying in ease, time required, and how defined you want the strands to be. The simplest method is to wash your hair, towel-dry it to remove excess water, spray a texturizing spray, and scrunch your hair with your hands while using a diffuser to gently curl it. Alternatively, you can braid damp hair, apply a salt spray for root volume, and go to sleep. The next day, you'll have beautiful waves. Another method is using a sock. Tie your hair in a ponytail, insert it into a sock with the toe cut off, twist it into a high bun, and secure it with an elastic. You'll be surprised by the results in the morning. A final option? Use a curling iron.