Understanding the success of the 90s Curtain haircut

Among men, a very specific haircut is becoming increasingly popular, characterized by a soft texture combined with a center part. This hairstyle, made popular in the '90s by celebrities such as Hugh Grant, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jonathan Taylor Thomas, is now making a comeback among many young adults. The haircut in question became known as the Curtain Cut due to the central parting of the hair, and has recently been adopted by American actors Charles Melton and John Mulaney. The return of this style is due to several factors, such as a growing sense of nostalgia for past decades and the social pressure that drives more and more men to convey a well-groomed but not overly styled image. It is, therefore, a choice that combines aesthetic and practicality. Takamichi Saeki, creative director of the famous New York beauty salon Takamichi Hair, confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that requests for this type of cut have increased in recent years, especially among younger people – although some men with gray hair can still pull it off effectively.

How to Maintain the Curtain Cut

The hairstyle «It's a bit like Disney-prince hair», said beauty industry expert Rachael Gibson to the Wall Street Journal. This style is ideal for those with wavy hair, though it can also be replicated on straight or curly hair. Some of the more recent variations of the hairstyle, inspired by the typical K-Pop aesthetic, include, for example, the use of a perm to create more defined, modern waves. Julien Howard, who leads the Vélo Barber salon in New York, said that the Curtain Cut emphasizes the volume and structure of the head, «It showcases how nice your hair is» and recalls the «an iconic '90s coming-off-the-beach look». The styling phase to maintain this hairstyle at home does require a bit of technique. Saeki suggests, after washing, to create the middle part with a comb and proceed with blow-drying from the base of the part, moving upwards and outward, then shaping the hairstyle with your fingers. To lock in the style, you can finish with a little wax. While it does require some care and skill, the Curtain Cut’s effectiveness and popularity lie in its ability to appear very natural and understated.

The popularity of the Curtain Cut partly mirrors that of the Mullet from a few years ago: the infamous ‘80s haircut, long in the back and short on top and at the sides. In 2013, Rihanna sported a mullet at New York Fashion Week; three years later, Zendaya did the same at the Grammy Awards, and in 2017 the cut appeared on many runway shows, until it truly became trendy in 2020. Unlike the 1980s, choosing a mullet in those years was seen as a nonconformist and somewhat ironic choice. The Curtain Cut, on the other hand, goes in the opposite direction: the growing interest in this precise style can be linked to a broader phenomenon, known online as looksmaxxing. The term refers to the desire of the new generation of men to enhance their physical appearance through various means, including adopting healthier habits, using beauty products, and exercising. The practice became popular on social media – particularly TikTok – starting in 2020, and reflects the increasing use of cosmetic micro-surgery among young people.

It’s no surprise, then, that hair transplants – once considered avoidable, unmanly, and frivolous – are becoming less of a taboo. This trend reflects a general shift in men’s approach to grooming, which was once considered “a woman’s thing.” This evolution may also be fueled by the now-common habit among young people of frequently observing their own image (especially their face) much more than in the past – thanks to the constant use of social media, dating apps, and video call services. As the American magazine Men’s Health puts it, «Men are much more aware of physical appearance than they used to be. And they’re not embarrassed or shy or feel that it’s somehow strange or vain to talk about physical appearance.»