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Discover how to spot a Karen haircut and explore alternatives to this dated style
If you’ve heard enough about the Karen haircut, you probably know it’s a look you’d rather avoid. But when you sit in that salon chair, are you sure you can dodge the dreaded Karen style? The good news is, there are only a few specific cuts that scream 'Karen'. This guide breaks down the defining features of the Karen haircut—like spiked layers at the back and chunky highlights—and suggests modern alternatives you can ask for instead.
What does a Karen haircut look like?
A Karen haircut is characterized by short, spiky layers at the back with longer side-swept bangs in the front. Often, this style also includes chunky, brassy highlights. Recently, pixie cuts with textured platinum colors and heavily teased lobs have also been linked to the Karen look.
How to avoid a Karen haircut
How to Identify a Karen Haircut
The Classic Karen features a choppy, inverted bob with bold highlights. Often considered the quintessential 'Karen' haircut, this style has a unique look, with the back cut short and long, straight bangs styled to the side. The hair at the back is spiked out in all directions.
- Inverted bobs with a stark contrast between the front and back lengths are commonly recognized as Karen haircuts, even if the back isn’t spiked.
- Some view almost any short hairstyle for women as a Karen cut, but most agree that the defining feature is short and spiky hair at the back with longer hair at the front.
The Long Karen is a lob with volume at the crown. Sharing the inverted bob shape, with longer hair in the front and shorter in the back, it’s teased at the crown for a puffed-up, oversized effect. It usually features straight, side-swept bangs.
- A lob is a shortened form of the long bob hairstyle.
The Short Karen is a textured platinum pixie cut. This style stands out due to its platinum color and heavy texturing, setting it apart from other pixie cuts. Like the Classic Karen, the hair is shorter at the back and longer on top. The top can be styled forward over the forehead or swept to the side—just like a Karen would do.
- This look is famously worn by Ellen DeGeneres, who has reportedly earned the nickname “Talk Show Karen” from staff on her show.
The Origins of the Karen Haircut
The Classic Karen haircut is often linked to Kate Gosselin. The star of the reality TV show John & Kate + 8, Kate Gosselin made the Classic Karen haircut famous when she debuted it in 2009. It was so widely recognized at the time that it was even referred to as 'The Gosselin'.
- Many viewers of the show saw Gosselin as demanding or difficult, which may have influenced the association of her haircut with the Karen stereotype.
- Also called a tellum or reverse mullet, the Karen haircut has hair that’s longer in the front and shorter in the back, the opposite of a traditional mullet.
Karen vs. Other “Mom” Hairstyles
The Karen haircut overlaps with other “Mom” hairstyles. Pixies, bobs, and lobs are often associated with both Karen and “Mom” hair. In fact, the Karen cut is considered a subset of “Mom” hair. A typical “Mom” hairstyle is often a shorter cut, thought to be easier to manage while looking after children after giving birth.
- Some consider a “Mom” hairstyle to be a bob that’s longer in the back and slightly shorter in the front. The back is usually flipped out, while the top is smooth and voluminous. This look was humorously parodied in a Saturday Night Live sketch called “Baby Shower.”
Alternatives to the Karen Haircut
Try a bob, lob, or pixie cut with soft layers and natural highlights instead. While many hairstyles that aren’t long can get unfairly labeled as 'Karen' cuts, there are plenty of chic bobs, lobs, and pixie styles that don't have the spiky or brassy elements of the Karen cut. But, if you like a style often associated with the Karen haircut, that’s okay too! Many feel the Karen look is more about attitude than the style itself. Here are some stylish alternatives you might consider:
- French Bob: If you want to avoid the layered and spiky look of the Classic Karen, the French bob offers a casual, slightly messy style. It’s a blunt-cut, cheekbone-length bob with a relaxed, undone look, often paired with messy bangs.
- Italian Bob: This bob has a more polished feel than the French style, with soft curls and voluminous waves. The ends are blunt-cut at chin length, with a slight inward curl that frames the face.
- Shaggy Lob: A shaggy lob avoids the inverted, teased crown of the Karen lob. Instead, it features easy-to-style texturized layers, worn parted in the middle with short, center-parted bangs.
- Lob with Curtain Bangs: This style features a middle part with face-framing curtain bangs, creating a breezy, low-maintenance look. It’s a softer, more natural style than the teased and sprayed Karen cut, with light layering for movement.
- Smooth, Rounded Pixie: Instead of the textured platinum look of the Karen pixie, go for a classic pixie cut inspired by Audrey Hepburn. It’s softer, rounded, and features short bangs gently swept to the side for a light fringe.
- Curly Pixie: Embrace your natural texture with a curly pixie cut. Soft curls or waves give the pixie a more romantic and sophisticated vibe, offering a friendly and fun appearance, rather than the 'I want to speak to your manager' attitude often associated with the Karen style.
The “Can I Speak to the Manager” Meme Explained
The “Can I Speak to the Manager” meme originated in 2014. The meme was first shared by Facebook user Crush Rush, who posted a side photo of a woman with an inverted bob haircut, captioned “The ‘Can I Speak to a Manager’ Haircut.” The image later went viral after being shared by Redditor johnnylogic on the /r/funny subreddit, where it garnered 3,100 points and 370 comments before being archived.
- From there, the image spread across Reddit, Twitter, and Facebook.
What Does ‘Karen’ Mean?
“Karen” refers to entitled white women who act overly demanding. A typical Karen is someone who insists on speaking to the manager in an attempt to belittle service workers. She is also often linked to the anti-vaccination movement and making racist microaggressions.
- Stereotypical Karens are also known for using their privilege to make police complaints about trivial or fabricated offenses, particularly when dealing with people of color.
- The term ‘Karen’ is the latest label used by Black people to describe privileged white women who exploit their power. In the past, during the Jim Crow Era (late 1800s to 1960s), the term 'Miss Ann' was used, followed by 'Becky' in the 1990s.
- If someone calls you a Karen, the best response is to stay composed and reflect on your actions. Be mindful of your privilege and try to show empathy towards others.
