What is the ‘C-cut’? A hairdresser weighs in on the viral haircut
Image via Laura Spinney
Words by Emma Roberts
“Who wouldn’t want healthier and fuller looking hair?”
Lately, it feels like there’s a new hair trend popping up on my TikTok For You Page every week. If you’re like me and frequently want to change something about your appearance, you’re probably already across the video-sharing platform’s latest hair trend.
The C-cut, short for curve cut, is reminiscent of the wildly popular ‘Rachel haircut’, Jennifer Anniston’s piecey, layered hairstyle that became synonymous with Rachel Green, the character she played in the iconic US sitcom, Friends. Hairdressers were inundated with requests for the feathery, shoulder-length hairstyle in the ’90s and it’s now one of the most recognisable hairstyles of all time.
For more on the latest hair trends, head to our Beauty section.
Although her character had multiple hairstyles across Friends’ 10 seasons, it’s the haircut she had in its inaugural season that’s maintained its presence within popular culture. 20 years on from its first episode in 1994, the teaser trailer for Friends: The Reunion coincided with searches for ‘The Rachel’ increasing by 174 per cent, revealing that some hairstyles can stand the test of time.
In a time period pervaded by ’90s nostalgia, we’ve seen the rebirth of oversized denim, bomber jackets and baby tees. TikTok has played an instrumental role in the proliferation of ’90s nostalgia and Gen Z’s obsession with the decade is polarising. Some researchers have described it as a response to challenging economic conditions. People are turning to the ’90s, a decade of predictability and comfort, for refuge from the tumultuous 2020s. For others, it’s merely an aesthetic, and they see the revival of ’90s fashion as lighthearted fun.
To find out more about the C-cut, I spoke to Sydney-based hairstylist and creative, Laura Spinney, who specialises in genderless shags and wolfcuts that push the boundaries of typical hairdressing.
What is a C-cut?
“A C-cut is ‘C’ shaped layering mostly around the face. Its ‘C’ name would mostly come from the styling in a curve to frame the face,” explains Laura. Like ‘The Rachel’, the C-cut favours a layered and face-framing effect, drawing the eye to the jawline and accentuating facial structure.
It’s basically ‘The Rachel’ with a 2023 facelift. Overall, you’ll see longer layering and less of a choppy effect than ‘The Rachel’, which was a shoulder-length style. If cut correctly, the C-cut has the ability to create the illusion of fuller, longer hair. It’s a haircut that can work for various hair lengths and the softer edges and lighter layering result in an ultra-flattering feminine cut irrespective of hair type.
@mollyfukkingmus
Laura maintains that, unlike many throwback hairstyles that have come before it, the C-cut is here to stay. Its beauty is in its adaptability – the shaping of the cut depends on what features you want to highlight. “It would suit most people but like everything, suitability is everything. Deciding where on the face to start the shaping is dependent on what features you want to highlight,” she explains.
Whether that be your eyes, cheeks or jawline, your hairstylist will need to work with you to create a look that accentuates the facial features you’re wanting to draw attention to.
How would I style it?
For Jennifer Anniston, the inconvenience of styling ‘The Rachel’ made her dislike the haircut, despite its popularity. Speaking to Glamour UK in 2015, she said, “Looking back – honestly, even during that time – I couldn’t do it on my own. I needed [my hairstylist] Chris [McMillan] attached to my hip.”
Thankfully, the C-cut is designed with modern practicalities in mind, ensuring that it’s lower maintenance and easier to style than its predecessor. Laura explains she prefers to blow dry the hair to create the ‘C’ curve, telling me she likes “… using a large brush with big sections of hair and curving it towards the face [and] holding it in the brush until it cools and then letting it out”.
@haleyybaylee Come get my favorite haircut with me 😎 #haircut #hairstyle
To achieve something similar at home, particularly if your blowdrying skills need a bit of work, she suggests using a flatiron on low heat to create a gentle ‘C’ curve towards the face. She warns that the pieces around your face are typically more fragile, so if opting for this method, ensure you’re investing in a good heat protectant to prevent hair breakage.
Will my hairdresser know what I’m asking for?
Trends sometimes fail to make it beyond the realm of the TikTok vacuum and, as Laura warns, “TikTok trends don’t always translate perfectly into hairdresser vocabulary”. Your hairdresser may know the style as something different or refer to aspects of the cut with unfamiliar terminology so there is always the risk that your desired outcome may get lost in translation.
Laura assures me that if your stylist is uncertain about how you’re describing the cut, “it doesn’t mean they aren’t able to do it”. Inspiration pictures from Pinterest or other screenshots are your best bet to ensure you get the result you’re after.
To have a look at some of Laura’s other hair creations, head here.
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