Broccoli hair? Explaining the latest style for teenage boys

A certain green veggie is making a comeback, but not in the way you might think.
Broccoli, often pushed to the side of your plate at dinnertime, has become an unexpected source of hair inspiration for teenage boys, who replicate the look of the veggie’s florets on their own stalks.
The look, a cross between a taper fade and a bowl cut, was aptly named “broccoli hair” because of its resemblance to the flower bud, according to reporting by PopSugar. Some go as far as getting a perm in an attempt to get the “curly and unruly” look at the top while maintaining a “tapered and structured” look at the bottom, Marie Claire reported.
“It’s achieved by cutting the hair in short, uneven layers that resemble the florets of a broccoli,” Rene Fris, a hairstylist to the stars shared with PopSugar. “The side can be completely buzz-cut short or shaved very close to the scalp (like a fade).”
While the resurgence of broccoli hair is fairly recent, the unique hairstyle has been a topic of conversation online, often a meme, since at least 2021. Its earliest reference online dates back to a 4Chan post in which a user pokes fun at the look of the “do,” which they referred to as a “Zoomer Perm,” according to KnowYourMeme.
The demand for broccoli hair is high, with teenage boys as young as 12 running to the local hair salon to replicate the look worn by peers, influencers and even Superman.
Jasmine Burnside, another celebrity hairstylist, told Marie Claire in June that part of the reason why broccoli hair has become “highly desirable” is because it can “suit a wide range of range individuals.” It’s versatile and easy to personalize, too.
“Whether you’re looking for a quirky and fun style or a trendy and fashionable cut, the broccoli haircut can be adapted to fit different genders, hair types, and personal styles,” Burnside said. Popular TikTok users and celebrities have also driven the trend online, making the cut “highly desirable” to teenagers and young adults, according to Burnside.
The look of Broccoli Hair has also evolved over time, with teens opting for a loose perm instead of trademark perm, TikTok influencer Kris Grippo told GQ.
“The broccoli cut became a meme. And after that, I mean, you don’t want to be a meme,” Grippo said, telling GQ that the “super tight, super curly look is not cool anymore.” Broccoli Hair is here to stay, according to Grippo, despite the slight modification.
And that’s because it “complements most face types.”
“It looks good on everyone. It doesn’t matter if you have a round face or a slim face. It looks appealing even if you have a big forehead. If you’re insecure about your face, it can cover half of it,” Grippo concludes.
While Broccoli Hair has appealed to a young male demographic, some parts of the internet aren’t a huge fan of the cut (big surprise). It’s often a source of contention, even ridicule. Others still don’t understand why the haircut has become so popular.
Take a look at what people are saying and have said about the broccoli haircut below: