The Broccoli Haircut: Curly Top, Tight Sides and How It Is Done
The broccoli haircut is a mass of curls on top, usually 5 to 10cm long, sitting above short faded or tapered sides, so the head looks a little like a head of broccoli. On naturally curly or wavy hair, a barber creates it with a fade on the sides and a scissor cut on top that shapes the curls into a rounded mass. On straight hair, the curls usually come from a perm, which is a chemical service done in a salon. Ask for a low or mid fade, curls left long and rounded on top, and a soft blend between the two.
Where the style came from
The broccoli cut spread through social media in the late 2010s and early 2020s, mostly among teenagers and young men. Its appeal is easy to see: it shows off natural texture, the contrast between tight sides and a soft top looks deliberate, and it needs no blow-drying. It has since softened into a more grown-up version with a lower fade and a less exaggerated top, which works for a much wider range of ages.
Who it suits
- Naturally curly hair is the ideal starting point. Curl types in the loose to medium curl range give the classic look.
- Wavy hair can work with the right cut and a curl cream, though the top will be looser.
- Very tight curls or coils give a different, denser shape; a sponge twist or short afro with a fade is often the better name for what you want.
- Straight hair will not curl from a haircut alone. People with straight hair who want this look usually have a perm first.
If you are not sure where your hair sits, our curl type chart for men explains the categories in plain English.
A note on perms
We get asked about this often, so to be clear: Highgate Cuts is a barbers and does not offer perms or other chemical services. A perm uses a solution to reshape the hair’s internal bonds around rods, and it is done in salons that specialise in it. If your hair is straight and you want a broccoli cut, the order is usually perm first at a salon, then a barber for the fade. Our general guide to the men’s perm covers what that involves.
How a barber cuts it
The cut has two parts, and the blend between them is what makes it look sharp rather than like two different haircuts.
- Assessment. Every visit to Highgate Cuts starts with the barber looking at your hair and what you need. With curls, that means checking curl pattern, density, where the curl is tightest and how the hair falls when dry.
- Sides and back. Clippers set the fade or taper. A low fade keeps more weight around the sides and is the more wearable option; a mid fade gives sharper contrast.
- The top, dry or lightly damp. Curls shrink when they dry, so many barbers cut curly tops dry or close to it. This avoids the classic mistake of cutting wet hair to the right length and finding it springs up far shorter.
- Shaping. The top is shaped into a rounded silhouette, slightly fuller at the front. Curls are cut individually or in small sections rather than with a single line.
- The blend. The fade is worked up into the curly top so there is no shelf of hair sitting above the clippered part.
- Finishing. A little curl cream or leave-in conditioner to define the curls, and a neckline tidy.
Our guide to the curly hair fade goes into the fade choice in more detail. Services are listed on the Highgate Cuts barber page; prices are not published yet, so see the barber menu or email us.
What to ask for
Use this as a checklist when you sit down.
| Decision | Typical options |
|---|---|
| Fade height | Low (subtle), mid (classic broccoli), high (very sharp contrast) |
| Shortest point | Skin, or a short guard if you prefer some shadow |
| Length on top | Remove only enough to tidy, or shape a little shorter |
| Fringe | Curls falling forwards, or kept off the forehead |
| Neckline | Tapered (grows out softer) or squared |
A photo of your own hair when it looked right is worth more than a photo of someone else’s. Curl patterns vary so much that a celebrity reference can mislead.
Styling and looking after the curls
The broccoli cut lives or dies by curl definition. Frizzy, separated curls make the top look shapeless.
- Do not shampoo every day. Curly hair tends to be drier. Two or three times a week is plenty for many people; rinse with water in between.
- Use conditioner every wash, and leave it in for a few minutes.
- Apply curl cream to wet hair, scrunching upwards with your hands.
- Do not rub with a towel. Blot gently or use a cotton T-shirt.
- Air-dry or use a diffuser on low heat. Do not touch the curls while they dry.
- Refresh in the morning with a light spray of water and a little more cream.
Product amounts matter more than brands. Start with a pea-sized amount of cream for short curls and add more only if the ends still frizz by midday.
How often to get it cut
The sides lose their sharpness first. A mid fade usually needs refreshing every two to three weeks to stay crisp; a low fade or taper can go three to five weeks. The top can often wait longer, so some people book quick side-and-back tidies between full cuts.
Common mistakes
- Cutting the top wet and ending up much shorter than planned.
- A fade too high for the amount of curl on top, which makes the head look top-heavy.
- Thinning scissors on curls, which creates frizz.
- Heavy gel that makes curls crunchy and stiff.
- Brushing curls dry, which breaks the pattern into frizz.
Questions we get asked
Can I get a broccoli haircut with straight hair?
Not from a cut alone. It usually needs a perm first, which is a salon service. Highgate Cuts does not offer perms.
Is the broccoli haircut only for teenagers?
No. A lower fade and slightly shorter, neater top make it work at any age.
How long does hair need to be on top?
Usually at least 5cm when stretched, and more for loose curls, which shrink less.
Do you cut curly hair at Highgate Cuts?
Yes. Tell us your curl type and what you want when you email, and see more on our barbers in Highgate page or The Highgate House homepage.
Book with The Highgate House
Ready for a proper cut? Email us at [email protected] with the service and the day that suits you, and we will come back to you with times.
Visit The Highgate House · The barbers
The Highgate House, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6.
