Is a hime cut really high maintenance?
We asked an expert how to nail the hair trend
If you're the type of person who pays close attention to the latest hair trends, it's clear to see that most modern hair moments are influenced by vintage trends.
In fact, it's fair to say that we wouldn't have edgy styles like the jellyfish and octopus hair trends if it wasn't for the hime haircut.
Originally a hairstyle that indicated a noblewoman's rank during the Heian period, the hime cut enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the '70s thanks to Japanese idol Megumi Asaoka.
These days, the hime is worn by people from all over the world, including celebrities like Megan Skiendiel from KATSEYE, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Amandla Stenberg, and even Nicole Kidman, because it's surprisingly more versatile than you'd think.
Ahead, BEAUTYcrew speaks to USFIN Atelier founder and Shark Beauty Ambassador, Daniel Jianing Liu, about the trendy cut that's influenced so many others.
@meganskiendiel
Getty Images
@amandlastenberg
Does the Hime haircut suit all face shapes and hair textures?
"The Hime haircut features blunt, cheek-length sidelocks and a straight-across fringe, inspired by Japanese princess (or 'hime' in Japanese) styles," the hair expert tells BEAUTYcrew.
Straight or slightly wavy hair is ideal if you want to pull off the structured look of the Hime haircut, says Jianing Liu — "it works best for oval, heart-shaped, or long faces, but slight adjustments can make it versatile for other face shapes".
Is the Hime haircut hard to maintain?
Despite what you might think, maintenance is moderate. However, trimming the fringe and sidelocks every four to six weeks is key, the hairstylist explains.
Daily styling can be simplified with a heat styling tool that can dry the hair fast and smooth frizz, while simultaneously protecting the hair from heat damage, making upkeep quick and effortless, Jianing Liu tells BEAUTYcrew.
What's the best way to style a Hime haircut?
Blow-dry the fringe and sidelocks straight for clean lines, and leave the rest of the hair natural or lightly waved with a round brush attachment, the hair expert advises.
"For the sleek, polished finish this haircut demands, the Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer (usually $249.99, now on sale for $199.99 from Shark Beauty) is ideal, because it smooths the fringe and sidelocks, while maintaining natural movement in the longer layers, and leaves a glossy, frizz-free finish in minutes," he tells us.
According to the hairstylist a lightweight smoothing cream, shine serum and heat protectant are essential — we love this leave-in conditioner from Oribe ($91 from Adore Beauty) and Olaplex's No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum ($54 from Adore Beauty) for the job.
"Using these alongside the Shark SpeedStyle ensures frizz and flyaways are controlled, leaving a polished, sleek, and naturally healthy finish," Jianing Liu explains. "It handles all hair types, and its intelligent heat and airflow settings let you style without causing any heat damage."
Main image credit: @meganskiendiel
More inclined to try a hair trend that doesn't require a pair of scissors? Lucky for you, silk scarves and bandanas are the hottest hair trend this season.
Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).
