It’s in the nature of human beings to be kind and supportive to each other. Social media influencers promote kindness and reciprocity through heartfelt messages, and we love to preach those. But even in between us, there are ‘Karens’ who make life difficult for regular people in quite abnormal ways!
If you are not familiar with the term Karen, it’s basically a name used to represent those groups of white women who use their white privilege to exert a demanding attitude over others without any reason. There’s a famous meme phrase that you might have heard before: ‘I want to speak to your manager!’
Sounds familiar? Well, that’s basically the slogan of Karens. From departmental stores to the neighborhood, Karens just love to disturb people with their annoying attitude. This is why their distinguished look has become a symbol of being a Karen, and regular people always prefer to avoid such Karens.
Karens are quite popular for how they style their hair and the way they dress up, which makes it easier to separate a Karen from a normal white woman. Want to know more about Karen haircuts so that you can avoid them properly? Well, keep reading ahead to learn more!
What is a Karen Haircut?
Basically, the unique haircut that Karens usually wear is known as the Karen haircut. It is an inverted bob haircut, which means the hair is shorter in the back and comparatively longer in the front.
This haircut usually comes with a side-swept style at the front, and blonde hair is one of the main features of a Karen. Some Karens also wear their hair short as a pixie haircut, and the styling at the front may vary. However, highlights are definitely one of the most prominent features of a Karens’ hairstyle.
Which Celebrities have Karen Haircuts?
It might seem like a stretch to suggest that celebrities wear Karen haircuts. After all, we are asking you to avoid it for good reasons. But you will be surprised to know that many celebrities actually had their phases with Karen haircuts.
The most famous person to have the iconic Karen haircut is Kate Gosselin, and seriously, you will just understand what we are talking about once you look at this specific haircut.
Kate’s haircut is the epitome of Karen vibes, and you will find tons of memes on the internet regarding this haircut. It just looks unique, and anyone wearing this haircut will surely look willing to speak to the manager asap!
Consisting of an asymmetrical appearance with side parting and spiky style on the crown area, this haircut is surely something you would like to avoid. However, the funny fact is that many other celebrities also wore a Karen haircut publicly at some point in their lives.
Jennifer Lawrence had a super short Karen haircut once. Although it was in 2013, this hairstyle surely qualifies as one of the choices for Karens!
Scarlett Johansson is another famous celebrity who has worn Karen haircuts multiple times, and her short hair provides the proper vibe for that. She opted for a Karen hair look with both brown and blonde hair, and the pictures will pop up whenever you search for celebrity Karen haircuts.
Keira Knightley is also known for representing a Karen hair look, so the list just keeps on getting bigger. But if you don’t want people to end up disliking and being suspicious of you, we will suggest not going for a Karen haircut, and not being a Karen in real life as well!
Awkward Karen Haircuts You Should Never Try Out!
Karen haircuts definitely have a negative meaning, and there’s not a single positive thing about being a Karen. So if someone recently said that you look like a Karen, it’s time to leave whatever you are doing and pay a visit to the salon asap!
Struggling to figure out which haircuts perfectly resemble the Karens? Worry no more because we have made the perfect list for you so that you can eliminate Karen haircuts the moment you see them. Let’s check those out together!
Stacked Bob
Although most of the Karens are white women with blonde hair, that doesn’t mean women with other hair colors cannot be Karens. The common point is their haircut and not the color. So once you spot those specific patterns, you will be able to determine a Karen haircut quite easily.
A stacked bob that comes with a super precise cut and is properly angular in size surely can be counted as a Karen haircut. This picture is an example of how it looks, and with blonde highlights, this stacked bob is sure to make you look like a Karen without giving much effort.
Short with Dark Roots
With blonde hair, keeping the roots dark is the best option to opt for. But that doesn’t mean you can just go about with any haircut, especially the ones that represent the Karen groups. Because trust us, blonde hair with dark roots will be the perfect disaster if you accidentally choose a Karen haircut.
In this picture, the woman is wearing a short hairstyle with perfect dark roots. But look at this hairstyle, doesn’t it make you feel like something’s off? Well, that’s because the contrast between both colors is too sharp, and the hair totally looks like that of a Karen. So take it off your list if you planned to replicate this one before.
Big Highlights
Highlights are one of the trendiest styles at present times. Modern women love to try out blonde highlights on dark hair, and it is definitely something we will pick without thinking twice. But when it comes to Karens, they love those big pieces of blonde highlights with a not-so-seamless look.
Take this picture for instance. The super dark base hair has big blonde highlights, but the contrast is so sharp that we don’t even have to say much. If you opt for a similar look with this angular bob haircut, it will look like you are going to demand to speak to the manager any time now! So be wise and don’t pick this style if you don’t want to be a Karen.
Pixie with Brown Highlights
Another distinguishing hair look that many Karens wear on a regular basis is blonde hair with brown highlights. They generally go for a short bob or a pixie haircut to achieve this type of hairstyle. The brown highlights are either too light or their blending will be way off in this case.
This hairstyle is a classic example of a Karen’s look with the brown highlights and the blonde base hair. No one even has to identify themselves as a Karen if they are going out with this hairstyle, people will realize it on their own. Want to try it out? Do it at your own risk!
Kate’s Haircut
The most famous memes that you will find on the internet about Karens are the ones with Kate’s hairstyle in them. This haircut looks complicated, and it is obviously the signature Karen style that has been trolled many times over the years.
The side-part blonde hair consisting of a side-swept style and brown highlights doesn’t look quite appealing because you can notice the contrast between both colors quite well. That spiky style right on the crown area just doesn’t go with the vibe, and then that section of dark hair: we don’t even know what’s going on, so let’s leave it up to the Karens themselves.
Fuller Bob
There’s just a distinct appearance about fuller-looking bobs. While traditional bob hairstyles look quite beautiful with highlights, bobs that are fuller on the upper area may end up making you look like a Karen.
As it goes for Karens, they like to wear those short bob or pixie haircuts with a side parting. Additionally, they add a fuller look to the upper portion of their hair which makes it the perfect Karen style. Although this might seem like a stylish option at the first glance, it definitely is a Karens’ signature look so choose your option wisely.
With Bangs
Side-swept style is common with the Karens, and it has been evident in almost all the styles mentioned above. A side-swept style can be created by bangs as well. Just know how to style your bangs properly so that you don’t end up looking like a Karen.
The lady in this picture has blonde hair with dark roots, and that bangs style at the front surely makes her style resemble one of a Karens’. Although the rest of her hair is comparatively on the lengthy side, the overall appearance totally has that Karen vibe to it.
French Bob
Although a French bob hairstyle has its own stylish appeal, you may very well end up looking like a Karen if you do not know how to style your French bob properly. Unlike typical Karen haircuts, french bobs are cut in a straight line at the ends. But as they are on the shorter side, looking like a Karen is quite easy with this haircut.
French bob consists of bangs at the front and a short length at the end. They are given a curled vibe on both sides at the end, and the bangs can also be curled to match that look. However, choose your makeup and attire wisely if you are opting for this haircut because the goal is to avoid looking like a Karen by any means.
Blonde Bob
Karens are generally women with blonde hair on the shorter side, so a blonde bob can definitely be counted as a Karen haircut if someone behaves like one. So if you are willing to go blonde while choosing bob-length hair, ensure it doesn’t make you look like a Karen.
This side-part bob hairstyle with the perfect blonde hair has the style and length of a bob that a Karen would typically wear. Some women opt for the A-line bob with such hair, which makes their Karen appearance even more defined. So to avoid that, you can go for a straight cut and keep your roots dark with your blonde bob.
With Gray Highlights
It’s natural to witness your hair turning gray as you age, and that should never stop you from treating your hair properly. However, Karens cannot be restricted by age limits. So if you ever see a woman with gray hair and a Karen haircut complaining about unnecessary things out of nowhere, just know that you have detected a Karen.
Women over 50 can use their gray hair as natural highlights, and it always looks amazing. However, don’t opt for the classic Karen haircuts such as the stacked bobs or the asymmetrical ones. Just keep things simple with a cool pixie, and you will be good to go.
With Purple Highlights
Karens do not necessarily stick to the basic hair colors when it comes to their hair. Apart from the sharp and chunky highlights, they can also opt for the colorful ones such as the purple highlights. As it all comes down to the matter of the haircut, the color of their highlights just upgrades their look to the next level.
If you do not want to look like a Karen, here is a haircut that you need to keep on your ‘avoid list’. It’s just that side-swept look with those spikes giving us all the major Karen vibes, and that purple is surely adding a bolder aura to that vibe. There’s never a good day for being a Karen and picking this style, right?
Shaggy Bob
American actress Lisa Rinna is surely known for her acting talents, but she is also quite popular for the shaggy bob haircut that she has been wearing for a while now. And although you may find it hard to believe, this haircut of Lisa actually resembles a Karen haircut.
This shaggy bob haircut consists of dark base hair and blonde highlights. The side-swept style and the fuller-looking upper part give her hair that Karen vibe. Although she might look gorgeous in this style, Karens with their regular attire and sunglass will definitely make it look like a proper Karen haircut.
Wavy Bob
Karens are annoying, and there’s no argument on that. But it doesn’t mean they do not go for style upgrades every now and then. Well, a little touch of a fresh look always inspires you to do your job more properly, so why would Karens be left behind in that case?
At present, the wave hairstyle is quite a trend. While we have seen modern women trying out the wavy look with long hair or lobs, Karens also decided to step things up and give their short haircut a touch of the waves as well.
For instance, here is a balayage stacked bob that looks like a proper choice for a Karen. Although the color and health of her hair are quite praiseworthy, it’s the haircut and styling that are giving us major Karen vibes. So if you don’t want to be called a Karen, keep this one out of your list.
How to Avoid Looking Like a Karen if You have Blonde Hair?
After watching all those Karen memes and videos, you might have already decided you are keeping a proper distance from Karens in the future. Seriously, no one wants to deal with unnecessary fussing, and that’s quite understandable.
However, make sure you yourself do not end up being a Karen accidentally while trying to avoid them in the first place. And for that, it is needed to ensure that you look nothing like a Karen as you step outside to enjoy a regular day.
The first step to doing that is avoiding a Karen haircut in the first place. Now that we have mentioned all the Karen haircuts in this article, you can easily keep them on your ‘not to do’ list. If you have blonde hair, try to search for trendy styles such as blunt bobs or shaved looks to avoid looking like a Karen.
You can always go for long hairstyles with your blonde hair for a change if you wear short hair regularly. Just don’t grab the scissors for giving yourself those Karen bobs, and remember to ask your hairstylist for a blended look if you are going for highlights.
Try to make things classy by keeping your roots dark and the rest of your hair blonde only. Avoid that fuller-looking style on the upper portion of your hair, and don’t go for an asymmetrical cut if you feel like you look like a Karen in that haircut.
It’s all about figuring out what type of haircut suits you the most and doesn’t make you call yourself a Karen, so choose your preferences wisely!
FAQs
Before ending the article, you might still have some questions regarding Karen haircuts that are just needed to be answered. So in this section, we are going to let you know about them.
How did the Karen haircut get popular?
Kate Gosselin’s unconventional bob haircut is the origin of the Karen haircut, and it has been used in many of the Karen memes. She is known for making this haircut immortalized, and the list just grows from there when it comes to Karen haircuts.
What is the male version of a Karen called?
While we widely talk about Karen, there is a male version of Karen specifically known as Ken, Greg, or Terry.
Why is the Karen name so significant?
Apart from all the memes and stuff, the name Karen has a deeper underlying meaning. It represents the exploitative white privilege existing in society. The origin of the name is claimed to be numerous, but the definition of Urban Dictionary for the name Karen became available in 2018.
Final Thoughts
Karen is not a name only. At present, it’s a word associated with the sentiments of people. Whenever we are thinking about Karens, it reminds us of the unnecessary attitude of certain people disturbing the peace of society at times. This is why it is important to figure out how a Karen acts and behaves so that you can avoid those characteristics with utmost sincerity.
If you want to steer clear of looking like a Karen, take our suggestion and try to avoid the hairstyles we have mentioned in this article. And while you do that, make sure to be a kind and cooperative person from the inside so that your style and behavior speak for themselves.
That being said, we hope this article has given you a clear idea about Karen haircuts and the importance of choosing an appropriate hairstyle for yourself. Keep these suggestions in mind, and create your own style by picking haircuts and attires that match your vibe. Always remember to be kind and compassionate, and wear your style with confidence anywhere you go!
FAQs
What is a Karen haircut and how do you avoid it? ›
Karen: Symbol for Entitled White Women
The memes always feature a woman wearing the same short, angled, and layered haircut. Additional “Karen” haircut characteristics are having the hair in your back be shorter than the hair in your front and having harsh blonde highlights.
A blunt bob with zero or minimal layers is a great option. You can also go for a pixie cut or a boy cut. As long as the hair is cut clean with pleasing colors, you won't look like a Karen. The key is to avoid choppy layers, spiky crowns, and brassy highlights.
What's the Karen haircut called? ›What is a Karen Haircut? The Karen haircut is an inverted bob or lob, also known as an A-line cut. It's always longer in the front and short in the back. As a result, it creates a sharp angle when viewed from the side.
What is the most low maintenance haircut? ›The most low-maintenance haircuts are very short haircuts like pixies and cuts with long layers that make styling easy and don't require a ton of salon maintenance. While you'll still need to see your stylist every few months to keep your cut looking its best, you can go longer between appointments.
What hairstyle ruins your hair? ›In time, the continuous pulling can damage your hair follicles. If you damage your hair follicles, your hair cannot grow back, so you develop permanent hair loss. Hairstyles that constantly pull on your hair include: Buns, ponytails, and up-dos that are tightly pulled.
What is a wolf haircut? ›As celebrity and editorial hairstylist Neil Moodie explains: “A wolf haircut is a mix of the shag haircut and a mullet, but generally created on longer hair. It has shorter choppy layers on the top and longer choppy layers around the sides and back.”
What is a mom cut? ›It's anything shoulder length or shorter. There's the bob, the long bob (lob), the pixie, the Kate Gosselin, and several other styles. But the general consensus is, a mom haircut is a short, low maintenance style which moms adopt after they get sick of a perpetual messy bun.
What is the butterfly haircut? ›The butterfly cut is a very layered, feathery haircut thats longest layers fall just below the shoulder. Shorter layers are cut around the crown of your head to create the illusion of having shorter strands. “The shortest top layer falls about two to three inches below your chin,” Brook says.
What is a Russian haircut? ›Oseledets (Ukrainian: оселедець, IPA: [oseˈlɛdetsʲ]) or chub (Ukrainian: чуб, IPA: [tʃub]) is a traditional Ukrainian style of haircut that features a long lock of hair left on the otherwise completely shaved head, commonly sprouting from the top or the front of an otherwise closely shaven head.
What is the best haircut for an older woman? ›- Voluminous Pixie. Save. ...
- Auburn Long Bob. Save. ...
- Pastel Pink Layered Bob. Save. ...
- Brown To Blonde Root Melt. Save. ...
- Brunette Pixie With Silver Undercut. Save. Instagram. ...
- Sleek Angled Bob. Save. Instagram. ...
- Platinum Blonde Locks. Save. Instagram. ...
- Brown And Blonde Blended Curls. Save. Instagram.
What is the easiest short hairstyle to maintain? ›
Of all the short haircuts to consider, the easiest to maintain is actually a textured long bob—also known as a lob. As the style grows out, the long layers won't fall awkwardly and will naturally shift into a mid-length look. "Adding in layers is an easy way to keep a look fresh," says Reed.
What faces dont suit bangs? ›If You Have a Long Face and/or High Forehead: This face shape is similar to the oval-shaped, but the forehead, cheeks and jawline are all the same width. To complement this face shape, don't get baby bangs because they will further elongate your face.
Which haircut makes you look older? ›Super-short pixie cuts
Not only do they draw attention to every line and wrinkle on your face, ultra-short hairstyles tend to be preferred by women of a certain age, making even young women look significantly older than they actually are when they get one.
Essentially, it's a cutting technique involving subtle layers that are camouflaged within the hair to give the appearance that everything is one length. The style allows you to keep the bulk of your hair's body and length, all while giving it a little extra texture and movement.
What breaks hair the most? ›Things like aggressive brushing and combing, sleeping on wet hair or rough fabrics that create friction, constantly pulling your strands into styles that are too tight, and heat styling are all some of the main reasons why hair breaks.
What hair style is best to sleep in? ›Pick a Braid, any Braid
Braid your hair before going to sleep. This old trick works every time and is one of the best ways to wear your hair when sleeping. It not only protects your hair – stopping it from tangling and breaking – but also gives you gorgeous beachy waves the next day and cuts down on frizz.
The Low Ponytail
The reason stylists recommend you forego a tight ponytail is because the tighter the ponytail, the greater the risk your hair tie will pull at your strands, putting unnecessary stress on your roots and scalp. A low, loose ponytail relieves that stress.
The jellyfish haircut sports disconnected layers that resemble a short bob with longer layers underneath. If the name is any giveaway, it truly resembles the round body and longer, billowy tentacles of a jellyfish.
What is an octopus haircut? ›Similar to a mullet, the style features more body and volume at the crown of the head (the head of the octopus) and then longer, thinner, shag-like layers from the mid-shaft to ends (the tentacles). Though the octopus haircut is inspired by both the mullet and shag, it is neither.
What is a girlfriend cut? ›Girlfriend Jeans
Girlfriend jeans are cut to sit higher on the hips and have a slim straight leg fit. Designed to hug your curves, the girlfriend style will emulate the boyfriend style but still show off your shape.
What hairstyle is in for 2023? ›
“For 2023 it will have an updated feel with more layers and softer cropped fringes, like a '70s or 90s-esque curtain bang, and copious amounts of movement made easy from internal layers – perfect for that on trend cool girl,” he says. Or, if you can't decide between a bob and a pixie, combine both.
What is a womens wet cut? ›What is a wet cut? A wet haircut is exactly what it sounds like: When your stylist cuts your hair while it is wet. This is the most common methods of hair cutting so chances are good you've had a few wet haircuts if you maintain a regular salon trim schedule.
What is a teddy bear haircut? ›A teddy bear trim or teddy bear head usually describes a rounded, fluffy shape to the top of the head or entire face, so tends to be less confusing, although that also varies in style and length to suit the dog's size, head shape and coat, and how you want the ears to be.
What is Bobcat haircut? ›The "bobcat" haircut is a new twist on the "wolf cut" you've seen all over TikTok. The trend features a bob haircut with lots of shaggy layers. See how to style the bobcat haircut with long or short hair.
What is a hedgehog haircut? ›The Hedgehog! A common hairstyle of the late 18th century where the hair was full and wide around the face, with long curls hanging in the back. This style was a soft and less structured look as a result of the societal change from heavy and tall Rococo styles.
What is a gypsy hair cut? ›The gypsy shag haircut, which first gained popularity in the 70s, is characterized by its evenly progressing layers, resulting in an overall "shaggy" look. With today's intentionally messy hairstyle looks, the gypsy shag is more popular than ever. The shag can be short, medium or long. ...
What is a Dutch haircut? ›noun. variants or less commonly Dutch cut. : a bob with straight bangs across the front and the rest of the hair cut evenly about earlobe length.
What is a Chelsea haircut? ›The Chelsea involved shaving or cutting short the crown and back of the head but leaving a fringe and sometimes hair on the sides of the head around the ears.
What length of hair makes you look younger? ›Shoulder-length hair (or longer) with layers
Forget what you thought about long hair past the age of 40—thick hair actually looks more youthful and polished when it falls shoulder-length or longer. Shorter hair has a tendency to expand at the ends, leaving you with an unflattering triangle effect.
Caramel, honey, gold, copper, and strawberry give a healthy brightness that makes us look and feel younger. (Framing your face with lighter shades draws the eye away from any complexion concerns, as well.)
How can a 70 year old woman look younger? ›
In addition to sleeping on Blissy silk pillowcases, taking good care of your health can help you look and feel younger as you age. This involves eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and making sure to get enough sleep.
What age is a senior haircut? ›Seniors ages 65 and older qualify for this discount, and there's no coupon needed. Just mention that you qualify for the Senior discount before your hair stylist rings you up, and the Senior discount will be applied to your service. *At participating salons. Senior discounts may vary by salon.
What is a good hair color for a 70 year old woman? ›Silver, ashy, blond, and platinum are indeed the most popular hair color choices for women over 60. And with good reason! Instead of coloring to hide your grey hair, you can choose to embrace it.
What haircut requires no styling? ›What is a wash-and-go haircut? A wash-and-go haircut means you don't use styling tools, such as hair dryers or curling irons, to style your hair. You simply wash it and let it air dry.
Does short hair make you look older or younger? ›Does short hair make you look younger? Yes, having short hair makes you seem younger since it might range from the ears to beneath the chin. The bob cut, crop cut, and pixie cut are all examples of short hairstyles. A simple and elegant pixie cut can help you seem healthier and younger.
Does long or short hair make you look younger? ›The decision about locks for a youthful appearance is more about style than length. As a result, whether or not you choose long or short hair, your hairstyle determines if you look older or younger with your hair. Essentially, there are shorter hairstyles that give you a more youthful appearance.
How do you get a short haircut without looking like a Karen? ›- Shaved Head. Shaving your head seems terrifying, but it is a rather exhilarating experience. ...
- Blunt Bob. The blunt bob is a classic, timeless look. ...
- Modern Mullet. ...
- Short Shag. ...
- Micro-Bob. ...
- Razored Pixie. ...
- Vintage Bob With Pops of Color. ...
- Collarbone-Grazing Waves.
According to Wikipedia Numerous names for a male equivalent of Karen have been floated, with little agreement on a single name, although 'Ken' and 'Kevin' are among the most common names used.
How do I stop my hair from looking like a mullet? ›Trim the Back
There's a good chance you'll end up with a hockey mullet during the growth phase, since hair sprouts lower from the back of the head than it does from the front. To prevent this, Dixon recommends visiting your hairstylist for a trim every four to six months.
The butterfly cut is a very layered, feathery haircut thats longest layers fall just below the shoulder. Shorter layers are cut around the crown of your head to create the illusion of having shorter strands. “The shortest top layer falls about two to three inches below your chin,” Brook says.
What is a Bixie? ›
"The bixie is a combination of the pixie and the bob haircut," Jenna Spino, hairstylist at Maxine Salon, says. "Blending the two cuts gives the fullness of a short pixie while keeping the length and versatility of a bob." The bixie merges the two hairstyles in a way that is both chic and breezy.
Does the ponytail haircut work? ›The ponytail method can only give you one type of haircut: a heavily layered one. As a professional hairstylist, I'd suggest only entertaining this method if you have extremely long hair or curly hair, because drastic layers are best suited for curly texture and lots of length.
Can Karen be a girl name? ›Karen (/ˈkærən/ KARR-ən) is a given name and occasional surname. In English, it is a feminine given name derived from the name Catherine, and it is also found in modern Africa, as well as in East Asia (particularly Japan).
What are other names for Karen? ›In the antebellum era (1815–1861), "Miss Ann" was used. In the early 1990s, "Becky" was used. As late as 2018, before the use of "Karen" caught on, alliterative names matching particular incidents were used, such as "Barbecue Becky", "Cornerstore Caroline", and "Permit Patty".
What is an angel cut hair trafficking? ›The code angel cut with layers was developed by the influencer. Angel cut with layers signifies that a woman is seeking assistance for domestic abuse whenever she visits her hairdresser and requests that her hair be cut that way. leda fazal.
What is awkward stage hair length? ›The awkward stage can take many shapes and forms, but the generally accepted definition for awkward length hair is from the point when it starts to look like you need a haircut until the the time you can tie it up. It starts when you start to look shaggy, not so neat and tidy, a little unkempt.
What is awkward stage hair? ›The “awkward stage” occurs when you have decided that you no longer want short hair and you will instead grow it out. Everyone's awkward stage is a bit different depending on their styles, but inevitably, you will find that your hair looks shaggy, uneven, or simply messy at some point in the process.
What's a mom bob? ›It's anything shoulder length or shorter. There's the bob, the long bob (lob), the pixie, the Kate Gosselin, and several other styles. But the general consensus is, a mom haircut is a short, low maintenance style which moms adopt after they get sick of a perpetual messy bun.