For the past two months, I've wrestled with the idea of letting my hair stylist shave off my Afro into a buzzcut like the one we spotted on this gorgeous model in Soho. Discovering that I have a weird-shaped head underneath my thick curls has stopped me from making such a dramatic transformation. But I'm considering easing into it with a faux undercut.
Worn by rebellious teenagers and rockers during the '80s and '90s grunge era, the undercut hairstyle (shaved or shorter hair on the sides and longer on top) has had more glamorous reinterpretations in recent decades thanks to Kelis, Rihanna and Cassie. However, Hollywood actresses Scarlett Johansson, Liv Tyler and Milla Jovovich have experimented with the 'do without the commitment by faking it with cornrows.
TRESemmé celebrity stylist Jeanie Syfu also mimicked the shaved undercut for Charlotte Ronson's fall 2011 show. She breaks down how to get this look in four steps:
Step 1: Make a deep side part extending just past the ear and section off a diagonal portion toward the back of the head, separating the top portion with a clip.
Step 2: Apply mousse to the bottom section and blow dry back, pulling hair to one side using a boar-bristle brush. This will keep the section tight and neat as you braid. Then, lightly spritz with hairspray.
Step 3: After applying a smoothing cream or pomade, take a vertical section just behind the ear to create cornrows, going all the way around the head and securing the braid's end with a clear elastic.
Step 4: Release the top section and apply dry shampoo for added texture.
Would you wear a faux undercut? Or are you bold enough to shave off your hair?
Click through the slideshow below for celebrity inspiration on how to wear this hairstyle, as well as not-so-flattering takes on the trend.
Celebrity Hair Trend: Faux Undercut
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