Gen Z's Hair Playbook: The Top 5 TikTok-Viral Styles Taking Over NYC in 2025
The digital heartbeat of Gen Z's style emanates from TikTok, and in 2025, it's taking over the salon chairs of New York City.
Every image you see is a bookable style. Click any photo to view details and book an appointment with a stylist.
Scroll, save, repeat. The digital heartbeat of Gen Z's style emanates from TikTok, and in 2025, it's taking over the salon chairs of New York City. The verdict? The lines between retro and futuristic are blurring, creating a playbook of bold, expressive, and unapologetically individual styles. This is what the city's most influential generation will be wearing next.
The Shullet: Business in the Front, Party Everywhere
The shag-mullet hybrid is 2025's go-to for texture and attitude, dominating Brooklyn's creative scene.
Neither a classic shag nor a retro mullet, the 'Shullet' is the gender-fluid hero cut of 2025. This cut is all about celebrating natural texture with choppy layers, soft, face-framing pieces (often curtain bangs), and a longer flow in the back. It’s an effortless look that feels both rebellious and artfully considered, making it a favorite from Bushwick to the West Village.
💬What to Ask Your Stylist
- How can we adjust the layering to work with my natural hair texture, whether it's curly, wavy, or straight?
- Based on my face shape, should we go for shorter, more blended layers or a more dramatic, disconnected mullet style?
- What's the best routine for air-drying this cut to get that effortless, textured look without frizz?
Best For:
- • Wavy and curly hair types
- • Oval, heart, and square face shapes
- • Those seeking a stylish, low-maintenance air-dry look
NYC Price Range:
Ask the salon for a current quote
Maintenance:
Medium. Requires a good sea salt or texture spray for daily styling and trims every 6-8 weeks to maintain the shape.
Chromatic Expression: Dopamine Dyes & Digital Hues
From vibrant magenta to 'Digital Lavender,' hair color is the new main character.
Plain balayage is taking a backseat to full-throttle color. In 2025, Gen Z is treating their hair as a canvas for self-expression with 'Dopamine Dyes'—bold, vibrant, and often non-traditional colors. Our NYC data confirms magenta is a standout shade, appearing in shags, peekaboo highlights, and all-over color melts. We're also seeing a rise in cooler tones like icy blue and smoky lavender. This is high-commitment, high-impact hair that makes a statement before you even say a word.
💬What to Ask Your Stylist
- What underlying pigment will my hair lift to, and how will that affect the final shade of magenta/blue/lavender?
- Can you create a custom color-depositing conditioner for me to use at home between appointments?
- How often will I need to come back for a gloss or toner to refresh the vibrancy of the color?
Best For:
- • Pre-lightened or healthy virgin hair
- • Individuals ready for a high-statement, high-maintenance look
- • Creative professionals and students
NYC Price Range:
Ask the salon for a current quote
Maintenance:
High. Requires sulfate-free, color-safe products, washing in cold water, regular glosses, and minimal heat styling to prevent rapid fading.
The Micro-Crop: Beyond the Buzz Cut
Hyper-short, textured cuts are evolving with Gen Z's gender-fluid lens.
The buzz cut walked so the Micro-Crop could run. This trend covers a family of ultra-short styles—from textured pixie crops to the modern 'Edgar' or 'Gen Z Bowl Cut'—that prioritize texture and shape. It’s a sharp, confident look that rejects traditional gender norms. Popularized on TikTok and seen across Lower East Side skate parks, the key is in the details: a sharp fade, a disconnected top, or a choppy, piecey texture styled with matte paste. It’s the epitome of low daily effort but requires dedication to salon visits.
💬What to Ask Your Stylist
- Should we do a taper, a skin fade, or a drop fade to best suit my head shape?
- What does the grow-out phase look like for this cut, and how can we transition it to a slightly longer style?
- What kind of product—clay, paste, or pomade—is best for achieving a textured, matte finish vs. a sleek look?
Best For:
- • Strong jawlines and oval faces
- • Those seeking a minimal daily styling routine
- • All genders looking for a bold, architectural style
NYC Price Range:
Ask the salon for a current quote
Maintenance:
Low (Daily), High (Salon Visits). Effortless to style each morning but needs a clean-up from your barber or stylist every 3-4 weeks to stay sharp.
The Digital Perm: Texture on Demand
Not your grandma's perm—think effortless 'rich girl' waves and defined 'wet look' curls.
For those not blessed with natural movement, the modern perm is the ultimate hack for achieving the textured looks dominating social media. Forget the frizzy perms of the '80s; new techniques like the 'Digital Perm' popular in NYC's Koreatown salons create soft, customized waves that look incredibly natural. This service is an investment, but it provides a long-lasting foundation for beachy waves or defined curls, drastically cutting down daily styling time with hot tools.
💬What to Ask Your Stylist
- What is the difference in curl pattern and hair health between a cold perm and a digital perm?
- What specific products, like curl creams or mousses, should I use to style my new texture?
- How will this perm grow out, and how long should I wait before getting it redone or trying another style?
Best For:
- • Straight or slightly wavy hair that struggles to hold a curl
- • Anyone looking to reduce their daily use of curling irons or wands
- • Those committed to a specialized aftercare routine with hydrating products
NYC Price Range:
Ask the salon for a current quote
Maintenance:
Medium. While it reduces daily heat styling, it requires a strict regimen of moisturizing, sulfate-free products and diffusing techniques to keep curls healthy and defined.
The Graphic Cut: Jellyfish & Hime
Hyper-stylized, structural cuts born from anime and gaming subcultures.
Straight from the digital world to the streets of SoHo, the Jellyfish and Hime cuts are 2025's most avant-garde trend. The Hime (Japanese for 'princess') cut features severe, cheek-length sidelocks with long hair in the back. The Jellyfish is its bolder cousin: a sharp, rounded bob on the top layer, with long, thin sections of hair left underneath, mimicking a jellyfish's silhouette. It's a conceptual, high-fashion statement that showcases immense technical skill from the stylist.
💬What to Ask Your Stylist
- How can we tailor the length of the top layer and the sidelocks to best flatter my face shape?
- What's the best way to style the two different lengths at home to maintain the sharp, graphic contrast?
- Is this cut achievable with my hair's thickness and texture, or would we need to add extensions for the longer pieces?
Best For:
- • Naturally straight and healthy hair
- • Bold, fashion-forward personalities
- • Those who enjoy a conceptual look and are willing to maintain it
NYC Price Range:
Ask the salon for a current quote
Maintenance:
High. The sharp lines of the bob or bangs require frequent trims (every 4-6 weeks). Daily styling with a flat iron and smoothing serum is often necessary to maintain the intended shape and separation.
Pro Tips from NYC's Top Stylists
Screen-shot Everything, But Be Realistic
Bring multiple inspiration photos to your consultation, but have an open conversation with your stylist about how the look can be adapted for your unique hair type, texture, and face shape. The goal is a personalized version of the trend.
Invest in the Aftercare
A great cut or color can be ruined by poor home care. Ask your stylist for specific product recommendations—from color-safe shampoos to the right texture paste—to protect your investment and keep your hair looking salon-fresh.
How to Book Your Perfect 2025 Haircut in NYC
1. Find Your Inspiration
Use platforms like Kiri, TikTok, and Instagram to gather photos that capture the vibe you're going for. Look for examples on hair that has a similar texture to yours.
2. Find a Specialist
Look for stylists on Kiri whose portfolios are filled with the specific trend you want, whether it's vivid colors, precision crops, or modern shags. Their work will speak for itself.
3. Book a Consultation
For any major change, especially a chemical service like a perm or vivid color, book a dedicated consultation first. This ensures you and your stylist are on the same page about timing, price, and desired outcome.
Ready to embrace the trends of 2025? Discover the perfect stylist to bring your vision to life.