curly hair · men
Broccoli Haircut: What It Is and How toGet It
The broccoli haircut explained, including how the curly top and tight sides work, who suits it, how to get it with a perm or natural curls, and how to style it.
Hairover Team
A broccoli haircut pairs a big, round curly top with short, tight sides, usually a mid or high fade. The name comes from the silhouette, which looks like the vegetable. It’s popular with younger men and teens, and it’s easy to style if your hair is already curly. Straight hair needs a perm to get there.
How it looks
- Top: dense curls, several inches long, in a rounded shape.
- Sides: a clean taper or fade, for high contrast.
- Fringe: curls often fall slightly forward.
- Overall: the shape stands out clearly from the head.
Compare this to a curly fringe, which has a lower and looser top.
Do you need naturally curly hair?
Curly hair (2C to 3C). You’re ready to go. Grow out the top to about three to five inches.
Wavy hair. A curl product and diffuser can get you close. It might not be as defined, but it can still look good.
Straight hair. You need a perm. This changes your hair’s structure, so it’s worth going to a professional, and checking your hair is in good condition first. Our Korean perm guide explains how perms work on men’s hair.
Coily hair. The look translates differently. A rounded afro or sponge twist style with a fade gives a similar silhouette.
Who it suits
Round and oval faces tend to wear it easily, because the tight sides and tall top add length. On long faces, keep the height lower. Square faces work well too, and the soft top contrasts nicely with a strong jaw. Check your outline with our free face shape detector.
It does tend to read young. If your workplace is conservative, a lower fade and a smaller top will feel less like a statement.
How to ask
“Tight sides with a mid fade, and leave the curls long on top, around four inches, in a rounded shape. Please shape the top so it isn’t too wide, and don’t thin out the curls.”
Bring photos. Our what to tell your barber guide can help with more phrases.
How to style it
- Wash and condition your hair.
- While it’s wet, apply a curl cream, followed by a light gel or mousse.
- Scrunch upward.
- Use a diffuser on low speed, with your head tipped back or to the side, and lift at the roots.
- Once dry, gently separate the curls for extra size.
Upkeep
The fade needs a tidy-up about every two to three weeks. The top needs reshaping about every six to eight weeks. Between washes, refresh your curls with water and a bit of cream. If you’ve had a perm, use gentle shampoos and deep-condition regularly.
Before you commit
Are you happy with big hair? The volume is the point of the look, and it’s noticeable. Because it’s mainly a fade and a grown-out top, it can be turned into a shorter cut quite easily.
Related guides
Check the size first
This look depends on proportions, so how big the top goes makes a real difference. Upload a clear photo to Hairover, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio.
FAQ
Do you need a perm for a broccoli haircut?
Not if you have natural curls or strong waves. Straight hair needs a perm to get the look, which is a chemical service with some damage risk, so ask an experienced stylist.
Is the broccoli haircut the same as a curly fringe?
They are similar. A broccoli cut has a rounder, bigger top, and usually tighter sides. A curly fringe focuses more on hair falling forward.
Does a broccoli haircut suit a round face?
It can, because tight sides and height on top add length to the face. Try to keep the top tall rather than wide.
