The grunge aesthetic, originating in the early ’90s, continues to influence fashion and hairstyles today. Grunge hairstyles often feature a mix of messy, unkempt looks with a rebellious edge. Teen boys have embraced this style for its bold, laid-back vibe. From long, shaggy hair to short and spiky cuts, the grunge style is all about attitude and individualism. Below are 20 grunge-inspired haircuts that perfectly blend youthful rebellion with edgy fashion.
1. Messy Textured Crop
The messy textured crop is a quintessential grunge hairstyle that blends edginess with simplicity. With its short length, the hairstyle works well with natural texture, allowing for a tousled, carefree look. It’s perfect for teens who want a low-maintenance but rebellious style.
This cut involves trimming the hair close to the sides and leaving a bit more length on top. The top layers are then styled with a texturizing spray or pomade to add volume and separation. The result is a messy yet controlled style that channels grunge effortlessly.
2. Shaggy Layers
Shaggy layers are ideal for teens who prefer a bit of length while keeping the grunge vibe intact. This haircut involves choppy, uneven layers that give the hair an unstructured, messy look. It’s perfect for a rock-and-roll aesthetic.
The layered approach gives volume and texture, making it easier to style without much effort. It works best with medium-length hair, allowing for natural movement and volume. Paired with a bit of product, the shaggy layers offer a carefree and stylish vibe.
3. Undercut with Long Top
For a more daring grunge look, the undercut with a long top is a bold choice. The sides are shaved or clipped short, while the top is left long for dramatic contrast. It’s ideal for teens who want to experiment with extreme contrasts.
The longer hair on top can be styled in various ways: from messy and tousled to sleek and combed back. This style provides versatility, while the undercut adds an edgy, punk-rock flair to the grunge look. It’s an attention-grabbing hairstyle that’s sure to stand out.
4. Side-Swept Fringe
A side-swept fringe is a grunge hairstyle that blends punk influences with a bit of softness. The hair is cut to one side, with longer bangs that partially cover the forehead. It’s a great option for teens seeking an effortlessly cool style.
The side-swept fringe can be paired with various lengths of hair, but it works best with medium to long styles. To achieve the look, use a round brush and some hairspray to give the fringe a natural, tousled finish. This style emphasizes individuality and laid-back cool.
5. Textured Bowl Cut
While a bowl cut may not seem like a typical grunge choice, the textured version offers a modern twist. With slightly longer, layered bangs and choppy ends, the textured bowl cut retains the retro look while staying fresh and edgy.
This style involves keeping the hair shorter around the back and sides while the top is left slightly longer. A bit of product is used to create texture and separation. The result is a playful yet rebellious hairstyle perfect for grunge lovers.
6. Long, Untamed Waves
For those who want to embrace the full grunge aesthetic, long, untamed waves are the ultimate choice. The longer hair creates a relaxed and carefree look, with natural waves adding texture and body. It’s ideal for teens with wavy or curly hair.
This style works well with medium to long lengths, where the hair naturally falls in tousled waves. A salt spray or texturizing mousse can be used to accentuate the waves and give them a messy, grunge-inspired feel. It’s all about embracing the chaos of nature.
7. Mullet with a Twist
The mullet haircut, often associated with the ’80s, has made a comeback with a grunge twist. In this version, the front is kept shorter, while the back is left longer, maintaining the iconic “business in the front, party in the back” vibe.
This edgy style works well with texture, with the back often styled messily or in soft waves. Adding volume to the front and tousling the back helps achieve that quintessential grunge look. It’s bold, rebellious, and perfect for teens who want to make a statement.
8. Grunge Mohawk
The grunge mohawk is an exaggerated, more extreme version of the traditional mohawk. This cut involves shaving the sides completely or trimming them very short, while leaving a strip of longer hair in the center. It’s perfect for bold, experimental teens.
The longer strip of hair can be styled into spikes or a messy, spiky mohawk for a truly rebellious look. It’s an eye-catching haircut that reflects the punk influences that fuel grunge style. With the right product, this haircut can be versatile while remaining edgy.
9. Buzz Cut with Grunge Vibes
For a grunge twist on the traditional buzz cut, the hair is kept short but styled in a slightly messy way. The key is to embrace the “unfinished” look, leaving a bit of texture and ruggedness. This cut is ideal for low-maintenance teens.
The buzz cut works well with minimal styling. However, adding a little matte paste or pomade can create texture, making the haircut appear intentionally messy and grunge-inspired. It’s an easy yet stylish way to embrace the look.
10. Curtain Bangs with Textured Hair
Curtain bangs are a grunge style that can complement both short and long hair. The bangs are parted in the middle and fall on either side of the face, framing it like a curtain. This style has a relaxed, vintage feel while remaining modern.
To complete the grunge look, the hair is often styled with some natural texture. Adding a bit of texture to the rest of the hair enhances the overall carefree vibe. It’s an effortlessly cool style that works well for teens of all hair types.
11. Half-Up Top Knot
The half-up top knot combines grunge with a bit of street style, giving the wearer an effortlessly cool vibe. This hairstyle involves pulling half of the hair into a small bun or knot at the top of the head, while the rest flows freely.
The half-up top knot works well with messy or slightly unkempt hair, making it perfect for teens with natural texture. The key is to keep the knot loose and casual to maintain that carefree, grunge-inspired look. It’s an easy-to-maintain style that looks cool and casual.
12. Long, Slicked-Back Hair
For a grunge style that’s a bit more polished, long, slicked-back hair is a classic choice. This style combines the grunge love for long hair with a more structured, controlled look. The hair is combed back with some product to keep it in place.
To avoid a too-formal look, keep the hair a bit messy, adding texture with a pomade or wax. The result is a slick, yet slightly undone style that channels grunge chic. This look works well for teens with naturally straight or wavy hair.
13. Messy Side Part
The messy side part is a simple yet effective grunge look. This hairstyle involves creating a deep side part and letting the hair naturally fall to one side. The key is in the texture, so the hair looks messy without appearing too perfect.
This cut works well for medium-length hair, where the texture can really stand out. Use a texturizing spray or dry shampoo to enhance the volume and give the hair a more undone appearance. It’s a low-maintenance option that still carries the rebellious grunge spirit.
14. Grunge Flat Top
The grunge flat top is an edgy style that incorporates elements of the ’90s hip-hop culture with a punk influence. The hair on top is left flat and straight, while the sides are trimmed shorter. The result is a bold, attention-grabbing style.
This hairstyle works well with straight hair, allowing the top to stay flat and structured. To enhance the grunge feel, keep the sides faded or shaved, giving the cut more contrast. This bold look is perfect for teens who want a high-impact grunge hairstyle.
15. Bleached Blonde Grunge
Bleached blonde hair is a quintessential grunge style, often seen on icons from the ’90s. This style involves lightening the hair to a platinum blonde shade, giving it a messy, almost “sun-kissed” look. The key is in the texture and carelessness of the finish.
Bleached blonde hair pairs well with shaggy layers or a messy, tousled look. The idea is to embrace the roughness and wear the hair with pride. It’s a rebellious, carefree style that looks effortlessly cool.
16. Grunge Pompadour
The grunge pompadour takes the classic pompadour style and gives it a rougher, more unkempt edge. The top is styled high and voluminous, while the sides are kept short and faded. This style combines retro charm with a grunge twist.
To style this look, use a strong-hold product to create volume on top while keeping the sides sleek and smooth. The result is a grunge-inspired pompadour that’s perfect for teens looking to make a bold statement. This hairstyle balances volume and texture beautifully.
17. Chunky Highlights with Shaggy Hair
Chunky highlights give a grunge hairstyle an added dimension of texture and individuality. This look works well with shaggy, layered hair. The contrasting highlights add an eye-catching effect while complementing the messy layers.
The highlights can be placed randomly throughout the hair, adding depth and contrast. The rest of the hair can remain messy, maintaining that carefree grunge vibe. This hairstyle is perfect for teens who love bold hair color choices that stand out.
18. Short and Spiky Grunge
The short and spiky grunge cut is a low-maintenance yet edgy look that works well for teens who want a rebellious style. The hair is kept short all around, with the top styled into messy spikes for an extra dose of attitude.
To achieve the look, use a strong-hold gel or wax to create separation in the spikes. The sides can be faded or clipped short, leaving the top to shine with its spiky, textured finish. It’s an easy style that packs a punch.
19. Grunge Flat Bob
The flat bob is a great choice for teens who love the grunge aesthetic but prefer shorter hair. This style involves cutting the hair to chin-length and keeping it flat and straight, with minimal layers. The key is to maintain a “messy” appearance.
The bob is styled with some natural texture or product to make it look more lived-in. It’s a bold yet low-maintenance hairstyle that still captures the essence of grunge. The flat, straight edges make it modern and cool.
20. Tousled Long Bangs
Long, tousled bangs are a quintessential grunge hairstyle that adds drama and volume to the look. The bangs are cut longer and styled to fall over the eyes, while the rest of the hair stays messy and layered. This style has a dreamy, rebellious vibe.
The bangs can be paired with any hair length but look particularly striking with longer hair. Use a texturizing product to add volume to the bangs while keeping the rest of the hair relaxed. It’s an effortlessly cool and stylish choice for grunge lovers.