A hairstyle with royal roots, anime cred, and K-pop approval
If you’ve scrolled TikTok recently—or fallen down a late-night Pinterest rabbit hole—you’ve probably seen the hime cut and paused. It’s one of those styles that makes you blink, double-take, and maybe question your current haircut entirely. Sharp cheek-length sidelocks, a full blunt fringe, and long, flowing lengths in the back—this is not your average layered bob.
The hime cut (pronounced hee-meh, meaning “princess” in Japanese) dates back centuries, but it’s having a serious moment in 2025. It’s everywhere from K-pop comebacks to high fashion editorials to the coquette-core corner of your For You page. And unlike softer, lived-in cuts of the past few years, this one is all about structure, intention, and visual impact.
What’s making it stick this time? A mix of Gen Z maximalism, anime nostalgia, and a growing appreciation for global beauty aesthetics. It's bold, unapologetic, and *surprisingly* wearable—even if it looks like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli character lineup.
Ready to try the hime cut—or just want to understand why your favorite idols and influencers are suddenly all about sidelocks? Let’s break it down.
The history of the hime cut
The hime cut has ancestral roots. Its origins go all the way back to Japan’s Heian period (794–1185), where noblewomen would wear their hair in long, sleek styles punctuated by sharply cut sections at the front. The term hime literally means “princess,” and the look was reserved for—you guessed it—royalty.
Traditionally, young women would receive their first face-framing cuts during a binsogi ceremony, a coming-of-age ritual where sidelocks were trimmed to celebrate maturity. The rest of the hair? Left long and flowing, often styled into elegant updos like the oicho bun. The result was a visual symbol of class, refinement, and status.
Fast forward a few centuries, and the hime cut took on new life in modern Japanese subcultures. It popped up in Harajuku street style, goth-lolita fashion, and J-pop idol aesthetics. The clean lines and exaggerated contrast made it a favorite among anime characters—cue Sailor Mars, Yuki from Vampire Knight, and just about every quietly powerful girl in a fantasy high school setting.
Even outside Japan, the silhouette has crept into the global beauty psyche. Princess Bubblegum from Adventure Time sports a pastel-punk version, and more recently, K-pop idols and style influencers have adopted it as a high-impact, low-apology cut that demands attention. What started as a royal tradition has fully transformed into a fashion statement—with roots that run deeper than most trends dare.
Why the hime cut works now
In a beauty landscape that’s increasingly personal, culturally layered, and visually bold, this haircut checks all the boxes.
Minimalism < Maximalism
First, there’s the rise of maximalism. Gen Z has officially ditched beige, beachy hair in favor of looks that feel hyper-styled and hyper-specific. Graphic eyeliner? Check. Hair bows? Everywhere. And a cut that feels straight out of a fashion-forward anime? Perfectly on brand. The hime cut’s sharp angles and deliberate structure bring a sense of intentionality that resonates hard right now, especially as minimalism loses its grip.
Embracing non-Western beauty standards
Then there’s the growing embrace of non-Western beauty standards. From slicked baby hairs to hanbang skincare, the global beauty community is tuning into traditions that were once sidelined. The hime cut is part of that conversation: a distinctly Japanese look that’s been reimagined for a worldwide audience. It’s being worn by K-pop idols like LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin and seen on runways from Tokyo to Paris, often paired with edgy styling or romantic fashion to highlight the contrast.
TikTok & Pinterest trends
And of course, we have TikTok and Pinterest to thank for boosting its visibility. Searches for “hime cut inspo” and “princess cut hair” have spiked, and influencers like @cutcreaser and @skuukzky are showing just how versatile (and wearable) this cut can be—even for everyday glam.
What makes it work now isn’t just the nostalgia or the aesthetic; it’s the precision. In a post-beach-wave, post-air-dry generation, the hime cut brings back the beauty of control. And right now? That’s exactly what the style world is craving.
The anatomy of a hime cut
At first glance, the hime cut might look simple. But the drama is all in the details. This cut is defined by three signature elements.
1. A blunt fringe that sits just above or grazes the brows
2. Sharply cut sidelocks that fall at cheekbone level
3. Long, flowing lengths that frame the back
Together, they create a bold, structured silhouette that’s part princess, part precision art.
The secret to a great hime cut? Geometry. The lines have to hit the right angles to flatter the face and maintain balance. When done well, it’s graphic and eye-catching. When done poorly, let’s just say it’s not the kind of DIY you want to learn via bathroom mirror. This is a salon job, full stop.
That said, the 2025 versions are evolving. We’re seeing softer takes with layered sidelocks, slightly wispy fringe, or even shag-inspired twists for a more lived-in vibe. Some interpretations mix in color-blocking or subtle texture to update the traditional clean lines. Still, the bones of the hime cut remain unmistakable: a visual separation between the sections that makes the style feel both intentional and iconic.
Styling a hime cut in 2025
The hime cut might be rooted in tradition, but styling it in 2025 is all about making it your own. With its sharp lines and defined sections, this cut thrives on polish—and the right tools make all the difference. Here are some points to bear in mind:
A flat iron is a non-negotiable
The hime cut is all about lines—clean, deliberate, symmetrical—and if there’s one tool that keeps those edges looking sharp, it’s a flat iron. Whether you’re touching up your sidelocks, refining your fringe, or smoothing the back length, consistent heat styling helps maintain that polished structure. A compact styler like the TYME Iron Pro works especially well for this cut as it allows you to get close to the roots and maneuver around sharp angles without compromising body or lift.
For best results, work in small sections and glide slowly—this isn’t a style that benefits from rushing. And always, always prep with a good heat protectant. Those crisp ends may look tough, but they’re prone to heat damage if you skip the shield.
There are versatile styling possibilities
One of the best-kept secrets of the hime cut? It’s way more flexible than it looks. The core structure may be sharp, but you can spin the vibe a hundred different ways. Feeling dramatic? Go soft goth with smudgy eyeliner, matte lipstick, and pin-straight lengths for full graphic impact. Prefer something playful? Amp it up with J-pop glam—shiny skin, oversized bows, and a punchy lip.
On TikTok, coquette-coded takes on the hime cut are trending hard, usually paired with lace collars, vintage-inspired blush, and dainty hair clips. For the minimalists, the structure of the cut does all the work—just add a center part, some strategic hair oil, and bold earrings to let the silhouette shine. It’s a style that adapts to your mood, not the other way around.
Accessories make it even better
The beauty of the hime cut is that it gives you distinct sections to play with—and accessories become part of the design, not an afterthought. Metallic barrettes clipped above the sidelocks create a sleek, sculptural effect that feels fashion-forward but is still wearable. Try stacking two or three for visual impact, or go full Y2K revival with butterfly clips and pastel palettes.
Prefer something softer? Tuck the sidelocks behind your ears and secure them with a minimalist headband to create a more approachable, face-framing shape. Because the cut already brings contrast, even subtle styling tweaks feel elevated. Hair jewelry, sheer ribbons, pearl pins—it all works here, and it works intentionally.
Blending is key when growing it out
The hime cut has a strong shape, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to grow out. The key is to approach the transition with a plan—ask your stylist to slowly blend the cheek-length sidelocks into your face-framing layers over time, softening the edges as your hair grows. You can also introduce light layering in the back to create more fluid movement between the sections.
In the meantime, texture is your best friend. A soft wave or bend helps disguise harsh lines as they grow, making the in-between phase feel purposeful rather than patchy. Styling mousse, sea salt spray, or a light touch with your flat iron can go a long way.
In short: the hime cut is bold, but it doesn’t box you in. It’s a structure you can build a whole aesthetic around—or bend into whatever mood you're in that day.
Celebrity and pop culture moments
The hime cut has officially crossed over from niche to mainstream, thanks to a wave of celebs and influencers bringing it to the global stage.
K-pop and runways are leading the hime revival
BLACKPINK’s Lisa rocked a sharp version during promo for Pink Venom, while Doja Cat’s ever-evolving style recently included a hime-inspired wig during a photoshoot. Tokyo Fashion Week models and indie artists like Rina Sawayama have also helped elevate the look from anime fantasy to high fashion reality.
The Grammy’s quiet not to hime hair
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, the hime cut had a quiet yet undeniable presence. Both Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga debuted looks with sharp, face-framing sections reminiscent of the classic hime shape—proof that this cut isn’t just living online; it’s taking up space at music’s biggest night. Whether intentional or just inspired by the era’s graphic beauty revival, the references didn’t go unnoticed by hair trend watchers.
From anime icons to emo nostalgia
Of course, anime has always been the blueprint. Characters like Yuki Cross (Vampire Knight) and countless Studio Ghibli heroines sport variations of the hime cut with magical flair. And let’s not forget its soft-goth roots—cue flashbacks to emo bangs and MySpace fringe—but now with cleaner lines, better products, and a lot more cultural context.
This isn’t cosplay. It’s a full-circle moment: nostalgia, artistry, and statement-making hair all rolled into one.
Will you hop on the hime cut trend?
In a time when beauty is less about fitting in and more about standing out, this structured, unapologetic cut taps into something deeper. It honors cultural history without being costume-y. It demands precision but offers play. It’s a rejection of default beauty standards—and a celebration of hair with intent.
For anyone craving something beyond “long layers and curtain bangs,” the hime cut is a blueprint for bolder choices. It’s architectural. It’s expressive. It’s a conversation-starter.
So whether you’re ready for the chop or just gathering inspo, step outside the predictable. Head to the LifeTYME blog for more trend breakdowns, or book a stylist consultation to see if the hime cut is your next hair evolution.
