The Emily Ratajkowski Haircut Explained (Simply)

Honestly, we’ve all been there. You walk into the salon with a specific vision, maybe a Pinterest board full of Parisian "it girls," and you walk out looking like you fought a lawnmower. And you lost. Even if you’re a literal supermodel like Emily Ratajkowski, the "haircut from hell" is a universal rite of passage.

The Emily Ratajkowski haircut has been the subject of massive internet fascination lately, mostly because she actually let us see the messy parts. Usually, EmRata is the blueprint for "effortless" brunette waves. But in early 2025, she hopped on TikTok to show off what she called the "worst haircut of my life." It was a choppy, mullet-esque situation with bangs that started way too far back on her head. Her friends were brutally honest, telling her it looked terrible.

But here’s the thing: that "mistake" actually taught us more about how to get her real signature look than any polished red carpet photo ever could. Whether she's rocking her classic long layers or the French bob she wore for her role in Netflix’s Too Much, there is a very specific formula to her hair.

Why Everyone Is Obsessed With the French Bob

If you saw the teaser photos for Lena Dunham’s show Too Much, you saw the French bob. It was a complete departure from the long, sultry hair we’ve seen on her for a decade. This wasn't just a short cut; it was a chin-length, textured bob with brow-grazing bangs.

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Nick Arrojo, a master stylist in NYC, calls this the "cool-girl cut of the season." It’s meant to look undone. It’s meant to look like you woke up in a loft in the Marais and just shook your hair out. The secret to this specific Emily Ratajkowski haircut variation is the "cheekbone graze." By cutting the length exactly at the jawline or slightly above, it emphasizes the bone structure in a way that long hair simply hides.

Even though that specific look for the show was likely a high-quality wig, it sparked a massive trend in 2025 and 2026. People wanted that "girl about town" energy. It’s low-maintenance in the morning but high-maintenance at the salon. You have to get it trimmed every four to six weeks, or the "Parisian chic" turns into "shaggy mess" real fast.

The "Bad" Haircut: What Actually Happened?

So, about that TikTok debacle. EmRata basically fell victim to a "British shag" gone wrong. The stylist apparently tried to give her a very forward-leaning, heavy fringe, but the sectioning started almost at the crown of her head.

"I have bangs on the back of my head," she joked in her video. It was a nightmare.

What’s interesting is how she fixed it. She didn't just hide under a hat for six months. She brought in celebrity stylist Jessica Gillin, who used "corrective K-tips"—essentially keratin bond extensions—to fill in the gaps and hide the short, choppy bits. It took three hours. It’s a reminder that even "effortless" hair often requires a team of experts and a few thousand dollars in extensions.

How to Ask Your Stylist for the EmRata Look

If you aren't trying to fix a disaster and just want her classic, bombshell aesthetic, you need to be very specific. EmRata’s hair isn't just "long and brown."

1. The Base: Ask for long, blunt-ish layers. You want the ends to feel heavy, not wispy.
2. The "Bombshell Bangs": These are her trademark. They aren't traditional curtain bangs. They are thicker, 70s-inspired fringe that sweeps away from the face. Think Farrah Fawcett but updated for 2026.
3. The Texture: If your hair is naturally pin-straight like Emily’s, you have to create the volume. Her longtime collaborator, Jennifer Yepez, uses a 3/4-inch curling iron but curls in alternating directions. This prevents the "pageant girl" look and makes it look more lived-in.

Don't just say "I want the Emily Ratajkowski haircut." Show the photos of her at the 2024 Met Gala or her 2025 Oscars look. The Met Gala look, in particular, used "halo" style extensions to add massive volume without the commitment of permanent bonds.

The Science of the "Lived-In" Polish

You’ve probably noticed her hair always has a certain sheen. It’s not greasy, but it’s definitely not matte. EmRata has been a face for Kérastase for years, and she actually uses the products she promotes.

She’s gone on record saying she swears by the L’incroyable Blowdry lotion. It’s a heat-activated milk that lets you reshape the hair without re-washing it. For someone who is constantly traveling or on set, that’s a lifesaver. She also uses the 8H Magic Night Serum. Basically, you put it on dry hair before bed, and you wake up with hair that feels like silk. It's the "lazy girl" way to keep hair healthy when you're using as much heat as she does.

Breaking Down the "Lob" Phase

In mid-2024 and throughout 2025, she spent a lot of time in "Lob" (long bob) territory. This is usually the safest bet if you’re scared of the full French bob.

A lob sits right at the collarbone. It’s the ultimate "safe" transition. For Emily, this look was all about the "bottleneck bangs." These are bangs that are shorter in the middle and get longer as they curve around your eyes. It’s incredibly flattering because it frames the face like a picture.

If you have a heart-shaped or oval face, this is your gold mine. If you have a rounder face, you might want to skip the heavy fringe and go for longer, chin-length face-framing pieces instead.

Actionable Tips for Your Next Appointment

Don't just wing it. If you're going for this specific vibe, do these things:

• Bring three photos: One of the front, one of the side, and one of her "bad" haircut to show what you don't want.
• Check the "Apex": When getting bangs, ask your stylist where the section starts. If they start it too far back toward your crown, you’ll end up with the "bangs on the back of my head" problem.
• Invest in a texture spray: You cannot get this look with just hairspray. You need something like Kérastase V.I.P. Volume In Powder. It gives that grit and "oomph" that makes the layers stand out.
• Prioritize health over length: EmRata’s hair looks good because it’s shiny. If your ends are fried, chop them. A healthy lob looks ten times better than "scraggly" long hair.

Basically, the Emily Ratajkowski haircut is all about balance. It’s the tension between looking like you don't care and knowing exactly which $50 serum to use. Whether you're going for the daring French bob or the classic 70s bombshell layers, the key is movement. Hair that moves is hair that looks expensive.