Have you ever admired the distinctive hairstyle of your favorite female anime character? It’s the Japanese royal hime cut, making waves in animation. This timeless haircut has gained global recognition as a modern trend, adding a fresh and chic twist to the everyday casual look. While the hime cut has been around for a while, it has recently become popular for those looking to infuse style and cuteness into their locks. If you’re ready to embrace some stylish changes, check out the ideas below for the most flattering hime-cut hairstyles. Get ready for a cute and trendy transformation!
What is the Hime Cut?
The ‘hime cut’ or ‘hime katto’ is a well-known Japanese hairstyle that combines blunt, cheek-length sidelocks and face-framing frontal fringes with long, straight hair. During the Heian Period of Japanese history, the Imperial court noblewomen grew their hair while maintaining the eyebrow-length bangs and the sidelocks cheek-length (1). Being a privilege of Japanese imperial and royal families, it became famous as the ‘princess cut’ throughout the country and the rest of the world.
Nowadays, the hime cut hairstyle has become a part of ‘Gothic Lolita’ subculture, especially within the elegant gothic lolita (EGL) community. It has also become widely popular with K-pop celebrities in South Korea (2).
The Specialty of the Hime Cut
The hime cut hairstyle combines Japanese hairstyles called ‘amasogi’ and ‘binsogi.’ The amasogi is a blunt shoulder-length fringe haircut that dates back to the imperial times of the Heian period. On the other hand, binsogi is a unique haircut that includes chin-length sidelocks. It is named after the ‘coming-of-age’ ceremony (when the person turns 20) of the princess, during which the hair around the ears is cut.
In contemporary renditions of the hime cut, some individuals even use human hair extensions to achieve this elegant hairstyle’s desired length and thickness, allowing for greater versatility and customization.
The hime cut was made popular by the Japanese pop singer Megumi Asaoka. It became the trademark hairstyle of this 70’s idol.
15 Most Flattering Hime Cut Hairstyles
Based on the length of sidelocks, the hime cut can be different. But women, these days, are widely experimenting with this regal hairstyle to make their casual looks big and versatile. So, here are the 15 most flattering hime cut hairstyles that you can sport to look uber chic:
1. Classic Hime Cut
A traditional hime haircut consists of a long, straight bunch of hair, two sidelocks lying up to the jawline, and a straight fringe across the forehead. As you can see, the frontal fringe stops right above the eyebrows, while the long hair can go up to the waistline or even more.
2. Ultra-Black Hime
If you are a true hime lover, this ultra-black hairstyle version will undoubtedly amaze you. The gleaming texture of the locks can amp up your glamor quotient quite easily. Moreover, the slightly inward shape of the fringe adds an extra zing to it.
3. Baby Doll Hime
Well, this cute hairstyle is not only meant for your little princess. You can also sport it stylishly with a round to oval face and comparatively shorter hair. Just do not let your sidelocks cross your cheekbones. This vintage take on the hime cut looks straight out of manga while drawing attention to your facial features.
4. Long Straight Hime
Here is a slightly modified version of the classic hime cut that looks fresh and utterly dapper. Even though most of the hair is kept long and straight in this style, the sidelocks should be no longer than chin-length. This will ensure that the charm of contrastive graduation is not lost. Also, keep the frontal fringe and the sidelocks equally thick to create more volume. Do not miss the dark brown streak, too!
5. Long Wavy Hime
Straight hair is a vital feature of a hime cut. But what about breaking the rule and going wavy while maintaining all other princess-cut characteristics? Check out this super casual style and get inspired! The messy fringe and the long, wispy waves have made the style even more outstanding.
6. Curtained Brown Hime
Those who want a hime cut but dislike its sharpness should go for this distinct hairstyle. It features the typical ‘curtained hair’ sported by men in a more girlish way with long hair and curved fringe. Also, keep the sidelocks down to the chin to accentuate the jawline. Also, take the style up a notch by coloring your hair fully light brown.
7. Thick Layered Hime
This cool and chic modification of the traditional hime cut is perfect for thick hair to show off its volume. As you can see, the straight frontal fringe has become short and blunt here. Also, starting from the sidelocks, the rest of the hair is cut into multiple well-defined layers for a flawless face-framing finish. Ensure each layer of your locks stays distinctive yet perfectly blended with the rest of the hair.
8. Hime Cut Bob
Though long-back braids are a traditional hime cut’s signature feature, they pair fabulously with a trendy bob. In this hairstyle, the side locks frame the face with the length of graduation in a fascinatingly beautiful way. However, a hime bob does not come with a frontal fringe.
9. Hime Cut LoB
Hime-cut lovers can also wear a stylish long bob (LoB) to look brilliant. It is one of the most sought-after hime-cut hairstyles you can see around yourself. Keep the ends of your locks slightly curved while maintaining the rest of the hair soft and somewhat wavy.
10. Hime Cut Ponytail
Do you want to add a zing to your regular ponytail? Get a hime cut today! It will make your boring ponytail a chic and versatile one almost instantly. Keep your frontal fringe long and blunt; do not let the sidelocks go beyond your cheekbones. A little curved-in shape of the sidelocks will frame your face wonderfully.
11. Hime Cut Pigtails
Like most female anime characters, go for pigtails if you want to rock your haircut. In this accessible and cute hairstyle, the fringe and the sidelocks will stand out and frame your face nicely. Keeping the sidelocks thicker than usual and curling up the ends will add more dimension to the hairstyle.
12. Double Sidelocks Hime
Double up your hairstyling game with this lovely yet straightforward double sidelocks hime cut. Cut the first sidelock at your cheek length and create one more step a little lower. The first one should always be more prominent than the second one. This will add depth and charm to your graduated and defined look.
13. Tapered Hime Cut
How about trying something opposite to the drastic hair contrast sported by most women with a traditional hime cut? All you need to do is get your hair tapered at the edges. This will add a soft touch to the hair and make it easier for different sections to blend smoothly.
14. Thin Bang Hime
Thin, light, and manageable front bang makes it stand apart from other hime cut hairstyles. It gives a gentle frame to the face without overlapping the eyebrows. Furthermore, the thin frontal fringe can be styled easily to take the entire appearance to a new level.
15. Anime Hime Cut
Finally, here is a brilliant anime hime cut idea that will make you remember many anime series you watched in childhood. You will certainly be stunned to see the similarities caused by the pointed and perfectly structured locks!
Read Also – 12 Best Hairstyles for Gym to Get a Trendy, Workout-Ready Look
How to Maintain Hime Cut Hairstyles?
Hime-cut hairstyles are much more elegant than many other trendy hairstyles that require excessive heating, curling, and crimping. But it needs proper maintenance to keep the hair cut at different lengths in appropriate shape and structure. Women with wavy or curly hair may find it even more challenging to maintain as regular trimming, straightening, and touch-ups are necessary for this. However, it is much easier for those with naturally straight hair. Just trim the hair regularly, and you are done.
Summary:
The ‘hime cut’ or ‘hime katto’ is a Japanese hairstyle characterized by blunt, cheek-length sidelocks, face-framing frontal fringes, and long, straight back hair. This style is a fusion of two traditional hairstyles, namely ‘amasogi’ and ‘binsogi,’ and has been historically associated with Japanese imperial and royal families, earning it the name ‘princess cut.’ In contemporary times, the hime cut has found its place in the ‘Gothic Lolita’ subculture and the K-pop community in South Korea. There are various flattering hime cut styles, including the classic hime cut, ultra-black hime, baby doll hime, long straight hime, long wavy hime, curtained brown hime, thick layered hime, hime cut bob and LoB, hime cut ponytail, hime cut pigtails, double sidelocks hime, thin bang hime, anime hime cut, and more. These hairstyles exude elegance without the need for excessive heating, curling, or crimping. However, proper maintenance is essential to keep the varying lengths of the cut in shape and structure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Easiest Hairstyle to Maintain?
Some of the easiest hairstyles to maintain are messy bob, straight bob with bangs, layered bob, short pixie, shoulder-length LoB, etc.
How Many Types of Bangs Are There?
Different types of bangs to consider are cropped bangs, side-swept bangs, straight bangs, full blunt bangs, choppy bangs, wispy bangs, and so on.
Does Long Hair Make You Look Older?
Long and stick-straight hair may make you look older than your actual age as it looks less voluminous, thus indicating the natural process of aging.
What is the Most Low-Maintenance Haircut?
The short pixie is known to be the lowest maintenance haircut. Cutting it once every month is enough for its maintenance.
What Hair Color Makes You Look Younger?
Any light hair color in a warm tone will make you look younger by giving your complexion a healthy and youthful glow.
References:
- “Hime Cut,” en.Wikipedia.org
- “The Hime Cut: A Japanese Look Trending in Korea,” KPopStuff.com
