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Broccoli Haircut: Everything About the Viral Curly Style

The broccoli haircut features tight curls on top with faded sides. Learn how to get the look, style it, maintain the perm, and whether it suits your hair.

The broccoli haircut — named for its resemblance to a floret of broccoli — has become one of the most recognizable men's styles of the past few years. It features a mass of tight, voluminous curls on top with short or faded sides, creating a rounded silhouette that earned it both its name and its viral TikTok fame. Love it or mock it, there is no denying it has staying power.

What Is the Broccoli Haircut Exactly?

The broccoli cut is defined by volume and texture on top, achieved either through naturally curly hair or a perm. The top is left long enough — usually three to five inches — for the curls to stack on top of each other and create that signature rounded, puffy shape. The sides are faded or tapered short to keep the focus entirely on the top section. The contrast between the voluminous crown and tight sides is what creates the broccoli silhouette. Most versions pair the curly top with a mid or high fade, though low fades and tapers work too depending on how dramatic you want the shape to be.

Broccoli Head Haircut: Why the Name Stuck

The "broccoli head" label started as a joke on social media, but the style itself is genuinely flattering on the right person. It went viral because it photographs well from every angle — the rounded shape reads clearly even in small thumbnails and selfies. Celebrities and influencers adopted it, and barber shops started seeing a flood of requests. The perm version made it accessible to guys with straight hair who wanted the look without the genetics, which expanded its reach enormously. Whether you call it the broccoli head haircut or just a curly top fade, the appeal is the same: it is youthful, textured, and attention-grabbing without requiring complicated daily styling.

Who Should Consider This Cut

The broccoli haircut works best on guys with naturally curly or wavy hair — if you already have texture, you are halfway there. But straight-haired guys can achieve it with a perm, which is how most of the viral versions are done. Face shape matters here: the added volume on top elongates rounder faces and adds proportion to wider jawlines, making it particularly flattering for round and square face shapes. If you have a long or narrow face, be cautious — the extra height on top can make your face look even longer. In that case, keep the top slightly shorter and the sides a bit fuller to balance things out.

Getting and Maintaining the Perm

If you are perming straight hair for this look, find a stylist experienced with men's perms specifically. The process takes about two hours and involves wrapping the top section around rods, applying a chemical solution to restructure the hair bonds, and then neutralizing. The results last roughly three to four months before the curls start loosening. During that time, avoid washing your hair for 48 hours after the perm, use sulfate-free shampoo, and never brush curls dry. A diffuser attachment on your blow dryer is your best friend — it dries the curls without disrupting their shape. Expect to re-perm every three to four months if you want to maintain the look consistently.

Styling the Broccoli Cut Daily

Daily styling is surprisingly quick once you nail the routine. After washing, scrunch a curl cream or mousse into damp hair, diffuse on low heat until about 80 percent dry, and let the rest air dry. Avoid touching the curls once they start forming — that is what causes frizz. On non-wash days, refresh with a spray bottle of water mixed with a small amount of conditioner, scrunch, and go. The whole process takes five minutes or less. For extra definition, a light gel applied to wet hair and then scrunched out once dry gives you defined curls without stiffness.

How to Talk to Your Barber

Ask for a curly top with a mid or high fade. Specify that you want the top left long enough for the curls to have volume — at least three inches of length after curling. If you need a perm, discuss that separately since many barbers do not perm in-house, so you may need to visit a salon for the perm first and then get the fade at your barber. Bring reference photos showing the specific volume and curl tightness you want. Make sure to discuss how tight you want the fade and whether you want a hard part, line-up, or any other details to complement the style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a perm for the broccoli haircut?

Only if you have straight hair. If you already have natural curls or strong waves, you can achieve the look with just the right cut and styling products.

How long does a perm last for this style?

Typically three to four months before the curls noticeably loosen. You will need to re-perm to maintain the tight curl pattern.

Will the broccoli haircut damage my hair?

Perming does involve chemical processing, which can cause dryness. Use sulfate-free shampoo, deep condition weekly, and avoid excessive heat to minimize damage.

How long does my hair need to be on top?

At least three to five inches before perming. Curls shorten the apparent length significantly, so you need more than you might think.

Can I get the broccoli cut with a low fade?

Yes, though a mid or high fade gives you the most dramatic contrast. A low fade creates a softer, less extreme version of the look.

How often should I wash my hair with this style?

Two to three times a week at most. Over-washing strips the oils that keep curls defined and hydrated. Use dry shampoo or a co-wash on off days.

Is the broccoli haircut high maintenance?

Moderately. Daily styling takes about five minutes, but you need barber visits every two to three weeks for the fade and perm touch-ups every few months.