When you think of emo hairstyles, are you reminded of your middle or high school days? For rebellious teenagers who felt misunderstood, emo fashion was one of the ways kids felt they could express their emotions.
Emo hairstyles are typically characterized by teased hair, straight bangs that cover half the face, and bold colors. If you like fierce hairstyles that express your emotional side, you’ll love emo hairstyles.
Emo Hairstyles for Girls
To be a trendsetter, try one (or all) of these 30 unusual emo hairstyles!
1. Hot Pink Side-Swept Pixie
A pixie with an undercut and pretty pink color packs a lot of punch in one hairstyle! Comb the hair smooth and down toward one side of the face, covering the forehead partially.
2. Pink-Streaked Mohawk Updo with a High Bouffant
A tall dark bouffant rises above closely shaved side panels. A pointed front section carries a bright pink streak, while longer dark lengths fall beside the neck. The strong height and color contrast create a bold emo-inspired updo.
3. Emo Undercut
Didn’t you know you can be emo and feminine? Just look at this platinum blonde long pixie with its ends tipped in light blue! The long bangs cover half the face for the emo effect and look great with a buzzed side and bold matching eye makeup.
4. Jaw-Length Side Bangs
These long layered bangs fall straight across one side of the face. Wear the remaining hair down, or gather it into a low messy bun and add a trucker hat if you want a casual variation.
5. Black and Blonde Split Layers
Everyone knows that adding layers is the easiest way to create body and texture. Concentrate your layers near the face for choppiness, then try blending light and dark hair colors on straight locks.
6. Deep Teal Emo Bob
Why wear only teal makeup when you can wear it on a bob too? Blended with a lighter shade of teal, the overall style with its short bangs will look fab.
7. Emo Hairdo for Girls
You can’t say you’ve done the emo thing if you haven’t tried these lop-sided buns. Combining platinum blonde and black, make your buns using the back section of the hair while leaving the front to be loose around and slightly across the face.
8. Long Black Layers with Turquoise Ends
Sleek and straight is emo at its most classic! On this very long, straight look, hair is layered mostly up top to create thickness, and the black lengths turn turquoise from the chest down. Create a deep part and brush bangs across the forehead – your eyes will peek out for that mysterious, misunderstood vibe.
9. Pink Emo Updo
Just because you’re going for the emo look, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear your hair up. This super cute bright pink side pony features light blonde highlights, a straight side bang, and tons of texture.
10. Over and Under
Layer your hair so that it is long underneath and much shorter on top. Dye the bottom layer a dark color, then color the top layer a much lighter, contrasting shade.
11. Choppy Platinum Emo Pixie with Pink Fringe
Cut your hair into a short pixie, and then cut in lots of spiky layers. To give the hairstyle a real emo feel, add a splash of color.
12. Long Choppy Layers with a Spider Accessory
If you already have the perfect style, why not change up your look by adding an emo hair accessory? There are thousands of skulls, spiders, and bows out there which you can use to enhance your style.
13. Hot Pink Layers with Heavy Side Bangs
Dye your hair a vibrant pink color to really make a statement. In order to get your hair to look so bright, you may have to bleach it before you color it.
14. Auburn Layered Emo Cut
This layered emo cut has a fashionable edge. Keep the crown layers short while leaving the face-framing lengths longer. Sweeping side bangs and spiky layering complete the look.
15. Highlighted Bob with a Spiky Crown
Cut your hair to shoulder length and then cut in lots of shorter layers over the top. The shortest layers can be fluffed up to give your crown a spiky, punky style.
16. Two-Tone Hair with Blunt Blonde Bangs
In this dramatic incarnation of two-tone emo hairstyle, you should dye the back section of your hair midnight black, while bleaching the front portions a beautiful platinum blonde color.
17. Long Shag
The long shag is a great choice if your hair has more volume. Soften the look by putting in very loose curls, by wrapping your hair around a barrel brush while you are drying it.
18. Punk Bowl Cut
Give an emo twist to a pudding bowl haircut by cutting in short layers on the top. Short sides look perfect with bangs which are nearly as long.
19. Tousled Waves with Full Side Bangs
Give your hair a “just got out of bed” look by letting it dry naturally after you have showered, then scrunching a little product through it to help it to keep its tousled look.
20. Choppy Layers
Ask your stylist to cut in lots of choppy layers, and team up with a sweeping side fringe. This fabulous emo look is very easy to maintain.
21. Long Dark Layers with Choppy Bangs
All-black or dark, dark brown hair is perfect for the emo look. Keep your hair straight and sleek for the most intense color.
22. Emo Hair with a Shaved Side
Shave or close crop your hair at one side, and leave the other side as long as you want it. This emo hairstyle looks brilliant if you have multiple ear piercings that you want to show off.
23. Spiky Shag with White Side Streaks
Spiky layers which are short near the crown and much longer at the base layer are a brilliant choice for those who want statement emo hair. Add sharply contrasting streaks to enhance the effect of the spiky layers.
24. Hot Mess
Combine a number of different emo staples to create the “Hot Mess” look. This style teams up a thick layered shaggy style at the top, with extensions that go all the way down to your waist. Add colors for an extra dimension.
25. Emo Pixie
A short emo hairstyle for both girls and adult women to look elegant and fashionable. This pixie cut utilizes a breathtaking, sweeping fringe, which comes down to the jaw line and draws the eye to the lips.
26. Choppy Layers and Choppy Bangs
An all over choppy cut is a brilliant choice if you have thinner hair. Ask your stylist to chop away using a feathering technique to achieve this kind of look. The choppiness will help to give your hair a more voluminous look.
27. Choppy Crop
A short crop style looks cool if you have petite facial features. Crops can be given a modish emo twist by cutting in some really choppy layers and adding a splash of contrasting color to your bangs.
28. Bowie Cut
This style is reminiscent of a haircut made famous by the late David Bowie. Arched bangs help to give the hairstyle a softer, more feminine look.
29. Neon Queen
Dark colors look great with a mixture of bright neon shades. This style seamlessly mixes the modish emo style with the neon cyberpunk look. Mixing multiple neon shades prevents each individual color from being too loud.
30. Lavender Braided Pigtails with Choppy Layers
Whatever shade your hair is, you can channel your inner Alpine girl by braiding the longest sections of your hair into traditional Heidi braids. Leave the shorter, choppy sections free to portray your emo stylings.
Things to Consider When Styling Emo Hair
It’s easy enough to recognize emo hair. Look for an asymmetrical haircut with choppy layers and long bangs that cover one side of the forehead and one eye. The main color is black or blonde, mixed with bright colors such as pink, purple or blue.
It’s easy to style emo hair in a few steps. But each step has its own subtleties, which are important to know.
Styling
First of all, start with a deep side part so the hair would cover one eye. This will create the illusion of side bangs, even if you don’t have any. Use hairspray or wax to hold your hair in that direction. You can also use colorful bobby pins or barrettes with bows. They can be very helpful too.
Volume
Emo hair means volume at the top. But what to do if your hair is fine? Just use the backcomb close to the roots and fix it with hairspray. There are also many professional products for volume, such as powder, foam, or spray. Try to be careful while doing the backcomb. If you do it wrong, it’ll just tangle your hair.
Color
Don’t forget about the color. Color is the key to success when creating emo hair. The most popular color combinations are black with violet or red streaks and blonde with pink stripes.
To achieve those bright colors, hair should be bleached first. And if you’ve never dyed your hair before, visiting a salon would be the best option for you. Because hair dyes can be damaging to your hair and cause allergic reactions. Therefore, it is worth asking professionals to help.
In case you’re not ready to commit to any color, there are colorful clip-on extensions of different shades and lengths. Consider also hair chalk or colored hair spray for temporary hair color. They stay until the first shampoo.
Whether you decide to go through all the steps or make small alterations you have to take good care of your hair. Emo hair is known as smooth and shiny, therefore, it should be clean and styled.
Since emo hair is mostly dyed it’s better to use shampoo and conditioner for colored hair. Proper conditioning will also help when detangling the backcomb.
Straight Hair
Straight hair is an important part of the emo image. Even if you have wavy hair, the bangs must remain straight. You can style them with the help of a brush and blow dryer or use the flat iron to straighten your hair.
Heat Protection
That’s why the next “must-have” is heat protection. It helps prevent hair damage from the straightening. Remember to use the flat iron only when the hair is fully dry. Finish your routine with a few drops of oil for the ends. All that remains is to style the hair with hairspray.
