Penn Badgley’s Hair: Short Curly Style With Soft Quiff
As serial killer Joe Goldberg in You, Penn Badgley’s hair has that slightly tousled, intellectual vibe that suggests he’d read Nabokov for fun, but might also…follow you home. With a knife.
Brooklyn bookstore chic, with an edge.
Why We Love It:
You star Penn Badgley’s hair is low-key—the curls are cut in a way that there’s a little control without sacrificing any of the fun stuff – aka the texture.
That gentle side part with that slight quiff—which looks like he’s run his hand through his fringe while deep into reading some poetry and it just stayed that way—add to the deep-thinking intellectual vibe.
What’s so great about this style is that it embraces imperfection. It doesn’t try to smooth or tame the curls into oblivion; instead, it plays up their softness and volume, creating a look that’s romantic, roguish, and refreshingly real.
It’s perfect for anyone who’s tired of rigid fades and wants to let their natural texture take the wheel—with just enough product to keep it from veering into ‘mushroom’ territory.
Takeaway tip: if you’ve got natural waves or curls, stop fighting it. Get a layered cut like Penn’s that works with your texture.
What To Ask Your Barber:
- If you’re into Penn Badgley’s hair vibe, tell your barber that you’re aiming for a short-to-medium length cut that accentuates your natural curls, with a bit of length on top to allow for a subtle quiff.
- Ask your barber to keep the sides slightly shorter to frame the face, but not so short that it disrupts the overall balance.
- Mention that you’d like some layering/point cutting throughout to add movement and prevent the curls from becoming too heavy or growing outwards.
- But the key is to ensure your barber doesn’t thin out the curls too much; because you need to maintain some volume and texture.
Get The Look
- Curly hair always demands TLC to ensure it doesn’t get dry and frizzy.
- Use nourishing products formulated for curly hair if possible, and try not to wash the hair more than 2-3 times a week.
- Use a weekly overnight hair mask too.
- To style, start with damp hair and apply a curl-enhancing cream or mousse to define the curls and provide hold.
- Use a diffuser attachment on your hairdryer to gently dry the hair, scrunching with your hands to encourage curl formation.
- Once dry, use a small amount of light-hold styling product to shape the quiff, pushing the front section of hair back and slightly to the side.
- You can finish with a fine mist of a frizz-free product or light hair oil for shine.
