Clavicut

Q: A friend recommended I get a clavicut. I think I have an idea of what it looks like, but I’d love to hear it explained by someone else. What exactly is a clavicut, and what should I know before getting this haircut myself?

A: A clavicut is a haircut where the length falls right at or around the collarbone - hence the name, which comes from "clavicle" and "cut." It's a stylish, medium-length haircut that blends the best of both worlds: long enough to style and pull back when needed, but short enough to feel fresh and easy to manage.

The hair is cut just below the shoulders, at a length that, for many, forms that magical border between medium and long. It’s not too short, but not really long either. Ideal for someone who wants to try shorter hair without taking risks!

The clavicut has become really popular because it's incredibly versatile and flattering on almost every face shape and hair type. For round faces, it helps elongate the look of the face. If you have a square face shape, the cut can soften stronger jawlines. Heart-shaped faces benefit from how it balances a wider forehead with the narrower chin, and if you have an oval face, a clavicut will complement your natural symmetry beautifully.

Before you book your hair salon appointment, think about how much effort you want to put into daily styling. While the clavicut is lower-maintenance than long hair, it still requires some styling to keep it looking its best. It’s also important to consider your hair’s natural texture and how it tends to behave at shorter lengths.

Bringing a few reference photos to your stylist can help ensure you’re both envisioning the same result. You’ll also want to discuss whether you prefer a blunt edge for a sharp look or some soft layers for a ore lived-in, textured vibe. And don’t forget to think about your lifestyle. If you need to easily pull your hair back for work, workouts, or other activities, a clavicut still offers that flexibility.

Collarbone-length hair or a clavicut — Image: AI illustration

Maintenance is pretty straightforward with a clavicut. Plan on getting a trim every 8 to 12 weeks to keep the shape sharp and the hair healthy. Because the hair is shorter, drying time is quicker, and it’s generally less prone to tangling. However, you’ll want to keep up with regular conditioning treatments to maintain healthy hair ends, since at this length, split ends are more noticeable.

People sometimes mix up a clavicut and a long bob, but there’s a subtle difference. A clavicut specifically falls at the collarbone. A long bob is a more general term for any bob that falls somewhere between the chin and shoulders. In short, all clavicuts could be considered long bobs, but not all long bobs are clavicuts. Don’t ask your hairdresser for a long bob if what you really want is a clavicut, or you might end up disappointed, with hair much shorter than you had in mind.

One of the biggest perks of a clavicut is how gracefully it grows out. Because it’s a medium length, it transitions naturally into longer styles without going through an awkward phase. If you keep up with light trims, you can maintain its shape for months or let it evolve into longer hairstyles.

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