How to Get the Zyzz Haircut: A Complete Style Guide

Master hair stylist Frankie Sanderson explains how to achieve this iconic look

Co-authored by Frankie Sanderson and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: February 18, 2026 Fact Checked

What Haircut to Ask For

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Styling Guide

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Haircut Origins

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Video

Millennials will remember Zyzz, the viral bodybuilder who was famous in the 2000s. But he isn't just remembered for his physique. He also popularized a unique hairstyle, achieved with a flat iron and copious amounts of hair wax. Now, some male fitness TikTok influencers are reviving the Zyzz haircut as a throwback to the late Australian icon. Keep reading to discover what haircut to ask for to imitate Zyzz, and how to style a Zyzz haircut, with insights from master hair stylist Frankie Sanderson and master cosmetologist Shun Pittman.

How to Get the Zyzz Haircut

According to master hair stylist Frankie Sanderson, ask your hairdresser to give you a layered shaggy cut using a razor, scissors, and thinning shears. To style, apply a smoothing blowout product evenly through damp hair. Part your hair on the left and blow-dry it at an angle. Then, flat iron your hair in sections.

Section 1 of 3:

What Haircut to Get for the Zyzz Hairstyle

Ask a hairdresser for a shag haircut and sideswept bangs. According to some sources, the ideal shag haircut for the Zyzz hairstyle has lots of layers and 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) of length on the back and sides. It also has face-framing shaggy bangs that sweep to the sides. If your hair is short or you don't want to grow it out to 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm), you can still ask your hairdresser or barber for layers. Sanderson suggests asking your stylist to cut your hair using a combination of a razor, scissors, and thinning shears to achieve the look.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Frankie Sanderson
Master Hair Stylist

Expert Interview}
- Sanderson says this particular hairstyle is getting popular again. He notes that he’s always loved the cut, which is mid-2000s nostalgia with a touch of emo.^{[2]
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  Frankie Sanderson
  Master Hair Stylist
  
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- Can you do this haircut at home? A shag haircut is tough to DIY because of the number of layers. We recommend seeing a stylist at least for the first cut. After that, you can try trimming it, as well as cutting your own shaggy bangs, if you desire!
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Frankie Sanderson is a master hair stylist, makeup artist, and founder of TheStudeo, a styling business based in Washington, D.C. that specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image consulting services.

Shun Pittman is a master cosmetologist, author, and founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. She has 25+ years of experience and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures.

Section 2 of 3:

How to Style a Zyzz Haircut

Spray the smoothing blowout product directly into your damp hair or pump a quarter-sized amount into your hand. Then work the product through your hair to ensure all your layers are evenly coated.^{[3]
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Part your hair on the left and blow-dry the layers to the right and up. Zyzz styled his hair with a left part, which meant the bulk of his hair volume was on the right side of his head. He also pushed his bangs to the right and the layers of hair on the crown of his head upward. To achieve this look, make a left part in your hair, then hold the hair dryer on the left side of your head and point it at your hair to blow it to the right. Use your fingers to comb the hair in that direction, as well. At the same time, push the layers on the top of your head (the crown) up toward the ceiling.^{[4]
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- You can also comb your hair in whichever direction you prefer. As long as your hair has movement on the sides and height on top, you'll be rocking a Zyzz-inspired hairstyle!
Sanderson says to achieve those peaks and valleys this style is known for, you’ll want to apply heat protectant and flat iron your hair.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Frankie Sanderson
Master Hair Stylist

Expert Interview} If your hair is fine or damaged, Pittman recommends heating your flat iron to a temperature between 200–300 °F (93–149 °C). If it's thick or coarse, raise the temperature to 350–400 °F (177–204 °C).^{[6]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist

Expert Interview} Next, working in small, 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) wide sections, straighten your hair. Guide the flat iron through your hair in the same direction you combed it in the previous step.^{[7]
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EXPERT TIP

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Straighten dense hair in small subsections. If you have thick, dense hair, flat iron it in small subsections to make it as straight as possible. If your hair is thinner and finer, you can straighten it in larger sections.
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Use hair wax to style and fix your layers into your desired shape. Sanderson says to apply styling paste or wax for separation, and maybe a little hairspray if you need extra hold.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Frankie Sanderson
Master Hair Stylist

Expert Interview} Just scoop a dime-sized amount of hair wax onto your fingertips and work the wax into your hair with your fingers. Push the layers on your crown upward, and your bangs and the rest of your hair toward the right side of your scalp. Pinch the ends of your hair into points to make your Zyzz style look that much edgier!^{[9]
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- Apply more wax as needed to achieve your desired look.

Section 3 of 3:

Where does the Zyzz haircut name originate?

Zyzz's real name was Aziz Sergeyevich Shavershian. He lived in Australia and became famous for uploading YouTube videos of his transformation from a skinny person into a heavyweight bodybuilder. He also popularized the hairstyle that came to be known as the Zyzz haircut. He died in 2011 at age 22 from a heart attack.