How to get the Leonardo DiCaprio haircut. Credit: Getty Images.
The only way you haven’t heard the name Leonardo DiCaprio is if you’ve been living under a rock for the past three decades. The American actor and climate crisis Activist became a meme sensation in 2013 after his rendition of an unlawful stockbroker in The Wolf Of Wall Street and again in 2015 after finally winning an Oscar for playing the man who refused to die in The Revenant (2015). His latest work was in the thought-provoking doomsday film Don’t Look Up (2021) starring against major celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and even pop singer Ariana Grande. And if you haven’t seen it yet, we highly recommend that you do.
However, in the beginning of his career, the roles DiCaprio took on were quite different from the unconventional characters that you are used to seeing him play today. Leo’s roles consisted of tragic lovers caught up in doomed romances, such as Romeo in the modern, gun-toting retelling of Romeo + Juliet (1996) and as Jack, the handsome, penniless artist, in Titanic (1997). It was this latter role that launched DiCaprio into the limelight and officially branded him with the label of ‘a 90s hunk’. You can thank him for your mum’s obsession with that one Celine Dion song. You know the one.
So, in honour of this legendary man we have decided to do a breakdown of two of the best Leonardo DiCaprio haircuts and hairstyles for you to recreate.
Credit: 20th Century Fox
The image of young Leo with his soft curtain bangs and buttery highlights glossed on a poster of Titanic was a staple of the 90s. This iconic haircut goes by many names, such as the mushroom (no, seriously), the curtains (understandable), and the floppy (thank you, Hugh Grant) but when you book an appointment with your barber we suggest you ask for the 90s DiCaprio haircut. Better yet, show him the picture (above) of the hair you are trying to recreate so you are both on the same page.
How To Cut:
For the top of your hair, you’re going to want to point cut into the hair at around six to seven inches - when you pull the hair down it should reach the tip of your nose – and then taper it down to about five inches towards the crown of the head. For the sides, you want to go shorter, and scissor-cut around three to four inches. Then cut the back in the same way at around four to six inches in length. This haircut is all about the layers.
How To Style:
Credit: Red Granite Pictures
If you’re looking for that sophisticated haircut then you have come to the right place. When playing his interpretation of Jordan Belfort in the Wolf of Wall Street, DiCaprio has a mid-length scissors cut with a side parting which he styles by slicking the hair back and over to the side. This is a great look for businessmen and anyone that wants to look like they have that gentleman status.
How To Cut:
You will want to scissor cut at around half an inch throughout the whole back of the head and taper it down closer towards the nape of the neck. You don’t want it too short but short enough to look smart. You want to blend this up into the sides and gradually allow the hair to get longer until it reaches two to three inches. Then make sure to comb the sides of your hair down and trim down the hair around the ear to keep things neat. Then for the top and front of the hair you want to cut the hair horizontally at around three to four inches. Make sure to go through the haircut and blend everything together following the shape of the head.
How To Style:
All of DiCaprio’s hairstyles tend to be some kind hybrid of these two haircuts. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different lengths, partings, and shines. Enjoy looking like one of the most famous man in Hollywood.
Zheelana Cottam
Author
Zheelana is a writer based in Cardiff. She has a BA Honours in English and Creative Writing and is a certified TESOL teacher. When she isn’t out hiking in the lush Welsh countryside, she fills her days with reading, journaling, and going out for food.