78 Haircuts That Went Horribly Wrong (New Pics)

Online cultures and psychology both show that hair matters to how others see us and how we see ourselves.

Even small changes in hair density or style can shift how people perceive age, health, and the overall beauty of a person.

There’s also this pretty common trope in movies of people changing hairstyles in response to life changes, such as a break-up or trauma, or when starting a new job or chasing a fresh goal.

“People report high concern with the appearance of their hair, and poor hair condition can impact self-perception and self-esteem,” says Bernhard Fink of Biosocial Science Information.

But the definition of a great haircut varies depending on who you ask.

A recent lifestyle/2025/09/11/the-top-womens-hairstyle-in-every-state/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">survey found that hairstyle preferences vary sharply by generation.

Gen Z women are more likely to favor curtain bangs and curly hair, while older groups tend to favor long layers.

Millennial women love the messy bun — 10% said it’s their favorite, making it one of the top three styles for this group.

In the survey, women were also asked whether they’d prefer “great hair, every day” or “an unlimited wardrobe,” and 51% of women went with the first option.

For many men, a good haircut boosts their confidence and helps them feel more put together in professional and social situations.

According to a new poll in the US, one in five men gets haircut anxiety.

The survey found 21% of men feel nervous asking their stylist or barber for a new hairstyle. Maybe because they fear experimenting, or they don’t want to commit to a style that might not match their vibe.

At least 32% of men who stick with one stylist say their bond is so strong they think of them as “practically family.”

Hair also plays a huge role culturally and socially, and it’s linked with identity and status in many communities.

For example, in some cultures, long hair can signal youth or strength, while shaved heads can be a ritual of mourning or renewal. Braids and dreadlocks can speak volumes about heritage and history.

Back where I am from, letting long hair flow freely — without braids — often comes with the assumption that a woman is “wild.”

In stories and folklore, hair often reflects inner life and transitions. Think Rapunzel’s long locks symbolizing freedom and growth, or Medusa’s serpentine hair representing power and fear.

Hairstyles can feel like pressure, but they can also mean freedom, allowing you to experiment and make mistakes.

After all, even the worst haircut doesn’t last forever. And sometimes, the laugh you get from sharing it can be worth the awkwardness.

It’s good to know that even celebrities aren’t immune to bad haircuts.

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz made headlines at the 2025 US Open with a shaved head after a haircut mishap with his brother. One of his friends publicly called his haircut “horrible” and joked that at least the Spaniard was now “aerodynamic.”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge summed it up perfectly in Fleabag when she stormed a salon, delivering that impassioned monologue about hair.

“Hair is everything. We wish it wasn’t so we could actually think about something else occasionally. But it is. It’s the difference between a good day and a bad day. We’re meant to think that it’s a symbol of power, that it’s a symbol of fertility. Some people are exploited for it and it pays your… bills. Hair is everything,” her character says while addressing the hairstylist.