Robyn is the CEO & Founder of HER. Find her on Twitter.
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Feb 28, 2023
Hair is one of the first things people notice about you, and it can be as empowering as it can be validating to your experience as a trans person. Now you’re ready to take the leap and show your true colors, whether that’s through a change of fashion style, of which, obviously includes hair!
Making big, or even small, changes can be intimidating. Short to long or long to short, you want to find something that makes you feel good. The beautiful thing about getting haircuts is that it’s a creative experience, and any hair stylist who is lucky enough to have you walk in should be respectful on your choice and, if anything, celebrate it!
So if you’re looking for trans haircuts catered to MTF (male-to-female) or FTM (female-to-male) people and otherwise trans and gender non-conforming folks, not only do you have to think about your comfort level with your hairstylist, but also the comfort level you have yourself with the changes you’ll be making.
Empowered if how you want to leave your hair stylist appointment. So a little research won’t hurt!
Scroll for examples of trans boy haircuts, trans haircuts for girls – haircuts for anybody! Truthfully, anybody can don these ‘do’s, since hair really has no gender. Remember: trans and gender non-conforming people have been challenging the status quo for a long time, so anything goes.
You’ll also find popular hairstylists, barbers, and colorists who are queer-friendly in some major cities. But rest assured, queer hairstylists are everywhere and they’re not going anywhere any time soon!
Even if you’re a trans guy looking for long or short haircuts, or a non-binary person looking for a fluffy short haircut, the most important thing you can do in your journey to figuring out your own personal style is so let go of all the arbitrary rules that you might have in your head about how you’re “supposed” to look!
There no right or wrong way to look trans, so when choosing a hairstyle, go with the ones that make you feel gender euphoria. And if you’re not sure which ones will, sometimes you have to take the leap and just try it on for size!
The good news is that hair grows back, and you can always try something different next time. Scroll down for some inspiration to take to your barber of hair stylist for your next appointment!
It can’t get shorter than this! The buzz cut is a great trans boy haircut if you want something simple and relatively low maintenance, but you have to take into account how fast your hair grows.
It’s also a great haircut for trans girls, and non-binary folks who really want to set-it and forget it. You can get super creative with it too using graphic lines and color, see the example below!
Via @j.bookie.barber
You can always go for a half buzzed, and half length, seen below.
Via @j.bookie.barber
This one is another classic for queer folks; and it’s perfect for a little “peekaboo” action if you’ve got long hair and want some versatility on when you show your funky side. Let your hair down to cover up the undercut, or put your hair up to show off some personality!
Of course, the undercut also works with medium-length hair, too.
Via
Via @j.bookie.barber
The modern mullet made it on our top 10 most recognizably lesbian haircuts, and it makes its appearance again because it’s a staple non-binary hair style too that anyone can make their own. Get creative with it, length and hair texture changes everything. Ask your hairdresser for advice on what they think can work best for your hair type.
Whether you have had a hairstylist all your life or are looking to make a change, there are some great hair stylists that cater to trans folks that can make you feel confident and empowered. Look for a stylist who has a good reputation, is sensitive to the needs of trans individuals, and who can help you find the style that works best for you.
It’s important to find someone you trust, who understands your hair and its texture, and who allows you the space to experiment with what you want to do with your hair. That takes time to find. It’s kind of like… finding the right therapist! Kind of.
Building trust takes time, so that’s where it also helps to do research online about the vetted and trusted hairdressers from our community. Here are some of our favorite trans-friendly hairdressers who have people coming from out of town just to see them. Maybe these stylists are already near you!
In New York City, you can find Hairrari, a full-service salon founded by queer immigrant women, at three different locations. But they’ve also got locations in Los Angeles, California and Portland, Oregon.
Via @hairraribarber
You’ve seen our trans haircut examples throughout this blog post by way of J. Bookie, a queer non-binary barber of color based in Houston, Texas. You can book by DMing J. Bookie directly on Instagram here.
Other great resources for the United States is the Strands for Trans organization, which is the first online directory of its kind to focus on trans-friendly hair salons.
There is also Project Q, which offers free haircuts to LGBTQ+ folks dealing with housing insecurity. We’re proud to have featured Project Q on our blog before. Read it here: Madin Lopez: Providing a Safe Space for the LGBTQ+ Community with ProjectQ.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, you can find Queer Cuts London, and Kindred Kuts and Hairxtopher in Amsterdam. Vetted and trusted by their local communities, definitely give them a try if you’re in the area and ready to make the change!
One of the best resources you can find for any kind of queer business, is the Everywhere is Queer Interactive Map, which shows all different kinds of LGBT-owned businesses. And you guessed it: they even have a filter for queer barbers and hair salons, of which there are many, many more to discover.
When it comes to haircuts for trans folks, the most important thing is to find a style that makes you feel confident, empowered, and true to yourself. Let go of any preconceived notions of what you should look like, and choose a hairstyle that brings you gender euphoria (even if that takes a little experimenting).
From the classic buzz cut to the modern mullet, there’s a wide range of options that cater to trans community. And, with a little research, you can find experienced stylists who understand your hair and its texture, and who can help you find the perfect look for you.
So, get inspired, take the leap, and show the world your true colors!
Robyn is the CEO & Founder of HER. Find her on Twitter.
