How To Perfect the Sabrina Carpenter Haircut, According to Her Stylist

Wondering how to score the signature Sabrina Carpenter haircut? Her stylist breaks down how to recreate the retro glam look with the help of Redken.

By Leann Garofolo & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division
Update Date: 03 Oct 2024

What is the Sabrina Carpenter Haircut?

“Sabrina Carpenter’s haircut is [best] known for its soft, layered look, featuring bouncy bangs that add movement and frame the face,” says Heaps. The combination of textured layers and voluminous fringe is reminiscent of retro glamour but still has a fresh, modern, youthful vibe to it.

How Do You Cut Sabrina Carpenter Fringe?

“Sabrina’s cheekbone-grazing bangs are a signature part of her look,” Heaps emphasizes. She typically styles them into a middle-parted curtain bang, but the cut is versatile enough to pull forward for a wispy, forehead-skimming look. “I have a few must-dos to achieve their soft contouring effect.” Tailoring your fringe to your face shape, she says, is key:

• Round faces: Go for longer layers that begin below the chin to help elongate your features. “Avoid blunt cuts as they can make the face appear rounder.”
• Square faces: Wispy layers are the way to go since they can help soften the sharp angles of a square jawline. You can also opt for longer curtain bangs. “This variation frames the face in a more subtle way and works well with various hair lengths.”
• Oval faces: ”This face shape can pull off nearly any version of the cut.” Consider bouncy bangs or face-framing layers to highlight your cheekbones.

Another important aspect to consider is touch-ups. Regular trims help prevent unevenness. “I trim Sabrina's bangs every 3-4 weeks to ensure they stay at the perfect length,” Heaps notes.

Editor’s Tip: Remember, bangs are typically not something you want to DIY at home with kitchen shears. As such, please, please, please use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist in your area to avoid a botched haircut.

How Do You Ask for the Sabrina Carpenter Haircut?

Again, Heaps underscores that it’s all about customization—think of your hair type and have your hairdresser create your look accordingly. Here’s what she recommends:

• Fine hair: Add soft, graduated layers to create the illusion of fullness. “Using volumizing products or a bit of wave will help boost the texture.”
• Thick hair: Layers should be thinned out to prevent the hair from looking too bulky. Avoid too many short layers to keep the hair flowy.
• Curly hair: Incorporate longer layers to define the curls without adding excessive volume.

“Schedule a trim every 6-8 weeks to maintain the shape of the layers and keep the ends [looking] healthy,” the stylist adds. “This prevents split ends and ensures the style stays voluminous and bouncy.”

How To Style the Sabrina Carpenter Haircut

Now that you know the basics of the Sabrina Carpenter haircut, it’s time to discuss styling. If you’ve ever wondered how the singer’s effervescent mane withstands hours of performing or red-carpet appearances, we have the official tricks of the trade.

Step 1: Prep your hair

Always start with clean, damp hair. This allows for better product absorption and styling manipulation, helping your mane lock in volume as it dries.

First, section your hair and apply Redken’s Root Lifter Volumizing Spray directly to your roots. This medium-control mousse helps create volume and lift at the crown, adding body and thickness to your layers without weighing them down.

After you’ve prepped your hair for volume, it’s time to layer on heat protection. Among Heaps’ favorite formulas is the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Treatment, which also helps strengthen hair and promote smoothness. Another of her top picks is the Redken Thermal Spray 11 Low Hold. “It provides a protective barrier against high temperatures, preventing moisture loss and ensuring flexible, long-lasting hold. This is a must-have when I'm on set.”

Apply your chosen heat protectant from the mid-lengths to the ends of damp hair before moving on to blow drying.

Step 2: Begin blow-drying

Rough-dry your hair until it’s about 80% dry. Then, reach for a medium to large round brush (the bigger the brush, the softer and more voluminous the curl will be) and start blow-drying your hair to create smooth layers. “Focus on lifting the bangs for extra bounce,” says Heaps.

Editor’s Tip: If you need a refresher on achieving a salon-quality blowout, head to our article How To Blow Dry Hair for a more in-depth tutorial.

Step 3: Add some waves

“For subtle waves, use a one-inch curling iron on the mid-lengths to ends,” Heaps advises. “Alternate curl directions for a more natural, tousled effect.”

Similar to round brushes, the width of your curling iron barrel will impact how loose or tight your curls are. Feel free to play around with different-sized irons until you find the one that gives you your desired result.

Step 4: Set your look

Like a shot of espresso to keep hair up all night, Heaps sets the popstar’s mane with Redken’s Brushable Hairspray to help lock in body and fullness. This finishing spray utilizes holding polymers to provide up to eight hours of brushable hold, resulting in a bouncy, tousled finish.