Channel Your Inner Punk Star With These Celebrity Hairstyles
By Earthly Upchurch
Punk is more than a genre– it is a full on statement, a battle cry, and a way of life. This aesthetic is about rejecting the expected, pushing against the mainstream, and doing things your own way– loudly. And nothing screams that message louder than punk hair.
From the gravity-defying mohawks and jagged spikes of the ‘70s to the pastel buzzcuts, shaggy mullets, and undercut masterpieces of today, punk hairstyles have always been a visual declaration of rebellion, individuality, and raw creativity. Hair is the first thing people notice– and punks have always made sure you never forget it.
In 2025, a new generation of artists is redefining what punk looks like, and they are doing it with fearless flair. Celebrities like Machine Gun Kelly, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, and Willow Smith are breathing new life into punk’s visual language, each adding their own twist with color, texture, and unapologetic energy. Whether you’re drawn to bleached and spiked chaos, a sleek neon bob, or an asymmetrical buzz cut you did yourself in your bathroom mirror, there’s a punk-inspired look out there with your name on it. This guide breaks down how to channel your inner punk star– using the signature styles of today’s genre-defying icons to find the cut, color and attitude that speaks your truth.
Machine Gun Kelly: The Modern Punk Poster Boy
Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) has become a fashion and hair chameleon, known for his bleach-blond strands, pastel dye jobs, and messy, unbothered cuts. His style screams punk without trying too hard– from cotton-candy pink buzzcuts to textured, tousled layers with dark roots that make a bold impact. MGK’s hair changes with mood, but the vibe remains the same: raw, expressive, and rebellious.
Hutchinsphoto | Dreamstime
One of the ways to achieve MGK’s look would be to start with a bold color choice– platinum, pastel pink, electric blue– and commit. Add texture with a matte pomade or styling wax to achieve that undone, rocker feel that looks intentional yet chaotic. Want more edge? Try an undercut with shaved patterns for a standout detail that takes your style to the next level. MGK’s punk isn't about perfection, it’s about embracing chaos with confidence and letting your hair reflect your most defiant self.
Willow Smith: The Face of Future-Punk
Willow Smith has taken punk and flipped it into something fluid, raw, and completely her own. From the shaved buzzcuts and geometric undercuts to sleek braids and edgy locs, she mixes futuristic style with fierce authenticity. Willow proved punk isn’t just a throwback– it’s a forward thinking philosophy.
Photo by Starstock | Dreamstime
For Willow’s look, try a full buzz cut or braided look with unexpected partings or color accents. For an extra edge, pair your hairstyle with bold brows or facial piercings. Willow’s energy comes from owning her identity, so whether it’s minimal or loud, make it intentional. Punk isn’t a costume– it’s your truth, broadcast through style.
Miley Cyrus: Reinventing Rockstar Glam
Miley Cyrus has spent years perfecting her punk evolution. From the shaved sides of her pixie era to the gritty glam of her blond shag mullet, she’s constantly pushing boundaries and challenging beauty norms. Her recent looks blend ‘80s nostalgia with a fierce modern edge– think platinum layers, choppy fringe, and the occasional dark root for contrast. She walks the line between polished and unfiltered, always with a rebellious twist.
Photo by Starstock | Dreamstime
In order to achieve one of Miley’s signature looks, go for a mullet or a cropped shag with lots of layers to bring in that lived-in texture. Add in some root shadow or leave your natural shade peeking through to keep it gritty and grounded. Use a salt spray or dry shampoo for volume and for that effortless bedhead effect that screams rockstar. Bonus points if you pair it with bold brows, metallic makeup, or statement jewelry to channel Miley’s full glam-punk energy and unapologetic attitude.
Billie Eilish: Neon Dreams and Rebellious Shades
Billie Eilish is a master of using hair color as a mood ring. From her signature slime green roots to icy blondes and smoky blacks, Billie’s looks are never subtle– and that’s the point. Each shade she wears becomes a piece of her story, a mood board of emotion and expression. Her choices are fearless, often changing dramatically between album cycles, and always wrapped in a layer of dark mystery and soft rebellion.
Photo by Starstock | Dreamstime
To achieve one of Billie’s looks, start by picking a vivid, unnatural shade that speaks to you– lime green, highlighter yellow, teal, or jet black with a contrasting root. Billie’s hair is usually sleek and straight, so use a flat iron for a glassy finish and sleek silhouette. For a lower maintenance option, temporary dyes or colored wigs let you shift styles like she does– no commitment required, just pure experimentation. With Billie, it’s not just about the color—it’s about the attitude behind it.
Lil Nas X: Color, Confidence, and Cutting Edge Style
Lil Nas X doesn’t just turn heads– he spins them. Whether it’s colorful locs, tight curls or bright hues, or sculpted styles with rhinestone accents, he blends bold artistry with a punk twist. His hair is a reflection of fearless self-expression, gender fluidity and pure creativity.
Hutchinsphoto | Dreamstime
To get a hair like Lil Nas X (also known as Montero), experiment with dreads or twists in vibrant colors– think magnets, royal blue or lavender. You can add hair jewelry, beads, and glitter for that extra flair. Montero doesn’t shy away from beauty boundaries, and neither should you. If you’re feeling bold, consider combining textured hair with a fade or carved design to stand out even more.
Final Encore: Do You, Loudly
One of the core values of punk is doing it yourself. Your hair is your canvas– grab some scissors, bleach or dye and get creative. Asymmetry, uneven cuts, or clashing colors? All fair game. You don’t need a salon– you need a vision and the guts to pull it off. How to get the look would be by shaving one side, or giving yourself jagged layers with scissors. Use temporary hair color sprays or fabric dye for a raw, garage-style aesthetic. Accessorize with bobby pins, safety pins or found objects. There are no rules– just expressions.
Piercings and accessories elevate any punk hairstyle. Whether it’s a row of ear cuffs, a septum ring, or an eyebrow piercing, these elements sharpen your look and reflect your edge. Hair extensions, colored clip ins, or glitter sprays can also add dimension to any base cut. For achieving this look, layer accessories like you’re building a character. Stack multiple earrings, weave chains or charms into braids, or combine wigs with dye jobs. The secret? Confidence. The bolder you go, the more punk it becomes.
At its core, punk isn’t about following a trend– it’s about starting one. It’s walking into a room and letting your hair speak before you do. From MGK’s pastel chaos to Miley Cyrus’s voluminous mullet, these celebrities aren’t styling hair– they’re shaping culture. And now, you can too. So whether you’re bleaching it, buzzing it, spiking it, or dyeing it a radioactive green, do it with pride. Be loud. Be strange. Be you.
Edited by ALEXIA on July 3, 2025
