How to Create a Cute Faux Lion Cut Hairstyle Using Stockings

Laurscurls
by Laurscurls
9 Materials
$10
45 Minutes
Easy

I’ve always wanted one of those super-cute lion cuts, but to do it, you have to cut your hair, which I'm not ready for. Instead, I came up with a way that you can get the curly lion cut without actually cutting your hair.


What is a lion cut?

A lion cut hairstyle is named so because it looks like a lion's mane. It's a wild, voluminous hairstyle for curly hair that has a very circular shape, plus bangs in the front.


I’m not sure how well this works for long hair, but if you have mid-length hair, this is perfect for you. Let’s get started!

Tools and materials:

  • Spray bottle
  • Conditioner
  • Styling gel
  • Wide-tooth comb
  • Headscarf
  • Blow-dryer (optional: diffuser attachment)
  • Stockings
  • Hair pick
  • Hair growth oil
Spraying hair with water

1. Prepare hair for styling

Grab a section of your hair and spray it with water so it’s nice and moisturized.

Smoothing conditioner through curly hair

Then, take your favorite conditioner and smooth the product all throughout your hair. This will help your hair form better curls.

Finger coiling strands of hair

2. Finger coil a few strands

Take a few strands from the section and finger curl them. Don’t finger curl all of the section, just a few strands as this will add more lift and body to your hair.


Finger curling all of it will make it super short, and we want volume, not short, stringy curls. Variety is key.


For more information on this technique, you can see my previous tutorial on how to do perfect finger coils on natural hair.

Scrunching the ends of curly hair

Give the ends a scrunch and then move on to the next section. Repeat until you get to the front sections.


I like to do this process while my hair is already a couple of days past wash day because my roots get thicker as the days go by which adds more lift.

Finger curling the front section of hair

3. Finger curl the front sections of your hair

We want our front strands to have the most lift to really succeed with the lion cut hairstyle, so we’re going to do things a bit differently.


Repeat step one, but this time we’re going to use a wide-tooth comb to thoroughly detangle the front pieces.

Wetting the front section of hair

After it’s fully detangled, drench the strands in water again until it’s sopping wet. To start finger curling, rake your fingers through the strands. 

Twisting curls around the fingers

Then, take each strand and twirl it around your fingers to the root.

How to create defined, tight curls

This technique shrinks the hair and creates beautiful, tight curls. I recommend doing a few of these curls on the side of your hair so the tight curls blend in with the looser ones.

Applying styling gel to curly hair

4. Apply styling gel

Take a dollop of styling gel and apply it to your hair by smoothing out your curls. This will clump them nicely.


Remember, gel placement is everything! For a rounded hair shape, concentrate the gel on the ends of the hair and stay away from the root.

Plopping curly hair in a headscarf

5. Plop your curls

Plop your curls into a headscarf and let them sit for 10-15 minutes so that they shrink a bit more and form into a more round shape.

Diffusing hair with a blowdyrer

6. Diffuse

If you have a diffuser attachment for your blow dryer, definitely use that, but if you don’t have one like me, you can use your hand. Put all of your curls to the side and diffuse.

Applying hair growth oil to curly hair

7. Apply a growth oil

Apply a few pumps of any growth oil to your hand and rake it throughout your hair.

Separating curls at the front of hair

8. Separate curls in the front area

Gently separate the tight curls you made in the front sections. Be careful not to get them knotted together.

Cutting the base off the stockings

9. Cut the base off the stockings

Now, for your stockings. Before you put it on, cut off the base so it’s not as thick. 

Creating a curly lion cut with stockings

10. Tie the stockings around your head

Start by tying the stocking around your head, then tuck the edges underneath the sides.


Make sure you use stockings that match your hair color so it blends in nicely with your hair. So, if you’re blonde, get a beige tone. My hair is relatively dark, so I went with black. 

How to do a faux lion cut on curly hair

After the stockings are on, flip your hair over it.

DIY fake lion cut hairstyle

Then push the headband back to shorten the front pieces.

Picking out hair for volume and shape

11. Pick out your hair

Use a pick to pick out your hair wherever you feel you need more volume or your hair needs more shape.

Lion cut hairstyle


How to do a faux lion cut

How to do a faux lion cut

Here’s the finished look! If you want to add hairspray so your hair is bigger, feel free, but I decided not to. 


This lion cut for curly hair is so cute, and super easy, and I love it so much! Let me know if you decide to try this lion cut hairstyle and how it works for you!

Suggested materials:
  • Spray bottle
  • Conditioner
  • Styling gel
See all materials

The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

Comments
Join the conversation
Next