The Leonardo DiCaprio haircut has set grooming trends for three decades. From the floppy curtain fringe that plastered teenage walls to the razor-sharp slick-backs of his blockbuster years, his styles are among the most copied in men’s hair. This guide breaks down every signature look by era, tells you what to request at the barber, and shows you which products to use.
Quick Facts
- Most requested style: 90s curtain haircut (Titanic era)
- Hair type for curtain cut: Straight to wavy, medium to thick
- Top length for curtain look: 6 to 7 inches
- Key product for slick-backs: High-shine pomade
- Key product for curtain style: Sea salt spray
- Curtain cut trending again? Yes, strongly since 2023
The 90s Heartthrob: The Curtain Haircut (Titanic)
The curtain style features a clean middle part with soft, face-framing fringe falling to either side. It defined the late 90s aesthetic and remains his most recognized look.
What it is: A medium-length curtain fringe with a middle part. The top stays long at 6 to 7 inches. The sides sit around 3 to 4 inches, cut with scissors to keep the softness.
Who it suits: Oval, oblong, and diamond face shapes. Works best on straight to wavy hair with medium to thick density. Fine hair can struggle to hold the volume.
How to style it:
- Towel-dry damp hair and apply sea salt spray from roots to ends.
- Blow-dry with a round brush, directing fringe away from your face on both sides.
- Run a small amount of matte paste through the ends for texture without weight.
- Avoid heavy gels or pomades. They flatten the bounce this style needs.
The 90s curtain haircut has been trending since 2023. Barbers report it as one of the most requested styles for men under 30. Its appeal lies in the effortless feel and low maintenance.
The Wall Street Power Look: Slicked-Back Side Part (The Wolf of Wall Street)
As Jordan Belfort, DiCaprio wore a slicked-back side part with a high-shine finish. It is a polished, assertive style that projects authority.
What it is: A classic side-part slick-back. The top is 3 to 4 inches. The sides and back taper short with a fade. The part line is defined.
Who it suits: Square, oval, and rectangular face shapes. Straight, thick hair works best. Wavy hair needs stronger product.
How to style it:
- Apply generous high-shine pomade to towel-dried hair from root to tip.
- Use a fine-tooth comb to set your side part and sweep the top back.
- Blow-dry on low heat while combing in the sweep direction.
- Finish with a light hairspray mist for all-day hold.
Brylcreem is widely reported as the on-set product. Any quality high-shine pomade works. Apply to damp hair and comb through for the smooth, wet-look finish.
The Roaring 20s Gent: Vintage Slick-Back With a Hard Part (The Great Gatsby)
Leonardo DiCaprio with the vintage slick-back hairstyle from The Great Gatsby
As Jay Gatsby, DiCaprio wore a vintage slick-back with a razor-sharp hard part. This is his most formal on-screen hairstyle. The hard part is a shaved line separating the top and sides.
What it is: A classic slick-back with a hard part shaved into one side. The top is 3 to 4 inches. The sides are closely cropped with a taper fade. The hard part gives a crisp, vintage barbershop finish.
Who it suits: Oval, square, and heart-shaped faces. Requires straight to slightly wavy hair. Very curly or coarse hair will struggle to achieve the smooth, flat sweep.
How to style it:
- Apply pomade to damp hair, focusing on the top section.
- Comb straight back from the forehead with a fine-tooth comb.
- Blow-dry on medium heat to lock in the sweep.
- Apply a lighter second coat of pomade to smooth flyaways and boost shine.
The hard part must be cut by your barber. Ask specifically for it when booking. Oil-based pomades give the authentic high-gloss 1920s finish better than water-based alternatives.
The Rugged Classic: Textured Comb-Over (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)
In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, DiCaprio wore a relaxed, textured comb-over. This is the most wearable of his film hairstyles and suits a wider range of hair types.
What it is: A classic gentleman’s comb-over with natural texture. The top is 3 to 4 inches. The sides are tapered and neat. The hair sweeps to one side but retains movement and slight lift at the front.
Who it suits: Most face shapes, especially round and oval. Adapts well to straight, wavy, and slightly curly hair. The texture makes it forgiving for finer hair types.
How to style it:
- Work matte clay or paste into damp hair.
- Comb the top to one side, using fingers for a natural part rather than a comb.
- Blow-dry while finger-combing into position, lifting at the front for volume.
- Finish with a light texturizing spray for a lived-in look.
Unlike the Wolf of Wall Street slick-back, this style embraces natural movement and a matte finish. It requires less precision styling each morning.
The Modern Day Leo: Messy Pushed-Back Medium Length
Leonardo DiCaprio with a modern pushed-back style at a recent event
What it is: A medium-length cut with the top at 4 to 5 inches. The sides are scissor-cut and slightly shorter but not faded. The hair pushes back off the face with fingers, giving a relaxed, slightly messy finish.
Who it suits: Almost all face shapes and hair types. Particularly good for wavy to straight hair of medium thickness. Ideal for men who want polished but low-maintenance style.
How to style it:
- Apply lightweight styling cream or sea salt spray to damp hair.
- Push hair back and away from your face using fingers.
- Air-dry for the most natural result, or blow-dry on low while finger-combing.
- Optional: add matte paste to the ends for light hold and texture.
The Cheat Sheet: What to Tell Your Barber
Saying “give me the Leo” is not enough. Here is exactly what to say for each look.
- Titanic curtain cut: “Medium-length curtain fringe, middle part. Leave 6 to 7 inches on top, 3 to 4 inches on the sides, all scissor-cut. No clippers.”
- Wolf of Wall Street slick-back: “Slicked-back side part, tapered sides. Leave 3 to 4 inches on top. Taper the sides and back short.”
- Great Gatsby vintage slick-back: “Classic slick-back with a hard part. Top 3 to 4 inches. Taper fade on the sides with a shaved part line.”
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood comb-over: “Textured comb-over, natural side part. Top 3 to 4 inches. Tapered sides, neat but not tight.”
- Modern pushed-back: “Medium-length pushed-back style. Top 4 to 5 inches. Scissor-cut sides, slightly shorter than top. No fade.”
Best Hair Products for the Leonardo DiCaprio Look
The right products determine whether the style holds all day.
- High-shine pomade: Essential for the Wolf of Wall Street and Gatsby looks. Oil-based gives all-day shine. Water-based washes out easier but may need reapplication.
- Matte clay or paste: Best for the Hollywood comb-over and pushed-back styles. Adds grip and texture without the wet look.
- Sea salt spray: The key product for the Titanic curtain cut. Adds volume and texture while keeping hair moveable. Spray into damp hair before blow-drying.
- Light styling cream: Ideal for the modern off-duty look. Provides soft, natural hold without stiffness. Use on damp hair and air-dry.
- Hairspray: A finishing touch for the slick-back styles. A light mist locks shape without heaviness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Leonardo DiCaprio have a perm in the 90s?
No. His 90s hair was naturally wavy and full. The voluminous, tousled look came from blow-drying and natural wave, not a perm. His hair texture has stayed consistently straight to wavy throughout his career.
What hair product does Leonardo DiCaprio use?
No single product is confirmed for his personal routine. On set, stylists used Brylcreem for the Wolf of Wall Street look and pomade and wax for the Gatsby style. For everyday wear, a lightweight cream or sea salt spray works.
Is the 90s curtain haircut back in style?
Yes. The curtain haircut has been trending since 2023 and continues through 2026. Barbers across major cities report it as one of the most requested styles for men under 30. Modern versions often add a low taper fade for a cleaner finish.
Can you get the curtain haircut with curly hair?
It is harder but possible. The style relies on hair falling naturally to each side of the part. Very tight curls will not fall in that shape. Looser curls can achieve a modified version with the right cut and blow-drying.
How often should you get a Leonardo DiCaprio haircut trimmed?
Every 4 to 6 weeks for the structured looks like the slick-back and comb-over. The curtain cut and pushed-back styles can go 6 to 8 weeks between trims since they are meant to look slightly grown out.
