Did Tom Holland get a new haircut? That’s what the people of Reddit have been saying over the past few weeks. Across The Odyssey press tour-and now while promoting Spider-Man: Brand New Day-the actor’s hair has looked noticeably different. The smoother, swept-back waves have made way for something looser and curlier and a little more mop-ish.
Maybe months at sea looking for Odysseus meant he didn’t need sea salt spray anymore. Maybe Aeolus, the Greek god of wind, has been working overtime. Or maybe, just maybe, there’s a much simpler explanation. As it turns out, Holland hasn’t dramatically changed his hair at all. Instead, he’s finally started embracing the natural texture that’s been there all along.
“We’ve been traveling all over the past few weeks,” his longtime hairstylist Rachael Speke tells GQ over the phone. “It’s been pretty non-stop.”
For Speke, that’s what makes a press tour so much fun. “Tom and I have worked together for many years now. We always see a press tour as a fun time to experiment,” she says. “It’s a time when we’re not tied to the way in which a specific character might look, unlike when we’re working on a film shoot. We have a shorthand and the looks grow organically.”
That freedom’s given Holland one of his best grooming moments in years. On a press tour, there’s room to try something different, to react to the clothes, the city, even the weather. Rather than smoothing everything down, Speke has started leaning into the texture Holland already has. “We have embraced Tom’s natural texture a lot more recently as it has just seemed to be the right time,” she says.
The NYC premiere of The Odyssey felt like the moment that everyone really noticed. Holland pulled up in a slick Fear of God suit, but it was his hair that stole the show. “His most recent curly look at the New York The Odyssey premiere was something that just immediately clicked with the simple structured suit,” she says. “And the wind that night just made it look even better.”
So maybe Aeolus deserves a little bit of credit after all.
The funny thing is that, despite what half the internet seems to think, there hasn’t actually been some dramatic chop between premieres. If you’ve convinced yourself Holland visited the barber somewhere between London and New York, Speke says the answer is much simpler. “Tom’s hair is incredibly versatile and the same haircut can be worn in many ways due to the texture of his hair,” she says. “He can wear it anywhere from straight, to smoothed out waves, to very curly. It’s a scissor cut with a longer top and slightly shorter tapered sides and back, which I point cut to add texture and enhance his natural texture.”
DavinesThis Is a Curl Building Serum is part of the routine behind it, too. Speke starts with Davines Curl Building Serum on wet hair “to hydrate and clump together the curls.” From there, she’ll either diffuse it (diffusing spreads airflow over a larger area, which enhances natural curls and waves, adds volume, and minimizes frizz) or “you could easily scrunch and let air dry.” Once it’s dry, she finishes with Kevin Murphy Easy.Rider “to tame any frizz.”
When Holland’s wearing something smarter, the cut still doesn’t change, only the styling. “When the looks have been a bit more polished I’ll add Kevin Murphy Bedroom. Hair to add a bit hold and texture and Kevin Murphy Rough. Rider to hold the sides in tighter.”
Which brings us back to where we started. Tom Holland didn't get a brand new haircut. He’s just started wearing the one he already had differently.
Understanding the hair science behind the look
The core idea is simple: use a cut that preserves length on top with slightly shorter sides, then let the natural texture drive the appearance. A longer top provides flexibility for different wind and movement during shoots and events, while texture-enhancing cuts prevent a flat, uniform appearance.
Key products and techniques mentioned include applying a curl-building serum on wet hair to hydrate and clump curls, followed by diffusing or air-drying to maximize natural texture, and finishing with smoothing or holding products to control frizz and shape. These steps let the hair look relaxed yet intentional, aligning with the on-the-go vibe of a global press tour.
In practical terms, this approach suits anyone with wavy to curly hair who wants versatility without losing shape. A scissor cut with a longer top and tapered sides can be styled straight, wavy, or curly depending on texture and product choice. The routine works well in varying climates and outfits, from casual to formal.
Speke’s philosophy reflects a broader trend in celebrity grooming: embracing natural texture rather than fighting it with heavy styling. The result is a look that feels authentic, effortless, and adaptable to different settings and moods.
Practical takeaways for recreating the look
- Adopt a cut that maintains length on top with subtly shorter sides to enhance texture.
- Use a curl-building serum on wet hair to hydrate and help curls clump together.
- Diffuse or air-dry to preserve natural texture and minimize frizz.
- Finish with a light holding product to control frizz and define shape.
In short, Tom Holland didn’t undergo a dramatic haircut-he simply began wearing his natural texture more prominently, aided by a thoughtful routine and adaptable styling choices.