Every now and then, society collectively agrees that a certain look has had its day. But some hairdos just won't take the hint. They claw their way back into relevancy—or worse, never leave—despite being outdated, unappealing, and a little tragic. These questionable styles hang around like fridge leftovers that should’ve been tossed ages ago. It’s time to stage an intervention and banish these offenders once and for all.

Here’s what absolutely, undeniably needs to go:

1. The Mullet

Ah, the mullet—the cockroach of hairstyles. You'd think something this bad would’ve been permanently buried in the '80s along with VHS tapes and neon leg warmers, but no. It lingers, popping up in un-ironic glory like that one guest at a party no one invited but somehow dominates all the photos. Sure, there’s been an attempt to revive it as trendy or "edgy," but who are we kidding? This is the hairstyle equivalent of putting lipstick on a pig.

Unless you’re a hockey player stuck in a never-ending time loop or auditioning to play an extra in Stranger Things, it’s time to send the mullet back to the hair graveyard where it belongs. Bonus cringe points to anyone pairing it with a greasy mustache and aviator sunglasses—they’re two steps away from looking like they moonlight in the “questionable unmarked van” industry.

  • Why It Won't Die: Some call it rebellious, some call it retro. We call it a crime against follicles. Blame nostalgia or TikTok for trying to resurrect this monstrosity, but we, as a society, deserve better.

2. The Bowl Cut

The bowl cut deserves to stay in its one true home—a sitcom where an awkward kid is desperately trying to fit in. This “haircut” (using that term loosely) rose to prominence as the go-to style for moms who couldn’t be bothered to take their kid to a barber. Armed with a literal bowl as a stencil, the result looked like someone gave up halfway through cooking dinner and said, "Might as well cut little Timmy’s hair."

Call it "avant-garde" all you want, but deep down, we all know the bowl cut is just a cry for professional help. Adulting is hard enough—don’t make it harder by walking around looking like a victim of utensil-related trauma.

  • Why It Won't Die: For some reason, fashion shows have tried to slap designer labels on the bowl cut and pass it off as high art. But let's be real, folks. Whether it’s in a Paris fashion show or your baby cousin’s kindergarten photo, it still screams “I lost a bet.”

3. Bleached Tips

Remember those frosted tips that every boy band member in the '90s sported like it was mandatory? Yeah, we’re going to need those to retire permanently. Bleached tips make you look like you had a fight with a bottle of peroxide and lost. Throw in some gelled spikes, and suddenly, you’re Justin Timberlake circa 1999—not exactly a look that screams "modern and fresh."

  • Why It Won't Die: Bleached tips seem to resurface every few years, and we suspect nostalgia-junkies are to blame. But unless you're actually in a boy band—and currently on a reunion tour—we’d advise you to leave this frosted relic in the past. Your hair will thank you.

4. The Karen Cut

Where to begin with the "Can I speak to the manager?" cut? This reverse bob, with its overly layered back and aggressively angled front, whispers PTA politics and midtown drama. Popularized in the mid-2000s, it became the unofficial haircut of frazzled suburban moms determined to assert dominance at customer service desks everywhere.

It’s sharp in all the wrong ways—like an exclamation point no one asked for. The style might say "efficient," but efficiency doesn’t have to look like a geometrical assault on the eyes.

  • Why It Won't Die: Some say the Karen cut survives because, deep down, it’s easy to manage. Others think it’s a power move. Either way, this angular mop is past its expiration date. Let's keep the manager’s office a little less tense, shall we?

5. Overly Gelled Faux Hawks

Ah, the faux hawk—the middle ground for people who want to seem rebellious but also want to secure a 9-to-5 job. While its peak in the early 2000s felt somewhat justified, today it just looks like you spilled glue on your head while trying to style your hair in the dark. There’s simply no excuse to still be slathering your scalp in buckets of gel and spiking it up like a porcupine. Save the hair spray for theater performances.

  • Why It Won't Die: Outdated club culture and reality TV bro vibes keep this relic alive. But trust us, the faux hawk’s revival is as unnecessary as reboots of shows no one liked in the first place.

6. The Wet Look

The wet hair look gives off serious "I just crawled out of a swamp" energy. While it may appear sleek and avant-garde on a runway, attempting it in real life usually results in your coworkers asking if you’ve had a shampoo emergency. No one wants to look like they wandered off the set of Survivor without finding fresh water.

  • Why It Won't Die: This style hangs on with the help of Instagram influencers and editorial spreads. But unless you’re lighting it perfectly for social media, you just look like you overslept and forgot to dry off.

7. Rat Tails

A single, long tuft of hair dangling from the back of someone’s head like a sad punctuation mark. Why? WHY? The rat tail is the ultimate head-scratcher. Was it cool in the ‘80s? Maybe. Is it cool now? Absolutely not. This “style” looks like an accident someone grew attached to instead of fixing.

  • Why It Won't Die: Some people interpret it as individuality. They’re wrong. Let's put it to rest before we all collectively lose hope in mankind.

8. Man Buns (Botched Versions)

Man buns, when done right, can look polished. But the problem is, they’re rarely done right. Half the time, they end up small, lopsided, or paired with questionable hygiene choices. A limp, sad knot perched on the back of your head doesn't scream "style"; it screams “I gave up halfway through life.”

  • Why It Won't Die: Blame hipsters and bad grooming habits. A well-done man bun has its place, but the half-baked versions need to go.

9. Chunky Highlights

Chunky highlights are the zebra stripes of hair trends—uneven, distracting, and inexplicably popular in the early 2000s. This style has major “Lizzie McGuire goes shopping at the mall” energy, and not in a good way. Subtle balayage exists for a reason; there’s no excuse for looking like someone took a Sharpie to your hair.

  • Why It Won't Die: Nostalgia loves a good rehash, but in this case, it’s giving more "dated DVD" than retro charm.

10. Feathered Bangs

Feathered bangs take us back to the '80s, where hair was high, hairspray flowed freely, and everything looked vaguely inspired by a bird. High maintenance and impossible to pull off without ten products, feathered bangs look better at a costume party than in everyday life. Unless your goal is to cosplay as a flashback character in Stranger Things, steer clear.

  • Why It Won't Die: Retro aesthetics keep trying to bring this one back. But sorry, no. Just no.

Hair is a personal choice, but some styles deserve to be left in the past along with dial-up internet and acid-wash jeans. If you're sporting one of these clingers, don’t despair—just book a stylist, grab some courage, and wave goodbye to the cringe-worthy ghosts of hairstyles past. Your future self—and everyone else—will thank you!