18 Best Haircuts for Men in 2024, According to a Barber

There has never been a more exciting time to test out a new hairstyle. When I first started barbering, my clientele wanted either a short back and sides or a skin fade, with very little room for compromise in between. It was monotonous at times, but it revealed the staunchly rigid approach to men’s hairstyles that the early 21st-century corporate culture created. Whether you were a business professional or a tradie, a good haircut was one that made you look sharp; however, more recently, the thinking has changed.

“Today, men are increasingly interested in styles that reflect their personalities rather than sticking to traditional norms,” senior stylist and American Crew style ambassador, Andrew Zumbo tells me. “The revival of ’80s and ’90s styles in fashion and pop culture has made these looks appealing to a new generation, as well as resonating with those who remember them fondly.”

With so many men now working from home, attitudes towards style and dress have become far more relaxed, and this has (slowly) filtered through to the modern gent’s hairstyle. In recent years, I’ve noted a shift away from the highly structured cuts that dominated the mid-2010s, with more men opting for styles that previously would not have been deemed masculine haircuts.

Taking influence from Korea and Japan, many of today’s most popular men’s haircuts focus on textured layers and soft edges, giving a more refined and natural aesthetic. Nowadays, the top haircuts for men are a mixture of classic and contemporary, blurring the lines between barbering and hairdressing.

While the short back and sides haircut might still have a stranglehold on men across the globe, the options are growing and it’s a great time to try something new. But don’t just take my word for it. With the help of Zumbo and the owner of Gold Coast-based Luigi & Sons Barbershop, Lino D’Addario, I’ve put together a list of the best men’s haircuts for this season, exploring different lengths, textures, styles and approaches. This expert guide touches on several types of haircuts, along with providing insights into trending topics and helpful pointers. Time for a change-up? I’ve got you covered.

Why Trust Our Men’s Hairstyle Advice

As a qualified hairdresser and barber with an SHB30516 Certificate III in Barbering from The Queensland Hairdressing Academy, Nick Hall is an expert on men’s haircuts and styles. Prior to joining Man of Many as Editor-in-Chief, he spent five years as a senior stylist at Brisbane salon The Chopspot and two years at Sydney-based barbershop Kings Domain.

The men’s hairstyle expert has personally chosen every haircut on this list, providing extensive first-hand details and insights related to each style. Additionally, the article features insights from Andrew Zumbo, American Crew style ambassador and Lino D’Adderio – American Crew educator/owner of Luigi & Sons Barbershop.

Best Haircuts for Men at a Glance

• Best low-maintenance haircut for men:Short Back and Sides Haircut
• Best messy style:French Crop
• Best fade:Taper Fade
• Best for long hair: Long Waves
• Best new haircut for men:Middle Part Curtains
• Best modern style:Modern Mullet

Short Back and Sides Haircut

Short Back and Sides Characteristics:

• #4 Guard Lengths:As the name suggests, this hairstyle takes a conservative #4 guard to the back and sides, giving you a grown-in look that is easy to style.
• Corporate Look: This hairstyle is best categorised as a corporate haircut. Straightforward and inoffensive, it is the everyman’s cut.

Best Face Shapes for Short Back and Sides:

• Oblong
• Round
• Triangle
• Oval

Perhaps the most straightforward men’s hairstyle ever created, the traditional short back and sides haircut is a classic for a reason. This cut keeps the back and sides, as the name would suggest, relatively short while keeping enough length on top to style in a backward direction, to the side or with a bit of texture. In most cases, when you ask for a short, back and sides, Australian barbers will use a #3 or #4 clipper guard around the edges, with a blend point at around temple height. To me, this is the quintessential example of this style, however, I would recommend keeping this a little longer if you want to add a bit of personality.

This will ultimately open the opportunity for increased movement and flow, giving you a little more to play with when it comes to styling. In this case, brush the hair over the ears while it is still damp and let it air-dry. The ionic bonds will form in a natural manner, adding some nice waves to the hair and creating the illusion of movement. By increasing the length on the sides slightly, you can transform a traditionally rigid cut into something far little more dynamic.

The big benefit of this style is that it is entirely inoffensive and simple, making it incredibly versatile. You can add a side part if need be, create a bit of movement and texture with a powder product, or simply give it a comb, and you are on your way. Growing the top a little longer can also help you nail that ‘old money’ aesthetic.

“This classic style, which is your short back and sides with a longer flow through the top, is seeing a resurgence, especially when combined with modern fades and tapers,” Andrew Zumbo, American Crew style ambassador explains. ” has a classic, sophisticated vibe that has remained popular over the years, making it suitable for all age groups.”

In essence, the traditional #4 on the sides and back keeps things uniform in length, but not too short, providing the textbook example of a corporate hairstyle. In my time working at inner-city and CBD barbershops, I executed thousands of these cuts. The 4 in the name refers to the #4 clipper guard that is used on the back sides, which roughly equates to around 13mm in length.

How to Achieve a Short Back and Sides

• Run a #4 blade clipper on the back and sides
• Ask to blend the shorter sections with the top
• Trim the top to a manageable length, generally three to five inches

Buzz Cut

Buzz Cut Characteristics:

• Clipper Length on Top: Short clipper-length hair on top that leaves little room for styling.
• Low-Maintenance Hairstyle for Men:The buzz cut is easily the lowest-maintenance hairstyle for men, as it does not require styling.

Best Face Shapes for Buzz Cuts:

• Oval
• Square
• Diamond

Style ambassador Andrew Zumbo describes the humble buzz cut as a “classic, low-maintenance option that emphasises facial features and works well with various hair types”, and I tend to agree. While the shaved head look may not suit everyone, I recommend anyone with an oval, square, or diamond face shape take the buzz cut plunge. In recent years, we’ve seen a mass resurgence in popularity for the simple and straightforward cut, as demonstrated by celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Zayn Malik, and Channing Tatum, who enjoy the clean-cut, low-maintenance look.

Admittedly, shaving your head isn’t going to make you look like Channing Tatum, so consider your lower face features. If you have a strong, angular jaw and high cheekbones, a tight cut will complement your positive facial features. Conversely, I would recommend men with round face shapes to steer clear of this cut, as the tightness of the sides to the scalp can actually emphasise your weaker points and potentially bring greater attention to facial width.

As I’ve said before, a quality buzz cut can often do wonders for your overall appearance, especially when it plays off the contours of your face. As mentioned above, you can take the top down with a longer clipper in order to leave yourself some hair to style and play with, but the best option is likely a #2 or #3 guard over the scalp.

How to Achieve a Buzz Cut

• Run a clipper over the entire head to create a uniform length
• For a cleaner look taper or fade the back and sides with a shorter clipper

Crew Cut

Crew Cut Characteristics:

• Longer Clipper Length on Top: A longer clipper-guard will be taken over the top of the hair, leaving a little bit more hair than a traditional buzz cut.
• Low-Maintenance Hairstyle for Men:Like the buzz cut, this style is one of the best low-maintenance hairstyles for men.

Best Face Shapes for Crew Cuts:

• Oval
• Square
• Round
• Diamond

Another shaved top style, the classic crew cut extends everything we learned about the buzz cut by about an inch. With this cut, which was reportedly named after Ivy League rowers in the 1930s, you will run a longer clipper guard over to the top of the hair while keeping the sides and back under a #2 or #1 guard.

The major difference between the crew cut and the buzz cut is the subtle transitionary lengths on the sides. With a crew cut, the shorter lengths on the sides and back will be faded into the slightly longer lengths on top to create a seamless transition, while the buzz cut is best characterised by its uniform lengths all over.

In my opinion, the classic crew cut is most effective when the hair on top is trimmed down to a #4 clipper guard length, with the hair on the sides and back trimmed to a #1. This contrast in length gives a nice silhouette that can emphasise the structure of the lower jaw, which makes it perfect for men with oval and triangle face shapes.

How to Achieve a Crew Cut

• Run a clipper over the entire head to create a uniform length
• For a cleaner look taper or fade the back and sides with a shorter clipper

French Crop

French Crop Characteristics

• Blunt Fringe: The front section of the hair will be very short and styled forward. This can help add width to an elongated face shape.
• Texture: The hair on top should be highly textured, giving a messy and worn-in appearance to offset the bluntness of the fringe.

Best Face Shapes for French Crop

• Oval
• Round
• Square

The French crop has undoubtedly emerged as the most popular hairstyle of the last decade, courtesy of its carefree aesthetic and low-maintenance characteristics. This men’s hairstyle is generally defined by a short, structured fringe that has been point-cut to form a blunt hairline. This is traditionally paired with a short, textured cut on top with hair fixed close to the crown and commonly pointed forward or up. Ultimately, you can style this section however you want, but I always find that keeping the fringe down and forward will give the hairstyle the most contemporary look; however, be mindful that an overly blunt fringe may give the appearance of a bowl cut.

“As an educator, we spend a lot of time discussing the relationship between the ‘bottom half of the head’ and ‘top half of the head’,” D’Adderio explains. “This is really about making sure you have the correct separation to leave enough room for your scissor-work to build enough bulk around the face and the temple area. That is really important.”

“You can still take it higher up into the back of the shape, which is where the fade comes in. We call this ‘stretching out a fade’, which essentially means you don’t have to take the Zero blade very high anymore. You can drop in a Zero in the lower third of the head shape and then you are able to build and blend a fade into the crop shape.”

“From the customer’s perspective, you want to be asking for a blend-out fade that keeps the shape lean and tight at the sides, but then builds out to a weighted area at the temple and at the forehead, whether we have loose texture or more of a solid front.”

If you have a wide forehead, I recommend styling the fringe diagonally downward to create the illusion of natural movement. By doing so, you will essentially offset the harsh and straight lines, resulting in a more aesthetic messy fringe style. In my opinion, the French crop is one of the best men’s hairstyles for the simple fact that it suits almost any face shape. The short sides and textured top can balance out rounder features and add definition to square jawlines, helping to create a sense of facial harmony in most cases.

How to Achieve a Short Crop Cut

• Ask for a fade on the back and sides. The starting point should be particularly short, generally under a 1-blade
• Scissor-cut the top to around a finger length.
• Ask to have the top point cut for texture.
• For a more blunt look, you can ask to line up the front, however, this will be dependent on your hairline.
• Using texture powder, style the hair forward.

Mod Cut

Mod Cut Characteristics

• Soft Fringe: The front section of the hair will be short and feathered to create a soft finish that helps frame the face when styled forward.
• ElongatedSideburns: The sideburns are significantly longer and cut to frame the fame around the temple and cheekbones.

Best Face Shapes for Mod Cut

• Round
• Square
• Triangle

Chances are, you’ve seen a mod cut and probably didn’t know what you were looking at. The favoured style of Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, along with many Brit-pop stars of yesteryear, the mod cut is seeing a major resurgence in popular culture. The style is best characterised by its extra length around the back and sides, particularly at the temples, which helps to frame the face and create the cut’s signature profile.

“As fashion cycles through trends, the visibility of retro styles in media, music videos, and social platforms will likely spark renewed interest in mod cuts. Especially, given the Oasis brothers are touring in 2025 has sparked huge popularity,” Zumbo explains.

The top section of the hair should be cut shorter, using texturising techniques to create movement and dynamism. If you have a wide forehead, this hairstyle can help draw attention away from the width and create a stronger sense of facial harmony. Importantly, while this retro style is rooted in the past, it is versatile enough to be adapted for modern tastes.

“What I love about our industry and men’s barbering in today’s world is that everything is in fashion, as long as it suits the wearer,” second-generation barber, Lino D’Adderio tells me. “At the moment, we have modern mullets and loose pompadour shapes, but with Oasis reforming, I definitely think what is trending and what will be big next year are those Mick Jagger/Oasis-style shapes and cuts.”

“Fades are always going to be in fashion, as they are a key part of barbering, but I do feel that those longer shapes are becoming more versatile to account for that. Dropping in a little fade around the ears is huge, but being able to get some nice scissor-work involved is really important.”

How to Achieve a Mod Cut

• Scissor-cut or feather-blade the hair around the ears and fringe.
• Ask to keep the sideburns long and framed around the face.
• For a more blunt look, you can ask to line up the front, however, this will be dependent on your hairline.
• Using texture powder, style the hair forward.

Mullet

Short Mullet Characteristics:

• Short Mullet Section:The mullet section of the hair at the back should be kept very short, just visible, flicking out behind the ears.

Best Face Shapes for Short Mullet:

• Oblong
• Oval

A decade ago, naming the humble mullet as one of the best men’s hairstyles would have sent a shudder down my spine, but I guess that’s how trends work. The business in the front, party at the back hairstyle has evolved over the past three to five years, taking on a decidedly more contemporary approach.

“(The) hairstyle evokes nostalgia, connecting to trends from past decades while allowing for personal expression,” Zumbo tells me. “The mullet features a striking contrast between a short front and a long back…and can range from subtle to bold.”

Celebrities such as Jacob Elordi and Paul Mescal are perhaps the proponents of the short mullet, with their messy haircuts keeping the top and sides relatively short, while an elongated section at the nape draws attention. By keeping this section longer, you allow the hair to flow and flick subtly out to the sides. To achieve this look, you will need to ask your barber to feather blade the nape rather than scissor or clipper cut it. This technique will create a softer, more natural finish that can be easily styled with little maintenance.

As I mentioned in our guide to mullets, I generally recommend styling the top of the hair with a messy fringe to create a bit of texture and movement, while the back should be ruffled naturally with your fingers. For styling, a texturising powder or sea salt spray will be your best bet, as it allows for moulding without adding too much weight to the hair follicles.

How to Achieve aShort Mullet

• Point cut the top and keep the sides relatively short
• Gradually fade the sideburns down – however, this does not need to be to skin
• Feather blade the back of the hair and keep the length an inch or two longer than the longest section of the sides

Modern Mullet

Modern Mullet Characteristics

• Natural Flow: The hair on top and at the back will flow naturally, embracing waves and curls.
• Seamless Blending: The hair on the sideburns will be blended seamlessly with the hair on top and back to create a natural, polished look.

Best Face Shapes for Modern Mullet

• Oval
• Round

The modern mullet takes the mullet concept to more extreme lengths, making it one of the ’20s most interesting men’s hairstyle developments. With this contemporary variation, the hair on the sideburns is faded from short clipper length to transition smoothly with the hair on top and back. This high-contrast shorter section can vary depending on your personal preference, ranging from high skin fades to more subtle taper options.

“The mullet is here to stay but with some slight changes,” Zumbo says. “We can expect some exciting variations, particularly with the emergence of the micro mullet. This new take features shorter lengths in the front and top, with just a hint of length in the back. It’s less dramatic than traditional mullets, making it easier to style while still retaining that edgy vibe.”

What separates this cut from other mullets is the emphasis on texture and flow, making it the ideal cut for men with wavy or slightly curly hair. This hair texture can add an element of movement to the style, which makes it appear far more natural and cohesive, despite the stark contrast in the lengths. If you don’t have curly hair, don’t stress – a few minutes with a blow-dryer and diffuser, alongside some texture power, can make all the difference. That being said, tightly curled hair can be tricky as it doesn’t necessarily allow for the visual contrast between lengths.

Again, the nape of the hair will be the key highlight to emphasise with this cut, and it should be feather-bladed to ensure maximum softness and shape. When you head to the barber, aim to keep as much length at the top and nape as possible while taking the sideburns extremely short. The contrasting lengths should blend naturally on the sides and top.

How to Achieve a Modern Mullet

• Ask to scissor or clipper the back and sides
• Leave significant length on top, however, the texture is up to you. Pompadours can be sleek and polished or have a more textured and messy look
• Depending on the desired texture, style the product when the hair is damp by brushing it all back, before elevating the front section

Pompadour

Pompadour Characteristics:

• High Volume:The pompadour is best characterised by its high-volume top section. Think Elvis Presley and James Dean.
• Styling: While the classic pompadour is generally slick, modern interpretations utilise matte creams and pastes to give a more natural finish.

Best Face Shapes for Pompadours:

• Round
• Square
• Triangle

The classic pompadour has been a favoured hairstyle for men for over a century, thanks to its clean-cut aesthetic and timeless styling. To many, the pompadour evokes images of Elvis Presley and James Dean, and while that’s not inaccurate, it’s important to note that this hairstyle has come a long way since the 1950s, most notably in relation to styling.

Nowadays, the pompadour is far less controlled, with most guys opting to style the hair with a natural or matte-finish product, as opposed to The King’s slick, oil-based hairstyle. Outside of that, the silhouette remains largely unchanged, characterised by its short sides and back and extra length on top. This section is generally pushed back and styled neatly or kept naturally to embrace your curls and waves.

In my opinion, the pompadour remains one of the best hairstyles for men due to its versatility. As I mentioned in our guide to short hair, if you have a round or square face shape, a pompadour’s extra height and volume on top can help elongate the silhouette and keep you looking in proportion. Conversely, if you have an oblong face shape, I would steer clear of this option, as it can make you look a little lanky in the face.

According to Lino D’Adderio, American Crew Educator and owner of Luigi & Sons Barbershop on the Gold Coast, classic styles like the pompadour are still just as popular as ever. They might be styled slightly differently, but the foundational shape will continue to capture attention.

“It’s a bit of a cliche saying, but the classics never go out of style,” D’Adderio says. “For example, the James Dean style of loose pompadour is still something that guys ask for every day because it is just such a great look if you want to keep a bit more hair on top.”

While there are different iterations, the classic option is generally a scissor-cut style that sees you comb the hair back over the ears, while the modern take involves a short clipper guard on the back and sides. In the mind 2010s, it was very popular for guys to add a hard side part, however, that specific style has steadily declined in recent years.

How to Achieve a Pompadour

• Ask to scissor or clipper the back and sides
• Leave significant length on top, however, the texture is up to you. Pompadours can be sleek and polished or have a more textured and messy look
• Depending on the desired texture, style the product when the hair is damp by brushing it all back, before elevating the front section

Side Part

Side Part Characteristics

• Defined Parting: The hair will split at a defined and predetermined section, running directly from the hairline to the crown.

Best Face Shapes for Side Part Hairstyles

• Oval
• Round
• Diamond

Another classic to add to the list, the side-part, often referred to as the comb-over, is a staple hairstyle for men that exudes sophistication and prestige. As you would expect, this men’s hairstyle is best suited to the corporate worker who wants to maintain a sleek and professional appearance. However, the side part doesn’t have to stop at the office. Depending on the length of the sides and top, you can rework the cut to be more playful and fun, which will ultimately give you the best bang for your buck.

“Side parts are always in fashion and a big reason for that is versatility,” D’Adderio says. “Being able to give clients the option of something that is a little more business-focused during the week but still flexible enough to be more relaxed on weekends is a huge benefit for most guys. That is what men want – they don’t just want one look all the time, they want something that will look good straight out of the gym, or at the beach or at work. Getting the most out of your haircut means being able to achieve different looks with the same haircut.”

Needless to say, the key characteristic of this short men’s hairstyle is the clear and predetermined parting that runs from the front of the hairline all the way to the crown. As a barber, I’ve been asked countless times which is the correct side of the head to part your hair, and the answer is not as clear-cut as you may think. In truth, the correct parting side for your hair is determined by the direction of your hair growth and the placement of your crown.

To find the optimum spot, run a comb in a straight line from the centre of the crown forward to the hairline. This should create a natural parting, however, inconsistencies such as cowlicks and curls can make this tricky. You might be able to work with a cowlick in some instances, however, this style is very much suited to those with thick, straight hair.

To nail the side-part hairstyle, I recommend leaving some weight on the side and blending it, along with an elongated section on top that you can style to the side in one direction. For a cleaner and classic look, you should opt for a pomade or water-based product; however, you can usually tone down the look with a matte product such as clay.

“Tried and true, this is a classic and timeless look that never goes out of style, the side part works well with various lengths and can be adapted to both casual and formal settings,” Zumbo says. “The best part about this haircut is that you can be as versatile with length as you want. It can be short and tapered through the sides and back with length on top or you can opt for a medium length throughout the entire haircut.”

How to Achieve a Side Part

• Ask to clipper or scissor the sides and back
• Using the natural part as a guide, ask to leave some weight on the part side and blend it
• Trim the top to around two or three inches
• Style the top by combing the hair to one side and elevating the front section

Slick Back

Slick Back Characteristics

• Uniform Styling: With this cut, the hair is styled backwards in a uniform direction. There is no defined parting.

Best Face Shapes for Slick BackHairstyles

• Oval
• Diamond

If the side part is the quintessential men’s hairstyle, the slick back is its classier cousin. This classic men’s cut follows a similar silhouette to the side part, however, it features no clearly defined parting. Instead, the hair is styled backward in one uniform direction and blended at the sides and back of the head, however, this can pose some unique challenges. If you have a wide forehead, a slick back hairstyle can actually emphasise width and accentuate negative elements, so if you have a round, square or triangular face, I would recommend avoiding this cut.

In most cases, the hair on top is worn high, with the hair on top slicked back from the fringe area to the back of the head. As a result, you’ll need to have significant length through the top section and fringe, while the sides and nape can be faded down to suit your preference. The important element to consider with this cut is the sculpted shape and smooth transition, which is achieved through a technique known as clipper-over-comb, leaving slightly more length in the hair as it moves upward.

Styling-wise, a classic slick back is best handled using a water-based pomade or styling product, as it gives the hairstyle more structure and a timeless aesthetic. That being said, you can definitely opt for a matte product or texturising paste to give the hairstyle a more natural finish.

How to Achieve a Slick Back

• Ask to clipper or scissor the sides and back
• Leave significant length on the top and fringe
• Styling the hair uniformly backwards, blend the back section using clipper over comb and scissor over comb techniques
• Style the top by combing the hair backwards and elevating the front section

Mohawk

MohawkCharacteristics

• Shaved Sides:With this cut, the hair on the side is shaved all the way up to the elongated middle section to create a deliberate contrast.
• Uniform Length in Middle: The defining characteristic of a mohawk is the strip of elongated hair in the middle section. This will maintain a uniform length from fringe to nape.

Best Face Shapes for Mohawk Hairstyles

• Oval
• Triangle
• Square
• Round

Make no mistake, the mohawk is certainly not a hairstyle for everyone, but for those who can pull it off (and have a job that will allow it), the contemporary cut remains a serious head-turner. With origins that date back to the Viking era and through to the British punk invasion, the mohawk has lived quite an interesting existence. Its foundations, however, have remained largely unchanged.

The key characteristic of the cut is undoubtedly the long strip of hair that runs from the fringe to the nape unimpeded, which is contrasted with extremely short sides. With the more extreme version, the shaved sides go all the way to the parting line on either side, a technique known as disconnection. In this instance, the hair on top should be styled directly up and to a point, creating a peaked silhouette.

How to Achieve a Mohawk

• Creating two distinct parts on either side of the top section of the hair.
• Shave the hair on the sides all the way up to this point.
• Trim the top section to a uniform length from fringe to nape.
• Style the hair upwards and forward.

Middle Part Curtains

Middle PartCharacteristics

• Defined Part in Centre of Hair Line:The key characteristic of this cut is the central part that splits the hair directly down the middle.
• Loose Flow: With this cut, the hair falls naturally to either side of the part, accentuating the individual waves and movement of the hair type.

Best Face Shapes for Middle Part Hairstyles

• Oval
• Round
• Square
• Triangle

With the ’90s style revival in full swing, middle-part hairstyles (or curtains, as they are affectionately known) have roared back into fashion. In this style, the hair features a relatively defined parting down the centre of the top, with even lengths falling on either side.

Due to the cut’s central parting, the weight distribution of the hair is perfectly even, which allows the top to fall naturally to either side. This creates the illusion of movement and can be highlighted by texture cutting and feather blading.

For the traditional form of this cut, I recommend scissor-cutting the sides to aid in natural fall around the edges. This will ultimately give a more balanced and rounder shape, which can help to accentuate the jaw and cheekbones. However, it’s important to leave a little extra length on the fringe. By leaving this element longer, you help to increase the weight and maintain structure.

Conversely, you could opt for a taper or fade on the sides, which helps to provide a more contemporary finish. The height of the taper is up to you, but I often find that a low taper will give the cleanest look and grow out in the most natural manner.

How to Achieve a Middle Part

• Create a distinct parting line down the centre of the top section.
• Trim even parts on either side of the parting line.
• Clipper or scissor cut the sides, fading upwards to blend in with the top.
• Style the hair upwards and backwards.

Shag or Wolfcut

Shag Characteristics

• Rounded Fringe: This cut features a messy fringe that helps frame the face and create a balanced facial symmetry.
• Mullet Back: This cut also sees a natural fall of the hair at the nape, similar to what you would see on a modern mullet.

Best Face Shapes for Shag Hairstyle for Men

• Square
• Triangle
• Heart
• Round

With retro style making a big comeback this year, the ’70s shag is one of the major trends to look out for. This medium-long length style blends elements of the French crop with the mullet to create a wildly and seemingly untamed aesthetic that feels right out of Pete Townsend’s playbook. Importantly, the shag, or its modern successor, the wolfcut, utilises a rounder and softer firing, which helps to frame the face and create a stellar visual harmony with the elongated nape section.

The hairstyle is essentially a blend of the ‘80s mullet and a shag, characterised by choppy layers on top and longer layers on the side. As I mentioned in our guide to wolfcuts, I recommend growing your hair out for at least six months to get the most out of your fringe and sideburns. Make sure that the barber feather blades the longer areas, the ears, back, and fringe, so that the hair falls naturally and with enhanced softness.

“The Rock n Roll aesthetic has become popular with ’70s fashion, and hence, Mick Jagger’s bangs have also been a bold reference for those wanting to stand out,” Zumbo says. “Today, bangs can be styled in various ways, appealing to different tastes—from choppy and textured to sleek and straight.”

How to achieve a Shag or Wolfcut:

• Ensure that the hair is wet so that when you are blow-drying, it can be manipulated into different shapes.
• Add a pre-styler. For certain looks, one with a shine finish will allow the streaks and the hair’s reflection to create more movement when you blow dry it.
• Using your comb, manipulate the centre part.
• Use your fingers to start at the reference point of your eyebrows, pull up to the top, and pinch the mid-part.
• Blow dry the hair in the direction you wish to see the flow. Keep everything on lower speed and medium heat, that way you can blow dry everything through and manipulate the hair.

Taper Fade

Taper Fade Characteristics:

• Low Fade Point: Where the taper begins is quite low on the sides and back of the head, typically around the hairline at the nape of the neck.
• Gradual Transition: The hair on the sides and back of the head gradually fades into longer hair on the top of the head. Similarly, the transition between the shorter and longer hair is more natural and subtle, without a distinct line as in a high taper fade.

Best Face Shapes for Taper Fade:

• Oblong
• Round
• Oval

In my humble opinion, the taper fade remains the best hairstyle for men, due to its supreme versatility, structure and adaptability. In essence, the haircut involves fading the hair at the sideburns and nape out to the skin in a gradual and smooth manner. As I mentioned in our guide to tapers, I always try to emphasise the importance of establishing the ‘blend’ point. This is the point where the edges and sideburns meet the maximum hair length on the sides and the back.

While the height of the blend point is up to you, keeping the taper fade low will give you a more rounded and full dispersion of hair that will grow out naturally. If you want to change things up, I would recommend playing with textures on top, or even keeping the nape naturally rather than completely tapered. With this variation of the style, you employ a low taper fade on the sideburns and a natural flow at the nape and back, which ultimately allows you to play with the hair’s graduation and fall.

“Many people often use the terms fade and taper interchangeably, but they are actually two different types of cuts,” explains Lino. “A fade is a haircut that gets shorter down the sides and immediately fades into the skin. Fades are typically more dramatic, abrupt, and shorter, whereas a taper is a much more natural and even decrease in length that leaves your natural hairline visible. “I’ve had a couple of clients in the past who’ve asked for a fade, and are then shocked at how dramatic the look is because they were actually after a taper, so it’s always important to clarify the exact style you want with your stylist.”

For guys wanted to change things up, the taper fade is a great starting point and provides a terrific low-maintenance entry point. As you move forward, you can adjust the height of the blend point, making your way from low taper to mid fade or even high fade if you want something a little more extreme.

How to Achieve a Taper Fade

• Run a clipper on the sideburns and nape
• Gradually fade these areas down to the skin
• Ask to keep the blend point of the hair below the temple line

Parted Long Hair

Parted Long Hair Characteristics:

• Shoulder-Length Hair:If you want to try a long hairstyle, expect it to take some time. For the style to be flattering and complement your face, it must be around shoulder length, which can take upwards of 18 months to grow.
• Distinct Parting Line: With this style, there key characteristic is the distinct parting line, which can occur either in the middle or with the natural parting line.

Best Face Shapes for Parted Long Hair:

• Oblong
• Round
• Oval

Long hair has always evoked a level of rebellion and intrigue and that isn’t about to change anytime soon. To me, the parted long hairstyle is a great way to manage extra length and gain a level of versatility from the added weight on top, but be warned – to make the hairstyle work, you will need a lot of hair, at least down to shoulder length. This will require at least 18 months of patience as you wade through the awkward stage, but once the hair has enough natural weight to avoid the ‘flicky’ stage, things become a lot easier.

The key characteristic of this style is the distinct parting, which can occur either in the middle or from your natural parting line. For a more contemporary look, the middle part is my recommendation, however, it really depends on the shape of your hairline and your growth pattern. Another key consideration with any long hairstyle for men is structure. As American Crew educator D’Adderio explains, knowing how to add volume and play with bulk can help you manage the more unruly aspects of the style.

“Once again, it’s very shape-driven,” he says. “A lot of guys just grow their hair and then it ends up being long, but all one length, whereas you still need to be able to put a bit of structure and shape in there. That ultimately loosens it up, with the goal of taking the weight out of the thicker areas and leaving length in the longer areas to create a leaner shape.”

Admittedly, not every barber is a fan of cutting long hair and may charge more for the service, but a recent shift in styles has opened the opportunity for some cross-pollination.

“There is a lot of crossover between cuts. A lot of weight and heaviness is now being built into shapes, and styles aren’t quite as square and lean as they used to be,” D’Adderio says. “There is a lot more roundness to the shapes now and a lot more hair, in general. In the more modern realm, you’re dropping little fades in, giving it a little bit of a mullet shape. It can be off the collar, it doesn’t necessarily need to be long down the back, but a longer shape in general.”

How to Achieve Parted Long Hair

• Grow your hair for at least 18 months
• Cut layers into the hair, particularly at the back to maximise shape and stucture
• Find a desired parting line and style the hair backwards and down

Braids

BraidsCharacteristics:

• Lineup: Many braid-based cuts combine the longer sections with a sharp hairline, creating a visually pleasing contrast in style.
• Long Braided Top: The key characteristic of this men’s hairstyle is the braided top section, which can be arranged in an assortment of different designs and patterns.

Best Face Shapes for Braids:

• Round
• Square
• Diamond

Braided hairstyles have held cultural significance in communities across Africa for thousands of years and in recent times, the style has only grown in popularity. The hairstyle involves interweaving strands of hair to create intricate patterns, which can range from simple three-strand styles to complex cornrows, box braids, and even micro braids.

Historically, braids were used to denote social status, age or affiliation, particularly amongst African communities. In modern Western culture, braids have been largely popularised through sports, with many NBA, NFL and soccer stars adopting the hairstyle as a means of expressing individuality, whilst also keeping the hair tidy enough to play in.

If you are considering braided hair, make sure that the hair is clean and slightly damp before braiding, as this helps manage the strands. You might also find hair products like leave-in conditioners or light oils can help manage the follicles while also maintaining essential moisture. Once in, braids can last a good few weeks; however, it is important to take them every month or two to reduce tension on the scalp and maintain blood flow through to the follicle base.

How to Achieve Braids

• Clean and lightly wet the hair
• Have a braider interface the hair on top in a desired pattern
• You may wish to taper the sideburns or line up the hairline

Faux Hawk

Faux HawkCharacteristics:

• Upwards Styling: The hair on top should be styled forward and up to a central point, creating the illusion of a faux hawk.
• Short, Textured Top: The top section should stay relatively short so that the hair can stand up freely. Adding texture is important as it gives the style some dynamism, which is often lost in shorter cuts.

Best Face Shapes for a Faux Hawk:

• Oblong
• Round
• Oval

While it may be a little out of the 2010s playback, the faux hawk remains a solid option for most guys. The low-maintenance men’s hairstyle requires very little styling and can easily be replicated every day. Best of all, it is extremely versatile, able to be paired with a low fade, taper or with a bit of length on the sides.

I recommend pairing the faux hawk with a mid-fade, keeping around three inches of length on top. In my opinion, this ratio makes for the best contrast between lengths, giving you just enough hair on top to ruffle up or style to the side. If you want to get a faux hawk haircut, ensure that you ask for added texture on top, as this will ultimately give the hair a bit more movement and keep it from looking too uniform in length.

How to Achieve a Faux Hawk

• Run a clipper on the sideburns and nape
• Blend this point to the top
• Keep the top section short and choppy
• Style the hair forward and up, directing the hair into a central point

Long Waves

Long WavesCharacteristics

• Texture: With this style, the emphasis remains on texture so it’s a good idea to use a texturing product such as powder or sea salt spray.
• Movement: With this curly men’s hairstyle, the coils of the hair are far looser, giving a softer and more natural appearance. This helps to create the illusion of movement, which is critical for this style of messy curls.

Best Face Shapes for Long Waves

• Square
• Oval
• Heart

If you are looking for a more natural, sun-kissed aesthetic, surfy waves are a great option, particularly if you have curly hair. The goal with this style is to emulate the relaxed, tousled look of hair after a day at the beach, capturing that gritty, after-swim style. For the most part, this hairstyle for curly-haired males is best characterised by its loose, natural-looking top and sides, as well as its over-directed layers. Essentially, this means that hair around the ears and nape falls naturally without creating a flat or blunt edge.

To achieve this, ask your barber to layer the back and sides, leaving the edges natural. This requires some sectioning during the cut, which may take some time and is often best suited to hairdressers. When cut correctly, you should be able to hold the hair out at a 90-degree angle and see the hair naturally reduce in length as it works down.

“If you have guys with surfy-look hair, which is really popular on the Eastern Seaboard, long hair is really cool, but you need to take care of it,” D’Adderio says. “Decades ago, men only really trusted hairdressers with long hair, as opposed to barbers, but I find that most guys really do like to guys to the barbershop. If the barbers are versatile and have a good mix of skills, long hair is certainly back in fashion.”

How to achieve Long Waves:

• Using products such as sea salt hairspray, apply a generous amount to the top of the hair
• Using your fingers, work your hair in a front-to-back motion
• Apply a moisturising treatment to get those waves or curls flowing, and to keep the hair from drying out
• Regularly run your fingers through your hair to reshape and restyle

Best Men’s Hairstyles Gallery

What’s important is that you don’t take your short hair for granted by ignoring it between cuts or forgetting to use small amounts of hair product when applicable. Also keep in mind that subtle variations in texture can go a very long way, especially with short hair. Click below to see over 50 of the best men’s short hairstyles. Gentlemen, let this be your mood board for hairstyles.

Tips for Good Haircuts

Nailing the perfect men’s haircut is not a simple task and often, it comes down to understanding what you are working with. As a barber, part of my job is steering clients in the right direction, offering solutions and styles that can easily be replicated at home or that best suit their features. There are a few things that I always emphasise, whether I’m helping a guy structure his mullet or simply shaving someone’s head. If you are considering a new haircut, keep these considerations in mind and don’t be afraid to ask your barbers some tough questions.

Face Shape

The biggest and most important consideration when it comes to a new men’s haircut is the face shape. While you might have the perfect hair texture, density and colour for your desired cut, different elements, such as the height of the brow or your lower jaw bone structure, can throw off the balance of the style and ultimately leave you feeling disappointed.

I’ve written countless times about this concept, but it bears repeating – your shape encompasses so much more than just your silhouette. The size of your features, the shape of the mouth, the slope of the eyebrows and the starting point of the hairline are all elements that help to shape your overall shape and should be considered whenever you opt for a new men’s haircut.

“Whether it’s a new client or a regular client in my chair, I always encourage them to assess their face shape. Different hairstyles suit different face shapes,” Andrew Zumbo, American Crew style ambassador explains. “Consider your face shape to choose a style that complements your features. Think and consider your hair’s texture and thickness. Certain styles work better with straight, wavy, or curly hair, so choose a cut that fits your natural hair type.”

For instance, some men with heart-shaped faces want to cultivate the natural pointedness of their chins rather than conceal that pointedness. Most importantly, you get a good sense of the relationship between face shapes and male hairstyles and then proceed accordingly. It’s not as simple as oblong vs oval face, there are a a number of variables at play.

The common face shapes that we see in Western culture include:

• Oblong: Longer than it is wide, with a balanced jawline, cheekbones and chin.
• Square: Broad forehead and jawline with a sharp jaw angle.
• Oval: Balanced proportions – The face is longer than it is wide, but not exaggerated.
• Round: Full cheeks and a curved jawline.
• Diamond: Narrow forehead when compared to the cheekbones.
• Triangle: Wider jawline with narrow cheekbones and forehead.
• Heart: Wider forehead and cheekbones compared to the jawline.

To make things easier, I’ve compiled a handy barber’s guide on face shapes and men’s hairstyles. It details how to determine your face shape and what style will work best.

Maintenance and Upkeep

Some types of haircuts for men, such as the short, back and sides, are easy to maintain, but others will require a lot of upkeep. Anything that is sharp and tight, such as high skin fade or crop, will need to be cut fairly regularly, so it’s important that you are aware of what the haircut will entail before you opt for it. Be honest, if going back to the barber every fortnight seems like a chore, the haircut might now be for you.

“Consider maintenance and think about how much time and effort you want to spend styling your hair,” Zumbo says. “Some styles require more upkeep than others, so choose one that fits your routine. Depending on your new style, invest in quality hair products to help you achieve the desired look and maintain it throughout the day.”

Styling

As I often tell my clients, there is no point in getting a cool haircut if you aren’t going to make the effort to style it properly. Cool haircuts like the shag or wolfcut require a significant amount of styling to nail the natural, flowing aesthetic and without consistent product use and blow-drying, they simply look wrong.

If you are opting for a men’s haircut focused on wavy hair, I recommend styling your hair immediately after a shower when it is still damp. Whatever the length, always start by blow-drying the hair from the crown backward in a uniform direction with the machine on medium heat. This will give you the most natural dry look and remove unnecessary kinks and knots.

Hair Texture and Density

It almost goes without saying but if your hair is light and sparse, attempting a hairstyle that requires significant volume, such as a slick-back or modern mullet, isn’t going to work. Instead, consider hairstyles that prioritise full coverage, so forward-directional cuts that feature messy styling will ultimately be best. This is because they create the illusion of volume with the necessity of length.

Similarly, the texture of your hair will dictate the growth characteristics, most notably in whether the hair is straight, curly, sharp or soft. It sounds simple enough, but understanding the growth pattern of your hair is just as important as choosing a hairstyle that suits your face shape. As I’ve said before, if you’ve got straight Asian hair, it’s not likely that you will be able to pull off an Afro mullet (at least not without chemical help). Always note your hair growth characteristics and texture prior to selecting a new style.

Popular Haircuts for Men

More men are taking a conscious approach toward grooming and appearance and the hair care industry has expanded accordingly. Not only will you find a slew of new barbershops popping up in cities around the world, but it seems that there have never been more men’s hairstyles to choose from than there are at this very moment. As such, you’ll want to master certain terms and looks so that you can sit down in that barber chair and get the right haircut every time.

Whether your hair is short, medium, long, straight, curly, or some combination of the above, there are simply a ton of options to consider when getting your next cut. Start your journey by determining which type of hair you have, and then follow our guides accordingly to discover a truly epic selection of popular haircuts.

• Short Hairstyles for Men
• Medium-Length Hairstyles for Men
• Long Hairstyles for Men
• Curly Hairstyles for Men
• Straight Hairstyles for Men

How to Deal With a Receding Hairline

For plenty of men, a receding hairline is basically a fact of life. What’s far less pre-determined, however, is how you roll with this particular punch. One of the simplest options is to rock a clean shave or modern buzz cut. Other men work with what they have by adding extra texture or layering, which can dial up the visual contrast and cleverly conceal thinning hair.

Putting hairstyles aside, baldness itself is a condition that requires its own share of focus and attention. There’s no foolproof reversal cure just yet but many companies are doing wonders in terms of slowing or preventing hair loss. It’s definitely important to separate fact from fiction as you wade through the tricky world of modern hair treatment for men.