Men's short haircuts are a timeless choice, offering versatility and ease of maintenance. Whether you favor a classic aesthetic or a modern twist, a short haircut can be tailored to suit any man. This comprehensive guide explores a variety of styles, including the ever-popular fade, to help you discover the perfect look. From traditional cuts to the latest trends, we'll provide all the information you need to step out of the barber's chair with confidence.
Classic short haircuts for men never go out of style and are suitable for a variety of face shapes and hair types.
Crew Cut: A crew cut is a simple, clean, and low-maintenance style. The hair is cut short on the sides and back, with a slightly longer length on top.
Buzz Cut: The buzz cut is as short as it gets, with the hair clipped to one length all over the head.
Ivy League: Resembling the crew cut but featuring slightly more length on top, the Ivy League offers a bit of styling flexibility. Also known as a Harvard clip or Princeton, this classic preppy style is essentially just a grown-out crew cut with a neat side-parting.
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Modern short haircuts offer a fresh and stylish appearance for those who want to stay on-trend.
Textured Crop: The textured crop is a trendy haircut with short sides and a choppy, textured top.
Short Quiff: The short quiff consists of trimmed sides and longer hair on top that is styled upward and backward.
French Crop: The French crop is a modern take on the classic crop, with a short fringe and textured top. The hair falls forward from the crown and ends in a clean, slightly jagged fringe. A high or mid fade at the sides and back amplifies the volume of the longer hair on top.
The fade haircut is popular for men looking for a clean and modern style. A barbering technique using clippers whereby hair is graduated from very short - sometimes to the skin, known as a ‘skin fade’ - to something slightly longer.
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Low Fade Haircut: The low fade starts just above the ears and gradually tapers down the sides and back. Tightening the sides to show the skin and ears with a low fade cut is a great way to sharpen your overall look.
Mid Fade: The mid fade creates a harmony between the low and high fades, beginning at the temples.
High Fade: A high fade typically follows an imaginary line from the corner of the forehead around the head. A high skin fade is more popular amongst men with thick hair. Incorporate a high fade for sharp contrast between the top and sides.
Fade haircuts can be paired with other styles to create a unique look.
Fade with Textured Crop: Combining a fade with a textured crop creates a modern and stylish appearance.
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Fade with Quiff: A fade with a short quiff is a dynamic combination.
Fade with French Crop: A fade with a French crop is a trendy and low-maintenance choice.
Butch Cut: A butch cut fade features extremely short hair on top that gradually fades to the skin at the sides and nape. The cut requires minimal upkeep and zero styling, ideal for no-nonsense men, athletes, or anyone with a busy lifestyle.
Caesar Cut: The Caesar cut is a timeless hairstyle that's named after the Roman emperor Julius Caesar.
Faux Hawk: The faux hawk is an edgy and modern haircut that mimics the look of a mohawk without the commitment. It features longer hair on top that is styled up and slightly spiky.
High and Tight: The high and tight haircut features short sides and back with slightly longer hair on top, creating a clean and masculine look. Many of the best short hairstyles have their roots in the military, and the high and tight is no exception. With close-cropped back and sides and a slightly longer patch on top, the style is timeless and masculine. The high and tight is the embodiment of no-nonsense masculinity and Military-Inspired Precision. Rooted in military tradition, this cut features short sides and a slightly longer top for a textured, sharp look.
Messy Crop: The messy crop is a trendy and low-maintenance haircut that features short, textured hair all over the head.
Mohawk Fade: A mohawk fade is a trending men’s hairstyle that can be edgy, sexy and low-maintenance, with contemporary variations offering a more relaxed, textured look. The burst fade provides a bold and unique dimension, while the longer, flowing hair can be tousled and natural or sleek and structured to suit your needs.
Pompadour: The pompadour is a retro-inspired haircut with longer hair on top that is swept back and styled into a voluminous pomp. It’s a bold and stylish look that requires some maintenance. At the longer end of the short-hair spectrum, we have the pompadour. In contrast to the other styles listed, this 1950s favorite does actually require some decent length on top. The longer hair is brushed up and back and combed into place with pomade to create height and shine.
Quiff: A little brother to the pompadour, the quiff follows the same principle of creating height at the front but in a less dramatic fashion.
Shaved Sides: Shaved sides make virtually any cut easier to manage, and thanks to the contrast they provide against the longer hair on top, they can often make styles appear taller and more voluminous.
Short Fringe: The short fringe is a trendy haircut that features short, textured bangs that fall just above the eyebrows. It’s a young and edgy look that suits most face shapes.
Short Side Part: Introducing a side part to your look is an easy way to give the hairstyle some structure.
Short Side Swept: The short side swept is a classic and versatile haircut that features short hair on the sides and back, with slightly longer hair on top that is swept to one side. It’s a timeless look that suits most face shapes and occasions.
Slicked Back: The slicked back is a classic and sophisticated haircut where the hair is combed back and styled close to the head. It’s a timeless look that exudes confidence and charm.
Spiky Hair: Short, spiky hair with a fade is edgy and bold, featuring playful, feathery spikes on top and much shorter hair at the sides and back. The top section of hair flows upward and slightly forward, while the hair just behind the forehead flows upward and curls gently back.
Textured Quiff: The textured quiff is a modern take on the classic quiff, featuring a messy and textured top with shorter sides and back. It’s a trendy and versatile style that works well with various hair types.
Undercut: The undercut features short sides and back with longer hair on top that's slicked back or styled into a pompadour. As the name suggests, an undercut is traditionally where the back and sides of the hair are cut short, often buzzed, underneath longer hair coming from the top of the head. The undercut is a bold haircut that features very short or shaved sides and back, with longer hair on top. It’s a versatile style that can be paired with various looks on top, such as a slicked-back or textured crop.
When selecting a short haircut, consider your face shape, hair type, and lifestyle.
Face Shape: Different haircuts suit different face shapes. If you’re lucky enough to be blessed with an oval-shaped face, there’s not really anything that’s off limits. They’re close to the head and don’t add much height, which is good if you have a long face. Conversely, if you have a very round head, short styles with a little height on top can balance out proportions. Try a pompadour with the sides kept short and close to the head.
Hair Type: Consider your hair's texture and thickness. Styles like the quiff or pompadour lift the face, giving a more youthful appearance. Adding texture softens harsh features and creates a relaxed, approachable vibe.
Lifestyle: Choose a haircut that fits your daily routine.
Styling products like paste, pomade, wax and clay are essential and should be selected based on the look you wish to achieve. Pomades and gels tend to give a wet, glossy finish, while clays, pastes and waxes are better for texture. Start with clean, towel-dried hair to ensure optimal product absorption and styling control. Use a pea-sized amount of styling product for short hair to avoid weighing it down or creating a greasy appearance. Experiment with different styling techniques and products to find the perfect look that suits your individual style and preferences. When blow-drying short hair, use a low to medium heat setting to avoid damaging your hair follicles. Consider using a heat protectant spray before blow-drying or using hot styling tools to protect your hair from heat damage. Don't forget to take care of your scalp as well.
Blowout: A blowout is perfectly suited for those with thick or weighty hair.
Styling products: Essential and should be selected based on the look you wish to achieve.
The frequency of your barber visits depends on how fast your hair grows and how well-maintained you want your short haircut to look. On average, it’s recommended to visit the barber every 2-4 weeks to maintain your short haircut. To maintain your short hairstyle, aim to get a trim every 4-6 weeks.
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