From classic to modern, these popular men's haircuts are versatile and stylish choices that your barber should know how to create with precision and skill. While trends change, the best hairstyles are low-maintenance and easy to achieve, allowing guys to look great and feel confident with minimal effort.
The key to getting your desired cut is a professional barber who continually works to master his craft, adapts his technique to suit different hair types and styles, and takes a holistic approach to serving his clients.
Here are some of the most stylish haircuts for men to ask for at the barbershop to ensure a sharp, timeless look that will stand out and be suitable for any occasion.
Popular Men's Haircuts
Fade Haircut
The fade is a stylish, modern haircut that seamlessly blends the sides and back from short to shorter hair, creating a gradual, sleek transition to emphasize the longer hair on top. The low fade is the most popular choice for men who want a classy, versatile cut, while a balanced mid fade can add some contemporary edge and a youthful touch. A sharp high fade offers a bold cut that will stand out and look effortlessly trendy.
Ask your barber for a drop, burst or skin-faded finish to infuse a fresh dimension. Combine these fades with any classic or trending hairstyle to achieve the perfect look.
Crew Cut
The crew cut is a classic haircut epitomizing simplicity and confidence, making it perfect for guys who want to look their best without the effort. A taper or fade will highlight this short style on top, creating volume and fullness while contrasting sharply with the cropped sides.
The cut works well with all hair types and textures, ranging from thick waves to fine, straight locks. Warm some matte pomade between the palms before applying it to dry hair, then comb it through to achieve a textured appearance.
Pompadour Fade
The pompadour fade is a cool, modern hairstyle that involves styling the hair in front up and back to achieve a small bump while the sides and back are tapered down with clippers. Popular since the 1950s, the cut commands attention with its incredible gravity-defying height and volume.
Most pompadours are neat, but some modern variations take a messier, more unconventional approach. Some style the pomp with a large brush and blow dryer, but others prefer a large barrel curling iron. Firm-hold styling products are essential for holding the hair in place throughout the day.
Comb Over Fade
A comb over is a timeless men's hairstyle with short faded sides and a natural, understated part. Unlike the classic side part, the comb over sweeps to one side, highlighting the flow without a break. Barbers can customize this versatile look by adjusting the fading and length on top.
A higher fade creates a bolder look, while a low fade appears more refined. Styling gel applied to wet hair adds a high-shine, formal finish while texturizing pomade can be ideal for casual environments.
Mohawk with Burst Fade
A modern mohawk with a burst fade is an audacious, head-turning haircut that complements natural movement and texture. Barbers use creative layering and fade positioning to carve out the shape of the mohawk, leaving a strip of longer hair flowing from the forehead to the nape. The mohawk can be long and lush in the front but thinner and shorter in the back, or it can be a uniform length and width across.
A cool trend features loose, tousled waves standing tall at the forehead, gradually becoming shorter as they move back. Styling mousse, pomade and gel combined with heat are excellent options for achieving volume and lift.
Slicked Back Undercut
A slicked back undercut combines rugged confidence and handsome refinement into a sexy, mysterious style. The barber leaves a strip of hair from the hairline to the crown several inches long, then uses clippers to crop the hair underneath to achieve a clean undercut.
For easy styling, use a generous amount of pomade or wax on damp hair and then comb your hair straight back. A slightly tousled look is ideal for casual situations, but a crisp, neat finish is better for formal events. Leaving the hair long enough to pull into a ponytail that follows the curvature of the head can offer up even more versatility.
French Crop
A French crop is an effortless, dapper cut that is easy to recognize due to its short, blunt fringe. The cut involves combing all the hair forward from the crown and using clippers with short guards to achieve uniformity, though some barbers may prefer to use scissors for the fringe. The gradual high fade leads to a subdued transition that gives the style its handsome, rugged appearance
The simple yet shapely cut is ideal for casual, professional and formal events, making it perfect for busy men. To achieve the iconic texture, apply a tiny amount of wax or pomade to the hair, then comb through from crown to fringe.
Modern Quiff
A modern quiff is a trendy cut that works with the hair's natural volume and texture to achieve incredible height. The chunky, spiky look results from precise layers that start shorter at the crown, gradually growing longer toward the hairline.
Add a subtle side part for some extra structure, then sweep the hair in front upward and off to the side to add personality. Highlights and lowlights can amplify the texture, and a quality pomade and hair spray are essential for locking the style in place.
Curly Hair Fade
A curly hair fade is a casual yet polished cut that transitions from longer curls on top to much shorter hair at the sides and back. To avoid a bushy, bulky look, barbers typically leave the top section long enough to allow the natural curl pattern to shine through.
Add a healthy dollop of curl cream to soaking wet hair, scrunch it, and allow it to air dry. The resulting high-definition curls contrast sharply with the much shorter taper fade, creating the illusion of additional height. Scrunch again when dry to remove the crunchy cast, and consider a full beard for a touch of ruggedness.
Buzz Cut Fade
A buzz cut fade is a military-inspired short haircut for men who need an easy, stylish and masculine style suitable for everyday wear. Popular with athletes and service members, maintaining the cut's length and angles will require frequent trips to the barbershop.
A traditional buzz keeps the hair the same length all over, but the faded version involves using a #1 or #2 guard along the top of the head, then transitioning to a #1 or #0 guard at the sides and back. The skin fade offers confidence and visual appeal, especially next to the sharp lines and edges along the hairline and temples. Try different types and lengths of facial hair, hair designs, or hair colors to personalize the look.
Drop Fade Haircut
The drop fade is a modern haircut where the smooth fading drops down in the back, adding a fresh dimension to the sides and back. This dropped style can be subtle or emphasized enough to touch the neckline, commanding attention for a fashion-forward aesthetic.
This versatile type of fade can be paired with any men's hairstyle on top, from the hard side part and faux hawk to the man bun, ensuring a cool vibe.
Long Layered Hair
Long layered hair is a youthful, expressive style that ranges from boyish and flirty to masculine and rugged. Like the bro flow, shoulder-length, center-parted layers with curtain bangs are timeless and iconic, while longer locks serve as an excellent foundation for a top knot or man bun.
Face-framing layers in the front are essential, and a few subtle highlights can amplify the effect, drawing the eye to the face. To achieve the beachy, windblown texture, spray damp or dry hair liberally with sea salt spray, create a center part, then tousle the hair with the fingertips at the root.
Faux Hawk Fade
A faux hawk fade combines the daring boldness of a mohawk with the polish and refinement of a fade for a well-rounded finish. The hair on top falls forward from the crown, where it meets an exciting and expressive quiff at the hairline. A swift transition between lengths at the side creates visual structure, but a slower transition offers a more professional look.
Use a volumizing mousse on damp hair to achieve matte texture and height or a styling gel for a shiny, spiky style. A full, short beard creates a balanced and attractive finish.
Burst Fade Haircut
A burst fade is a trendy haircut that curves around the head, blending around the ears and down to the neck to achieve an arc-shaped finish. This type of fade is common with a faux hawk or mohawk but can infuse some flair when combined with other styles.
An abrupt transition is edgy and common within the punk rock scene, while a more subdued change between lengths is considered chic and elegant.
Modern Mullet
The modern mullet is versatile and fun with some rock-and-roll attitude. Countless mullet variations range from charismatic and brazen to subdued and mellow. For a trendy take on the classic cut, opt for a classic scissor cut in the front, leaving the sides and fringe a few inches long.
Brush the hair back and behind the ear to help it blend into the longer layers at the back, creating a feathery texture. Add mousse to fine or thinning hair before styling to add lift and volume or a texturizing spray to give the hair grit and separation.