Just because your locks aren’t long doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with them. Here are some excellent short hair hairstyles for men.
Let’s be real. Short hair is just easier. You don’t have to worry about split ends as much. If you go super short, you don’t have to worry about styling it before you leave the house in the morning, either. And it always looks professional. It’s why the army prefers you keep your hair closely cropped.
But did you know that despite the lack of length, there are quite a few good-looking short hairstyles for men?
I, myself, prefer less length on my head. So, it’s nice to know that I have options. I can consider these options and do something special if I’m going on a date or to an important meeting. At the end of the day, I can also always fall back on the convenience of short locks.
Extremely Short Hairstyles for Men
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When I refer to extremely short hairstyles for men, I’m talking about ones that are close to the scalp. Many of these hairstyles are as close to bald as you can get. However, different fade styles and where you simulate parts can really allow you to personalize even the shortest crops.
Here are some examples.
Induction Cut
An induction cut is the middle ground between being bald and a buzzcut. It’s a uniform cut that’s so short that your hair is basically stubble on your head. It looks like a shadow of your hairline. If you’re a man who’s dramatically balding, I recommend an induction over a combover or toupee. It looks more confident.
The Buzzcut
Also known as a wiffle cut, a buzzcut is one in which the length of your hair is the same all over your head. It usually won’t be any longer than an inch. The shorter it is, the less likely your natural hair texture will show and the less maintenance it needs. After all, it’s not as if it’ll move in the wind.
The Hard-Part Buzzcut
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While most buzzcuts are too short to part, you can have your barber buzz a line where your natural part might be. For a buzzcut, you’ll want it to be on one of the sides, not the middle. If you like, you can even make the dominant side a touch longer — though that technically is no longer a true buzzcut. However, it does add dimensionality.
Short Quiff
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A quiff is just a haircut that’s longer on top than it is on the sides and back. The shorter the quiff, the less dramatic the contrast will be. If you want an easy, no-fuss look but one with some variation, consider a short quiff. It looks styled but doesn’t require hair products.
Buzzcut Fade
A buzzcut fade is exactly what it sounds like. It’s one that’s short all over but starts to fade on the sides. It looks sleek and clean.
And speaking of fades, here are some fade short hairstyles for men!
Fade Short Hairstyles for Men
A fade haircut tapers from the longer top to the shorter bottom. Another name for it is the taper fade. It gets its name because it looks like a literal fade instead of a hard line at the edges and bottoms. Since so many military men wear their hair like this, it’s also called a military reg.
Here are the different levels of fades.
High Fade
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Your hair fade can start as high as where your top hairline starts to move down at the sides. However, for it to fade properly, the top can’t be dramatically longer than the sides. This makes for a clean and super short look, like a buzzcut with a gradient.
Mid Fade
The mid fade is the most common fade, where the thinning starts usually around your temples. This is the most natural-looking since it follows the contours of your head. The top of your head can be as short as a common buzzcut or as long as a few inches.
Subtle Low Fade
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The low fade is the most subtle of the three styles. Instead of choosing to round off or square off your back and sides, they’ll instead quickly fade.
Contrast Color
For the Gen Z version of frosted tips, which were popular in the aughts, you can color the top of your head a lighter hue. This provides a hard line on top of the gradual fade. It’s a fashion-forward and youthful choice. If you wear it with a beard, you can create an even harsher contrast.
The opposite of the fade is the undercut. Let’s take a look at short, undercut hairstyles for men next.
Short Undercut Hairstyle for Men
An undercut is one in which the top of the hair is noticeably longer than the sides. Typically, the sides are shaved or buzzed. They can even be faded, so technically, you can combine the undercut with the fade. However, all undercuts feature that hard line.
This cut goes well with all sorts of textures, from straight hair to tightly curly hair.
Classic Undercut
The classic undercut can be looked at as a template that you can customize. You can make it more modern or more classic. Either way, it looks great with short hair. Go for an extra short version, say a little over an inch, and add a classic side part and a clean sweep. Now you’ve got an Ivy League, which was popularized in the 1950s.
Disconnected Undercut
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A disconnected undercut features a clean line shaved in between in the long part and the short part. You can do this on one side for a side-part look or all the way around. This is used to make the lack of blending more abrupt and apparent. It’s an undeniably trendy and bold approach.
Undercut Side Part
By adding a side part to your undercut, you provide another layer of dimension. This tried-and-true look is handsome on any face shape and combines traditional and modern aesthetics.
Undercut Swept Back
And, of course, you can always do the Cary Grant approach. Part your hair to the side, then comb it back. You can do this with hair that’s about two or three inches long or longer. Any shorter, and you’ll just stick to the aforementioned terse side part. Either way, it’s an old faithful hairstyle.
Short Curly Hairstyles for Men
Now, let’s look at some short curly hairstyles for men. Curly-haired folks can do a lot of things straight-haired guys can do and then some.
Curly Undercut
You may have naturally curly hair or perhaps you take an iron to it. Either way, a curly undercut has a different look than one with straight hair. When the top is closer to your scalp, it’s a more clean cut, like a curly brush cut. If it’s longer, it looks like a short version of a zoomer perm, which has a younger vibe to it.
Classic Side Part
This is easier to do with wavy, beachy curls than it is with tight curls. However, with enough product, you can create a part either way. This provides a compelling visual balance: Fun curls with professional, formal structure.
Tight, Close Crop
This easy cut is a great way to keep tight, curly hair neat and maintenance-free. It’s a bit like a longer, fadeless buzzcut. However, you want it long enough to show off those charming curls. Just make sure to keep it uniform in length.
Curly Fringe
Add some fringe to your curly undercut. It’s a great way to flaunt your natural texture while keeping the rest of your hair short and orderly. This style pairs well with or without a taper. And you can wear your fringe swept to the side, back, or just flowing in front of you.
Layered Short Hairstyles for Men
Layered short hairstyles for men provide effortless structure, like a short version of surfer hair. You can have your layers cut smoothly for a wavy look or choppy for a textured look that never goes out of style.
Wavier layers look more casual, while choppier ones look more formal.
Layered Hair, Brushed Up
By brushing your front layers up, you create volume, even with the shortest haircuts. Just a touch of product and a hairdryer can assist with the final look.
Layered Hair, Parted
Again, a hair part creates a clean-cut and professional style that’s also highly versatile. You can wear this cut casually or at the office.
Layered Hair With Fringe
Short, layered, and choppy fringe is definitely trending right now. However, I don’t think it ever looks irrelevant. It’s so short and orderly, that it works within any personal style.
Short Hairstyles With Bangs for Men
A lot of guys with short to moderate hair tend to have bangs. In fact, many of the styles we’ve covered up top featured bangs. To fill in the gaps, here are two short hairstyles with bangs for men that we haven’t covered.
French Crop
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A French crop is short on the sides and long on the top, with a fringe. The longer the fringe, the more casual and youthful it is. If the horizontal bangs are mostly uniform, and the front and back are tapered, it’s a Caesar cut.
Swept-Back Bangs
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And the most classic hairstyle? When you comb your bangs back or to the side. Think Don Draper in Mad Men. Or, you can do a side-part or middle-part for an elegant, gentlemanly look that’s timeless and versatile.
Men’s Short Hairstyles for Thick Hair
Some styles mentioned above that work best for thick hair include side parts, layers, undercuts, and low fades. These are the more sculptural styles which thick hair lends itself too.
For maintenance, you should use moisturizing and softening products. Feel free to use hair oils at the tips of your hair. Since you have more sebum than a man with thin hair, make sure to wash your hair about twice a week.
Men’s Short Hairstyles for Thin Hair
For maintenance, you should wash your hair every other day and use volumizing conditioners and products. Dry shampoo absorbs excess oils and adds volume to thin hair.
FAQs
Still have questions about short hairstyles for men? No problem? Here are the most common questions on the topic and some quick answers, too.
What is the most popular short hairstyle for guys?
The most common and classic short hairstyle for men is the side part. With longer hair, it’s more of a side sweep. However, undercuts are quite popular too. The more dramatic the line, the more modern and youthful.
What is the best short hairstyle for over 50 men?
Many men over 50 go for the side part or a brush up. Regardless of which you go for, going for a clean, well-groomed, and intentional look is your best bet.
Is short hair in style for 2024?
For men, short hair is always in style. It’s been the go-to style for guys for decades. But yes, for 2024 specifically, short hair is even popular among the trend-focused.
Conclusion: Short and Sweet
Now you know that there are a lot more short hairstyles for men than just buzzing it. Still, a good buzz is always a convenient choice.
And sure, certain styles lend themselves to thicker hair or curly hair, while others to thin hair or straight hair. But when your hair is so short, you can really experiment with any of these styles!
Questions? Comments? Let me know!
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