I’m Hakan — a men’s grooming specialist with over a decade of experience helping men find modern, wearable hairstyles. Waves are one of the most versatile looks: they work for short to medium lengths, across many hair textures (especially coarse and wavy types), and pair perfectly with low fades, tapers, and precise lineups. In this guide I’ll walk you through 24 wave variations illustrated with photos, explain which faces and hair types suit each style, and share practical tips for brushing, moisturizing and protecting your pattern. Whether you’re starting 360 waves from scratch or refreshing an existing wave routine, you’ll learn how to choose the right cut, the products that help without heavy buildup, and the daily habits — durag, sleep routine, and consistent brushing — that create definition. Expect clear, actionable steps you can use immediately to sharpen your wave game.
Textured Wavy Fringe with Short Sides — Modern Mens Long Top Hairstyle
A contemporary textured wavy fringe with shorter sides suits medium to thick hair and gives a relaxed, yet sharp silhouette. Best for oval, square, diamond and heart-shaped faces, this cut adds height and length to the forehead; men with round faces can wear it if paired with a bit more side taper and defined facial hair. To style: towel-dry to damp, apply a sea-salt or texture spray, then rough-dry with a blow-dryer using fingers or a diffuser to enhance natural waves. For added lift, use a round brush at the roots while drying. Finish by working a small amount of matte clay or paste through the mid-lengths and ends for separation, and pin back any pieces you want to control. Tools needed: blow-dryer (diffuser optional), round brush or your fingers, wide-tooth comb. Products required: sea-salt/texture spray, matte clay or paste, light hold hairspray or finishing spray, occasional deep conditioner. Difficulty: moderate — daily styling for shape and volume. Maintenance: trim sides every 3–5 weeks, refresh product with water and rework by hand, and use a weekly hydrating mask to keep waves defined and frizz under control.
Textured Wavy Medium-Length Men’s Hairstyle with Messy Side-Swept Fringe
This medium-length, textured wavy cut works best for oval, oblong and heart-shaped faces and can soften strong jawlines on square faces. The look relies on length through the top and gentle tapering at the sides to create natural movement and a side-swept fringe. Styling technique: start with towel‑dried hair, spray a lightweight sea‑salt or curl‑enhancing spray, then work a small amount of curl cream or mousse through the mid-lengths and ends. Use a diffuser on low heat while scrunching with your fingers to encourage waves, or let air dry for looser texture. Finish by separating strands with a matte paste or light wax for hold and definition. Tools needed: hairdryer with diffuser, wide‑tooth comb or fingers, towel, and a small styling brush for touchups. Products required: sea‑salt spray or curl enhancer, curl cream/mousse, matte paste or light pomade, and optional flexible hold hairspray. Difficulty: easy to moderate — requires minimal daily work but some technique. Maintenance tips: get a trim every 6–8 weeks to remove bulk, condition regularly to avoid frizz, avoid overwashing (2–3× weekly), and refresh with sea‑salt spray or a touch of paste between washes.
Textured Wavy Fringe with Tapered Sides
A modern textured wavy fringe with tapered sides that frames the face and adds natural movement. Best suited to oval, square and heart-shaped faces—this cut adds height at the crown and softens a strong jawline. It works particularly well on naturally wavy or medium-to-thick fine hair; straighter hair can be pre-textured with spray and heat, while very curly hair will need smoothing for the same look. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, mist mid-lengths with sea-salt spray or apply a light volumizing mousse, then blow-dry using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to lift the roots and encourage wave definition. Once dry, work a pea-sized amount of matte clay or lightweight pomade through the top to separate pieces and control frizz; finish with a light-hold hairspray if extra hold is required. Tools and products: hairdryer (nozzle or diffuser), wide-tooth comb or fingers, sea-salt spray or mousse, matte clay/pomade, light hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate—daily styling needed for texture. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks to keep the taper sharp, condition regularly to avoid dryness, and avoid heavy waxes that weigh waves down.
Textured Curly Top with Tapered Sides — Modern Mens Hairstyle
This textured, slightly messy curly top with trimmed sides gives a modern, effortless look that works well for men seeking volume and natural movement. Face-shape suitability: ideal for oval and square faces and great for heart-shaped faces—adds width at the crown to balance an angular jaw. Men with oblong faces can use the side fullness to reduce perceived length. Styling technique: start on towel‑damp hair, apply a lightweight leave‑in or curl cream and a sea‑salt spray for texture. Use a diffuser on low heat while scrunching with your fingers to enhance curls, or air‑dry and finger‑style for a softer finish. Warm a pea‑sized amount of matte clay or paste in your hands and work through mid-lengths and ends to define pieces and tame frizz; use a light hairspray for extra hold. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide‑tooth comb or fingers for styling, scissors/trimmer for upkeep. Products required: leave‑in conditioner or curl cream, sea‑salt spray, lightweight matte paste/clay, light hold hairspray, occasional deep conditioner. Difficulty level: moderate — a 5–10 minute daily routine with some practice. Maintenance tips: trim every 4–6 weeks to maintain shape, avoid daily heavy washing (2–3 times weekly), condition regularly, refresh with water and product between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Textured Curly Crop — Modern Medium-Length Mens Hairstyle
This medium-length textured curly crop suits men with oval, heart and oblong faces, and can help add width to narrow or angular faces. The loose, layered top with shorter tapered sides balances proportions while keeping movement in the fringe. To style: start from towel-damp hair. Work a nickel-sized leave-in or curl cream through roots to ends, then scrunch upward to encourage coil. Use a diffuser on low heat to set shape, or air-dry for softer texture. Finish by separating pieces with fingers and applying a light matte paste or sea-salt spray for hold and definition; avoid heavy wax that flattens curls. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb or detangling brush, scissors for periodic shaping. Products required: leave-in conditioner or curl cream, sea-salt spray, light matte paste, occasional deep-conditioning mask. Difficulty: moderate — easy when using the right products and technique. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks to prevent bulkiness, deep-condition weekly, wash 2–3 times per week, refresh with water and product between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Sculpted Vintage Wave Pompadour for Men
This sculpted vintage wave pairs a voluminous, side-swept top with tapered sides — a refined look that suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces best. It adds vertical height to longer faces and enhances jaw definition on stronger profiles; round faces can wear it if sides are kept tight to avoid extra width. Styling technique: start on towel-dried hair, apply a light leave-in and heat protectant, then blow-dry into a deep side part while lifting the front with a round brush or your fingers. Create the signature S-waves by guiding sections with a fine-tooth comb and setting each curve with a cool blast of air; for crisper waves, lightly use a small-barrel curling iron. Tools needed: hairdryer with nozzle, round brush, fine-tooth comb, clips and optional small curling iron. Products required: water-based pomade or medium-shine molding cream for hold and gloss, light hairspray to lock the shape, conditioner to maintain hair health. Difficulty level: moderate — requires practice to mold consistent waves and manage shine. Maintenance tips: trim every 3–5 weeks, reshape daily with a small amount of product, condition regularly, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz and preserve the wave.
Textured Wet-Look Fringe for Men — Wavy Tousled Hairstyle
This textured wet-look fringe works best for oval, square and heart-shaped faces—its forward fall softens strong jawlines and adds height to longer faces. Men with naturally wavy or slightly curly hair will get the most natural result; straighter hair can be waved with a diffuser. For the cut, ask your barber for longer layered length on top (about 2–4 inches) with shorter, blended sides or a low taper to keep the fringe the focal point. Styling technique: start with towel-damp hair, spritz a sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse through the top, then rough-dry with a diffuser while scrunching to enhance wave. Use fingers to shape the fringe forward and slightly to the side. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte paste or light styling cream through ends for separation; swap in a soft-hold gel for a shinier wet finish. Tools needed: hairdryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb or fingers, and professional scissors/clippers for the cut. Difficulty: moderate—daily shaping required but quick once practiced. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks, avoid heavy wax buildup (clarify monthly), use conditioner or leave-in to retain wave definition, and refresh with water plus a small amount of product between washes.
Tousled Textured Fringe — Long Top with Short Sides for Men
This modern tousled fringe features a long, textured top and shorter, tapered sides for a versatile, edgy look. Face shape suitability: ideal for oval, square, oblong and heart-shaped faces — the volume and forward fall soften strong jawlines and add proportion to longer faces. Less flattering for very round faces unless paired with added height at the crown. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply a sea-salt spray or lightweight volumizing mousse through the top, then blow-dry with a diffuser or using fingers to lift roots and encourage natural wave. Work a small amount of matte clay or texturizing paste through mid-lengths and ends, twisting sections for separation and a controlled, messy finish; finish with a light flexible-hold hairspray to lock shape. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb or fingers, vent brush for volume, and barber scissors or texturizing shears. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, matte clay/paste, light hairspray, occasional leave-in conditioner. Difficulty level: moderate — daily styling practice helps. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 4–6 weeks, deep-condition weekly, and refresh texture with water or spray between washes.
Textured Wavy Quiff with Tapered Sides — Modern Men’s Hairstyle
This textured wavy quiff with tapered sides suits men seeking volume and movement. It flatters oval and square faces particularly well, adds height to round faces, and softens angular jawlines; men with very long faces should keep top length moderate to avoid elongating the silhouette. For styling, start with towel‑damp hair, apply a sea‑salt spray or light volumizing mousse through the mid-lengths and roots, then blow‑dry while lifting hair with your fingers or a medium round brush to create height and natural bends. For defined waves, use a diffuser or twist small sections with your fingers while drying. Finish by working a pea‑sized amount of matte clay or texturizing paste through the top for separation and hold; lock with a light hairspray if needed. Tools: blow dryer, round brush or diffuser, wide‑tooth comb. Products: sea‑salt spray or mousse, matte clay/paste, light hairspray, occasional deep conditioner. Difficulty: moderate — requires practice to balance volume and texture. Maintenance: trim tapered sides every 3–6 weeks, keep top 3–5 inches, avoid daily heavy washing, and use occasional conditioning to control frizz and maintain shine.
Tapered Textured Quiff — Modern Mens Short Sides with Waved Top
This tapered textured quiff features short, blended sides with a longer, waved top swept back for a clean, contemporary silhouette. Face shape suitability: ideal for oval, square, rectangular and heart-shaped faces — the added height and defined top balance stronger jawlines and elongate rounder faces when needed. Styling technique: towel-dry hair until slightly damp, apply a light sea-salt spray or volumizing pre-styler, then blow-dry while lifting the roots with a round brush or your fingers to create volume and natural wave. Shape the top by combing back and to the side, finishing with small sections pinched between fingers to define texture. Tools needed: hairdryer, round or vent brush, a fine-tooth comb (for finish), and optionally a flat iron for pronounced waves. Products required: heat protectant, sea-salt spray or volumizer, a matte paste or light pomade for hold and separation, and a light-hold hairspray to lock. Difficulty level: moderate — basic blow-dry skill and product control (about 4–6/10). Maintenance tips: get tidy trims every 3–6 weeks, condition regularly to keep texture healthy, avoid heavy buildup by shampooing 2–3 times weekly, and refresh shape with a water spritz and a dab of product between cuts.
Textured Wavy Medium-Length Mens Cut with Natural Volume
This textured, wavy medium-length cut offers natural volume and relaxed movement suited to modern men who want a versatile look. Best for oval, square and heart-shaped faces (it adds width to longer faces and softens strong jawlines); men with round faces should keep slightly shorter sides to avoid additional bulk. To style: towel-dry to damp, mist a sea-salt spray or light mousse through roots and lengths, then scrunch with fingers. Use a blow dryer with a diffuser on low/medium heat while continuing to scrunch to enhance wave definition. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte paste or light cream through ends for separation and a natural finish. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb, microfiber towel and your hands; an optional curling iron can define stubborn waves. Recommended products: sea-salt spray or curl cream, lightweight mousse, matte paste/clay, occasional leave-in conditioner and dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty: medium — requires some practice with product amounts and diffuser technique. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, avoid daily heavy shampooing, and refresh with water and product or a quick scrunch in the morning.
Textured Curly Fringe — Modern Tousled Wavy Mens Hairstyle
This medium-length textured curly fringe works best for oval, square and heart-shaped faces, and can add height and balance to round faces when styled with lift at the roots. The look relies on natural waves or soft curls with shorter, tapered sides to keep the silhouette clean. To style: towel-dry hair until damp, apply a small amount of curl cream or sea-salt spray evenly through the lengths, then diffuse on low heat while scrunching with your fingers to enhance curl definition. For straighter hair, use a 1-inch curling iron or hot tools to create loose waves, then break them up with fingers. Tools and products: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb, curl cream or sea-salt spray, medium-hold matte paste or styling cream, and a light finishing hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — achievable at home with a bit of practice. Maintenance tips: get a trim every 4–6 weeks to maintain shape, use a hydrating conditioner once or twice weekly to prevent frizz, avoid daily heavy washes, and refresh next-day texture with a spray-on leave-in or water plus a pinch of product. Sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely tie hair to preserve curls.
Textured Curly Top with Natural Fringe — Mens Medium-Length Curls
This relaxed, textured curly top with a natural fringe suits oval, heart and diamond face shapes best, and can soften strong jawlines on square or rectangular faces. To style, start with towel‑dried hair: apply a small amount of sea‑salt spray or curl‑enhancing cream through roots to ends, then scrunch with your hands. Use a blow dryer with a diffuser on low heat while cupping and lifting sections to build volume, or let air‑dry for a looser finish. Once dry, separate and define pieces with a light matte paste or cream for hold and texture. Tools needed: hairdryer with diffuser, wide‑tooth comb or just fingers, microfiber towel. Recommended products: sulfate‑free shampoo, leave‑in conditioner, curl cream or sea‑salt spray, light matte paste or clay, occasional deep‑conditioning mask. Difficulty level: easy–moderate — natural waves help, but mastering scrunching and product amounts takes a few tries. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks to keep shape, avoid daily shampoos (2–3×/week), refresh with water + a little product between washes, deep‑condition weekly if hair is dry, and sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Textured Wavy Fringe with Tapered Sides — Modern Mens Short Hairstyle
This textured wavy fringe with low tapered sides suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces, where added volume on top balances strong jawlines and narrows broad foreheads. Best for naturally wavy or loosely curly hair at medium length on top and short, faded sides. Styling technique: start with towel-damped hair, apply a small amount of volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray through the top, then blow-dry while lifting the roots with a medium round brush or your fingers to create a defined forward wave. Use a diffuser on low heat for tighter natural curls, or a 1-inch curling iron to refine the front curl if needed. Tools needed: blow dryer (with diffuser/nozzle), medium round brush, wide-tooth comb, and optionally a small curling iron. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray, light-to-medium hold matte paste or cream, and a flexible hold hairspray for finish. Difficulty level: moderate — requires some practice to shape the fringe consistently. Maintenance tips: trim the taper every 4–6 weeks, deep-condition weekly for shine, refresh shape with dampening and a bit of product between washes, and avoid heavy waxes that weigh the wave down.
Curly Textured Crop with Low Fade and Tousled Fringe
This modern curly textured crop pairs a short, tapered low fade with a longer, defined curly fringe — a polished yet effortless look for men. Face shape suitability: works best on oval, square and diamond faces due to added top height and defined cheek contrast; it can also flatter round faces when the sides are tightly faded to create vertical balance. Styling technique: start with towel-blotted hair, apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner and a curl-defining cream, then scrunch from ends to roots. Use a diffuser on low heat or air-dry while continuing to scrunch to preserve curl pattern; finish by separating curls with fingers for a tousled fringe. Tools needed: wide-tooth comb, diffuser-equipped hairdryer, barber clippers or regular trimmer for touch-ups, and barber scissors for shaping. Products required: sulfate-free shampoo, leave-in conditioner, curl cream or mousse, light hold gel or styling cream, and an anti-frizz serum. Difficulty level: moderate — requires basic curl care and occasional styling practice. Maintenance tips: get a fade every 3–4 weeks, deep-condition weekly, avoid over-washing, refresh curls with water + leave-in in the mornings, and sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Curly Textured Top with Tapered Sides – Modern Mens Hairstyle
This curly textured top with tapered sides suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces best — the volume on top balances strong jaws and narrows wider foreheads. It can also work for round faces if volume is kept taller. Ask your barber for a short taper or low fade on the sides (clipper #1–3) with 2.5–4 inches left on top for defined curls. Styling technique: start with towel‑damp hair, apply a lightweight curl cream or mousse from roots to ends, then scrunch and diffuse on medium heat while using your fingers to lift the roots. For extra separation, finish with a pea‑sized amount of matte paste or light wax worked through the ends. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide‑tooth comb or fingers, and regular scissors/clippers for upkeep. Products required: sulfate‑free shampoo, leave‑in conditioner, curl cream or mousse, light matte paste, and optional sea‑salt spray or anti‑frizz serum. Difficulty level: medium — daily styling is quick but requires practice to get curl pattern right. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 3–6 weeks, deep‑condition weekly, avoid overwashing, refresh curls with water + leave‑in spray, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Textured Wavy Medium-Length Hairstyle for Men — Voluminous Side-Swept Top
Face shape suitability: This voluminous, textured cut flatters oval, rectangular, diamond and heart-shaped faces; it can also lengthen a round face when styled with added height on top. Styling technique: Towel-dry to damp, spray a sea-salt or texturizing spray through the top, then blow-dry while lifting at the roots with a round brush or diffuser to enhance wave and volume. Use fingers to rake and shape a loose side-swept fringe, finishing by warming a small amount of matte paste between palms and working it through for separation and hold. Tools needed: blow dryer (diffuser or vented nozzle), medium round brush, wide-tooth comb or fingers, and hair clips for sectioning. Products required: sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse, matte clay/paste or fiber, light-hold hairspray, optional leave-in conditioner or heat protectant and dry shampoo. Difficulty level: Moderate — about 5/10; daily finger-styling is quick but requires some practice to get the natural tousle. Maintenance tips: trim every 4–6 weeks to keep sides tidy and top shape, deep-condition weekly, avoid over-washing (2–3×/week), and refresh with water or sea-spray and a touch of paste.
Textured Quiff with Low Fade — Modern Mens Hairstyle for Wavy, Thick Hair
This textured quiff with a low fade is ideal for oval, square and heart-shaped faces — it adds height and structure while balancing wider cheekbones. Best for men with medium to thick, naturally wavy hair; finer hair can still achieve the look with volumizing products. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply a salt spray or volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry using fingers or a medium round brush to lift the front and create loose waves. Work a pea-to-nickle sized amount of matte clay or fiber through mid-lengths and ends to define texture, finish by lightly backcombing at the crown for extra lift and sweeping the front slightly to the side. Tools needed: hair dryer, medium round brush or vent brush, tail comb for shaping, and barber scissors for trims. Products required: salt spray or mousse, matte clay/fiber, light hold hairspray for longevity, and a quality shampoo + conditioner. Difficulty level: moderate — requires daily styling but quick once practiced. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 3–4 weeks, keep top length trimmed every 6–8 weeks, shampoo 2–3 times weekly, and deep-condition weekly to maintain healthy texture.
Textured Wavy Quiff with Short Sides — Modern Mens Hairstyle
This textured wavy quiff with short sides is ideal for men who want a relaxed, modern look that keeps volume on top. Face shape suitability: works best for oval, square, heart and round faces — the height and forward sweep lengthen the face and balance wider jaws. Styling technique: start with towel-dried hair, apply a light sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse, then blow-dry using fingers or a diffuser while lifting the roots to create natural waves; finish by shaping the quiff with fingers and a medium-hold matte paste, emphasizing texture and separating strands for that undone look. Tools needed: blow dryer (with diffuser or nozzle), wide-tooth comb or fingers, styling brush for added lift, and hair scissors for periodic shaping. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, matte clay/paste, light hairspray for hold, and heat protectant. Difficulty level: easy–intermediate — quick once you get the technique. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 3–5 weeks to maintain contrast, refresh top with water or spray and rework with paste, deep-condition weekly to keep waves defined, and avoid heavy oils that weigh hair down.
Tousled Curly Fringe for Men — Textured Medium-Length Mens Haircut
This tousled, medium-length curly fringe creates a relaxed, contemporary look ideal for men who want natural movement and texture. Face-shape suitability: best for oval, heart and oblong faces and for square faces when you want to soften a strong jawline; not recommended for very round faces unless sides are kept shorter to add height. Styling technique: start with towel-damp hair, distribute a leave-in curl cream or lightweight mousse through mid-lengths, then scrunch and twist small sections to encourage shape. Use a diffuser on low heat or air-dry for a more natural finish; finish by separating pieces with your fingers and applying a small amount of matte paste to define ends. Tools needed: wide-tooth comb, diffuser attachment and blow dryer, spray bottle for touch-ups, and regular hair scissors for layering. Products required: sulfate-free shampoo, hydrating conditioner, leave-in curl cream or mousse, sea-salt spray for texture, and a light-hold matte paste or wax. Difficulty level: moderate — daily styling is quick but requires technique to control frizz. Maintenance tips: trim layered ends every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, avoid over-washing (2–3×/week), and sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose top knot to preserve curls.
Curly Textured Top with High Skin Fade — Modern Mens Curly Crop
This hairstyle pairs a voluminous, textured curl top with a high skin fade for a contemporary, low-bulk silhouette. Best suited to oval, square and diamond face shapes — the added height at the crown lengthens longer faces and creates balance for angular jaws. Men with round faces can adapt it by keeping more length on top for vertical definition. Styling technique: start with towel‑damped hair, apply a leave‑in conditioner or curl cream, then scrunch from ends to roots. Use a diffuser on low heat to encourage curl formation or air‑dry and finish by defining individual curls with fingertips. Tools needed: hairdryer with diffuser, wide‑tooth comb or fingers, clippers/scissors for upkeep. Products required: lightweight curl cream or mousse, sea‑salt spray for texture, small amount of matte clay or pomade for hold and definition, weekly deep conditioner. Difficulty level: moderate — needs basic curl‑care knowledge and regular barber visits. Maintenance tips: schedule fades every 2–4 weeks, avoid daily harsh shampooing, refresh curls with water and a small product amount, sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose top knot to preserve shape.
Textured Voluminous Quiff with Tapered Sides
This modern textured quiff features a medium-length, wavy top with tapered sides for natural volume and relaxed movement. Face-shape suitability: ideal for oval, square and heart-shaped faces and flattering for longer faces that benefit from top fullness; avoid if you prefer to minimize roundness without added height. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a sea-salt spray or lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry while lifting sections with a round brush or your fingers to build volume. Work a pea-sized amount of matte clay or texturizing paste through the mid-lengths and ends with fingertips to create separation and hold; shape the front into a soft quiff and finish with a light-hold hairspray or texture spray. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, round or vent brush, wide-tooth comb or fingers, and barber scissors for periodic shaping. Products required: pre-styler (salt spray or mousse), matte clay/paste, light-hold hairspray and occasional deep conditioner. Difficulty level: moderate — 5–10 minutes once familiar. Maintenance tips: trim every 4–6 weeks to preserve taper, wash 2–3 times weekly, use dry shampoo on day two, and avoid heavy oils that flatten texture.
Curly Textured Top with Tapered Sides — Modern Mens Hairstyle
This relaxed curly textured top with low tapered sides suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces by adding height and softening strong jawlines. To style, start on towel-dried hair: apply a small amount of sea-salt spray or curl mousse from roots to ends, then scrunch to encourage curl formation. Use a blow dryer with a diffuser on low heat while continuing to scrunch, or air-dry for more natural movement. Once dry, work a pea-sized amount of matte clay or lightweight paste through the mid-lengths and ends with your fingers to define separation and control frizz. For a piecey fringe, finger-twist selected sections and finish with a light-hold hairspray if extra hold is needed. Tools needed: clippers or a professional barber for the tapered sides, scissors for textured top, a diffuser-equipped blow dryer, and a microfiber towel. Recommended products: sea-salt spray or curl mousse, curl cream or lightweight leave-in conditioner, matte clay/paste, and light hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — requires some daily styling and touch-ups. Maintenance: trim the taper every 3–5 weeks, deep-condition weekly, avoid over-washing, and refresh curls between washes with water plus a little leave-in product.
Textured Curly Fringe with Short Sides
This modern textured curly fringe sits on a short, tapered side for a relaxed yet refined look. Ideal for oval, heart and square face shapes (and useful for longer/oblong faces that want to shorten the forehead), the style adds volume on top while keeping the sides neat to emphasize bone structure. To create it: ask your barber for short, faded or tapered sides with layered length on top and point-cut/texturizing to remove bulk. Style by towel-drying to damp, apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or curl cream, then scrunch and diffuse on low heat or air-dry while finger-styling a forward fringe. Finish with a matte paste or light-hold cream to separate pieces and control frizz. Tools needed: clippers (for sides), scissors and texturizing shears (for top), wide-tooth comb, blow dryer with diffuser. Products required: leave-in conditioner, curl cream or sea-salt spray, light-hold matte paste, occasional deep-conditioning mask. Difficulty: moderate — straightforward daily styling but requires a skilled cut. Maintenance: trim sides every 3–6 weeks, refresh top length every 6–10 weeks, deep-condition weekly, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose top knot to protect curls.
Waves are a commitment, but they’re one of the most rewarding textured styles when you combine the right cut with consistent care. Start by selecting a barber who understands wave formation and can recommend a tailored taper or low fade to complement your head shape. Invest in a quality medium-bristle brush, a breathable durag, a lightweight moisturizer or wave cream, and a mild shampoo/conditioner routine. Brush consistently (short daily sessions and longer 10–15 minute sessions several times a week), protect your hair overnight, and schedule trims every 3–6 weeks to keep shape and texture. Be patient — true wave development can take weeks of focused effort. Use the 24 photos in this post as references when talking to your barber and experimenting with fades, partings, and product levels. If you’re unsure, bring a picture and ask your barber for a customized plan. — Hakan
