I’m Hakan — a men’s grooming specialist with over a decade helping clients find haircuts that fit their face shape, lifestyle and hair type. In this comprehensive guide I present 27 carefully chosen haircut options for men, illustrated with images to show texture, length and styling outcomes. Whether you have thick, fine, curly or straight hair, you’ll find practical suggestions for fades, undercuts, crews, pompadours and textured crops. I’ll also share realistic maintenance timelines, product recommendations and barber-communication tips so you get the look you want without surprises. These styles suit young professionals, creative types and anyone wanting a modern, easy-to-manage look. Use the photo examples to match your hair density and face shape, and follow the styling notes to adapt each cut for everyday life.
Textured Tousled Crop with Messy Fringe for Men
This textured tousled crop features short tapered sides and a choppy, lengthened top with a messy fringe — a contemporary mens haircut that adds movement and low-key edge. Best suited to oval, square and heart-shaped faces, the piecey fringe helps balance a longer forehead and softens strong jawlines; those with round faces should ask for extra height at the crown to avoid widening. Styling technique: start with towel-damp hair. Apply a sea-salt or lightweight texturizing spray through roots and mid lengths. Blow-dry using fingers or a vent brush to lift the crown and twist small sections to create separation; use a diffuser on low heat for naturally wavy hair. Finish by warming a pea-size of matte clay or paste between palms and raking through hair, shaping the fringe with your fingers for a lived-in look. For more definition, add a touch of finishing spray. Tools: hair dryer, vent brush or diffuser, scissors/thinning shears (cutting by a pro). Products: sea-salt spray, matte clay/paste, light-hold hairspray, occasional deep conditioner. Difficulty: moderate — simple daily steps but requires professional texturizing. Maintenance: get a tidy trim every 4–6 weeks, wash 2–3 times weekly, and refresh texture with dry shampoo between washes.
Textured Crop with Low Taper — Modern Short Men’s Hairstyle
This textured crop with a low taper is a versatile, modern men’s haircut that suits oval, square and rectangular face shapes best; it can also add height and definition to round faces. The top is kept short with layered texture while the sides are tapered close for a clean outline. To style: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste, work evenly through hair with fingers, then use a blow dryer with a vented brush to lift the front slightly for texture and movement. Tools needed: clippers or trimmer for home touch-ups, scissors/texturizing shears for the top, a comb or vent brush, and a blow dryer. Products required: matte clay or paste for hold and texture, optional sea-salt spray for extra grain, and a light-hold hairspray to lock shape. Difficulty: easy–moderate — straightforward daily styling but requires a skilled barber for the initial cut. Maintenance tips: get a trim every 3–5 weeks, shampoo 2–3 times weekly with conditioner, refresh texture with small product amounts, and keep beard lines neat to preserve the overall balance.
Textured Quiff with Short Sides — Modern Mens Haircut for Volume & Texture
This textured quiff with short, tapered sides works best for oval, square, diamond and heart-shaped faces; men with round faces can wear it if they add height on top to create length. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a light pre-styler (sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse), then blow-dry while lifting the roots with a round brush or your fingers to create volume and natural separation. Work a pea-sized amount of matte clay or medium-hold paste between your palms, rake through the top and define pieces with fingers to build texture. Finish with a light hold hairspray for longevity without stiffness. Tools needed: hairdryer with nozzle, round or vent brush, wide-tooth comb, and fingers for texturizing. Products required: heat protectant, sea-salt spray or mousse, matte clay/paste, and light hairspray (optional dry shampoo for day-two styling). Difficulty level: moderate — basic blow-dry skills help. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 3–5 weeks to keep the shape, avoid daily heavy washing (2–3 times/week), condition weekly, and refresh texture with a small rework of product or dry shampoo between washes.
Textured Side-Swept Quiff with Tapered Sides
A modern textured side-swept quiff with tapered sides — clean, versatile and office-friendly. Face-shape suitability: works best for oval, square, rectangular and round faces; the height on top lengthens round faces and the tapered sides emphasize a strong jawline on square/rectangular shapes. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a volumizing pre-styler (sea salt spray or mousse), then blow-dry while lifting the hair at the roots with a round brush or vent brush to create volume; use a comb or your fingers to sweep the front into a subtle quiff and finish by raking product through for texture. Tools needed: blow dryer, round or vent brush, fine-tooth comb, hair trimmer for upkeep. Products required: volumizing pre-styler, matte clay or paste for medium hold and texture, light-hold hairspray for extra staying power, and dry shampoo for between washes. Difficulty level: moderate — about 5–10 minutes daily with basic blow-dry skills. Maintenance tips: trim the tapered sides every 3–5 weeks, condition weekly, avoid heavy waxes that weigh the top down, and refresh texture with a little dry shampoo or reworkable clay.
Textured Crop with Low Fade — Modern Mens Short Hairstyle
A versatile textured crop with a subtle low fade that suits oval, square, and heart-shaped faces best; men with round faces can wear it too by adding more height on top to elongate the profile. Styling focuses on natural texture and movement rather than a slick finish. Start with towel-dried hair, apply a light sea-salt spray or pre-styler, then blow-dry while using your fingers or a vent brush to lift and define the top. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste through the roots and ends for separation; use a comb only to shape the fringe and keep sides neat. Tools needed: hairdryer, vent or round brush, small styling comb, and clippers/scissors for upkeep. Products required: sea-salt spray or volumizer, matte clay/paste or lightweight pomade, and a light hairspray for hold. Difficulty level: easy to moderate — quick daily styling but requires skillful clipping/scissor work for the textured top. Maintenance tips: trim the sides every 2–4 weeks, reshape the top every 4–6 weeks, use a mild shampoo and conditioner, and avoid heavy oils that weigh down texture.
Textured Curly Crop with Low Fade
This textured curly crop with a low fade suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces—its volume on top softens strong jaws and adds balance to longer faces. Best for naturally wavy to curly hair (2A–3B); fine straight hair will need styling aids to fake texture. Technique: ask your barber for a low skin or tapered fade at the sides and back with 2–3 inches left on top. At home, towel-dry to damp, apply a light sea-salt spray or curl cream, then scrunch and diffuse on low heat to enhance natural curl. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte paste or lightweight clay through the ends for separation and hold. Tools needed: clippers for maintenance (or barber visits), scissors for texturing, a blow dryer with diffuser, and a wide-tooth comb. Products required: mild shampoo, conditioner, sea-salt spray or curl cream, matte paste or clay, and light hold hairspray if needed. Difficulty level: medium — barber skill required for a clean fade, daily styling is quick. Maintenance tips: trim the fade every 3–4 weeks, reshape the top every 6–8 weeks, avoid overwashing, use conditioner regularly, and refresh curls with a water mist and rework product between washes.
Textured Wavy Crop with Low Fade — Mens Modern Short Hairstyle
This textured wavy crop with a low skin fade suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces best, and it can add vertical balance for round faces when you keep volume on top. To style, towel-dry hair until damp, apply a light sea-salt spray or foam mousse through the top, then blow-dry using your fingers or a diffuser to enhance natural waves while lifting at the roots. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste through the hair, scrunching and separating strands for defined, undone texture; use a comb only to tidy the hairline. Tools needed: blow dryer (diffuser for curly hair), wide-tooth comb or fingers, and quality scissors or trimmers for upkeep. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, matte styling clay/paste, and a light-hold hairspray for longer hold. Difficulty level: easy–medium — quick to recreate once you master the dry-and-scrunch routine. Maintenance tips: refresh with a spritz of water and rework product daily, schedule a fade trim every 3–5 weeks, and use a hydrating shampoo/conditioner to prevent frizz.
Textured Wavy Quiff for Men — Tousled Volume with Natural Finish
This textured wavy quiff suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces best, as the height on top balances proportions and softens jawlines. Men with round faces can adapt the look by keeping the sides shorter or adding a fade to create vertical length. Start with a layered cut: longer top (3–5 inches) with scissor-textured layers and shorter tapered sides. For styling, towel-dry to damp, apply a light volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray through the roots and mid-lengths, then blow-dry while lifting hair with fingers or a round brush to build volume. Finish by working a pea-sized matte clay or paste through the ends, separating strands with your fingers for that undone, piecey effect; lock with a light-hold spray if needed. Essential tools: blow dryer (diffuser or concentrator), round brush, wide-tooth comb, and texturizing scissors at the barber. Recommended products: sea-salt spray, volumizing mousse, matte clay/paste, light hairspray and dry shampoo for day-two refreshes. Difficulty: moderate — requires daily styling and occasional reworking. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks, condition regularly, use a weekly deep mask for frizz control, and sleep on a loose or silk pillowcase to preserve texture.
Textured Modern Quiff with Tapered Sides — Mens Short Back & Sides
A modern textured quiff with tapered sides that balances clean structure and natural movement. Face-shape suitability: best for oval, square, and heart-shaped faces; it adds height for round faces and can be shortened for oblong faces. Hair type: medium to thick hair works best, but fine hair benefits from a volumizing pre-styler. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply a light pre-styler (sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse) at the roots, then blow-dry while lifting the front with a round brush or comb to build volume. Sweep the top back and slightly to the side, raking fingers through for texture. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, round or vent brush, wide-tooth comb, and your fingers for finishing. Products required: pre-styler (mousse/sea-salt), medium-hold matte paste or clay for texture, optional texturizing powder, and a light-hold hairspray to set. Difficulty level: medium — requires 5–10 minutes and basic blow-dry skill. Maintenance tips: trim every 4–6 weeks to maintain the taper, shampoo 2–3 times weekly with conditioner, use dry shampoo between washes, and ask your barber to adapt the length if hair is thinning.
Textured Curly Top with Low Fade — Mens Short Hairstyle
This modern textured curly top with a low fade suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces best — it adds height and structure while keeping the sides clean to accent cheekbones. For round faces, maintain a bit more height at the crown to lengthen the face. Ask your barber for short, tapered sides with scissors-over-comb or a clipper #1–#3 and 1.5–2 inches left on top for natural movement. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply a light sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse, then use a blow-dryer with a diffuser on low while scrunching to enhance texture. Finish by warming a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste between your palms and working it through the top with your fingers, shaping pieces for a natural, tousled look. Tools needed: hairdryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb or fingers, barber clippers/scissors for cut, and a beard trimmer. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, matte clay/paste, light hairspray for hold, and beard oil. Difficulty: Easy–Medium. Maintenance: trim sides every 3–4 weeks, top every 6–8 weeks, shampoo 2–3 times weekly, condition weekly and reshape daily with 5–10 minutes of styling.
Textured Pompadour with Skin Fade — Modern Mens Short Back & Sides
This textured pompadour with a low skin fade delivers clean lines and lifted volume on top — a versatile look for modern men. Best suited to oval, square, and diamond face shapes (it sharpens strong jaws and balances longer faces); men with round faces can add extra height on top to lengthen proportions. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a light pre-styler or sea‑salt spray for grip, then blow-dry while lifting the hair at the roots with a round or vent brush to create height. Work a pea‑sized amount of matte clay or medium-hold pomade through the lengths with fingers for separation and texture, and finish by smoothing sides with a comb. Tools needed: hair dryer, round or vent brush, fine-tooth comb, and clippers for home touch-ups. Products required: pre-styling spray or sea salt spray, matte clay or medium pomade, light hairspray for hold. Difficulty: moderate — requires a 5–10 minute daily routine and basic blow-drying skills. Maintenance tips: get the fade retouched every 2–4 weeks, trim the top every 6–8 weeks, shampoo/condition regularly and use a weekly deep conditioner if hair is dry.
Textured Crop with Mid Skin Fade — Mens Short Textured Hairstyle
This textured crop with a mid skin fade suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces best — it shortens length on the sides while the textured top adds height and movement, making it a good option to balance longer faces and soften strong jawlines. For hair types, straight to slightly wavy hair works ideal; thick hair should be thinned slightly with texturizing scissors and fine hair benefits from volume-boosting products. Styling technique: start with towel-dried hair. Apply a few sprays of sea-salt or volumizing spray at the roots, blow-dry while roughing the top with your fingers or a vent brush to create lift. Work a pea-to-nickel sized amount of matte clay or paste through the top, twisting small sections to define texture. Use fingertips to push the fringe forward or up depending on preference; finish with a light mist of flexible hairspray for hold. Tools needed: clippers (0.5–3 guard for fade), scissors, texturizing shears, blow dryer, vent brush. Products required: sea-salt spray or volumizer, matte clay/paste, light hairspray. Difficulty: easy–medium. Maintenance: trim the fade every 3–4 weeks, reshape texture every 6–8 weeks, and wash 2–3 times weekly to preserve product grip and natural oils.
Textured Crop with Low Fade — Modern Short Mens Hairstyle
This textured crop with a low fade is a contemporary, versatile look that works well for men wanting clean sides and a bit of messy texture on top. Face shape suitability: ideally suited to oval, square and heart-shaped faces; the short sides sharpen jawlines while the textured top adds height that can balance round faces. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to slightly damp, apply a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste through the top, then use fingers to pinch and twist small sections for separated texture and a lightly tousled finish. For extra lift, blow-dry on low heat while lifting the hair with your fingers or a vented brush. Tools needed: hairdryer (low heat), vented brush or fingers, barber scissors/clippers for upkeep. Products required: sea-salt spray (optional), matte clay or paste for texture, light-hold hairspray for longevity. Difficulty level: easy–medium — quick to style daily but requires some practice to get even texture. Maintenance tips: get a trim every 3–5 weeks to preserve the fade, use a sulfate-free shampoo twice weekly, and refresh texture with a small amount of product rather than overloading.
Textured Crop with Tapered Sides — Messy Fringe for Modern Men
This textured crop features short tapered sides and a choppy, forward-swept fringe that adds movement and natural volume. Face-shape suitability: works best for oval, square, and diamond faces — the height on top softens strong jaws and lengthens round faces. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to damp, mist with a sea-salt or texturizing spray for grip, then blow-dry while raking hair forward with your fingers to build lift and separation. Take a pea-to-nickel sized amount of matte clay or fiber, warm it between your palms and work it through the mid-lengths and ends, twisting small sections to enhance the piecey texture. Tools needed: blow-dryer (nozzle attachment), vent or small round brush (optional for extra lift), styling comb, and clippers/scissors for barbershop maintenance. Products required: sea-salt/texturizing spray, matte clay or paste, light-hold hairspray for hold, and beard oil or balm if you keep facial hair. Difficulty level: easy–medium — 2–5 minutes daily once learned. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 3–5 weeks and top every 6–8 weeks, shampoo 2–3x weekly with conditioner, refresh with finger styling each morning, and keep beard edges neat weekly.
Textured Wavy Crop with Short Sides — Modern Mens Low Fade
A textured wavy crop with short, tapered sides suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces best — it adds height and structure while keeping cheeks clean. Men with round faces can use extra volume on top to elongate the face; very coarse, straight hair may need more product to hold texture. Styling: towel-dry to damp, spray a sea-salt or volumizing mist through the top, then blow-dry with a diffuser or your fingers while lifting at the roots to encourage waves. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte clay or texturizing paste through the hair, raking with fingers to define pieces and create separation. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb or fingers, barber scissors for at-home touch-ups. Products required: sea-spray or volumizer, lightweight leave-in conditioner (if hair is dry), matte clay or paste, light-hold hairspray for longevity, beard oil for facial hair cohesion. Difficulty: Easy–medium — basic drying technique and finger-styling. Maintenance: trim the sides every 3–5 weeks, tidy the top every 6–8 weeks, use weekly deep conditioner if hair is dry, and refresh texture daily with a light mist and rework with fingertips.
Textured Crop with Low Fade – Modern Mens Tousled Fringe
This textured crop features short, faded sides and a slightly longer, choppy top finished with a tousled fringe. Face-shape suitability: flatters oval, square, and heart-shaped faces by adding width at the forehead and emphasizing a strong jawline; men with round faces can wear it if they keep height on top to elongate the face. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply a pea-sized amount of salt spray or sea-salt texturizer, blow-dry while lifting hair at the roots with fingers or a vent brush, finish by working a matte clay or paste through the top with your fingertips to create separated, upward textures and a natural matte finish. Tools needed: hairdryer, vent/round brush or fingers, barber scissors for regular trims. Products required: sea-salt spray or texturizing spray, matte clay or paste, light-hold hairspray (optional). Difficulty level: easy–medium; straightforward daily styling but needs some practice to get texture right. Maintenance tips: ask barber for point-cut textured top and a clean low fade, schedule trims every 3–6 weeks, shampoo 2–3× weekly and condition to prevent dryness.
Textured Curly Top with Low Fade — Mens Curly Hairstyle
This textured curly top with a low tapered fade balances visible volume up top and clean sides for a modern, masculine silhouette. Best suited to oval, square and diamond face shapes; men with round faces can also wear it if the fade is tight and the top kept slightly longer to add height. To style: towel-blot damp hair, apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or curl cream evenly through the mid-lengths and ends, then scrunch to encourage curl formation. Use a diffuser on low heat while cupping the curls or let air-dry for softer texture. Finish by separating with a small amount of matte paste or clay for definition and anti-frizz serum for shine control. Tools needed: diffuser-equipped hairdryer, wide-tooth comb or fingers, barber clippers for the fade and texturizing scissors for the top. Recommended products: sulfate-free shampoo, leave-in conditioner, curl cream or mousse, matte paste, light oil/serum. Difficulty: moderate — cutting requires barber expertise; daily styling is 5–10 minutes. Maintenance: trim the fade every 3–5 weeks, reshape the top every 6–8 weeks, deep condition weekly, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose bonnet to preserve curl integrity.
Textured Short Crop with Tapered Sides — Mens Casual Textured Hairstyle
This textured short crop with tapered sides works best for oval, square and rectangular face shapes — it adds height and movement to elongate the face and softens a strong jawline. To style: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a small amount of sea-salt spray or lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry while using fingers to lift the front and create separation. Use a matte clay or texturizing paste worked between the palms to define pieces and add hold; finish by roughing the top with fingers for a natural, lived-in look. Tools needed: clippers for tapered sides (#2–#4 guard), scissors or texturizing shears for the top, hair dryer, and a comb for clean parting when desired. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, matte clay/paste, optional light hairspray for extra hold. Difficulty level: easy to medium — straightforward daily styling but requires some product technique. Maintenance tips: trim every 3–5 weeks to keep the taper sharp, shampoo 2–3 times weekly with conditioner, avoid heavy waxes that weigh hair down, and refresh texture between washes with a dry texturizer or sea-salt spray.
Textured Side‑Swept Pompadour for Men with Tapered Sides
This textured side‑swept pompadour with tapered sides suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces—its height adds balance while the soft sweep lengthens the profile, making it less flattering for very round faces. To style: towel-dry to damp, apply a light heat protectant and a volumizing mousse or sea salt spray at the roots. Blow-dry using a medium round brush or vent brush, lifting at the crown and directing hair back and slightly to the side to create natural wave and volume. Work a pea-sized amount of medium-hold matte paste or clay through the mid-lengths and ends with fingers to define texture; finish with a light mist of flexible-hold hairspray to set the shape. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush (or vent brush), comb and a few hair clips for sectioning. Products required: heat protectant, volumizer/sea-salt spray, medium-hold matte paste or clay, light hairspray. Difficulty: moderate—requires basic blow-drying and product control. Maintenance: trim tapered sides every 3–4 weeks, refresh crown length every 4–6 weeks, avoid over-washing when using styling products and use a weekly deep conditioner to keep hair healthy.
Textured Modern Quiff with Short Tapered Sides
Suitable for oval, square and heart-shaped faces, this textured modern quiff with tapered sides adds height and structure while keeping a relaxed, natural finish. To style, start with towel-dried hair and apply a light heat protectant and a volumizing spray or sea-salt pre-styler. Blow-dry using your fingers or a medium round brush, lifting the roots at the crown and directing hair back and slightly to the side to create a soft quiff. Work a small amount of matte clay or paste through the mid-lengths and ends for separation and hold; use fingertips to piece strands and finish with a light hold hairspray if you need extra control. Tools needed: hairdryer, round or vent brush, wide-tooth comb, and a blow-dry heat protectant. Products: salt spray or mousse (pre-styler), matte clay/paste, light hairspray, conditioner. Difficulty: moderate — expect 5–10 minutes daily once you master the technique. Maintenance: visit your barber every 3–6 weeks to keep the taper clean, maintain top length between 2–4 inches, condition regularly, and adjust product amount to your hair thickness. Best for medium to thick hair; fine hair benefits from root-lifting products and extra pre-styler volume.
Textured Quiff with Tapered Sides – Mens Short Back & Sides
This modern textured quiff with short tapered sides suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces best – the added height on top lengthens round faces while the short sides keep proportions balanced. Best for straight to slightly wavy hair with medium density. To style, towel-dry hair to damp, apply a small amount of sea-salt spray or pre-styling cream, then blow-dry the top upwards and back using a medium round brush (or vent brush) to create lift and texture. Finish by working a pea-sized matte pomade or styling clay through the roots with your fingers for separation and a natural, low-shine hold; use a fine-tooth comb only to tidy the hairline. Tools needed: hairdryer with nozzle, round/vent brush, comb, and quality trimmer for the sides. Products required: sea-salt spray or pre-styler, matte pomade/clay, and light hairspray for longer hold. Difficulty: easy-moderate – five to ten minutes daily. Maintenance: trim sides every 3-5 weeks, keep top at 2-3 inches for versatility, wash 2-3 times weekly, and use conditioner to prevent dryness.
Textured Quiff with Low Fade — Modern Mens Short Back & Sides
This textured quiff with a low fade suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces and adds vertical lift to round faces. It works best on medium to thick hair; fine hair can still pull it off with texturizing spray or a volumizing cut. Styling technique: start with towel-dried hair, apply a light sea-salt spray or volumizing primer, then blow-dry while lifting the front with your fingers or a small round brush to create height. Rough-tousle the top with a comb or fingers to break up sections and direct the sides back toward the crown for a natural finish. Tools needed: hairdryer, small round or vent brush, fine-tooth comb and a heat-protectant spray. Products required: sea-salt or pre-styling spray, matte clay or putty for texture and separation, and a light-hold hairspray to lock shape. Difficulty level: moderate — expect 5–10 minutes daily once you master the technique. Maintenance tips: refresh the fade every 3–5 weeks and trim the top every 4–6 weeks, condition regularly, and avoid heavy, greasy products that will weigh down the textured look.
Textured Side Part with Low Fade and Pompadour Quiff
Perfect for oval, square and diamond face shapes, this textured side part with a low tapered fade and voluminous quiff balances strong jaws and adds height for shorter faces. Best on straight to wavy, medium-thick hair; fine hair benefits from a volumizing pre-styler while very thick hair needs stronger hold. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a pea-sized pump of volumizing spray or sea-salt spray through roots, then blow-dry using a round brush or vent brush while lifting the front into a quiff and directing hair to the side. Create a defined or soft side part with a comb; finish by working a matte clay or medium-hold pomade through the mid-lengths and ends for texture and separation. Light hairspray locks the shape. Tools needed: hairdryer, round/vent brush, fine-tooth comb, scissors/clippers for trims, beard trimmer. Products required: pre-styling spray, matte clay or pomade, light hairspray, beard oil/balm. Difficulty: medium — requires 8–12 minutes daily and basic blow-drying skill. Maintenance tips: visit barber every 3–4 weeks for the fade, 4–6 weeks for top shape, shampoo 2–3× weekly, condition regularly, and keep beard neat with weekly trims and daily oil.
Textured Side Part with Low Fade — Mens Classic Pompadour
This modern side part pairs a low skin fade with a textured, slightly voluminous top — a versatile look that flatters oval, square and oblong faces and can add height to rounder shapes. To style: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a light pre-styler (sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse) at the roots, then blow-dry while lifting the top with a round brush or comb to create volume and define the part. Work a pea-sized amount of medium-hold matte pomade or clay through the hair from back to front, sculpting the front into a subtle pompadour shape and finishing with a fine-tooth comb for a neat part. Tools needed: blow dryer, round or vent brush, comb, and scissors/clippers (for initial cut or barber visits). Products required: pre-styler (mousse/sea-salt), medium-hold matte pomade or clay, light-hold hairspray for hold. Difficulty: moderate — requires blow-drying skills and daily shaping. Maintenance tips: refresh the fade every 3–5 weeks, keep top length around 2–4 inches for versatility, wash 2–3 times weekly with conditioner to avoid dryness, and use a clarifying shampoo periodically to remove product buildup.
Textured Wavy Quiff with Tapered Sides — Modern Mens Short Top Hairstyle
This textured wavy quiff with tapered sides works best for oval, square, oblong and heart-shaped faces — it adds height and balances strong jawlines. Men with round faces can adapt it by keeping extra height on top and tighter tapers at the sides. To style: towel-dry hair until slightly damp, apply a sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry while lifting the hair with your fingers or a medium round brush to create natural volume and separation. Finish by warming a pea-sized matte clay or paste between your palms and running it through the top, shaping the quiff forward or back for desired texture; use a light-hold hairspray for extra hold if needed. Tools needed: blow dryer (with concentrator), round brush or vent brush, comb and fingers for finishing. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, matte clay/paste, light hairspray, regular shampoo and conditioner, and beard oil/balm if you keep facial hair. Difficulty: moderate — requires 5–10 minutes daily and basic blow-drying skill. Maintenance: trim the sides every 3–4 weeks, tidy the top every 6–8 weeks, avoid daily heavy washing, and deep-condition weekly for healthy texture.
Textured Crop with High Skin Fade — Modern Short Mens Hairstyle
This textured crop with a high skin fade pairs a short, tousled top with clean, tapered sides — ideal for oval, square, and diamond face shapes. The short length on top adds texture and movement while the fade sharpens the jawline, making it a good choice for men who want a low-profile yet stylish look. To style: towel-dry hair to damp, use a hairdryer on low heat while tousling with fingers to build lift, then work a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste through the roots and tips for separation and hold. Tools needed: clippers for the fade, barber scissors for texturizing the top, a comb for shaping, and a blow-dryer for added volume. Recommended products: sea-salt spray for texture, matte clay or fiber for definition, and a light-hold spray to lock shape. Difficulty level: easy–medium — takes 3–5 minutes daily once you know the routine. Maintenance tips: visit the barber every 3–5 weeks to keep the fade sharp, trim the top every 4–6 weeks if you prefer more length, shampoo 2–3 times weekly with conditioner, and keep beard lines neat to complement the cut.
Short Textured Crop with High Skin Fade for Men
This short textured crop with a high skin fade is a modern, low-maintenance cut that suits oval, square and heart-shaped faces particularly well; it also flatters men with strong jawlines by keeping attention on the upper face. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to slightly damp, apply a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste, then rough-dry with a hairdryer while using your fingers or a vent brush to lift and separate the top for natural texture. Finish by pinching small sections with fingertips to create choppy definition and push a subtle forward fringe. Tools needed: hairdryer, vent or small round brush (optional), a fine-tooth comb for neatness, and clippers for at-home touch-ups. Products required: sea-salt spray or pre-styling salt spray for body, matte clay/paste or lightweight pomade for hold, and a light hairspray for all-day control if necessary. Difficulty level: easy to moderate — quick daily routine once you’ve practiced the finger-texturing technique. Maintenance tips: trim fades every 3–4 weeks, top every 4–6 weeks, wash 2–3 times weekly with conditioner to retain texture, and avoid heavy, glossy products that weigh hair down.
Choosing the right haircut is part technical, part personal. As a stylist I always start with hair texture, face shape and daily routine — then match a cut that’s flattering and maintainable. Use the 27 images here as a reference library: point your barber to the closest photo, discuss length and how often you can commit to trims, and ask for layering or blending tweaks to suit your hairline. Invest in one or two reliable products (light matte paste for texture, a flexible pomade for shine, and a sea-salt spray for volume) and practice simple drying and brushing routines for five minutes each morning. If you’re unsure, book a consultation with a barber who specializes in men’s cuts and bring multiple photos. Follow these steps and you’ll get a haircut that looks professional, feels comfortable and grows out gracefully.
