Types Of Haircuts For Men – Beyond The Usual Styles

Picture of Written By KONG

Written By KONG

Director/Master Barber

Walking into a barbershop and saying “just a trim” is a missed opportunity. Choosing a new cut can feel like a gamble when the language or the different styles available are unfamiliar. It’s common to see looks that appeal to the eye but remain uncertain if they’ll work for a specific face shape, hair type, or the effort required to maintain them. 

This guide provides the tools to choose a style that hits the mark from the moment the chair is vacated. We’ll cover popular modern and classic cuts, as well as the 3-step framework the team uses to find a style that is truly suitable for you.

Key Takeaways for Choosing a Style

  • Understand Haircut Families: Most men’s styles fall into three groups which include modern fades, professional classic cuts, or casual textured looks.
  • Apply the 3-Step Formula: To find a suitable style, we recommend matching a cut to your face shape, hair type, and daily lifestyle.
  • Preparation is Key: Bring a reference photo to the appointment to help the barber achieve the specific look you’re after.

Popular Fade Haircut Styles for a Modern Look

A fade is a technique in which the hair on the sides and back is cut gradually shorter as it tapers downward. It serves as the foundation for many modern looks from a subtle low taper to a sharp high taper. Whether you’re seeking a standard haircut or a complex taper, the modern fade is highly versatile.

The High Contrast Fade

  • Style Tip: For a sharp look, a cut that blends to the skin is highly effective. Often called a skin fade, this style is popular today and requires regular maintenance to keep the edges clean.
  • Why it matters: The sharp contrast between the skin and the hair on top makes any cut look bold and purposeful.
  • How to ask for it: Request a “fade to skin” and specify where the blend should start. Common options include “low” near the ear, “mid,” or “high” near the temple. To keep this look sharp, we suggest a touch-up every 2-3 weeks.

The Taper Fade

  • Style Tip: The taper is suitable for those who need a sharp look without the style being too aggressive. We find it tends to grow out more gracefully than other short cuts. An undercut fade offers a bolder contrast for a different feel.
  • Why it matters: It follows the natural hairline rather than cutting down to the skin, avoiding a harsh line as the hair grows.
  • How to ask for it: Ask for a “taper” and name the starting clipper guard, for example, “start with a number 2.” A lower number means a shorter, more defined look.

The Burst Fade

  • Style Tip: When selecting a modern mullet or faux hawk, a burst fade is a common technique that connects shorter sides to a longer back.
  • Why it matters: It creates a clean, semi circular arc that frames the ear. This adds a dynamic outline to modern styles.
  • How to ask for it: Ask for a “burst fade” and provide a photo, since the final shape can vary with hair length.

Experience the Lomax Difference

Not sure which fade suits your face shape? Book a consultative haircut with our team in Chadstone today for a look tailored specifically to you.

Classic Haircuts for Men That Are Always in Style

While fades are a modern staple, some looks remain legendary. These timeless, classic cuts for men are reliable options for those who prefer a more traditional appearance.

The Crew Cut

  • Style Tip: This and the buzz cut are primary examples of low maintenance styles. As a popular short look, it’s a practical choice for finer hair, where longer styles might appear flat.
  • Why it matters: The short length and tapered sides create a neat shape that requires minimal daily styling.
  • How to ask for it: Specify the clipper length for the top such as “a number 4 on top.” For a modern touch, we can “point cut the top” to add a bit of texture.

The Side Part

  • Style Tip: In professional settings, this classic look is often recommended for a consistently polished appearance. It pairs well with beard grooming and sculpting to define the jawline.
  • Why it matters: The defined parting line creates a structured style that suggests attention to detail.
  • How to ask for it: Ask for a “classic side part” with a taper. For an even sharper look, request a “hard part” where a thin, permanent line is shaved into the hair.

The Pompadour

  • Style Tip: This is a high impact style that requires a commitment to styling. In the short-versus-long style comparison, this falls into the long category and requires daily attention.
  • Why it matters: It uses significant length and volume on top to create a bold outline. Without daily effort, this cut can lose the desired shape.
  • How to ask for it: This style requires at least 8-10 centimetres of hair length on top. Ask for it with an undercut, and be prepared for a daily routine that involves a blow-dryer and styling products.

Textured Haircuts for Men for a Casual Style

Texture is about creating movement and a less rigid finish. These textured looks feel casual yet stylish, especially when finished with an eyebrow razor clean up to frame the face.

The Textured Fringe

  • Style Tip: This style is widely used because it looks effortless. This textured cut is also an effective way to style hair that is beginning to thin or recede at the temples.
  • Why it matters: The hair is styled forward, creating a strong horizontal line that can make the hairline appear fuller.
  • How to ask for it: Ask for a “textured fringe” with a mid or high fade. We use “point cutting” to ensure the top has plenty of movement and doesn’t look too heavy.

How to Clean Up Eyebrows

The goal is not to shape the eyebrows, but simply to clean up the area between them. Plucking stray hairs in the unibrow area provides a cleaner look. At LoMax Barbers, the Haircut + Eyebrows / Design service includes a detailed razor clean up to ensure a polished appearance.

How to Choose Your Next Haircut

A great haircut should be tailored to the individual. We use this 3-step formula to identify a style that is suitable.

Step 1: Match the face shape

The goal is to find a look that balances the features. This is done by first identifying the face outline and then choosing a style that creates a more balanced, oval appearance.

  • Actionable Audit: Stand in front of a mirror and trace the outline of the face. Determine if the shape looks more like a circle, a square, or an oval.

Step 2: Work with the hair type

A cut looks best when it works with the hair’s natural texture. The hair type influences how well textured or smooth classic styles will hold, whether the hair is curly, wavy, or straight.

  • Actionable Audit: Run fingers through dry hair. Determine if it feels dense and coarse, soft, or if it naturally forms ‘S’ shapes.

Step 3: Factor in the lifestyle

Choose a cut that fits the morning routine. If the schedule is tight and a cut is needed outside of regular opening hours, we’ll recommend choosing a style that’s easy to manage.

  • Actionable Audit: Think about your typical morning. Does it involve a quick towel-dry or a full blow-dry with multiple products?

An expert will help you build a style that fits your unique features and lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Haircuts for Men

What is the easiest haircut to maintain?

The Crew Cut is generally considered a very low maintenance option. The short length on the top, back, and sides requires almost no daily attention, making it a “get up and go” style. Compared to a longer style like a Pompadour which needs daily blow drying, a Crew Cut saves significant time.

The primary difference is how short the hair gets at the base. A fade to the skin blends the hair down to the bare skin for a sharp, high contrast look. In contrast, a taper gradually gets shorter but always leaves some hair length. It follows the natural hairline for a softer finish. For a bold style, a fade to the skin is common. For a more traditional look, a taper is often preferred.

Shorter haircuts that build texture are typically helpful for fine or thinning hair because they can create the appearance of more volume. Styles with texture at the front, a French crop, or a classic Crew Cut are effective options. Styling the hair forward can help visually manage a receding hairline. The short length of the Crew Cut prevents fine hair from appearing flat. We generally suggest avoiding very long hair because the extra weight can pull fine hair down.

Ready for a VIP Grooming Experience?

Visit LoMax Barbers at 619 Warrigal Road, Chadstone for a detailed, transformative cut. Experience the difference of a professional consultation and expert styling.

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KONG

Director/Master Barber

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