A guy’s hair is anything but boring! Diverse styles can let you live life a little differently. Especially as the year started a little rough, getting a new haircut can be a great way to keep things fresh.
The key to pulling off a trendy hairstyle, besides choosing a talented barber, is to find one that suits you well. This is no easy task, as there are thousands of different hairdos, but don’t worry! In this article, we made sure to include a number of long, medium, and short hairstyles for men who want to experiment with new styles. We also have trendy haircuts for all types of hair. From thick, thin, curly, wavy, to straight hair, we got you covered.
So here are the 10 hottest trending hairstyles that you could try, plus some products to aid in styling and maintaining your sleek haircut.
Trending Hairstyles for Men
Slicked-back
While some men’s hairstyles die out after a couple of years, others stay trendy for decades. The slicked-back hair is the perfect example. This haircut gained immense popularity in the 50s with the iconic pompadour. Nowadays, from classy guys with retro vibes to contemporary men with a refined style, choose the slicked-back hair.
The best attribute of this particular hairstyle is its versatility. It has many variations to choose from, such as slicked-back undercut and slicked-back side part, plus it works well with most face shapes. Whether you have a round, square, or diamond-shaped face, you can pull off this classic look.
If you’re someone who’s always in a rush, this might be perfect for you, since it’s one of the easiest to style with just a few steps. First off, start with damp hair that’s just been towel-dried after the shower. Next, use your fingers to work a small amount of pomade into your hair, and then slick the hair back with a comb. And that’s it, you’re good to go!
Taper Haircut
If you are not a fan of the slicked-back look, then maybe the taper haircut might just be up your alley.
Its tidy and polished look will make sure that you can’t go wrong with this one, especially that it works with every hair type. This versatile cut also looks great both in casual and professional settings, making it one of the most popular hair choices for men in decades.
With the number of its variations, there are endless ways to style this haircut. Broken quiff, layered quiff, and side pushed quiff are just some of our favorites.
Undercut
If you are looking for the most trending haircut right now, look no further. The undercut takes that spot. It’s cool and gives off a sophisticated look, and perfectly blends with modern men’s fashion. This is one of the main reasons why guys love it.
The undercut is so distinctive that it’s easily recognizable at first glance. You can also style it in many ways, with each variety being just as unique. This haircut is short to medium length and features a striking contrast between the top and sides. The sides and the back are buzzed short, while the hair on top is left long.
So, what face shapes work well with the undercut? Well, square and diamond-shaped faces are perfect for it. This cut makes square faces look smoother and less boxy and diamond faces less angular. On the other hand, men with round faces might want to opt for a different look since the undercut is already a rounder style.
Low Fade
The low fade is a type of fade haircut where the sides and back are tapered shorter from top to bottom. As the fade focuses on the sides and back, you’re free to choose any look you want on top, and this is what makes this hairstyle so versatile. It’s great for all hair lengths and types, that’s why it’s so popular.
Some of our favorite variations for this hairstyle are low fade quiff and low fade with cropped curls. The low fade quiff is the perfect way to go for men with straight hair. On the other hand, if you have curly hair and you want to show them off while keeping them under control, a low fade with cropped curls is an ideal choice.
This hairstyle can be tailored to suit any style, so if you’re not a fan of the classic fade or high fade, then this might be a great option for you.
Side Part
What’s not to love about a side part hairstyle? This classic hairstyle is versatile and timeless. It flatters all hair types and lengths, and it’s also suitable for both casual and formal situations.
This is a very low-maintenance haircut, making it perfect for busy guys who don’t have much time to style it. With little time and little effort, you’ll have a dapper cut ready to go.
The side part hairstyle is a look that has a side part, as its name implies, but there’s more to it than that. Both the top and sides are cut in a traditional fashion, resulting in a short and neat style. This type of haircut works best with thicker hair, though it’s still possible to pull it off even if you have thinner hair.
High Fade
A high fade hairstyle features short back and sides, with a fade that usually begins at or above the templates. The lower you go, the length gradually gets shorter, which gives off a gradient. You can ask your barber to add a line-up or even a styled shave for a unique cut.
The top is completely customizable—you can rock a pompadour, crew cut, Ivy League, and many more. This hairdo maximizes the contrast between the short sides and back, and the longer top, creating an edgy look. This is why the high-fade haircut can elevate any man’s style.
You can add a high fade to any modern or classic style, whether you have short, medium, or long hair. Plus, a high fade works with all face shapes. So that means most guys can pull off this hairdo.
Some of our favorite ways of styling a high fade are slick back, comb over, and high top, but the possibilities are endless. Make sure you check every variation, so you can choose the one that best fits your style.
Messy Waves
Waves are great at adding volume, texture, and movement. Almost all men’s haircuts, whether they’re bold or classic, work well with wavy hair. So you might be wondering, what are the best wavy hairstyles for men?
We know this type of hair can sometimes be hard to style. However, all professional stylists claim wavy hair is the holy grail of hair types. It’s important to embrace your hair’s natural shape and make the styles suit your hair and not vice versa.
You can do a lot of variations with this type of hair. Messy waves with a shaved neckline are probably one of the trendiest hairstyles right now. It’s a medium-length cut that gives you the best of both worlds. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more daring look, long messy waves are the way to go. The longer the hair, the more defined the waves. Your face will be framed with a cascade of curls, giving you that chill guy vibe.
Longer Curly Hair Flow
The flow hairstyle, better known as the bro flow, used to be a trendy look among hipsters, skaters, and even hockey players. Lately, it’s been gaining more and more popularity among men along with a variety of styles. Long flowy haircuts look carefree and are often associated with guys who have laid-back personalities.
Curls add texture and personality to this hairstyle, but those with straight hair can also pull this off. Styling it is straightforward—all it takes is for you to push your hair back with the help of hair cream, or you can just let it flow. On the other hand, what takes a lot of work is making sure your hair grows strong and healthy. So, you’ll probably have to invest time and money in quality hair products to maintain your long locks.
We know managing long curly hair can be challenging, so we’ll leave you a few tips. Use a moisturizing conditioner to avoid frizz and use matte-finish styling products. When getting a haircut, to maintain the length, ask the barber for a trim to keep away the dead ends. But if you want to DIY, always point the cut down the ends instead of cutting in a straight line to prevent you from looking triangular. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll find yourself rocking your curls better.
Skin Fade
It is one of the hottest hairstyles right now. The skin fade haircut emphasizes the contrast between shaved sides and a full head of hair. Its name came from the apparent exposure of the skin on the sides of your head, which can look sleek when done right.
Besides having a smooth transition at the sides, one feature that makes it versatile is that the top of your head is entirely customizable.
If you’re going for this hairstyle, you should consider how gradual you want your fade to be. You could go for a subtle fade, which won’t stand out as much and will give you a sophisticated and classy look, or you could get a bolder fade that makes your haircut even more eye-catching.
One last thing you should keep in mind is that if you have straight or slightly wavy hair, you’ll get the most out of a skin fade haircut. Guys with curly hair may have it a little difficult, but it can still be done with a few techniques here and there.
Brushed-up
A brushed-up hairstyle consists of having your sides and back cut short, with either a fade, undercut, or taper. The hair on top of your head should be styled upward.
Before getting this haircut, you should make sure your hair up top is long enough to achieve that brushed-up style. If you have straight or wavy hair, you won’t have any problem getting this to look natural and polished. However, if you have curly hair, it’s a different story.
To get this brushed-up haircut properly styled, you’ll need good quality hair wax and a comb or brush. Pro-tip, if you have wavy hair, use a wide-tooth comb. First, apply the hair wax while your hair is still damp. Then, style your hair upward using your fingers, a comb, or a brush. Finally, use the hairdryer and point it to the hair above your forehead while continuing to style your hair upward. And with that, you’re good to go!
Hairstyle Length
Now with the styles out of the way, the next question is, how do you choose the hair length that best suits each style? Here are some tips you can use as your guide to making the right decision.
Short Hair
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance style, short hair is your best choice. You can wash and go every morning without the need to spend any time in front of the mirror styling your hair. However, maintaining a nice and tidy short hairstyle will require you to visit your barber more often.
So far, short hair sounds awesome, but a big downside is that your styling choices are limited. Your hair may always look the same, which can become boring after some time. Here are some ideas to change up your look.
- Skin Fade
No styling is required with this cut, but you still have some freedom to make a statement with your style. You could leave your hair up top wavy and full of texture, have a line drawn across one of your sides, or you could even have square sideburns.
- High Fade
This is perfect if you want a trendy cut that’s low maintenance. Even if your hair up top is very short, you can still add some personality to it. Messy top, buzz cut, and French crop are some of the recommended ways to style this haircut.
- Taper Haircut
If simplicity is what you’re after, this is your best option. The hair on top is not very versatile, but you could either sweep it to the side or leave it messy. If you’re wondering what’s the trendiest way to style this classic taper, our most definite answer is tapered sides and brushed up top.
Medium Hair
This is a highly versatile style. A medium-length haircut will give you more freedom than a short haircut. You can tailor it to your personal taste by changing it up depending on your likes and needs. You can play with the sides and top of your hair, whether it’s keeping your sides short while leaving the top long or just leaving it all in a medium length.
You can comb it for the office or mess it up for a night out. A medium-length style will require you to spend some time in front of the mirror in the mornings, but you won’t have to go to the barbershop as often as if you had a short haircut.
From pompadours to straight shoulder cut style, medium-length haircuts open up a Pandora’s Box of possibilities.
- Medium-length Undercut
If you’re growing hair out from a close crop, the undercut is the perfect choice for you. The short sides provide structure while the top is growing. At this point, in which your hair is not long enough yet, you can opt for an Ivy League style.
- Low Fade
This style can instantly add sophistication to any look, which is why it’s such a popular choice. Keeping the fade low beneath the midway line of the head leaves plenty of freedom to experiment with the hair up top. You could try braids, blowouts, or messy waves.
- Slicked-back
This hairdo can instantly elevate any man’s appearance. It doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes to style it. It’s a low-maintenance haircut that gives you a stylish but professional look.
Long Hair
Long hair is simply just fascinating. It’s a look that only few men would dare to do and pull off, which is why it’s so memorable. However, you will have to spend a bit more time and money on hair care. Long hair requires commitment, but it’s definitely worth it.
What was once primarily used by rock gods and surfers is now commonplace on the modern scene. Many well-known celebrities such as Chris Hemsworth, Jared Leto, and Keanu Reeves are living proof that long hair is one of the hottest trending hairstyles right now.
- Long Messy Waves
To accomplish the long-textured waves, you’ll need to apply a styling mousse to clean out-of-the-shower hair and scrunch it upwards. Then you can either leave it to air dry or use a diffuser to speed up the process.
- Man-bun
Buns are highly versatile as they can be customized to flatter any face shape. Styling a bun is as easy as it can be. You just have to comb your hair back with your fingers and secure it with a tie. The secret is to leave some tips to stick out for a more relaxed look.
- Side Part
Center parting tends to look better in guys with straight hair, while a side part is probably the way to go if you have textured hair. Styling a side part is also very easy. You just need a fine-toothed comb and some kind of texturizing spray, then part your hair whichever way you prefer. Remember to try out different angles and areas to know which looks better on you.
Hair Products
Gel
Remember when gels were like liquid cement? Thankfully, they are not made like that anymore. Nowadays, you can still get that long-lasting hold and shine without feeling like you have glue on your hair. However, this specific hair product is best kept in the drawers until further notice. Use it if you’re going for a fancy look, or as a touch-up product if you have untamed, frizzy sections of hair.
Gels come in different hold strengths, from light to strong. For beginners, we recommend you choose a lighter one. One good tip is to use it on the sides, especially if you have long hair. Sometimes the sides grow in a bothersome way, and gel is a great product to help you lock them into place.
Wax
Are you going for a messy just-woke-up look? Then this is the ideal hair product for you. Wax will help you shape your hair without giving you the stiff texture of gel, but also keep in mind it may take you some work to wash it off.
Remember to apply it on clean and dry hair and only at the root. If you apply it to the entire hair, it’ll probably weigh everything down. Like gel, wax is also great to tuck strays into place and to help you control messier, poofy hair. This is a very versatile product as it can either be used to create crazy spikes or to hold the hair down for a well-groomed look.
Clay
Clay is a versatile styler. It’s thicker than a pomade but it’ll give you a firmer hold. Clay will add amazing texture to your hair by adding thickness and body to the individual strands. If you want your hair to have a ton of volume without having the product weigh down your hair, I strongly recommend you to try it out.
This product has such a light formula that you’ll be surprised at how easily it can be absorbed without leaving any residue. However, once you’re done styling your hair, clay stays in place with an extremely strong hold, which means you won’t be able to re-work it once it’s dried. Our advice is not to use it if you’re going to wear a hat or any other head accessories that could disrupt your hair.
Pomade
This is the hair product that guys with wet, slicked-back hairdos are using. It’s as thick as wax, but it’s easier to distribute because of its creamy consistency. It controls stubborn hair and adds smoothness while making your hair look shiny and wet. Pomades don’t make your locks dry and hard like clays or gels, which will allow you to style your hair at any point throughout the day.
If you decide to use pomade as your daily styler, you should only use a small amount of product. Otherwise, it’ll most likely make your hair feel and look greasy. You should keep in mind that this hair product takes a bit of skill to apply correctly to make you look like John Travolta in Grease, sporting the kind of grease we prefer. We suggest you save it for special black-tie occasions.
Hair Spray
Hair spray is the foolproof way to keep your style in place, especially if you used a lighter product as your foundation. Once you’ve locked your hair product of choice, hair spray will act as a defense to protect your hairdo from wind, humidity, and rain. There are three types of hair sprays, which are flexible-hold, medium-hold, and maximum-hold.
Flexible-hold hair sprays offer the least amount of staying power. They provide just enough control to reduce frizz but still allow some natural movement. On the other hand, medium-hold hair sprays have a slightly stronger hold and should be used sparingly if you still want your hairdo to have some motion. Finally, maximum-hold hair sprays keep every strand in its place.
Here’s a pro-tip. Take your hair spray and spritz it on a brush instead of your hair. This way, you’ll have a more natural finish by ensuring a lighter touch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trending Hairstyle for Men
How do you style your hair for 2021?
In this article, you have all the information you need to pull off the hottest hairstyle of 2021. Here’s a brief summary. First of all, you should pick a haircut from the 10 trendiest hairstyles listed above. Keep in mind your aesthetic preference, but also your hair type, since not every cut suits every texture. Secondly, use our guide to choose which hair length would flatter your style the most. And finally, use the appropriate hair products, depending on your needs.
What is the most attractive hair length?
From many surveys done by fashion magazines and websites, we concluded that the most attractive hair length for men is medium length, followed closely by short, and lastly, long length. These surveys also showed that bald guys are considered to be the least attractive ones. But we’re not so sure about that. After all, we have Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson as archetypes of masculinity. I mean, who needs hair when you’re that good-looking?
What haircut makes you look younger?
If you’re looking for a haircut that will make you look younger, we’ll tell you some of our favorites. First, we have the side part and comb back style. It’s like a pompadour but a milder version. Secondly, there’s the short and spiky style. It’s not very easy to achieve because you may end up looking like a grade-schooler. But, once done well, it’s easy to maintain, and it’ll take years off your appearance. Finally, we recommend you the messy chop, which is perfect for covering up the hairline that has started receding.
A Final Word From The Trending Man
Next time you’re visiting your barber, feel confident to request any haircut you want. Whether you’re going for a classic style or something entirely different, be true to yourself, forget about other people’s opinions. If you cut it too short or if you style it in a way you end up not liking much, don’t worry. It’ll grow back faster than you think. No haircut is permanent, so our recommendation is you should dare to try that bold look you’ve been wanting. If not now, when?
