Popular Hairstyles for Men

As hairstyle trends come and go, some make a more lasting impression than others. Many of these popular styles are tweaked and modified but never truly disappear altogether. And every now and again an almost forgotten style will make a comeback as fashions turn full circle.

A hairstyle that seemed like a good idea at the time can be viewed as an embarrassing faux pas years later when digging through old wedding photographs, but wait long enough and the style may come back into fashion. Some of the more memorable hairstyles that can still be seen today include:

Afro: Hair extends out to form a ball shape, sometimes up to several times the diameter of the head. Very curly hair is essential for an afro, but for many people of African descent, an afro is the way the hair grows naturally.

Get It All Off

Shaved: This is when the hair is cut to the skin using an electric razor or plain, old-fashioned razor blade. It is not unknown for a customer to ask to have all or a part of their head to be shaved when, in fact, what they want is a close clipper cut. It is important, therefore that the barber ensures his client know exactly what he is letting himself in for before going ahead.

Short back and sides: A straightforward haircut that has stood the test of time. As the name suggests, a short back and sides involves a close clipper cut to the neck and sides of the head. The hair on top is left longer and sideburns are optional but typically extend to about the middle of the ear.

Crew cut: This haircut is short all over – generally about a quarter of an inch – although it may be tapered a little at the back and sides.

Flattop: The top of the hair is cut into a flat surface, hence the name. This flattop can work for a range of lengths, although the length will determine the type and amount of gel needed to hold the style in place. Longer hair on top is more difficult to style into a flattop. Sides are usually cut very short, or the back and sides can be shaved.

Much-Maligned Mullet

Mullet: A much-maligned haircut that was popular in the 1970s and 80s. The style combines a short cut at the front and sides with shoulder-length or even longer hair at the back. The mullet has fallen so far from grace that the term is now often used in a derogatory way to describe any dodgy haircut.

Dreadlocks: This style consists of knotted and matted strands and can also be called dreads or locks. The interlocked coils of hair will form by themselves in all hair types if hair is allowed to grow naturally for a long period of time without grooming. The style is associated with Rastafarian culture and has been popular with musicians.

Bowl cut: At one time it meant literally that – a bowl was placed on top of the head and all the hair that protruded from under the bowl was cut. The result is longer hair on top, cropped hair below the bowl line and no blend between the two. Gladly, techniques have since improved, but the characteristics of the style remain.