Men’s Haircuts and Hair Styles

Summer has arrived. Beer gardens and barbecues beckon, and finally the time has come to hang up your woolly hat.

The problem is, what lies beneath is probably long overdue a bit of tonsorial TLC. The cold weather can be cruel to hair, drying it out, starving it of nutrients and leaving you without much motivation to keep your hairstyle up to date.

To whip things back into shape, a fresh trim is just what the barber ordered. But which men’s hairstyles are trending this year? What should you be asking for? We provide the answers, just keep reading.

Long Curtains

Proving without a doubt that the 20-year trend clock is still ticking to the nanosecond, one of the nineties’ most notorious haircuts is creeping back onto scalps for this year.

Believe it or not, curtains are back on trend, but thankfully you don’t have to go full boyband to pull them off. This time around, it’s all about looser, wavy styles.

We’re seeing a shift away from the slicked-back look, and part of this is the emergence of different shapes. Curtains is one of the looks that lends itself to this shift.

What should you ask for?

So you don’t end up with the wrong kind of throwback, bring a picture with you for the best results. Think about how much length you want. This cut can be worn at different lengths and works well if you have thick hair. Ideally with a wave so it has some movement, too.

French Crop

Most hair crazes come and go like the wind. Others never stopped trending from the moment they were sculpted on some individual’s head. If it’s this sort of timeless style you seek, a French crop is the right choice for you.

This classic haircut is steeped in history, but contemporary updates such as skin fades and undercuts have kept it feeling anything but old-fashioned.

A French crop is a good option at any time of year because it’s effortless and looks good on most head and hair types. It is quite a good option for someone who is receding, too, as they can just make the fringe shorter to give the illusion of thickness at the front of the head.

What should you ask for?

If your barber is any good (and he should definitely be a bit more than that) will know this haircut inside out already. You should simply ask for a French crop.

Bleached Look

Historic cases of bleached hair actually looking any good are few and far between. Much more numerous are instances of it going horrifically wrong. There was Justin Timberlake circa 1997 with that instant ramen swagger, Kanye West’s ill-conceived homage to Trevor McDonald, and, of course, the king of bad style decisions, Guy Fieri.

However, in recent years, a contingent of celebrity men has been making a strong case for hitting the bottle. Among them are Zac Efron, Zayn Malik and Jonah Hill. If you were ever thinking of giving it a go for yourself, this summer is the perfect time.

Short hair is best for bleaching. This is because it’s easier to get a clean and consistent color. Still, with the right colorist it’s more than possible to pre-lighten any length of hair.

What should you ask for?

It’s worth remembering that bleach is serious stuff. Before you take a dive in a bleach bucket, you should make sure to ask for a patch test — they’re very important. No hairdresser should bleach your hair completely the same day — it needs to be tested first, as does your skin. It should be done in a few sessions and toned on the end.

Mid-Length, but make it messy

Short hairstyles have dominated the men’s haircut arena for some time now, but thanks to a few high-profile celebrity’s haircuts making a foray into shoulder-length territory, mid-length hair is back on the menu. We’re talking Kit Harington, Dev Patel, Harry Styles — all of whom have been instrumental in showing the world why longer, tousled trims are the way forward.

This is a classic because it is so versatile and can be worn on or off the face with little effort. Although, with hair of this length, it is important to use a good shampoo and conditioner, and have a knowledgeable barber who is proficient in scissor cutting. If your hair is long, it should never be dirty.

What should you ask for?

When you sit in that chair, ask for a “square layered haircut”, but if in any doubt whatsoever, take a picture along with you for insurance. Knowing how to talk to your barber is the key in making sure you get the haircut your want, whether you go to a barbershop, a hair salon to get a mobile barber to come to you. Communication with the hair care provider is the key.