Sometimes, it may seem like women have hundreds of haircuts and hairstyles to choose from, while men only have a select few. However, you've probably just been looking for inspiration in the wrong place. To get the perfect chop, you'll want to do more than hand your barber a picture of your favorite celeb to show what you're looking for, so it's essential to research and learn about the classic and latest hairstyle trends for guys.
Flipping through magazines and scrolling through your social media feeds to figure out the current trends is fine, but we’ve also done much of that work for you. Read on for 50 of the best short haircuts and hairstyles for men.
If you want to wake up, throw on your clothes, and head out the door, we know the perfect short men’s hairstyle for you: a close-crop buzz cut. This haircut has been around for years, so it's a fan-favorite, and the best part of a super-close buzz cut is that you don't need to use any styling products to maintain this hairstyle. It's the epitome of a low maintenance look.
For old-school charm that's still very much on-trend, try the pompadour. Pompadours, a.k.a. quiffs in England, have been around for years now, and it doesn't seem like the trend is dying down anytime soon. This hairstyle instantly takes you back to an era of muscle cars, hot rods, and old-school rock and roll bands. If you want a hairstyle that has a little bit of the old and a little bit of the new, give this cut a try.
To style your pompadour, enhance the look by applying a pomade or gel, like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Mega Gel. Rub your desired amount of product in between your hands, then apply the gel evenly throughout damp or dry hair and style. If you want a slicked-back look, apply the gel to wet hair and comb it from front to back. If you'd prefer to give this hairstyle a modern twist, create a side-part pompadour by applying pomade to your hair before parting it to the side.
This high and tight haircut is a short to medium-length hairstyle, where the top of your hair contrasts with the sides. Get the look by leaving your hair long on the top and buzzing the sides and back super short. This haircut is perfect for those who want a clean, buzz cut fade look but still want to have a bit of length on top.
All you need to style this haircut is a touch of putty. Take a dime-sized amount of the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty and rub it between your palms. Work the putty through the top of your hair and shape the strands. You can build volume and add fullness by starting at your roots and then lifting your hair up and out.
This twist on the traditional undercut allows you to keep your length longer on the top, and adding bleached tips gives it a surfer vibe. Since this look requires bleaching, it's essential to take care of your color by using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo, Paraben-Free and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner, Paraben-Free.
If you're looking for a modern guy hairstyle that serves just the right amount of edge, look no further than the wavy taper buzz cut fade. This look makes your natural texture the focal point of the style as the sides get shorter to blend in with your skin. Use a hair foam or mousse like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse. Dispense an egg-sized amount into your palms and apply it evenly to your hair from the roots to the tips. Scrunch as you go and let your hair air dry for a defined finish.
For men who are looking for a low-maintenance style, the traditional buzz cut will become your new best friend. This style keeps your hair short all around in a clean and fresh look that's always on-trend. Get this look by cutting your hair low on the top and cutting along the natural hairline for sharp edges.
Ready to take your hair to new heights? A flat top high and tight haircut is a great option. Great for short and medium lengths, this style will surely make you stand out in the crowd. Designed with a horizontal cut, this style allows your strands to stand upright for a distinct finish.
A great way to add intensity to your hair, this style is perfect for a night out. To achieve traditional spikes, you need a gel or hair putty like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty that provides a secure hold. Take a dime-sized amount of whichever product you choose and apply evenly throughout dry or damp hair. Comb it through from front to back and shape your hair until you have your desired number of spikes.
Faded hairstyles are always on-trend, but if you want to take your style up a few notches, finger waves, which happen to be one of our favorite unexpected, short hairstyles for men, are the way to go. The perfect way to add definition to your look, this style is a fave for a reason. Get the look by leaving the sides of your hair faded and adding a soft wave to the top.
To add waves to your hair, grab a dime-sized amount of hair putty. Rub the putty in your palms and work it through your hair. You can even use a comb to create the wavy detailing. Complete the look with L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold, Light Hairspray Unscented for a soft and shiny finish.
This classic, clean look features tapered sides that build up to a thick fringe at the top. Comfortable to wear, all you need is a flexible hair spray like the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold, Light Hairspray Unscented. Mist lightly at the roots to build up the volume and you're good to go.
For inspiration from the 1920s, the high and tight haircut is the perfect look to try. With short faded edges and about an inch of length at the top, this style will look amazing on all hair types, and you don't need any styling products to wear this look.
Perfect for medium-length hair, this style shows off short sides and side swept bangs for a unique touch. The ideal style for a minimalist, this soft look is easy to emulate. This hairstyle needs volume, so a brushable hold spray is the perfect match for your hair. All you need to do is spray evenly over your hair and comb it in place.
This look features faded sides that build to a low cut top. Creating a two-tone appearance, this hairstyle will make quite the statement. Best of all, there are no styling products needed to maintain the cut.
A smart way to keep your hair in place with little styling involved, this hairstyle is a great alternative for the busy man, and this look can even work for the guy that loves playing around with styles. You can fade the sides with a classic taper, add designs, or take the plunge with shaved sides.
One of the easiest styles to master is the tousled buzz cut faded look. A standout style for its curly, messy top, this look is perfect for the man that's always on the go. It also features gently faded sides to add a bit of dimension to the look. To bring your curls to life, grab hair mousse for instant definition.
This medium crop style allows you to play with your length for a longer look at the top. The sides stay true to the classic style with a buzzed finish for a modern appeal. Great for curly, straight, tightly coiled, and wavy textures, this look is very versatile.
As we mentioned before, quiffs, also known as pompadours, are a great style to try. This style in particular, the back styled quiff, offers up a versatile look that men with various hair textures can try. To really add a bit of length on the top, use some hair gel to shape your strands.
For a modern look with a touch of edge, try the high buzz cut fade with a messy top. This hairstyle looks great on short and medium lengths and provides the opportunity to play with texture.
If you're the type of guy that doesn't mind spending time in the mirror to perfect your hair, the low fade brush back is worth a try. Offering the best of both worlds, you can show off your length and remain on-trend thanks to the faded sides. While sculpting this style can take a while since you have to brush your hair from the front to the back for a smooth finish, it's absolutely worth it. All you need to top off this look is a hairspray that doesn't get stiff.
For men who love the traditional undercut style but want to experiment with texture, the short brush-up is a great choice. While this look is long on the top and short on the sides with a stylish fade, the brushed-up front takes things to new heights.
A true classic, the scissor cut will never go out of style. It looks great on all hair types and is a no-fuss style that low maintenance men will appreciate. The style features choppy, thick strands that show off the length of your hair. From curly hair to straight hair, you can wear your natural texture with this style.
The natural part of this style will highlight your natural texture, while the symmetrical style serves up a touch of boy band fever and '90s vibes. The only product you need to keep this haircut in place is a brushable hold spray.
Nothing beats a classic style, and this short cut with a high fade is no exception. A fresh alternative for men who like trendy styles without the long styling time, this cut and style takes no time to master. Get the look by lengthening your hair toward the front with a styling cream.
If you have thick hair and are looking for a trendy change, the sleek skin fade is the perfect style for you. To try this look, cut the hair on the sides of your head and shape what’s on top in an upward motion. This cut is all about highlighting your texture, and you can do so with the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty. Grab a dime-sized amount and work through your hair to shape and hold your style.
The classic taper style is simple and refined. With long hair on the top that gradually gets shorter down the back and sides of the head, this style is a classic for a reason.
For a standout style that you can create on your own, side brushed, textured hair is a great way to go. The style highlights your natural texture without having to cut or fade any part of your hair. This style does require a product or two like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BLOW DRY IT Thermal Smoother Cream to maintain its definition.
This hairstyle is popular among men with thick, coily hair. With a low burst fade along the sides, this style builds to textured curls at the top. If you're currently growing out your hair and looking for a short hairstyle that will complement your texture, look no further. Best of all, you'll only need one product to keep your curls defined: a curl cream. Apply a dime-sized amount of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Super Curls Cream Leave-In to your hair from root to tip. Scrunch your hair and air dry for soft and defined curls.
The modern military look combines fading with soft styling for a stylish finish. This high and tight haircut is an excellent option for men looking for a short hairstyle that's on-trend. If you would like to add a bit of texture to this hairstyle, you can also use gel on damp hair for instant definition.
For men who like to combine classic styling with a trendy touch, the buzz cut and mid fade style should be next on your must-try list. This buzz cut fade leaves hair on the top with a fade that starts on the temples and finishes on the sides. With no products needed to enhance this style, low maintenance men will not be able to get enough of this short buzz cut fade style.
Expand your horizons and try this hairstyle that combines waves with a high buzz cut fade. Hugely different from the classic fade, this look features thicker hair at the top that's cut into waves. Complete with a sharp hard part at the side, this short hairstyle is perfect for curly and wavy hair textures.
Bridging the gap between classic styling and modern trends, the textured crop cut is one of the most popular short hairstyles. Offering versatility and suiting all hair textures, this cut enhances separation with a low fade This clean-cut look is easy to manage, and leaves you with a unique style.
The style offers a fresh look, maximum style, and minimal styling. All you need is a gel with a strong hold; then you can start spiking up your hair as you see fit. Just rub the gel between your hands and pull your fingers up through your strands to create messy spikes.
A chic fade can take any style to the next level, and that certainly applies to the short curls and drop fade look. Perfect for men with short curly or wavy hair, this cut provides a clean-cut look with texture. This style is a true classic, so it's no surprise that this look has become popular with many professional basketball players over the years.
A stylish balance of texture and volume, the French crop is a style you must try. Taking off the sides with a low buzz cut fade and highlighting the natural texture at the top, this look is a modern, rugged style you'll love. Whether your hair is straight or curly, this haircut will surely make a bold statement.
To give your mane a look that you love, style your hair in a blowout brush up with a fade. To get the look, start in the shower with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo, Paraben-Free and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner, Paraben-Free. Then, let your hair air dry, and style your hair on top with the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty.
Give your natural texture the attention it deserves with a short curly look. To get this style, you need to start with clean and moisturized hair. This look is all about highlighting your texture, so you need the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty. Grab a dime-sized amount, rub between your palms, and work through your hair from root to tip.
Give your luscious locks a new look with this unique slicked-back style. When it comes to wearing a slicked-back look, it's always important to start on a clean mane. So, head into the shower and grab the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Conditioner. After you finish washing your hair, comb through your strands, and let them air dry to prep for the slicked-back style.
Once your hair is dry, you need to use a gel to give your hair a flexible hold. Grab a small amount of L'Oréal Paris Studio Line Mega Gel and rub between your hands. Apply the gel evenly through the hair from root to tip. Then, use a small-tooth comb to slick your hair back into sections.
Keeping your hair short, neat, and clean, it's easy to see why the barely-there cut is popular. It's simple to style and requires little to no maintenance. To get this look, head to your barber. This cut requires a shape-up for your natural hairline and low cut hair, hence the name barely there.
Looking for a way to manage your textured hair? It may be time to give the front line fade style a try. This look keeps your hair cut low while showing off a defined hairline, making it a popular style for men with thick and curly hair. Start by making an appointment with your barber, because even if you know how to cut your hair, the detail and definition throughout this look can be hard to master.
Paying homage to the popular Marcel curls of the 1920s and 1930s, the Marcel fade is perfect for those with curly locks. It's stylish, fashionable, and will undeniably make a bold statement. This style features a unique block-shaped fade around the face and a curl pattern that is shaped upward, so it's best to get the help of your barber to get this look just right.
Ready to switch up your look with a sleek hairstyle? This well-groomed look falls right in line. This fashionable style not only gives your hair a fresh and neat look; you also have various options for styling it. When it comes to pulling a sleek style together, starting on clean hair is the way to go. Once you finish washing your hair, you can start styling.
Now, it's time to define your hair with the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty. Grab a dime-sized amount and rub between your palms. Apply to your hair and use your fingers to shape, then follow up with a side part to finish the look.
This style is perfect for those who want to experiment with different lengths while adding an edge to their look. Whether you prefer a low fade or a high fade or like to keep things in the middle, this hairstyle leaves plenty of room for options. You'll also love that you can wear your spikes at different lengths and shapes to customize your look.
If you're a flexible guy, wearing a style that mixes various lengths may be the right pick for you. Start by getting a traditional tapered cut that fades out the sides. Then, you can get a feathered cut to bring this fringe crew cut to life. To get the fringe look when styling, use a gel or pomade to add a bit of texture.
In need of a messy yet stylish hairstyle? The short shaggy look is just what you need. Give your hair a razor cut to mix and match your length. As for styling, start by turning up the volume with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Volume Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Volume Conditioner. Once you finish washing your hair, follow up with a textured styler.
If you're looking to switch up your pompadour look, this style is a great place to start. This classic style showcases elegance and leaves room for modern details, and it provides the look you love while adding angles and height into the mix.
For men who want to keep their hair short, neat, and stylish, a caesar cut is a prime pick. You've probably seen this style on the runways and on a few of your favorite celebs, and it’s easy to see why. This cut helps to enhance your strong features and bring attention to your jawline.
Providing simplicity and style, this cut looks great on men with straight, wavy, or curly hair. The hair on the sides is short with a tapered effect, while the hair at the top sits in an upright position to highlight your texture. This crew cut is both practical and stylish, making this style an easy choice for those who love a no-fuss option.
When it comes to curly hair, all you need is a product or two to sell this look. The round buzz cut fade is a great choice for men with short curly hair. Unlike a traditional fade, this style is longer on the top and the sides. The fade comes in closer to the ends and down to the skin. Use a bit of L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse to shape your curls, working the product through your spirals to define your curly locks.
The faded high and tight haircut offers a shorter high top style that plays with texture. Its round shape at the front gives a softer appearance that isn't too intimidating, plus it's easy to style. Simply smooth and shape your texture with a little bit of pomade.
Next: 7 Best Men’s Hair Care Products to Add to Your Routine ASAP
Edited by: Témi Adebowale, Photo Credit: iStock
This site is for US consumers. Cookies, related technologies and device identification are used for Personalized Advertising. To learn more, or opt-out, visit AdChoices and our privacy policy, terms of use and CA privacy
Your Privacy Choices
Notice at Collection
