The undercut is a cool and modern haircut for men who want a high-contrast look that will complement the volume on top. The undercut hairstyle can be a popular and stylish choice that will stand out and differentiate your cut from others. With short sides and long hair on top, this trendy style can work well with any length, texture and styling, creating an attractive finish and transforming your look.
For inspiration, here are some cool examples of the best undercut hairstyles for men that will make a powerful statement.
What Is An Undercut?
The undercut is a modern hairstyle for men where the sides are buzzed short and all one length to create a sharp contrast. Versatile and classy, the most popular undercut hairstyles comes with shaved sides and longer hair on top, achieving a disconnected look that amplifies the volume and texture. The difference between a fade and undercut is the fade offers a tapered finish that blends the hair while the undercut maintains an even cut all around the head. For a seamless transition, you can ask your barber for an undercut fade that combines the disconnected style with a tapered look.
Stunning Undercut Haircut Styles
Short Hair Undercut
The short undercut is a good-looking haircut that shows just how versatile the style can be. For many guys, the short hair undercut offers the allure of a low-maintenance cut that can be achieve effortlessly, especially if you get an undercut with shaved sides.
Whether you get a buzz cut, crew cut, side part, spiky hair or a crop top, short undercut hairstyles offer a stylish yet masculine look. Just style with a matte product to get a textured finish for that all-natural look.
Medium Hair Undercut
The medium-length undercut is ideal for men who have wavy, thick or straight hair, and are willing to invest the time to style their look. With short sides and medium hair on top, guys actually maximize the number of styles they can pull off.
Men’s medium undercut hairstyles include the comb over, slick back, quiff, faux hawk, mohawk and all the unique variations in between. Fashionable and hot, the extra contrast with medium hair will take your haircut to the next level.
Long Hair Undercut
The long hair undercut has become a major trend for men in recent years. Examples of undercut hairstyles for long hair men include the man bun, top knot, male ponytail, long comb over, and bro flow.
Some guys prefer the undercut fade while others choose to get shaved sides. Either way, the short sides with long hair on top gives you volume, movement, and a sexy look. Apply mousse or clay to the tips for a natural textured finish.
Undercut Fade
The undercut fade combines the two best ways to cut the hair on your sides. As one of the coolest men’s haircuts to get, the undercut fade works with short, medium and long hair, as well as all types. Youthful and fresh, talk to your barber to experiment with this cut and style.
Slicked Back Undercut
The slicked back undercut is a beautiful hairstyle that looks great when paired with a suit. Instead of the voluminous, wavy hair of the classic undercut, it involves hair being combed straight back. In terms of height and texture, the choice is up to you.
Some guys enjoy adding some volume to the slicked back style, while others just want their hair straight back and out of the way. To style a slick back reminiscent of the greaser hairstyles of the 50s:
- Apply product to all the hair on top of your head and be sure to work it in thoroughly for a strong hold.
- If you would like volume with the slicked back undercut, blow dry the front up and back.
- For a textured look, run your comb or brush through your hair while you blow dry. Otherwise, for a sleek finish, consider applying another coat of pomade for a shiny finish.
Whether you want a business professional hairstyle or one you can wear socially, the slicked back undercut is one of the best styles around!
Disconnected Undercut
The disconnected undercut is defined by the sudden break between the shaved sides and the long top of the undercut style. If you plan to wear this style a lot, shaving a line along the disconnect to create a hard part can emphasize the look further. We recommend having your barber cut the hard part to avoid a crooked line.
Otherwise, to style a disconnected undercut, the only difference is that you must comb your hair along the parted line between the top and sides of your undercut to accentuate the disconnect. Then, depending on whether you want a slick back or side part undercut, comb your hair straight back or angularly.
Side Swept Undercut
The side part or side swept undercut is similar to the slicked back undercut, except instead of being combed straight back, it is parted to the side. This gives a formal look which is refined and elegant.
The side parting adds a little more excitement to the style than slicked back hair, and it helps to showcase the length of your hair, which needs to be relatively long in this case.
To style the side swept undercut hairstyle:
- Apply product to fresh and clean hair. Be sure to thoroughly work it in.
- Then comb all your hair to one side. For a textured look, blow dry your hair into place, or use your fingers for a more natural, messy style.
- For a stronger side swept design, you can brush your bangs and have them fall on the side of your face.
Side Part Undercut
The side part undercut is a classy hairstyle for men that combines classic and modern styles. If you want to tailor the side part undercut haircut to your personal look, consider adding a shaved hard part, growing a beard, and boosting the style with volume instead of flat.
Shaved Undercut
The shaved sides undercut is a very short haircut that’s edgy and cool. While most barbers will cut the undercut with a #1, #2, or #3 clipper guard, shaved sides can up the amount of contrast. Super low-maintenance and fresh, a shaves sides long top haircut can be the awesome style you need.
Layered Undercut
The layered undercut can be a unique haircut with depth and volume, especially for guys with thick hair. Layered hairstyles are visually appealing and versatile, providing limitless styling options.
Brush it forward, slick it back, leave it messy all over, or comb it to one side, men’s layered hair will always be handsome.
Classic Undercut
The classic undercut is clean-cut and masculine. By leaving some length on the sides and back, men still get the contrast needed but attain a wholesome look women love. Leave the hair natural-looking with a low shine or matte product to complete the hairstyle.
Modern Undercut
The modern undercut is generally edgier and cooler than the traditional version. The cut starts higher and shorter on the sides, and the hairstyle on top leverages the hottest new trends.
Textured Undercut
Casual with a healthy natural shine, the textured undercut can do wonders for your look. To get a textured hairstyle, you’ll need a styling product with low to no shine. Apply a small amount and work evenly all over. The goal is to make your hair look soft and smooth, like there is no hair product in it.
Undercut Fringe
Pair an undercut with a fringe hairstyle to spice up your look. While all guys can get the look, the undercut fringe is particularly useful if you want to minimize your forehead or cover up a receding hairline. Nevertheless, it’s a great new style worth rocking.
Straight Hair Undercut
An undercut with straight hair on top allows for maximum styling flexibility. If you’re lucky enough, experiment with all the best straight undercut hairstyles for guys.
Wavy Hair Undercut
The wavy hair undercut can be great for guys who have unruly waves and want to chop off as much hair as possible. The short sides won’t require any styling, so you’ll be free to try a variety of short and long wavy hairstyles.
Curly Hair Undercut
The curly hair undercut can be an excellent alternative to faded sides with curls. Use a curl-enhancing cream to manage your curly hair while stopping frizz. Enhance volume and bounce by leaving your hairstyle loose and fun.
Undercut Designs
Undercut designs can add some flair to your haircut. Like fade hair designs, find a skilled barber that can shave zig-zags, multiple lines or parts, and other unique design ideas. Remember, your hair will always grow back out and you’re only young once.
Half Undercut
Undercut with Brushed Back Hair and Full Beard
Disconnected Undercut Pompadour with Tram Line
Undercut with Long Textured Hair on Top
Long Thick Comb Over with Undercut
Undercut with Beard
Undercut Mohawk
Undercut with Thick Textured Spiky Hair
Side Part Undercut with Beard
Slicked Back Undercut and Beard
Disconnected Undercut with Brushed Back Hair
Man Bun Undercut
Long Wavy Hair with Undercut and Beard
Textured Quiff with Undercut
Slicked Back Hair with Undercut and Thick Beard
Hard Side Part Undercut and Shape Up
Undercut Comb Over
How To Get The Undercut Hairstyle
The undercut is a fairly simple haircut, and most good barbers will know how to cut it upon request. However, due to the variations within the style, taking a picture with you to your stylist can be a wise idea, especially if you have a specific hair design in mind.
Although we don’t recommend cutting the undercut yourself, you may be able to do it with a good pair of clippers and guard settings.
To get the undercut, all you need is at least 2 inches of hair on top. If you want an eye-catching hairstyle with strong contrast between the top and sides, choose an extreme difference, such as a #1 on the sides with 3 to 5 inches of length on the top.
Otherwise, the sides can be buzzed as short as you want, or as long as a #3 or #4, depending on how long your hair is on top. In the end, there are lots of variations in length to choose from, and the length dictates how the hairstyle will look.
How To Style An Undercut
Luckily for those men who like to change up their hairstyles, the undercut is easy to style and the length on top offers lots of variation in terms of styling.
For any of the following undercut styles, you’ll need high-quality pomade, putty, or wax, a good brush or comb, and a hair dryer. These three tools are essential in giving your undercut the texture, volume and height it needs to look sleek and modern.
For styling the classic undercut with a little volume, follow these instructions:
- Start with slightly damp, towel-dried hair.
- Apply a small amount of hair product to your hair and rub in evenly throughout.
- Blow dry while combing or brushing upwards. For a side part or comb over undercut, angle the blow dryer to push your hair to the side you want it to fall; to style a slick back, brush from the front to back.
- For texture, run your fingers through your hair to give it a natural, relaxed look.
How To Maintain The Undercut
The male undercut haircut requires regular upkeep, as the smooth lines and neat distinction between the top and sides are a large part of what makes it a successful look. Every 4 to 6 weeks, the undercut will require a quick touch-up, whether you’re planning to visit the hairdresser’s or doing it yourself at home.
Maintaining the haircut largely comes down to trimming the hair on top of the head if necessary and shaving the sides back down to their original length. Again, all this requires is a quality hair clipper.
Basic, regular upkeep of the style will keep it looking fresh for a long time. Of course, if you’d like some more variation in the length of your undercut you can let it grow out, or ask your hairdresser to leave the top longer but shave the sides down.
Ultimately, the kind of undercut you want is up to personal taste and preference, but at least you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
