When looking for the latest trends, these haircuts for young men are cool, classy and fresh choices that will enhance your style. These modern young men’s hairstyles can suit any texture, length and face shape to create a stylish look. Whether you’re a teen boy, college guy or a fresh business professional, a popular haircut style can give you the confidence you need to take on the world.
Some teenage guys will want a low-maintenance short haircut like a fade with a crew cut, comb over or crop top. For a fashionable longer style, ask your barber about a quiff, slick back, brush up or emphasized fringe.
If you want to experiment, these are the best haircuts for young men to get right now.
Cool Hairstyles For Young Men
Short Faux Hawk Fade with Shaved Line
The short faux hawk fade with a shaved line is a cool, yet edgy take on a popular classic style. The top section of hair is about three inches long from just behind the forehead to the crown, and the thick, textured spikes are held in place with a matte pomade. The fade starts high on the head and abruptly ends with a shaved line about two inches above the ear.
Side Swept Curly Hair with Short Sides
Side swept curly hair with short sides is a neat and refreshing way to show off your natural curls. The hair on top is about two to three inches in length – just long enough for the curl pattern to form. Strong-hold mousse applied to wet hair creates volume and defines the curls, which are softly swept to one side. A subtle high taper creates the illusion of more volume on top and balances the look.
Thick Textured Slick Back Undercut
The thick textured slick back undercut is a unique take on the classic slick back for guys who have natural waves. The hair on top is trimmed short, then brushed up and straight back. The natural waves create lift and flowing texture that slowly transitions into the skin thanks to the high undercut. A sharp line up at the temple keeps the cut dynamic and fresh.
Short Comb Over Fade with Shaved Part
The short comb over fade with a shaved part is a tidy and dapper cut suitable for both casual and formal events. Short hair on top is paired with a high fade on the sides, and a shaved line serves as the part. For simple styling, just add a bit of gel to damp hair, comb it over from the part, then push upward and over in the front.
Modern Mullet Fade
The modern mullet fade combines the shape of a faux hawk with the overall feel of a mullet to create an edgy, yet balanced style. A wide strip of hair along the top and sides is grown out in length, then brushed straight back. The sides feature a burst skin fade that makes the transition more subtle. A good texturizing mousse can help create lift and texture when styling.
Messy Wavy Hair with Low Taper
Messy wavy hair with a low taper is an exceptional cut for guys who want to make the most of their natural curls or waves. The hair is left a few inches long in the front and along the top, then paired with a low taper along the sides and back for contrast and balance. The front of the hair creates a thick, wavy fringe that adds a hint of boyish handsomeness to the style.
Short Pushed Back Hair with High Undercut
Short pushed-back hair with a high undercut combines the elements of a classic slicked-back style with modern texture and shape. The hair on top is about three inches long and combed straight back from the forehead. The gentle taper of the high undercut on the sides balances the look. To recreate this cut’s signature texture, use a matte styling pomade and a wide-tooth comb.
Side Swept Quiff with Mid Drop Fade
The side swept quiff with a mid drop fade is an imaginative and charming cut that offers texture, volume, and elegance. The hair on top is about three to four inches long, and it flows back and off to one side from one corner of the forehead. The quiff forms a handsome and textured swoop, which is balanced by the mid drop fade.
Side Swept High and Tight Fade
The side swept high and tight fade is a smooth and stylish haircut with some rugged charm. The hair on top is slightly longer in the front than along the sides and back while the blunt and swept fringe offers extra personality. The fade begins high on the side of the head and creates an abrupt transition, which further defines the shape of the cut. For a brawny, masculine look, pair this cut with a full beard.
Short Sides with Long Hair on Top
A short sides with long hair on top style can be an effortlessly chic choice for modern gents who want to look good with minimal effort. The top is left long and brushed forward, and a high taper on the sides fades to skin about an inch above the ear. The texture and shape are simple enough to recreate with mousse, which adds both volume and hold.
Stylish Flow with Part
A stylish flow with a part is a medium-length style with plenty of boyish charm that works best for guys who have natural waves or curls. Layers add shape and texture to the hair, which is longer on the top and sides than in the back. A slightly off-center part and long side-swept fringe complete the look.
Modern Pompadour with High Drop Fade
The modern pompadour with a high drop fade is an irresistible and iconic cut that befits any heartthrob. The tall and textured pomp at the front blends into the shorter hair toward the back, and the high drop fade ensures a seamless transition between the sides and top. A strong hold product is required for this kind of volume, and a wide-tooth comb can offer up texture and definition.
Thick Messy Shag
A thick, messy shag is a rugged, sexy look that is best for guys who have thick textured hair. The stylist or barber carefully snips the hair into layers, leaving the top sections of hair slightly longer than the sides and back. A subtle side part fashions the shape while the thick, wavy fringe is swept slightly to the side to frame the face and draw attention to the eyes.
Spiked Side Part with High Fade
The spiked side part with a high fade adds a bit of originality to a classic men’s cut. The hair on top of the head is combed up and over from a well-defined side part to form textured spikes. The high fade on the sides adds a hint of clean-cut masculinity and neatness.
Short Waves with High Razor Fade
Short waves with a high razor fade can be a cool way to highlight your natural hair texture with ease. The cut takes the shape of a traditional crew cut, but the hair on top is significantly longer in the front to show off the hair’s natural wave pattern. The hair continues to get shorter toward the back and sides, and the high razor fade draws the eye upward. This rugged style looks even more masculine when paired with neat facial hair.
Thick Quiff with Undercut
The thick quiff with an undercut is a messy and overstated look ideal for guys who don’t mind being the center of attention. The top section of hair just behind the forehead is left several inches long, and it slowly gets shorter toward the back. The length of the hair is teased and tousled to create jaw-dropping height that is further accentuated by the undercut.
Textured Spiky Hair Fade with Shaved Line
A textured spiky hair fade with a shaved line is an edgy, rebellious, and artistic cut. The chunky spikes on the top are the star of the show, and they’re styled in a unique side-swept pattern. The fade starts high on the head and abruptly blends into the skin just below a shaved line at the temple. Pairing this cut with trimmed facial hair adds another layer of masculinity.
Slick Back with Undercut Fade
The basic slick back with an undercut fade is a simple and clean-cut style perfect for any occasion. The three-inch-long hair on top is combed straight back and away from the forehead, and the undercut fade offers stark contrast and interest. To style, apply strong styling gel to damp hair, then comb straight up and back for height. A wide-tooth comb can provide a pronounced texture.
Spiky Short Hair with High Bald Fade
Spiky short hair with a high bald fade is edgy, bold, and packed with attitude. The two-inch hair just behind the forehead features textured spikes, which gradually disappear toward the crown. You can easily create texture by applying some matte pomade and using your fingertips to lift and define the spikes. Paired with a high bald fade, this fashionable cut is suitable for virtually all hair types and textures.
Stylish High Top Fade
The stylish high top fade is a fun and contemporary take on a classic style that highlights the texture of natural hair. The look starts with long curls on the top of the head, which can range from two to four (or more) inches long. Lifting the hair straight up and then trimming across the top creates a flat appearance, while a slick line up, fade, and hair design add elements of freshness.
Textured Brush Up with Low Burst Fade
The textured brush up with a low burst fade is a bold and adventurous faux hawk-like style. The hair at the front is about three inches long and tapers to just over an inch at the crown. The hair on top is lifted and pushed forward from the crown, and the hair just behind the forehead features a stark upward angle. The texture and low burst fade add some neatness to the cut.
Short Faux Hawk with Mid Drop Fade
A short faux hawk with a mid drop fade is a conservative variation of the classic mohawk. The hair on top is kept relatively short, and it’s brushed up in the front for a bit of freshness. The drop fade creates a recognizable faux hawk shape. A bit of pomade adds texture and gives this cut its perfectly disheveled appearance.
Textured Comb Over with Low Taper
The textured comb over with a low taper adds modern elements to a handsome and classic style. While a traditional comb over involves brushing the hair perpendicular to a deep side part, this version requires combing the hair back and off to one side. Precise layers add both shape and texture that is easily emphasized with some pomade or styling gel, and the low taper brings the cut together.
Textured Pompadour with Mid Burst Fade
The textured pompadour with a mid burst fade is a captivating style that features both iconic and modern elements. The long hair just behind the forehead is brushed upward and back to create the classic pomp, but it slowly tapers to a much shorter length at and just below the crown. The modern texture comes from combining expert layers with a neat drop fade.
Textured Push Forward with Long Fringe and Low Skin Fade
The textured push forward with a long fringe and low skin fade can highlight your natural curls or waves for a handsome finish. The hair on top is left much longer than the hair along the sides and back, and it’s pushed forward from the crown and tousled. Long, wavy fringe falls just above the brows for a romantic and boyish look. A low skin fade contrasts nicely with the more voluminous and textured hair on top.
Thick Brush Up with Mid Bald Fade
The thick brush up with a mid bald fade is perfect for guys who prefer a subtle bad-boy look. The longer hair on top is brushed straight up and slightly to the side, and the mid bald fade further emphasizes the top. To create the texture, apply a matte styling product to damp hair, then use a round brush and blow dry, focusing the air at the root.
Short French Crop with High Drop Taper
A short French crop with a high drop taper is ideal for guys who love the put-together look, but who don’t have much time for styling. The short hair on top is brushed forward from the crown, then bluntly trimmed across the forehead. Styling pomade gives the hair volume, fluidity, and texture that contrasts perfectly with the shorter hair on the sides.
Thick Fringe with Short Sides
Thick fringe with short sides combines boyish charm with modern style. The top of the hair is significantly longer than the hair in the back and on the sides, and it’s all brushed forward to form a thick, blunt fringe that stops at the brows. The addition of tousled layers creates some eye-catching texture at the top, and the short scissor-cut sides balance the cut.
Messy Brushed Up Spikes with High Taper
Messy brushed up spikes with a high taper cut are ideal for modern gents who prefer bolder and more daring styles. In the front, the hair is about three inches long and brushed straight upward from the forehead. Along the top, spikes reach outward in every direction to create a handsomely disheveled look. The high taper creates much-needed contrast for an effortless and cool look.
Thick Textured Top with Mid Fade
The thick textured top with a mid fade is a simple haircut that is flattering for all face shapes. The basic shape resembles a Caesar cut, with short hair that flows forward from the crown and off to one side from a soft side part. A texturizing pomade creates the chunky texture that makes this look so interesting, and the fade keeps the focus on the top.
Trendy Comb Over with Low Taper Fade
A trendy combover with a low taper fade is a quirky, fun, and handsome cut. The defining feature is the deep side part, which separates the longer hair on top from the taper on the sides and back. Using a comb and some pomade, comb the hair over from the side part, then lift it up and over in the front. The result is a clean, fresh, and original textured style that suits every face shape and hair texture.
Quiff with Side Swept Fringe and High Taper
The quiff with side swept fringe and a high taper is a versatile and fashionable cut that’s suitable for the office, the gym, or even your wedding day. This style features the length and height of a classic quiff, but it’s all swept to one side from a hidden side part. The fringe adds shape and height, and the high taper balances the look and keeps things clean.
Long Flat Top with Mid Skin Fade
The long flat top with mid skin fade is a modern take on a very popular classic cut. While the traditional flat top is typically an inch or less long, this version starts about three inches long at the front and slowly tapers back to about an inch at the crown. The mid fade that turns to skin just above the ear makes this cut masculine and stylish.
Long Fringe with Low Fade
Long fringe with a low fade looks great on everyone, but it’s ideal for guys who have long oval-shaped faces. The shape of the cut is almost identical to the classic French crop, but the fringe is significantly longer and hits less than an inch above the eyebrow. When styling, brush the hair forward from the crown and tousle it for some added texture.
Neat Quiff with Mid Skin Fade and Hair Design
The neat quiff with a mid skin fade and hair design is a rebellious take on the classic quiff. The top part is a textured and semi-spiky quiff, but the skin fade adds a neat and clean-cut element for a fun look. The addition of the shaved design on the side lends extra personality.
Messy Curly Hair Fade
The messy curly hair fade combines the voluminous beauty of loose curls with the clean-cut look of lines and edges in a captivating, elegant style. A wide strip of hair on top is left a few inches long to highlight the natural curl, and it moves slightly forward to create a bit of fringe. The taper begins high on the sides to create a seamless transition into the skin just above the ear.
Short Messy Spikes with Undercut
Short messy spikes can offer a cool and contemporary texture that balances the undercut on the sides. The cropped hair on top is longer in the front but gradually becomes shorter toward the crown and back of the head. Matte pomade is essential for the soft spiky texture, and a shaved line high on the head divides the top section from the undercut on the sides.