Earlier this week, I was giving a trim to a boy who must have been about six years old. His mom said, “He wants something from this,” as she pulled up a TikTok compilation video. I saw him beaming as she scrolled, and he was ordering off the picture menu. That’s where we are with boys haircuts, to be honest. I love that kids are not shy about sharing their opinions, it really makes my job more fun. Especially when someone, and I mean little someone, shows interest in what is going on with their head.
This year I have definitely noticed a shift in the boys cuts. More and more boys cuts are becoming intentional, and it is no longer a cut that is so overly structured following the guidelines of ‘short on the sides longer on top.’ We are steering away from the overly bland boys cuts and starting to incorporate more texture, curls, and personality. I collected the 25 most requested boys cuts, and some are just a classic boys cut, while others are super exciting and trendy for the September 2023 season. I’m sure you can find the one that sits where I do.
#1: Textured Pompadour with a Clean Fade
I love doing this cut! The tiny pompadour on a child is the cutest thing! It has a bit of that old-school cool vibe, but the modern, textured top stops it from being too serious. The sides are faded down tight for a nice modern contrast, and the top is left long to give lift and movement, as well as, some nice flow! With this cut, wash and go hairstyles are out of the question. It’ll take time and a decent amount of pomade to style it in the morning. So, if your child usually runs out of the house with wet hair, then this may not be the best fit. But if he is into this style, and can sit still for a minute of styling, it will look great! It looks best on boys with round and oval faces and straight hair.
#2 Curly Fade with All That Volume on Top
I love haircuts that let the hair do the styling. For example, the hair on the crown of the head is kept at a medium length so that it can fully spring, while the side fades are clean enough to let all that texture be the focus. The kid in the picture has great density so the style really pops. If your son has similar curl patterns to this boy, then he’s bound to look great with this cut. This is going to be super easy to maintain. The natural texture does all the work so that the curls are kept nice and in shape between washes, and I love that!
#3 Clean Crew Cut with Sharp Edges
This is your clean and simple minimalist style. Shorter on the sides with just enough length on top to style it, and the edges are lined up fresh and clean. I’ve given this style so much structure that it should upkeep itself for the next couple of weeks. It suits most face shapes and is particularly good on straight hair. One thing to note is that the sharper the cut, the more frequently you will want to come back for trims. Once those edges grow out, you will start to lose that crispness and that’s kind of the whole point to this haircut.
#4 Buzz Cut with a Subtle Fade
The buzz cut is alright, but this one has a side fade which is a bit more interesting than just buzz cutting the entire head. It works for every kid and sporty kids or kids that just don’t like sitting in the chair for a long time will appreciate this as its nice and low maintenance while still keeping it looking nice. Some kids can really rock a buzz as well. The fade will grow out and blend back again.
#5 Choppy Layered Cut with That Warm Ginger Tone
I adore this style. The layers add personality to this cut with a piecey and tossed finish that looks effortless but takes some thought as to where each layer falls. When it comes to fine and medium hair, this length creates the illusion of thickness from the choppiness without adding bulk and is perfect. That warm ginger color is just good genetics. Keeping the layers defined and separated with a little texturizing spray would be nice, but even without any product, it’s got a great natural fall to it. It’s particularly good on round and oval face shapes.
#6 Spiky Textured Cut with Fine Hair
This style is a hit with children, and there’s no other way to say it. Any spiky style will always be a winner. Plus, with hair this length it won’t take a ton of gel or glue to keep it under control. It’s cut so even if your child has fine hair, it will still have enough lift to look spiky without too much work. Hold it in place with a little light hold gel or paste, and that’s it. You can easily spike it however you want with your fingers. If he’s in a spiky phase, his hair will be in need of maintenance as the style tends to flop more than others so be prepared to come back every couple of weeks. While the style is fresh, it really gives off a great energetic vibe for an active kid.
#7 Short Textured Layers with a Clean Shape
This haircut works for many different events because of its versatility. The top layers create some texture while the sides are shortened to maintain neatness. For kids with finer hair, I especially like this cut because the layers create the look of more volume. It is not going to wow anyone too much with how edgy it is but it is a consistently good haircut, ideal for school, the weekends, and family events. To maintain this haircut, it will need to be trimmed every couple of weeks and if you want, a lightweight styling cream will help define the layers to keep it looking good.
#8 Soft Curly Mid-Length with Face Framing Layers
Allowing a child’s natural waves and curls to show at medium length is breezy and effortless. The soft layers frame the face and create a tousled I woke up like this look. When getting haircuts like this, it’s most important to stay hydrated. Wavy and curly hair at this length requires moisture, or it can end up looking more frizzy than intentional. Leave in conditioner is a must. It also works for every face shape. This hairstyle gives off a youthful and playful vibe, which is great for this age group.
#9 Spiky Top with Short Back and Sides
Yet another spiky haircut. However, I understand why they are trending on TikTok, as kids are really into them. In this style, the hair on the sides and back are cut shorter, while the top stays long enough to have texture and movement to spike it up. This haircut works especially well if your son has fine to medium hair because the haircut does a lot of the volumizing work for you. Height on top compliments round and oval face shapes. Keep in mind this style requires daily upkeep. You can’t skip the product and expect the spikes to hold. It may take a minute of styling, but it’s quick and not a big ask.
#10 Classic Textured Crop with a Low Fade
The crop is nice, short and simple with just the right amount of texture on top to keep it from being boring. The fade is nice and subtle, which I appreciate because on younger kids you don’t always want a super dramatic skin fade, so a softer transition can look more age-appropriate. Good for fine hair as the textured top creates more volume. The style is such that a tiny bit of product goes a long way, just something to give the top a little grip and separation. Easy to maintain, great for most face shapes, solid all around.
#11 Curly Shag with Layered Texture
I think we can see why this style keeps getting requested. This look is a shag cut, which is designed to appear lived in and a little messy. It’s great for wavy or curly hair because the curls will bounce and catch on the different layers. The length is also great because it will be long enough to have some movement but not so long that it’s in his face constantly. The layers that sit around the cheeks will help to bring attention to the cheekbones, and this will be noticeable on younger boys as well. If your son has fine hair that is a little wavy this style will actually create the illusion of more volume which is an added bonus. Remember, shag cuts do require a little more maintenance than your average haircut. A shag that has grown out too much can start to look neglected rather than intentional, so be sure to keep up with trims!
#12 Short Textured Fade with Volume on Top
A straightforward hairstyle featuring a short, textured top with faded sides. It’s clean and contemporary and doesn’t require a lot of styling, which is helpful for you when you’re getting your kid ready in the morning. The textured top will create some volume, making his hair look fuller, particularly if he’s got fine, thin hair. It’s a hairstyle that requires upkeep because of the fade. It loses a lot of its impact when it starts growing in. However, when it’s freshly cut, it looks really polished.
#13 Layered Shag with Textured Bangs
The shag with face framing bangs is gorgeous, as it gives an easy breezy look with mid shoulder length layers. Shag haircuts look best when straight and fine because the bangs move with less weight. Bangs also help to deframe the face and assist in the overall framing of the face. For fine hair and layered cuts, hair maintenance is very important and regular trims are a must to avoid a straggly look. This haircut will look phenomenal once you throw in some subtle highlights, but even without any color, this is a gorgeous haircut.
#14 Casual Tousled Waves at Medium Length
This is the type of haircut that gives the impression of being effortless, but upon closer inspection its shape is quite nice. The middle length allows the waves to show and there is a softness to it that I think suits this age really well. It is also quite convenient because you do not have to style it, but if you want those waves to look defined instead of messy then a little sea salt spray will fix that. It works well for round and oval faces. It may not be the most exciting haircut on this list but it is one that always looks good and is not stressful to manage in the mornings.
#15 Side-Swept Medium Cut with Some Polish
This can be styled for a family event or school photos, but works for everyday too if your kid prefers a more polished look. This length is good for a side sweep and some volume at the top. Hair that is straight and medium to thick is preferable since you need enough to create the sweep. The slight wave adds texture, but some effort is needed each day to keep the hair in that shape, so consider this for a child who won’t sit for a comb.
#16 Soft Textured Crop with a Light Fade
We have a design that is straightforward and design with soft layers and gentle fades at the sides. I think it’s a nice compromise for parents wanting their children to appear modern, but do not want them to appear overly trendy. This style also suits fine to medium hair well, as the texture helps prevent a flat appearance. The light fade is forgiving enough that it still looks clean even a couple of weeks after. Overall, it’s low maintaince, easy to manage on a day to day, and a win. Some light product on the top and you’re good to go.
#17 Tapered Sides with Natural Curls on Top
I appreciate that this style works with the natural curl pattern instead of fighting against it. The side tapers create a great focus on the top curls, which look very bouncy and well-defined. This will look especially good on your son if he has medium to thick coarse hair. He will just need some curl cream to create that definition and ensure everything looks styled. I also think its a bonus that this hairstyle can be worn in both smart and casual settings. This works particularly well on round and oval faces.
#18 Close Textured Crop with Clean Edges
This haircut requires almost no upkeep at all. The style consists of hair that is cropped all the way around the head, except for a little more length on top that provides some texture, while the sides and back are all tidied up for a polished look. It is ideal for children who don’t want to think about their hair or for parents who don’t want to style it in the morning. This haircut is best for oval and round face shapes, but it usually looks good on most children in this age group. The only commitment is the upkeep of the shape and clean lines, but this haircut is really simple to maintain. You will probably have to come in for trims about every three weeks.
#19 Curly Crop with Tapered Sides
If your little guy has naturally curly hair, this is a good option since it gives curls room to thrive on top while the tapered sides keep it looking intentional rather than overgrown. The full curls and tight sides create a nice contrast, and it manages the volume to keep the shape looking good as it grows out (for a little while, at least). To maintain the silhouette, regular trims are necessary. It works with a bunch of different face shapes, and with medium to thick density hair (which is usually what you have when curls are this defined).
#20 Short Taper with a Soft Side Part
Having a side part and being short on the sides and back with a little more length on top, this is a timeless classic that I believe every boy should give a shot. It is actually low maintenance which means easy mornings and is suitable for a vast range of hair types and face shapes. This works best with hair of fine to medium density. It provides a soft and natural texture and no product is required unless you want a little bit of a more defined part. It also being appropriate and looking good is a big plus. It is not overly flashy, but that being said, it is still better than most haircuts.
#21 Textured Taper with Defined Curls and a Clean Fade
Your haircut looks amazing! The curls on top are defined well, and the fade on the sides is super clean. This creates a great contrast with the sides being really short compared to how full the top is. The disconnection with the lengths is a nice touch as well. It adds a modern feel to the curly cut. If your son has coarser hair, this haircut will look even better! With that said, curls can get crazy if too much product isn’t used, so it will require some upkeep. These curls are well worth the effort!
#22 Spiky Crop with Textured Layers for Fine Hair
Here we have another kids spiky hairstyle, this one specifically for fine hair! Most spiky haircuts you see are geared towards kids with thicker hair, leaving fine haired kids with little ways to replicate the style. In this specific cut, the hair is layered to create maximum volume (which fine hair can achieve), and coupled with the shorter length, the hair can hold those little spikes and messy textures. The added height is really flattering for rounder faces, making the face appear a little longer. For spike maintenance, use light hold gel. In this case, we do not want to defeat the purpose of style by having hold gel spiking the hair down. Active kids will definitely benefit from this haircut!
#23 Messy Medium Cut with Piecey Layers
The intention with this style is to create something that looks unfinished with some effort on their part. The mid-length and all those choppy layers create an effortless look and I think it captures the spirit of children perfectly because they shouldn’t fade into the background and be all primped and polished like they’ve just come from a salon. In fact, the finer hair density works in this cut’s favor because the layers remain light and bouncy without getting heavy and clumpy. There is some softness from the shorter layers around the face and I like that. It will need some trims to stop the layers getting too shaggy but it’s meant to be low maintenance between appointments.
#24 Textured Crop with Subtle Layers in Warm Red
What initially stood out to me about the image was the color. The warm reddish tone gives off an earthy type feel and really shows off the textures on the cut. You can see the layers and how they work together. The crop is kept to a nice short-medium length and has soft layers to provide movement without bulk which is ideal for fine straight hair. It’s a good choice for rounder face shapes because it keeps the silhouette close without creating width. Overall it’s a low maintenance style. Mornings should be a breeze. If you want to bring out the texture a little bit you can use a tiny bit of product but the cut does all the work so it’s not really necessary.
#25 Classic Taper with a Side Part
I have been doing this cut for ages and it always looks good. It features shorter sides, longer hair on top, and a clean side part. It’s polished and timeless and it works in just about every situation: school, sports, holidays, you name it. This style works best on fine to medium hair, and is great on oval and round face shapes. Fine hair is great for achieving that individual sleek look. To keep it in place throughout the day, add a bit of pomade and comb it through, otherwise it will drift and look more relaxed, but still fine. It’s a low maintenance but good cut and I always feel good sending a kid out the door with it.
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