I joke with my chair that August is the month guys start getting sick of what they’ve grown out all summer and come in looking for something real. But I honestly love August because I feel like the vibe and energy of people is so much better, people are tanned and feeling good. They are ready to make a change instead of just asking for ‘the usual’. Last August a client of mine had the same safe short-back-and-sides for about six years, and he sits in my chair and says, ‘I trust you, just do something.’ We gave him a textured crop with some length on top and it completely transformed the demeanor he carried himself with. I got a message from him a week later saying that an old stranger complimented him on his hair and that had never happened to him in his adult life.
Good cuts shouldn’t be super drastic to create the shift in someone’s life and some of these are bold, some are quiet, but the ones that work best are the ones that fit the person wearing them. I’ve put together my top 25 and I’m very happy to finally share them with you and my honest opinions about each one.
#1: Contemporary Short Fade with Defined Beard
I love the attention to detail for how everything came together. The fade into the beard looks super blended, and that clean lineup gives the whole thing a lot of structure. If you have thick straight hair, this cut style is super easy because the hair just falls in line to the shape and keeps that height on top so really, you put in no effort at all and that’s the trick. The fade is going to need some upkeep every few weeks, but honestly, the styling is the simplest part.
#2: Bold Textured Quiff with Tapered Sides
This quiff is special. The height is very structural up top but some still relaxed while the tapered sides keep everything intentional rather than overgrown. I’d work some texturizing paste through the top to get that separation you see there because it gives it the true lived-in look instead of a helmet look. The sharp sideburns are a nice detail that most people wouldn’t think to ask for but they really finish the look. Just know that the height does take a minute in the morning so if you’re a wash and go person this may test your patience.
#3: Textured High-Top Fade with Intricate Line Design
Here’s a style where you can let your natural curls show and keep from cutting them all. The high-top shape allows your curls to breathe. The shaved sides look clean and intentional too. The line design brings this from a great haircut to a real talking piece. An experienced barber is gonna be needed to make the lines that crisp. You’ll be going to the barber at least every two weeks to maintain those details, but the payoff will definitely be worth it.
#4: Modern Textured Shag with Natural Volume
The aesthetic is super chill. The hair gets to do as it pleases, and the cut guides it in the best way possible. The balance of layers adds movement without that thin hair look, and the slight longer in the back gives a compliment that a standard mid-length just won’t get. If your hair has any sort of nature to it, this is going to fall perfectly. Personally, I’d love to see some sea salt spray to really accentuate the texture and it really wouldn’t weigh the hair down. This is the style that gets better on day two, and that is exactly the type of style that I love.
#5: Textured Mohawk with Faded Sides
I can appreciate clientele that step into the shop with a clear idea of what they want. The volume on top and equally sharp faded sides creates some sick contrast. The line design in the fade is a great touch. It’s understated and detailed enough to show the artist put in the time. If your hair is coily and of medium density then this shape is going to look really nice on you, your hair will hold the mohican shape perfectly. This is a big maintenance style though, the fade and the texture will need regular upkeep.
#6: Dynamic Textured Mohawk with Faded Sides
This idea is similar to the last. However, the energy changes completely with the different texture of hair type. Thick straight hair in a mohawk formation almost gives an architectural quality as if it is sculpted and not grown. The fade here is doing some heavy lifting, creating that clean contrast to the top and also making it look fuller than it is. I’d choose a matte clay for the rugged look without shine and because the texture is what makes it feel current and not dated. It’s a commitment cut in the best way.
#7: Curly Textured Crop with Tapered Sides
Getting a curly crop is always a satisfying experience. The curls on top are long enough to show their full pattern and form, while the tapered sides do the job without overpowering the rest of the cut. The fade and curl blend is the detail that takes this from a good cut to a great one. When that transition is seamless, it really makes the cut look effortless. This is one of those styles that works with what you already have instead of fighting against it, and those styles are always my favorites to do!
#8: Defined Natural Curls with Sharp Fade
This cut is similar to the last one, but with a shorter length here it feels different. It’s tighter and more precise and focuses more on the line up and the fade rather than the curl pattern, although the curls do look great. The line up is crazy sharp and those are the type of things that help you feel put together in a t-shirt and jeans. I like this cut for someone who wants to embrace their curl texture but doesn’t want to deal with a lot of length or daily styling. The curls do the work and the fade does the rest.
#9: Edgy Textured Crop with Tapered Sides
I like the angles on this cut. The taper has a nice sharpness to it, which gives an aggressive look, but the texture on the top adds balance to it so it’s not too harsh. This style works best with thick straight hair as you get that natural volume on top without having to create it with product. It’s one of those cuts that the shape does most of the talking. As long as you keep up with the trims, you can keep your morning routine really easy. This cut will be very flattering on you if you have an oval face.
#10: Classic High-Top Fade with Tapered Sides
Correctly done high top fades are great! The added height gives so much more dimension. The taper on the sides makes it feel even more grounded so it doesn’t look like it’s just floating. For the best texture, thick hair is ideal. It provides the necessary density to maintain the shape, which can’t be achieved with fine hair. The cut’s line-up has to be on point which is probably why you find yourself in the chair so often. It’s not like there isn’t much to do with the styling in between visits. This cut has been around for a long time and with good reason. It always looks fresh!
#11: Styled High-Volume Pompadour with Faded Sides
Check out this pompadour hairstyle! The volume and height are impressive, and the style is modern because the fade is contemporary and not vintage. The color is deep and rich, and it shows off the layers really well. The cut is very structured and defined, especially in the light. This style is definitely a commitment though. Non-negotiable daily effort is a must, but this style will reward you if you enjoy doing your hair. To achieve this height and hold, you’ll need a good pomade, and a blow dryer is required.
#12: Stylish Low Fade with Defined Waves
I will start with the wave details on the top; I love how the low fade doesn’t take away from the waves. The low fade just cleans up the sides without taking away from the waves. Those with coarse textured hair, don’t worry – achieving this level of wave definition is very possible, especially with the assistance of a light styling cream that will define the waves without weighing them down. The low fade also makes it easier to grow out, so you can spend less time at the barbershop which is super helpful when life gets busy and you have other things to focus on.
#13: Textured Layered Cut with Natural Movement
This haircut may be difficult to achieve, but it also gives off an illusion of being easy. The layers look nicely done to create movement and body without being overly wispy or thin. The layers will catch waves and enhance them. I can see someone with finer hair opting for a volumizing mousse before air drying to keep that bouncy feeling from day to evening since finer hair often tends to fall flat by mid-afternoon. I think this length is something a lot of guys should think about. It’s youthful and clean.
#14: Modern Textured Crop with Tapered Sides
The gentle wave on top catches my eye, and I think it gives some personality to what is otherwise a pretty average crop. The side tapers are also clean, and the top length is just right to stay manageable while also being just long enough to have some movement, which is a sweet spot a lot of people ask for, but don’t know how to describe it. If this is the one you are showing on your phone when you come in, I would be stoked to do this cut all day. It’s a great clean cut that is not too demanding.
#15: Textured Messy Mullet with Tapered Sides
The Mullet discussion examines the example and articulates the modifications in the Mullet discussion. The Mullet is not immediately clear. The Mullet hairstyle looks amazing. The build and the texture seem to do the trick. I thought it was a costume until I spotted the dreads and build. Let us hope the wavy hair is not a lasting addition to the costume. I see some good color variation. It is just the right amount to resemble a Halloween costume. It seems a bit too good to just be a permanent addition to the costume. I’ve been curious about mullets. This is a very easy to start with alternative.
#16: Sleek High-Volume Back-Quiff with Tapered Undercut
I can see the plan here. The volume is nice, and the smooth finish makes it look clean, and the tapered undercut is doing the structural work here. The color gradation from light blonde to darker roots is dimension that you’d lose with a single-process blonde, and the color is spot on. This shape is achievable with fine straight hair but you’re probably going to want a volumizing blow-dry spray and a round brush to get that lift. It knows what it’s doing.
#17: Textured High-Top with Faded Sides and Defined Line Work
The detail on this cut is wild! Those curls have an incredible definition and level of tightness for all that natural volume. And the fade drops just as clean as a digital effect. The side line work is nice and graphic, detail like that is the sort of thing that makes you look twice. If you have thick coily hair, then your texture is what this look is built around. Embrace it! A curl cream will help keep that definition on top in between appointments, but everything else will be a barber job, so no arguing about that.
#18: Textured Curly Crop with Sun-Kissed Highlights
The highlights blend perfectly! It looks like the placement was done to reflect light right at the top of the curls which makes the hairstyle look sun-kissed! It is also a smart choice of length as you encourage those bouncy curls without the weight of longer cuts. It has a freshness to it that is great for summer. If you have this texture and deal with frizz, you will be using a good curl cream to make this hairstyle work. This one is playful for sure!
#19: Bold High-Top Fade with Intricate Beard Design
The best part of this look is from the neck up. The boxy high-top has a really nice artistic overall shape to it. The geometry in the design of the beard also makes everything come together really well. For this look, coarser hair types are best since that type of texture supports the flat-top shape without needing much control. The beard work really elevates this from a great haircut to a complete look, and that takes a very skilled barber to pull off both. If you find someone who can do this as clean as it is here, make sure you keep them.
#20: Stylish Tapered Back with Textured Layers
I love how the layers add more energy to the style compared to a single-length crop. Also, the side and back tapers really help to keep everything together. It looks like there’s a subtle undercut that also helps define the top and side contrast, which I appreciate more than just neat. This type of layering is created with the texture and gives movement to straight to wavy hair, and is great for anyone wanting a bit of personality in the cut without going overboard.
#21: Sharp Fade with Intricate Beard and Line Design
Everything about this is clean and fresh. The fade is perfection, the beard is skin faded and shaped well, and the line design above the ear is detailed and just the right amount of flashy. Short hair on top with coiled texture means that on a day to day basis, the cut will require minimal effort on your part, but all the details will be high maintenance to continue looking fresh. This is a cut that is consistent, and when it’s fresh, it’s extremely fresh. If you have angular facial features, the cut will be perfect since the lines and sharpness will enhance your bone structure in a way that a softer cut wouldn’t.
#22: Choppy Textured Cut with Subtle Mullet
I appreciate the organic nature of the style. The unevenness on the top is nice, and even though it looks unplanned, I’m sure the stylist cut the hair in a very specific way to make it look that way. The back mullet is subtle enough to seem more “intentionally longer” rather than “retro revival” which I think is a good closure for most people. Cuts like this do wonderful things for fine, wavy hair, as the more layers create the illusion of more hair, and the waves provide movement that straight hair would have to be styled for. A light styling cream worked through when it’s damp is perfect.
#23: Defined High-Top Fade with Intricate Line Work
I’m going to add another high-top with line work because the execution is different and unique compared to the others. The structure at the top is tighter and more controlled which gives a cleaner silhouette overall, and the line work is different in a positive way. The tightly coiled hair is doing all the shape work here, and this is part of the reason I find this texture so good. It can be shaped in ways that other hair textures can’t. Once it’s styled, you won’t be touching it throughout the day, your energy goes into those maintenance visits to keep the lines and fades sharp.
#24: Textured High-Volume Curly Mohawk with Tapered Sides
I’ve got to say, this one is certainly impressive. The volumne is remarkable, and the braids are mohawk’d up in a way that is peculiarly whimsical art piece-like that I really enjoy. The tapered sides help with that so it doesn’t seem too chaotic, and the contrast of dark roots and blonde tips provide even more dimension to this highly dimensional style. For this curly and thick hair is non-negotiable so that the shape can hold and the texture is provided by the curl. Regular trims will maintain a clear silhouette on the sides while the top can grow quite a lot before losing its impact, so it is a nice balance.
#25: Trendy Defined Curls with Clean Fade
This is the best all-rounder closure. The curls’ definition is clean and not crunchy, the fade is clean, not too harsh and the overall feel is good, it works in the office and on the weekends. You will get results if you have medium to thick textured hair, the hair’s natural curl along with the haircut polished look. The fade creates a sharpened look and stops the sides from getting too thick, prolonging the style overall. It’s not the most extreme option, but the cut you go for every time is probably the one that works the best.
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