The right haircut not only keeps your hair under control. It can define your look, enhance your appearance and simplify your morning routine. But how do you pick the style that works for you? There are a number of factors that come into play, including face shape, hair type, your lifestyle and the amount of maintenance you’re willing to put into keeping your cut looking good.
Face shape
Your face shape isn’t something you need to take as a hard rule, but it can be a helpful starting point. Typically, you’re trying to create a balanced look, where no single feature stands out more than the others.
If you have a rounder face, adding some length to the top and keeping the sides short can help to elongate the look. Square faces can carry many different styles, such as the short crop or the side part. For longer faces, staying away from styles that add too much length to the top is a good idea. Oval faces have fewer restrictions, since there is already balance to work with.
Different haircut styles suited to various face shapes
Other things, like hairline, facial hair and defining features, play a role in what you choose. A good barber will be able to use these details to adjust the length, volume and overall shape to give you the most flattering cut.
Hair type
Having to fight against the natural texture of your hair – you can see more at https://nature.com/subjects, to achieve a certain style just adds to your daily routine. Straight hair lends itself to sharp, sleek styles, cropped looks and slicked-back hair. Wavy hair has natural body and looks especially good with medium-length, layered styles.
Curly and coiled hair responds well to styles that add shape without stripping away volume. Instead of reducing the bulk, try even distribution. Thinner hair benefits from shorter, textured styles that add body. Thick hair can be thinned or layered to reduce weight.
The best haircuts for men make your hair look like it’s meant to be that way. No one expects cowlicks, curls or uneven volume to disappear overnight. Sometimes, you can work them into the style.
The style
Take a minute before committing to a new style to think about your habits and preferences. What you see in the magazine might sound great, but how much effort are you going to put into it? Blow-drying, multiple products and frequent trips to the barber aren’t for everyone.
Consider these questions:
- Do you like a quick wash-and-go approach?
- Are you willing to apply product to your hair each day?
- How often can you get a trim?
- Do you need a professional-looking or flexible style?
- Do you prefer a clean look or some natural texture?
Short cuts like the fade and high-and-tight can look fantastic, but require frequent trims. Medium-length styles can go longer between visits, but require more styling. Long hair can be styled in many ways, though healthy ends and control of the layers are key.
The consultation
Be clear about what you want, but don’t expect the barber to recreate exactly what you’ve brought to him. Tell him how long you want the sides and back, what length on top and how much texture you’d like. Let him know how you typically style your hair and if there are any trouble spots.
Barber consulting with a client about haircut length and texture
Describe what you want instead of telling him to ‘make it look cool’. Talk about how much length you want on top, how short you want the sides and the back and whether you want a fade or taper. Don’t forget to mention how the last haircut grew out and how it held up. Some guys notice that the sides get shaggy or the back gets bulky. Let him know if you want him to pay attention to those areas.
Growth
Consider how the style will grow out. Softer lines, layers and natural edges can grow out more gracefully than crisp, precise cuts. If you’re trying to go longer between visits, choose a style that will grow out well.
Even if you’re trying to maintain a style for a long time, getting regular trims can help you maintain the shape and keep split ends at bay. Depending on the haircut, the length of your hair and the amount of growth (going here), the interval between trims may vary.
Making it yours
Don’t blindly follow trends. Think about what works for you. Look for a style that enhances your features, accommodates your hair type and fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. When all these pieces fall into place, you won’t just be following the latest fashion. You’ll have a cut you’ll love for years.
The shape of your head is another consideration. If your head has flat spots or prominent ridges, you might want to leave a little bit more hair in some areas to help the barber to make them less obvious. It’s particularly important if you’re getting a buzz cut or a very short fade.
