You don’t need all the bells and whistles. Simple men’s haircuts are often the most classically handsome styles you can go for.
As someone with slightly wavy, thicker hair, I’ve always preferred short, simple men’s haircuts. At least, I prefer them for myself. Sometimes, I envy the guys who can really rock a long hairdo. They look so effortless and breezy. But knowing my hair texture, though, it certainly wouldn’t be effortless at all.
And here’s the thing. There is something classic and dapper about a guy with just a simple, short hairstyle. Look at every James Bond who ever existed. Or look at style icons like Cary Grant. In modern style history, traditional men often wore their hair short.
I get that not all of us are traditional. That’s fine! However, short hair doesn’t have to be boring. For me, though, ultimately, I just love the convenience factor. Some mornings, I take time to comb my tresses in a particular way and use hair products. Still, if I’m in a rush, I want the option to just take 30 seconds to check myself in the mirror before I’m out the door.
Let’s look at some great, simple, short men’s haircut styles. Despite their simplicity, these haircuts allow for versatility.
10 Simple Men’s Haircut Styles
Even with short hair, specific cuts and styles require some attention. There are also ones that don’t need any attention at all. I’m talking about the cuts that are so short it’s almost like being bald. I made sure to represent all these variations here. This way, you can choose based on your own priorities.
The Crew Cut
The crew cut often gets mistaken for the buzz cut. However, it’s noticeably longer, especially in the front. If you want an easy-care haircut with dimension, the crew cut is your guy.
In fact, if you have curly hair, you can still show off the unique texture in a way you can’t with a buzz cut.
A core crew cut will be anywhere from half an inch to three inches up top. The sides and back are neatly tapered. It all depends on the texture of your hair. Basically, if it’s so long that it falls and flattens, it’s no longer a crew cut. This will vary from guy to guy.
However, you can still use hair products to create texture or do a proper part. For example, the Ivy League is a classic crew cut that often has a part and even a bit of a fringe.
The Classic Side Part and Side Swept
The classic side part has been around for decades. In fact, it’s considered a go-to gentleman’s haircut. Typically, this means your hair is long enough to have a proper fringe. However, you’ll comb the dominant part up and back, depending on how thick and long your hair is. Then you’ll comb the other side back as well.
It’s neat, clean, and stately. I highly recommend a simple side part if you want a professional or formal look. How easy it is to keep in place depends on your hair texture. You may need to pat down the part with some product if you have thick, coarse hair.
If you want a less stuffy look, you can do a side sweep. This is just a looser side part that requires less product. You can implement the part, then quickly and lightly hairspray it in place. The sides may fall a bit, creating fun movement.
The Buzz Cut
A buzz cut comes in different formats, so make sure you consider longer ones and shorter ones before deciding it isn’t for you. All a buzz cut is, at its core, features the same length all over the head.
This is the most convenient and low-maintenance of all the simple men’s haircuts. It’s likely why it’s also a popular army cut. If you tend to wear a short buzz cut, you probably don’t even own a comb. Or it’s collecting dust.
I think the buzz is a traditionally masculine cut that looks great on many face shapes. Plus, it opens up your features to the world.
Buzz Cut Variation: The Induction
There are two variations of the buzz cut. The induction is the shortest buzz cut. It’s basically almost bald, but you can still see your hairline. If you have light, thin hair, it may even look bald in certain lights. Most people think of the induction when they think of the buzz cut. It’s also known as a “mighty fine.”
You or your barber would use a zero-guard buzzer to achieve an induction. You might use a .5 or even one set if you have extra-fine, light-colored hair.
It’s almost like uniform stubble on your head. Suffice it to say, it doesn’t get any easier to take care of than this. I recommend ensuring your scalp is well moisturized and that you put SPF on it when you’re out in the sun!
Buzz Cut Variation: The Burr
Some argue that if you go for a one guard, your buzz cut becomes a burr, not an induction. Personally, I think it depends on your hair type. A one might look like a two or even a three if you have super thick, dark hair.
All that to say, a burr is longer a buzz than an induction. Typically, it’s one, two, or three. It looks less extreme than the induction. One thing that I think is great about the burr cut? Since it isn’t as short as an induction, you don’t have to touch it up as often.
Most men only need to touch it up once a week. And hey, if you have an induction and miss a touch-up, you can just let it become a burr.
The Quiff
Just because you want a short and simple cut doesn’t mean you can’t have some volume. The quiff haircut is longer up top than the sides and flaunts some vertical volume at the top of your head, particularly at the fringe. The sides are often significantly shorter.
You’d then comb it upwards, perhaps using a hairdryer and hairspray to give it an airier, even more voluminous look. Then, you’d comb it back or to the side. It looks loose and breezy and is one of those forever-cool looks.
It’s a lot like the pompadour, but it’s way more loose. It can be loose-looking but secretly hairsprayed in place. Or, it can have some movement. If you have finer hair, you might want to ensure at least the fringe stays in place, or it might just fall apart.
Pompadour
You can’t talk about the pompadour without talking about Elvis. It’s much like the voluminous quiff but is stiffer, slicked back, and offers a clean overall silhouette. It almost looks like damp hair. I always say that Elvis concerts often started with him in a pompadour. After a few spirited performances, it often turned into a quiff.
Both styles became popular in the 1950s as the rock n’ roll counterpart to the close-to-scalp good-boy haircuts. You can style your hair into a pompadour with long or short hair, but I think having short sides and a medium top is the easiest.
The French Crop
A French crop features a short back and sides and a longer top. The top is long enough that there’s a very short fringe, or you can even comb it back. This is a very particular look that isn’t for everyone. However, even though it’s short, the fringe and different lengths provide dimension. It’s a bit more exciting than a buzz but almost as easy to deal with.
I also think a French crop pairs handsomely with facial hair. It doesn’t contrast as much as it would if you were bald, but the cut is short enough that the facial hair gets more spotlight.
The Caesar
The Caesar cut is basically just a shorter French crop. It features less length on the top of the head, with horizontally straight-cut bangs that are usually straight. However, if you have small, tight curls, the look may have some waviness.
It’s marginally easier to maintain, though you’d need to touch it up more. This cut looks excellent on men with bigger foreheads because it balances out their facial structure.
Undercut
The undercut is an essential and basic haircut that works for men with short hair, long hair, and fine or thick hair. It’s one of the most popular haircuts for men with straight hair, specifically.
It just means you have much longer hair on the top than on the sides and back. You can wear this cut with bangs or comb it back. You can even style a little faux hawk as many teens did in the aughts when emo and pop collided.
You can connect the top from the bottom using a taper or disconnect it with no taper. The former is less dramatic and more traditional, while the latter has a bold, cool factor about it.
FAQs
Still have questions about shorter hair for men? No problem. These are the most commonly asked ones — and their answers, of course.
What’s the Easiest Haircut To Give a Man?
The easiest haircut to give a man is likely a buzz cut or any variation of the buzz cut. You can even do it yourself since it doesn’t require different lengths or blending. You can certainly touch it up yourself without help as long as you have mirrors to see the back with.
What Are the Five Basic Haircuts?
The five basic haircuts include crew cuts, buzz cuts, undercuts, flat tops, and disconnections. Five basic cutting techniques include blunt cutting, point cutting, reverse point cutting, soft notching, and reducing weight. And finally, there are four fundamental basic haircuts, including the zero-degree Bob, the 45-degree wedge, the 90-degree layered, and the 180-degree shag.
What Is the Most Low-Maintenance Haircut?
Simple men’s haircut styles are the most low-maintenance. The simpler and shorter it is, the easier it is to deal with. For example, you don’t need to comb your buzz cut, and it doesn’t move around throughout the day.
Conclusion: The Right Simple Men’s Haircut for You
Which of the short, simple men’s haircuts do you prefer? Want a more vintage rocker vibe? Go for the quiff or the pompadour. Want to get rid of your pesky hairbrush? Then go for a buzz cut. Of course, most textures look great with an undercut, too!
These short men’s haircuts are not only low maintenance but super stylish as well. As you can see, there are various haircut styles to choose from. You will surely find one that works well with your face shape and personal style. Plus, we can’t mention it enough. The time you save on grooming allows you to spend your day doing other things. And that’s always a win!
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