Men with thick hair are often considered fortunate thanks to the multitude of styling possibilities their hair type affords. The volume and texture of thick hair provide an excellent canvas for an array of diverse styles, allowing individuals to explore and express their personal tastes through various looks. However, without the appropriate cut, managing thick hair can quickly become a formidable task. Issues such as excessive bulk, unruliness, and difficulty in maintaining shape can arise, leading to frustration.
To tackle these challenges, it is vital to choose hairstyles that complement the natural texture while balancing manageability and style. Here are some top hairstyles that are ideal for thick-haired men, featuring exclusive insights and tips from a renowned New York Barber. Whether you’re aiming for a sleek, professional appearance or a more relaxed, edgy vibe, these styles are designed to enhance your hair’s natural beauty while simplifying your grooming routine.
1. The Quiff
The quiff is a timeless hairstyle that has consistently remained popular due to its versatility and sophisticated look. Ideal for individuals with thick hair, the quiff adds a touch of volume and flair, giving a classic yet modern edge to any appearance. This style involves hair being swept upwards and back, creating a voluminous and eye-catching front section. While the quiff can be tailored to suit different face shapes and personal styles, it typically requires some maintenance to achieve the desired effect.
Regular trimming is important to keep the sides and back neat while allowing the top to stand out. Styling usually involves the use of a blow dryer and a small amount of styling product to set the hair in place, ensuring a long-lasting and impactful look throughout the day. Despite the maintenance demands, the quiff is a rewarding style for those seeking a significant impact with their grooming routine, effortlessly exuding confidence and elegance.
2. Pompadour
Another classic, the pompadour, gives a retro vibe while highlighting hair thickness. This iconic hairstyle is renowned for its distinctive shape and glamorous appeal, with hair swept upwards and back from the forehead, creating an impressive height at the top. To achieve the perfect pompadour, begin by washing and towel-drying your hair. While the hair is still damp, apply a volumizing mousse or pomade, focusing on the roots to help sustain the lift.
Using a round brush and a blow dryer, lift sections of your hair at the crown while directing airflow upwards to maximize volume. Once the hair is sufficiently dry and voluminous, finish with a quality hair wax or pomade to sculpt and define the structure, ensuring it holds its shape throughout the day. Regular trims are essential to maintain the signature silhouette and prevent the sides and back from becoming unruly. Remarkably adaptable, the pompadour can be fine-tuned to suit various face shapes and personal tastes, from a bold, high-rise profile to a softer, more subtle version. This style emphasizes the thickness of your hair, embodying both elegance and flair, providing an excellent choice for those looking to make a dramatic statement with their hairstyle.
3. Textured Crop
The textured crop is a low-maintenance, fashionable cut that brings a laid-back vibe, perfect for those who prefer an effortlessly stylish appearance. This versatile hairstyle suits a range of hair types and face shapes, offering a relaxed and contemporary look that adapts easily to various personal styles.
To achieve this cut, hair is typically cropped short on the sides and back, while slightly longer layers are left on top to create texture. This textured look is further enhanced by using a matte styling product, such as a wax or clay, that adds definition and volume. The beauty of the textured crop lies in its simplicity and ease of styling; a quick tousle with fingers is often sufficient to achieve the desired effect.
Regular trims help to maintain the shape and structure without significant time commitment, making it an ideal choice for those with busy lifestyles. Effortlessly blending casual cool with modern sophistication, the textured crop is a standout choice for anyone looking to freshen up their look with minimal fuss.
4. Undercut
An undercut paired with thick hair creates a striking contrast and adds a modern edge, offering a unique blend of contemporary style with traditional touches. This hairstyle involves keeping the sides and back of the head trimmed very short or even buzzed, while allowing the hair on top to remain long and more voluminous. This distinct separation between the lengths emphasizes the thickness of the hair on top, offering endless styling possibilities from casual to formal looks.
The beauty of the undercut lies in its adaptability; whether the top is styled into a sleek pompadour, a tousled wave, or left to flow naturally, the variation in lengths creates a bold, eye-catching appearance. Additionally, this look suits many face shapes, providing opportunities for personalization based on individual preferences, such as experimenting with different lengths or adding color.
Maintaining an undercut is fairly manageable with regular trims to keep the sides neat, while the longer top can be styled using products that emphasize texture and hold, such as pomades, gels, or even sea salt sprays for a more relaxed finish. This versatile hairstyle is perfect for those seeking a bold transformation, effortlessly juxtaposing classic grooming with modern sensibilities.
5. Faux Hawk
Perfect for adventurous spirits, the faux hawk provides a bold look without fully committing to a traditional mohawk. This hairstyle combines the rebellious essence of a mohawk with a more versatile, understated approach, allowing for a statement look that’s suitable for various occasions. The faux hawk typically features short sides that transition smoothly into a longer, raised strip of hair through the center of the head. This central strip can be styled to stand out prominently by using styling products like wax or gel, which enhance volume and hold.
The faux hawk is incredibly adaptable, offering the freedom to experiment with different lengths and textures to customize the look according to personal taste. Whether spiked high for a dramatic night out or styled with a subtle wave for a day at the office, the faux hawk retains its edgy appeal while providing flexibility in styling. This versatility makes it an attractive option for individuals seeking an impactful transformation without the need for a drastic cut.
Maintaining a faux hawk is relatively simple, requiring regular trims to keep the sides neat, while the central strip can be adjusted for desired height and texture. Styling products like pomades, gels, or hairsprays will ensure the faux hawk maintains its shape and stays in place, offering a bold yet adaptive hairstyle that resonates with modern trends.
6. Buzz Cut
For those looking for a no-frills approach, the buzz cut offers simplicity and comfort, ideal for showing off naturally thick hair. With its short, uniform length, the buzz cut requires minimal styling, making it an excellent choice for individuals who prefer low-maintenance grooming. This style draws attention to the natural shape of the head and facial features, creating a clean and polished appearance.
The buzz cut is particularly well-suited for those with thick hair, as the even cut highlights the hair’s density and texture without the need for elaborate styling. Additionally, it’s a practical option for warmer climates or active lifestyles, as it helps to keep the head cool and reduces irritation caused by excessive sweating.
Adopting a buzz cut means committing to regular trimming to maintain its crisp, even look. This straightforward grooming routine can easily be managed at home with clippers, offering convenience and cost savings. While the buzz cut may appear simplistic, its timeless appeal ensures that it remains a popular choice among all age groups, delivering a masculine and effortlessly chic look.
7. Slicked Back
Ideal for formal settings, the slicked-back hairstyle offers a polished and sophisticated appearance, making it perfect for both professional environments and elegant events. This classic look involves combing the hair away from the face, often using a generous amount of styling product to achieve a smooth finish that holds throughout the day. The style is particularly effective for those with medium to thick hair, as it accentuates the hair’s natural volume and density, creating a full-bodied look.
Achieving the slicked-back effect typically starts with damp hair. Applying a quality pomade or gel aids in taming flyaways and providing a glossy sheen while ensuring that the hair stays in place. A fine-tooth comb is essential for distributing the product evenly and achieving that sleek, streamlined finish. Those with curly or wavy hair may find it beneficial to use a blow dryer for added control and a smoother texture before applying styling products.
Regular trims are recommended to maintain the style’s sharpness, preventing any overgrown sections from disrupting the clean lines that define the slicked-back look. The versatility of this hairstyle allows for adjustments in the degree of slickness or volume, catering to both modern trends and personal preferences. Whether paired with a tailored suit or a casual button-down, the slicked-back style exudes confidence and elegance, proving that some classic styles never go out of fashion.
8. Taper Fade
A taper fade is an excellent choice for those with thick hair, offering a clean and stylish finish that gradually decreases in length from the top of the head down to the nape and sideburns. This haircut starts with longer hair at the crown, which transitions into shorter lengths on the sides and back, creating a seamless and natural fade effect. By tapering down the sides, the taper fade balances the volume on top, maintaining a look that is both fashionable and easy to manage.
To achieve a taper fade, a skilled barber or stylist will typically use clippers with different guard sizes to precisely blend the hair lengths. The process requires attention to detail to ensure a smooth gradient and a symmetrical appearance on both sides of the head. This haircut provides versatility, allowing the wearer to style the top in various ways, such as adding texture for a more casual feel or styling it sleek for a sophisticated look.
The taper fade is praised for its adaptability, making it suitable for both formal occasions and everyday wear. It can be paired with various facial hair styles, enhancing one’s facial structure and adding a touch of refinement. Regular visits to the barber are recommended to maintain the sharpness and neatness of the fade, as overgrown edges can quickly disrupt the hairstyle’s clean lines. Overall, the taper fade is a timeless choice that complements thick hair while offering a modern flair.
9. Side Part
Enhancing a sophisticated touch, the side part lends a classic appearance, perfect for both casual and professional environments. This hairstyle revolves around creating a distinct and clean line, which separates the hair into two sections: a larger portion on one side of the head and a smaller section on the other. The side part is versatile, fitting various hair types, whether straight, wavy, or curly, and it complements different face shapes, adding an element of structure and symmetry.
To achieve the perfect side part, it is crucial to identify the natural parting line of your hair, which often aligns with the cowlick or the hair’s natural growth pattern. Using a fine-toothed comb will help define the part sharply and ensure that the sections stay in place throughout the day. This style can be worn with various lengths on top, though longer hair allows for more styling options, such as a sleek finish or a more textured, voluminous look.
Styling products like pomade or styling gel can be used to maintain the side part’s neatness and add a glossy or matte finish, depending on personal preference. The side part’s enduring popularity is due to its ability to effortlessly transition from day to night, enabling a polished look that suits both a corporate meeting and a night out. Its timeless appeal ensures that it remains a go-to choice for those seeking an elegant yet understated hairstyle. Regular grooming, including trimming and shaping, will keep the side part looking sharp and sophisticated.
10. Caesar Cut
The Caesar cut offers a distinct and timeless style, characterized by its short fringe that lies flat across the forehead. This haircut is especially popular for its low maintenance and its ability to make a bold statement. Named after Julius Caesar, the historical Roman leader known for this very style, the Caesar cut is ideal for those who appreciate a classic appearance with an edge. The cut features uniformly short hair all around, with the fringe typically no longer than half an inch to an inch. This uniformity allows both ease of styling and a neat look, suited for both casual and formal settings.
The Caesar cut is a versatile choice that works well with various hair types, including straight, wavy, and even curly hair, provided the curls are kept short. Its simplicity requires minimal styling products; however, a light gel or pomade can be used to keep the fringe in place and enhance the haircut’s defined look. Because of its short length on the sides and back, the Caesar cut is particularly advantageous in warmer climates as it keeps you cool while maintaining a sharp style.
Maintaining the Caesar cut involves regular trims, typically every three to four weeks, to keep the edges clean and the fringe at the desired length. The predictability of this style appeals to many, as it requires few changes between trims. Whether you’re looking for a hairstyle that stands out or simply something practical with a touch of sophistication, the Caesar cut remains a perennial favorite for its bold simplicity and iconic nature.
11. Man Bun
Embrace the volume of thick hair with a man bun, combining practicality with stylish flair. The man bun is a popular hairstyle for those with longer, thicker hair, offering a sophisticated yet relaxed look. To achieve the perfect man bun, gather your hair towards the back of your head, typically at the crown or a bit lower, depending on your preference. Twist the hair and secure it with a hair tie, allowing it to naturally form a bun.
This hairstyle not only highlights the natural volume and texture of thick hair but also provides a practical solution for keeping hair out of the face, ideal for both casual and formal occasions. The versatility of the man bun means it can be styled in various ways, such as a neat, tight bun for a polished appearance, or a looser, more relaxed version for a laid-back look. For added flair, some choose to incorporate undercuts or fade styles, enhancing the overall aesthetic and providing a modern edge to this traditional style.
Maintenance of the man bun is relatively straightforward. Regular washing and conditioning keep the hair healthy and manageable, while occasional trims help maintain the desired length. Whether you’re aiming for an effortlessly chic style or a more structured approach, the man bun continues to be a favored option for its balance of elegance and ease.
12. French Crop
A French crop brings a European chic effect, combining practicality with a touch of stylish elegance. This hairstyle features short sides and back while leaving a longer, textured fringe on top. It’s a versatile option that suits various hair types and face shapes, making it a popular choice among those looking for a low-maintenance yet sophisticated look.
To achieve a French crop, the sides and back are typically cut short using clippers or scissors, creating a neat and tidy appearance. The fringe, which is the defining feature of this style, is left longer and can be styled forward, swept to the side, or given a messy, textured finish depending on personal preference. Styling products like pomade or wax can be used to enhance the fringe’s texture and keep the style in place throughout the day.
The French crop is perfect for those who prefer not to spend a lot of time on their hair but still wish to have a fashionable and adaptable hairstyle. It requires minimal effort to maintain – regular trims keep the shape sharp and the fringe manageable. Whether you’re aiming for a clean-cut look or a more contemporary and edgy appearance, the French crop offers a stylish solution that accentuates facial features and adds a European flair to your overall look.
13. Wavy Layers
Embrace your natural wave and volume with wavy layers, a hairstyle designed to highlight the inherent beauty of thick hair. This style focuses on cutting varying lengths of hair to create layers, resulting in a soft, flowing look that exudes texture and movement. Ideal for those with naturally wavy or curly hair, these layers frame the face delicately, adding dimension and character to your overall appearance.
To achieve wavy layers, the stylist will carefully assess the natural texture of your hair and plan the layers accordingly. The process involves cutting the hair at different lengths, which helps reduce bulk and allows the waves to fall naturally, enhancing their definition. The result is a dynamic style that brings out the best in thick, wavy hair, making it feel lighter and more manageable.
Maintaining wavy layers requires minimal effort; with the right hair care products, your natural curls and waves are enhanced rather than weighed down. A moisturizing curl cream or a lightweight mousse can be applied to damp hair to define the waves and reduce frizz, while occasional trims ensure the layers maintain their refreshing shape. Whether you’re looking for an everyday style or something with a bit of glamour for special occasions, wavy layers offer versatility and polish, making them a go-to choice for anyone looking to celebrate their natural hair texture with a stylish twist.
Conclusion
These hairstyling options, endorsed by skilled experts from the renowned New York Barbershop, are perfectly curated to address the challenges of managing thick hair. By offering a diverse range of styles from timeless classics to modern innovations, these professionals ensure that there is a suitable look for every individual. Whether you’re aiming for a clean, refined appearance or a bold, fashion-forward statement, each style is crafted to enhance the natural volume and richness of thick hair, turning potential maintenance woes into an opportunity for personal expression.
The versatility of these styles allows for seamless transitions from a professional setting to casual outings, ensuring that every man can find a look that not only fits his personal taste but also complements his lifestyle. Through the expertise and understanding of these seasoned barbers, embracing and showcasing your thick hair becomes not just manageable but enjoyable, allowing you to walk out with confidence and flair.
