18 Haircuts for Young Men, Including Black Young Men

Picking a haircut is hard when all you have is "short on the sides, longer on top." Barbers need names and details, and so do you. That's why this list shows real cuts you can point at.

These 18 haircuts for young men cover straight, wavy and curly hair, and several are for Black young men. Each one tells you what the cut looks like, what to ask your barber for and how to style it. For more, see our guide to hairstyles and haircuts for Black men.

1. Textured Fringe With Short Sides

This is the easiest cut to start with. The hair on top is left long enough to fall forward into a loose fringe, and the sides are cut close so the shape stays neat.

Ask your barber for: a textured crop with a fringe and a low to mid fade on the sides. Scissors on top, not clippers.

Style it: Work a little matte clay through dry hair and push it forward.

Best for: school, college, casual dates.

Swap: If your hair is thin at the front, ask for a shorter fringe that sits just above the brows.

2. Curly Top With a Sharp Fade and Beard

Short tight curls on top, faded sides and a crisp edge at the temple give this cut a lot of detail without much length. The trimmed beard follows the same clean lines.

Ask your barber for: a mid fade, curls kept on top and a clean edge-up around the front.

Style it: Use a curl cream or light moisturizer so the curls stay defined.

Best for: dates, nights out, a weekend in the city.

Swap: If you want less upkeep, ask for the curls a bit shorter and skip the sharp edge.

3. Classic Side Part With Short Tapered Sides

A side part never looks messy. The hair is combed over to one side with a clear parting line, and the sides taper down short.

Ask your barber for: a classic taper with a side part. Tell the barber where your natural part falls.

Style it: Comb it into place while damp, then set it with a light pomade.

Best for: job interviews, family events, anything smart.

Swap: Skip the hard part line for a softer comb-over.

4. Curly Top With a Low Fade

Here the curls on top are left loose and bouncy, and only the sides and back are cut short. A low fade keeps it soft around the ears.

Ask your barber for: a low fade with the length kept on top. Say you want the curls, not a flat top.

Style it: Scrunch in a leave-in conditioner and let it air dry.

Best for: everyday wear, college, the gym.

Swap: Go for a mid fade if you want the sides tighter.

5. High Skin Fade With a Shaped Beard

The sides fade down to skin high on the head, and the short hair on top sits flat and neat. The beard is cut with a sharp line along the cheek and a shaped chin.

Ask your barber for: a high skin fade and a shaped beard that blends into the fade at the sideburns.

Style it: A small amount of matte paste is enough on top.

Best for: sport, summer, a clean everyday look.

Swap: A mid fade is less sharp and grows out more gently.

6. High-Top With Faded Sides

The hair on top is left tall and full, and the sides step down in a fade. The top becomes the main feature and gives the face a strong frame.

Ask your barber for: a high-top with a taper or fade. Say how tall you want the top to stay.

Style it: Lift the top with an afro pick and keep it moisturized so it doesn't dry out.

Best for: school, work, a night out.

Swap: Ask for a shorter top with the same fade for a lower-maintenance version.

7. Slick Side Sweep With a Taper and Full Beard

The hair is combed up and back with a bit of shine, and the sides taper close. A full beard balances the volume on top.

Ask your barber for: a taper with length left on top, plus a beard trim that blends into the sideburns.

Style it: Apply a medium-hold pomade to damp hair and comb it through.

Best for: weddings, dinners, dates.

Swap: For a drier finish, use a cream instead of pomade.

8. The Curly Mullet

The curls are short at the front and longer at the back. It's a bold shape, so the rest of the outfit stays plain, like the dark blazer and white tee here.

Ask your barber for: a modern mullet with short curls at the front and the length kept at the back. Bring a photo.

Style it: Use a light mousse and let it dry naturally.

Best for: concerts, creative jobs, parties.

Swap: Ask for a shorter back for a smaller version.

9. Short Crop With a Fade

Short on top, shorter on the sides, and nothing to style in the morning. The fade follows the shape of the head, and the top stays close.

Ask your barber for: a crop with a mid fade. Ask which guard they'd use on top.

Style it: Nothing needed. A touch of clay if you like texture.

Best for: school, work, the gym.

Swap: Grow the top out a little for a textured crop.

10. Close Crop With a Soft Fade

The hair is kept short all over, with a soft fade at the sides and back. In profile you can see how cleanly it follows the head.

Ask your barber for: a close crop with a low fade and a natural, soft neckline.

Style it: Brush it with a soft brush to keep it smooth.

Best for: work, cold-weather days, anything smart.

Swap: Let the top grow an inch for more texture.

11. Tall Pompadour

Think old rock and roll. The hair is built up high at the front and swept back in smooth lines, with the back and sides cut close.

Ask your barber for: a pompadour with a taper. The top should be long enough to comb up and back.

Style it: Use a strong-hold pomade and a blow-dryer.

Best for: parties, retro nights, a photo shoot.

Swap: A quiff is the softer version, with less height.

12. Messy Curls With Short Sides

The curls on top are full and a little wild, while the sides are cut short. In this photo he's tidying an edge with a small trimmer.

Ask your barber for: a taper fade, with enough length on top to keep the curls.

Style it: Use a curl cream, then diffuse or air dry.

Best for: everyday wear, hot days, vacations.

Swap: If you trim at home, go slowly and only touch the edges.

13. Short Textured Crop

Short, with just enough texture to look styled. The top is lifted slightly and the sides stay close.

Ask your barber for: a textured crop, with scissors on top and a taper on the sides.

Style it: Rub a pea-size amount of matte paste between your hands and tousle it.

Best for: school, a first job, a casual date.

Swap: Ask for a bit more length on top if you want it softer.

14. Quiff With a Shaved Line

The hair on top is tall and swept up, while the sides are short and a shaved line is cut in on one side. It adds a detail without adding length.

Ask your barber for: a quiff with short sides and a hard part. Show the line you want.

Style it: Blow-dry it up, then use a strong-hold wax.

Best for: parties, college, weekends.

Swap: Skip the shaved line if you don't want to commit to it.

15. Short Crop With a Full Beard

Close-cropped hair on top and a full, even beard make a strong, clean look. The beard does most of the work here.

Ask your barber for: a short crop with a taper, and a full beard trim that blends into the hair.

Style it: Keep the beard soft with a little beard oil.

Best for: work, dinners, winter days.

Swap: Trim the beard shorter for a lighter look.

16. Crop With a Short Beard

The hair is short and tight on the sides and a little longer on top. The beard is kept short and shaped, so the lines match.

Ask your barber for: a crop with a mid fade, and a short beard faded into the sideburns.

Style it: A bit of paste on top is enough.

Best for: the gym, summer, a night out.

Swap: Go longer on top for a quiff.

17. Quiff With Short Sides

The hair is lifted high at the front and swept back, with the sides kept short. A trimmed beard adds weight to the face.

Ask your barber for: a quiff with length on top and a taper on the sides.

Style it: Blow-dry it up and back, then add a medium-hold paste.

Best for: nights out, parties, dates.

Swap: Skip the chain for a plainer version.

18. Long Layers With a Shaggy Back

The hair here is cut in long layers, with the length falling over the neck at the back. The barber is using scissors rather than clippers, which gives a soft finish.

Ask your barber for: long layers cut with scissors. Say how much you want off the ends.

Style it: Use a sea salt spray and let it dry naturally.

Best for: creative jobs, festivals, cool weather.

Swap: Ask for a shorter back to keep it easier to manage.

How to Choose the Right Haircut

Start with your hair type. Straight hair holds a side part, a quiff or a pompadour well. Curly hair looks best with length kept on top, like the curly top fades above. Tight coils work well as a high-top or a close crop with a taper.

Then your face shape. Round faces look sharper with height on top and short sides. Long faces suit a fringe or less height. Square faces can carry almost anything.

Then your time. A crop needs nothing in the morning. A quiff or pompadour needs a blow-dryer and product.

If you want	Try
No styling	Short crop with a skin fade
Something smart	Classic side part
Curls kept on top	Curly top with a low fade
A strong shape	Quiff or pompadour
Something different	Mullet or long layers

Talking to your barber

• Bring a photo. It's the fastest way to be understood.
• Name the fade (low, mid or high) and the guard on top.
• Say how often you'll come back. Fades look best with regular trims.

For skin and beard basics, see our list of men's grooming essentials.

FAQ

What is the best haircut for a young man?

The one that suits your hair type and fits the time you'll really give it. A crop with a fade is the easiest to live with, and a side part is the safest for smart occasions.

What haircut is good for Black young men?

A taper or fade with length kept on top is the most common choice. Curly tops, high-tops and close crops with a soft fade all work well. Ask your barber for a clean, natural neckline.

How often should I get a haircut?

Fades look best with a trim every few weeks. Longer cuts, like layers or a mullet, can wait longer.

What is the difference between a taper and a fade?

A taper gets shorter gradually and keeps some length at the neckline and sideburns. A fade goes much shorter, sometimes to skin, and blends higher up the head.