Men's Haircuts

Top 12 Men’s Haircuts in 2023 With Professional Styling Tips

Introduction

Men’s Haircuts Continue Evolving with Classic and Modern Twists

Men’s hair trends have continued to evolve over the decades, but certain classic styles remain go-to looks year after year. While new and unique cuts gain popularity each year, short sides and longer hair on top remain the dominant hairstyle silhouette for men. In 2023, many timeless men’s haircuts are getting modern upgrades with faded sides, messy textures, swept-up shapes, and disheveled finishes.

Men's Haircuts at Daryl's Barber Shop.
Men’s Haircuts

This in-depth guide will overview the 12 most popular haircuts for men in 2023. From old-school crew cuts to slick pompadours, read on for pro tips from an experienced barber on properly styling, maintaining, and requesting these top hair trends when sitting in the barber’s chair this year. Whether you’re looking to embrace old favorites or try something new, these cuts offer inspiration for every hair type and face shape.

#1: The Crew Cut

Iconic Short Crew Cut Remains a Low-Maintenance Classic

Classic Crew Cut haircut on male model.
Classic Crew Cut haircut on male model.

The crew cut is an iconic men’s hairstyle that remains a popular low-maintenance choice year after year. This classic short buzzcut is cropped very close all over the head, making for easy styling and upkeep. It creates an instant, neat, and tidy look with minimal daily effort required.To keep a crew cut looking freshly buzzed and crisp:

Styling Tips for the Perfect Crew Cut

  • Get even, ultra-short length all over with clippers. Aim for 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.
  • For subtle contrast, use a slightly shorter guard on top (e.g., 1/8 inch).
  • Style with a dab of styling cream or wax and finger comb lightly into place.
  • Stick with a clean, straightforward finish versus messy or textured.

The crew cut works well for guys with oval, square, and diamond face shapes. The cropped finish helps sharpen strong jawlines and create flattering proportions. When getting this timeless cut, ask your barber for a short crew cut buzzed nice and closed all over with clippers. Reference images of a cleanly styled crew cut when explaining the look you’re after.

Celebrity Examples Sporting Crew Cuts

Famous actors and athletes looking dapper with crew cuts: Ryan Reynolds, Chris Evans, Stanley Tucci, Tom Hardy

#2: The Caesar Cut

Julius Caesar Inspires this Cropped Classic Cut

A highly detailed close-up image of a Caesar cut haircut that features a male in his late 20s.
A highly detailed close-up image of a Caesar cut haircut that features a male in his late 20s.

The Caesar cut is a classic men’s style inspired by Julius Caesar’s own short-cropped hair in ancient Roman times. It’s characterized by a precise, horizontally cut fringe across the forehead paired with neatly tapered, close-cropped sides.To nail this iconic cropped look:

How to Get the Caesar Haircut

  • Keep hair 1-2 inches long on top to have enough length for the signature fringe.
  • Use clippers to taper the back and sides short and clean.
  • Cut the straight-across bangs approximately 1 inch above the eyebrows.
  • Style the fringe slightly messy by brushing it forward over the forehead.

This cropped Caesar style complements oval, long, and heart-shaped faces best. The fringe and cropped sides help shorten a long face. Use a touch of pomade, wax, or gel to neatly sweep the Caesar bangs in place for a super-polished finish.When getting this cut, ask your barber for a Caesar with short sides and a defined horizontal fringe in front. Bring photos for reference.

Celebrity Examples of the Caesar Haircut

Stylish celebrity Caesars: George Clooney, Vin Diesel, Jude Law, Justin Timberlake

#3: The Undercut

Dramatic undercut haircut on a male model
Dramatic undercut haircut on a male model.

Modern Haircut Creates Short Sides/Long Top Contrast

The undercut remains one of the most popular modern men’s haircuts year after year. This trendy style is defined by creating a strong contrast between longer hair left on top and closely cropped, faded sides and back.There are several stylish variations of the undercut hairstyle to suit different personal styles:

Trendy Undercut Styles – Slick Back, Crop, Comb Over

  • Slicked back – Hair on top neatly combed back away from the face. A polished option for professional settings.
  • Textured crop – Messy short crop on top with faded, blended sides.
  • Comb over – Longer hair on top swept smoothly to one side.
  • Pompadour – Volume and height in front with undercut sides and back.

The dramatic contrast of an undercut style best flatters guys with square, rectangular, or diamond face shapes. Use a quality pomade, wax, clay, or gel product to add hold and flexibility when styling the longer hair on top.When getting an undercut, ask your barber for a faded crop, comb over, or slick back with 2-4 inches of length maintained on top to achieve the signature look. Bring visual examples to show the barber.

Celebrity Examples of Undercut Haircuts

Trendsetter celebs sporting modern undercut hairstyles: David Beckham, Bradley Cooper, Zayn Malik, Cristiano Ronaldo

#4: The Pompadour

highly detailed close-up image of a pompadour haircut that features a male in his late 20s.
highly detailed close-up image of a pompadour haircut that features a male in his late 20s.

Get Volume and Height with this Vintage-Inspired Cut

The pompadour is a great hairstyle option for a dapper vintage throwback look. This retro poofy style is defined by having ample volume and height in the front with closely cropped sides and back.To achieve this quintessential retro pompadour:

How to Get the Pompadour Look

  • Grow out the hair on top around 4-6 inches to allow for proper lift. Keep the back/sides clipped short.
  • Lift and blow dry the front upward from the forehead toward the crown.
  • Use pomade, mousse, or wax to style the front up and back.
  • Finish with strong-hold hairspray to lock in the height all day.

The pompadour best suits guys with diamond, oval, and round face shapes. Adding additional length on top makes creating the signature vertical volume easy. Use enough product when styling to maintain the pomp’s stacked height all day long.Ask your barber or stylist for a high fade or undercut on the back/sides with extra length left on top. This creates the perfect base for sweeping the pompadour up and back. Pomades Keep Pompadours Sculpted

Celebrity Pompadour Haircuts

Bruno Mars, Adam Levine, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zac Efron

#5: The Quiff

A highly detailed close-up image of a quiff haircut that features a male in his late 20s.
A highly detailed close-up image of a quiff haircut that features a male in his late 20s.

Get a Messy, Modern Take on the Classic Pompadour

The quiff is a modern, messier take on the pompadour haircut that rose to popularity in the 2000s. This relaxed style features textured, upward-swept bangs in the front and short, faded sides.For achieving the perfect messy quiff:

Tips for Styling the Ideal Quiff Haircuts

  • Get 2-4 inches trimmed on top, keeping the sides and back clipped shorter. This allows for lift.
  • Style the front section upward into a slight curve by brushing up and forward.
  • Use a pliable cream, balm, or wax for flexible hold and texture.
  • Rough it up with your fingers for an imperfect, natural look.

The quiff complements oval, square, and diamond face shapes nicely. Work with your barber to determine the ideal length on top to suit your face shape and the desired height of the quiff.Finish styling with sea salt spray for added grit and texture. Scrunch into the quiff ends using your fingers for extra volume.

Sea Salt Sprays Add Texture to Quiffs

Trendy celebs sporting textured quiff haircuts

David Beckham, Robert Pattinson, Nick Jonas

#6: The French Crop

A highly detailed close-up image of a French Crop haircut that features a male in his late 20s.
A highly detailed close-up image of a French Crop haircut that features a male in his late 20s.

Short Textured Top with Faded Sides

The French crop features strategically styled short hair left long enough on top to style, paired with closely faded cropped sides. This trendy cut has grown in popularity recently as a low-maintenance but fantastic hairstyle option.What makes the French crop work:

Best Face Shapes for The French Crop

  • Keep 1-3 inches of length on top to style while tapering the sides and back shorter.
  • Works well for round, heart, and oval face shapes.
  • Use pomade, wax, or cream to add pliable texture and movement.
  • Create an intentional, messy, windswept look by hand.

When getting a French crop, ask your barber to leave extra length on top to style while keeping the sides and back closely faded and tapered. This contrast creates the signature look.Finish styling with a matte cream or wax for light hold and an undone, natural finish.

#7: The Faux Hawk

A highly detailed close-up image of a shorter Faux Hawk haircut that features a male in his late 20s.
A highly detailed close-up image of a shorter Faux Hawk haircut that features a male in his late 20s.

Get a Bold, Spiked Faux Mohawk

For an edgy style, the faux hawk is a spiked Mohawk-inspired look without entirely shaving the sides. This rebellious style focuses height and volume solely on the center strip of hair running from the forehead back. To style a gravity-defying fanned faux hawk see below:

A highly detailed close-up image of a Tall Fanned Faux Hawk haircut that features a male in his late 20s.
A highly detailed close-up image of a Tall Fanned Faux Hawk haircut that features a male in his late 20s.

How to Achieve a Faux Hawk

  • Cut the hair short on the sides and back, leaving 3-5 inches of length on top to spike up.
  • Style the top section upward and fan it out slightly at the tips into a mini fin.
  • Use a strong hold gel, pomade, or wax to sculpt and hold the shape.
  • Works best for oval, diamond, and triangular face shapes.

When getting a faux hawk, show your stylist photos of your desired silhouette and height. Have them cut and taper the sides short while leaving the length up top to style.Work hair upward from the middle using your hands or a pick. Apply a product for hold and define the spiked shape.

#8: The Slick Back

A highly detailed close-up image of a Slick Back haircut that features a male in his late 20s
A highly detailed close-up image of a Slick Back haircut that features a male in his late 20s

Swept Back Style for a Polished, Retro Look

The slick back produces a polished, tightly groomed retro hairstyle by sweeping all the hair away from the face as smoothly as possible. This look works well with undercuts and high-contrast fades.To achieve a pristinely slick-backed style:

How to Get a Clean Slick Back

  • Ensure hair is long enough on top to thoroughly comb back without resistance. Having some weight helps it stay sleek.
  • Apply pomade evenly through damp hair from roots to ends before styling.
  • Use a fine-tooth comb to brush hair straight back from the forehead directly toward the nape smoothly.
  • Finish with a glossy gel or light oil for a significant shine.
  • Works best on rectangular, square, and oval face shapes.

Have your barber cut the hair longer on top and shorter on the sides and back for the necessary contrast. For maximum slickness, wear a robust wet-look pomade or gel when styling.

Products for a Super Slick Look

Celebs sporting slick backs

Justin Timberlake, Jon Hamm, Michael B. Jordan

#9: The Comb Over Haircut

A highly detailed close-up image of a Classic Comb Over haircut that features a male in his late 20s.
A highly detailed close-up image of a Classic Comb Over haircut that features a male in his late 20s.

Classic Side Parted Style Remains Timeless

The comb-over remains a timeless, traditional men’s hairstyle where the hair is neatly parted and combed diagonally from one side to another.For executing a polished comb-over:

Tips for Styling the Perfect Comb Over

  • Cut the hair short on the sides, leaving 3-6 inches of length on top to comb sideways and back. Ask your barber for a tapered cut.
  • Create a sharp side part. For fine hair, use a tail comb to help separate and lift the hair.
  • Comb the section over and back, following the natural growth pattern of your hair as smoothly as possible.
  • Finish with a lightweight pomade or cream for a subtle hold.

The comb-over works best for oval, heart, and round face shapes. Play with the amount of volume on top and width of the part depending on your hair’s thickness and style goals.Ask your barber for a tapered cut with length left on top to sweep across. Reference photos of your ideal style.

#10: The Buzz Cut

A highly detailed close-up image of a Buzz Cut haircut that features a male in his late 20s.
A highly detailed close-up image of a Buzz Cut haircut that features a male in his late 20s.

Go Ultra-Short with a Low-Maintenance Buzz Cut

This simple, concise buzz cut is cropped to a consistent 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length all over the head for a no-fuss hairstyle. Taking clippers all over leaves hair one even length, creating a very low-maintenance men’s style.It’s easy to self-maintain this buzzed style at home:

How to Buzz Your Hair at Home

  • Use clippers with a #1-3 guard to get a short, even buzzcut length.
  • Run clippers straight up the sides/back and over the top in straight lines.
  • Cut the hair to one length on the top, sides, and back.
  • Style with a basic short hair wax or pomade if desired.
  • The buzz cut works well for all face shapes.

Ask your barber for an all-over buzz using their clippers and guard system for an effortless, masculine cut. Request a buzz cut with a faded undercut along the sides and back for more edge.

#11: The Fade

A highly detailed close-up image of a nice Fade haircut that features a Black male in his late 20s with sharp, clean lines
A highly detailed close-up image of a nice Fade hairstyle that features a Black male in his late 20s with sharp, clean lines.

High Contrast Faded Sides Flatter Longer Tops

Fade haircuts have risen to popularity as a trendy modern style for men. These cuts are defined by very short, tapered hair up the sides and back that fades from shorter to longer as it moves up the head. Pairing a fade with longer hair on top creates stylish contrast.There are a few techniques that result in the perfect fade:

How to Get An Ideal Fade Haircut

  • Start the fade above the ears and taper it briefly down to the neckline skin.
  • Use clippers to cut the fade, starting longer and moving to shorter guards gradually. Take your time.
  • Decide if you want a high, mid, or low fade haircut, depending on personal preference.
  • Keep hair longer on top to accentuate the shorter faded sides and back.
A highly detailed close-up image of a Fade haircut with waves on top that features a Black male in his late 20s with sharp, clean lines
A highly detailed close-up image of a Fade hairstyle with waves on top that features a Black male in his late 20s with sharp, clean lines

Fade haircuts complement oval, triangular, and diamond face shapes nicely. The gradient look helps sharpen features.When getting a fade cut, show your barber images of the specific fade height and style you want so they can deliver the perfect tapered result.

#12: The Textured Crop

A highly detailed close-up image of a Textured Crop haircut that features a male in his late 20s.
A highly detailed close-up image of a Textured Crop haircut that features a male in his late 20s.

Short Textured Layers Create a Messy, Flexible Style

For an intentionally undone look, textured crop cuts are the move. These messy short styles feature chopped layers cut throughout to remove weight and facilitate easy styling into different looks.To get a perfectly imperfect textured crop:

How to Get Great Texture and Height

  • Cut the hair shorter on the sides, tapering longer toward the top and front. Leave 3-5 inches on top.
  • Point cut into the ends instead of blunt cutting for natural pieces.
  • Use thinning shears and a razor to remove bulk and increase softness.
  • Style up and off the forehead with a wax, paste, or light pomade.
  • Great for oval, triangular, and diamond face shapes.

When getting this style, have your barber cut texturizing layers into the top and fringe sections to encourage the hair to stand up quickly. Avoid smoothing products like pomade.Define the cropped texture more with sea salt spray. Scrunch it in damp hair and tousle pieces forward with your fingers as it dries for an undone look.

Conclusion

The top men’s haircut trends of 2023 range from retro slick backs to messy medium-length textured crops. With inspiration from old-school barbershops, guys can choose between edgy undercuts and refined side parts this year.

Consider Hair Type and Face Shape

Consider your specific hair type and face shape when deciding on your next cut. Curly, coarse hair won’t look like straight, fine hair. And specific shapes flatter different facial structures. Look for cuts that accentuate your features rather than camouflaging them.

Communicate Your Style Goals to Your Barber

Come prepared to the barbershop with photos so you can explain exactly which length, shape, and style you’re going for. Ask for input to see if your desired look aligns with your features. A skilled barber wants you to leave feeling your best.

Embrace These Stylish Cuts for 2023

Be bold and embrace one trending hairstyle if you want an update. Keeping up with modern variations on classic cuts or trying something new can be a great way to boost your confidence and complement your look. Your haircut can become an effortless asset with the proper cut and style.

Ready to Elevate Your Style?

You’ve explored the top trends in men’s haircuts for 2023 and learned some pro styling tips. Now it’s time to bring those styles to life! At Daryl’s Barber Shop, we’re more than just a haircut destination; we’re a part of the vibrant Cheviot community’s heritage, committed to providing quality results every time. Whether you’re looking to try a new trend or maintain your classic look, our skilled team, led by Daryl K. Mahin, is here to make sure you leave looking and feeling your best.
Don’t wait to look great. Schedule your appointment today at (513) 225-1793 or visit us at 3805 North Bend Road, Cheviot, OH 45211. Your next great haircut is just a call or visit away

1 thought on “Top 12 Men’s Haircuts in 2023 With Professional Styling Tips”

  1. Primos Barber Shop

    Hey there! Great overview of the top haircuts this year. As a barber, I’ve noticed that the classic crew cut and the modern undercut are still crowd favorites. Clients love how low-maintenance the crew cut is, especially for those with busy lifestyles. On the other hand, the undercut continues to be a hit for its versatility—you can style it slicked back for a polished look or go for a textured crop for something more relaxed. It’s always exciting to see how these timeless styles get modern twists year after year. Keep up the great work at Daryl’s!

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