Types of Hair: All you need to know for the Right Hair Style

Types of hair - faverie

Have you ever gone to the hairstylist with an idea of how you want your hair to look, and the stylist tells you as lovingly as possible that it is the wrong option for you? If so, this post is perfect for you as we will explore different types of hair.

Each person’s hair is a unique combination of at least five major factors. Those factors are determined in the womb at about five months and are part of your DNA.

This post will look at those factors and the many choices under each one. Then, I will show you different hairstyles that will work based on your unique DNA.

Let’s get started!

Hair types fundamentals

Stop for a minute and mentally describe your natural hair. Chances are that you used words like straight, wavy, thick, or thin, and color words like brown, black, or gray. Each person’s hair is a unique creation, and that is why law enforcement observes hair at a crime scene.

In order to take the best care of your hair, you must consider many factors. In this chapter, we will start discussing some of those factors, but I encourage you to read the entire post because we will further discuss these factors in upcoming chapters.

How many types of hair are there?

There are approximately 7.8 billion people on earth, and each one has a unique hair type. Your hair type is determined while you are still in the womb at about five months. There are a handful of factors that can change your hair type, but basically, it will be set for the rest of your life.

One of the ways that you may have described your hair is its color. While people can dye their hair in many colors, including pink and purple, only five natural hair colors exist. Within those colors are many shades.

You may have also described your hair as thick or thin. In most cases, you described the number of hair follicles on your head. Scientists use the term thick or thin to describe the circumference of each strand of hair on your head.

You may have also thought about whether your hair was straight, wavy, kinky, or had some other natural texture. Scientists also describe your hair’s texture in the same way. 

They differentiate between curly and wavy based on the shape of each hair strand. They describe hair as wavy if it has a natural s-curve to it. If it has more of a circular shape, then it is curly.

One way that scientists describe your hair that you probably did not use is its porosity. They use this term to describe how well your hair accepts and holds moisture.

Unlike porosity, your hair also has its own moisture level, and it can be dry, normal or oily naturally. You need to use suitable types of products depending on your hair’s moisture level. In the next chapter, I will have recommendations for choosing the right products.

How to identify your hair type?

Without using scientific tests, there are five classifications that you should identify about your hair. Knowing these factors can help you choose the right hairstyle and products to use, as each has its own characteristics. It will also help you determine how often you need to wash your hair and how to apply products for optimal results.

Woman looking phone pink hair

One of the easiest factors to determine is its color. This often just requires you to look in the mirror. There are only five choices, which I will share with you in a little bit, so this part of the description should be easy.

Another factor that is easy to determine is your hair’s moisture level. Some people will see an oily appearance to their hair by the end of the day, while others can go several days without washing their hair. The length of time between your need to wash your hair will help you know its moisture level.

It can be trickier to describe your hair’s structure. Most people with fine hair know how easy their hair breaks, and it is difficult to see each strand. If you look at a strand of your hair and it is thicker than a sewing thread, then you have coarse hair, and if it is somewhere in between, you have medium hair.

Hair length is another easy one to describe. If your hair ends above your shoulders, then you have short hair. Alternatively, if it ends at your shoulders, you have medium hair. If it is longer than your shoulders, you have long hair.

Porosity is the hardest factor to determine. Basically, if a strand of your hair floats before it sinks, you have high porosity, and if it sinks quickly, you have low porosity.

I will have more to say about each of these factors in the next chapter, so be sure to keep reading.

Hair type chart

If you are one of the 80% who finds it easier to visualize things when they are in a chart, then you are in luck. Here is a hair chart that you will want to use when describing your hair.

Hair textureHair structureHair porosityHair moistureHair lengthHair Color
Shape of each strandThickness of each hair strandAmount of moisture each strand containsPresence of water in the hairThe length of your hairThe color
StraightFineHighOilyLongBrown
WavyMediumNormalNormalMediumGray
CurlyCoarseLowDryShortBlonde
CoilyBlack
White
Red

You can use this hair chart to determine the type of hair that you have. You should be able to check a type under each column.

Therefore, start on the left side and decide as you work your way across the column. You may want to print this chart out and write your answer at the bottom of each column. Then, when you get to the second chapter, you will know which products will work best for you as we explore more about the different hair types.

Then, in the third chapter, you will learn which hairstyles work best for you. This can be a fantastic tool, and you may want to share the information with your hair stylist and see if they agree with you.


I hope you have enjoyed working through this process. In the next chapter, we will go much more in-depth about each of these factors. 

Therefore, I encourage you to keep reading to learn more about your hair. Knowing this information can help you make informed decisions about how you want to wear your hair.

Types of hair

Your hair is one way you are different from anyone else. Each hair on the human head can contain up to 14 elements, including gold. All the hair follicles you will ever have are present before birth. Keep reading to learn even more about different hair types.

The other day, I went to the salon. As I was visiting with a hair stylist, she shared that people with naturally blond hair usually have the highest number of hair strands, about 146,000. Meanwhile, natural redheads have the least, with about 86,000.

When investigating a crime scene, law enforcement can use the shape of your hair strands to determine ethnicity. People with Asian heritage have round hair strands, while those with European blood have oval-shaped hair strands. Finally, those with African American hair have flat hair strands.

Let’s learn more about styling different types of hair.

Hair texture

There are four different hair textures, and each has its characteristics. Learning to work with what you have been given can be challenging, but you need to do it if you want to look beautiful every day. Your hair texture helps determine what type of hairstyle will look best on you.

Straight

One of the challenges of straight hair is that it is often fine at the same time. Therefore, you need to take extra care of your hair to feed it the nutrients it needs. If you want your hair to grow, ensure that you eat enough B vitamins because they carry beneficial oxygen to your hair follicles.

Woman looking camera hair face
Source: Thibault Debaene on Unsplash

You should never brush your hair when wet because its fragile strands may break. Always use a mild shampoo, and read the ingredients to ensure it does not contain sodium laureth sulfate. 

Use conditioner every time you wash your hair. Comb through your hair with a wide-tooth comb before rinsing the conditioner out.

Wavy

Wavy hair is a little stronger than straight hair, and each strand has an S-wave. Almost all wavy hair has some frizz, and some have a lot, so you need to take steps to control it. Use shampoos and conditioners containing glycerin because it forms a protective coating around your hair that will help keep moisture from making it frizzy. 

You should deep condition your hair at least once per week. When putting any type of conditioner on your hair, start at the ends and work your way towards your scalp. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help stop hair damage.

Curly

Curly hair goes straight when wet before returning to being curly when it dries. This classification can be broken into three subgroups. The first subgroup is shiny and thick and holds very well when you style it. The second subgroup has very tight curls. The third group is naturally kinky hair. 

Regardless of the type, if you want your curly hair to grow, try massaging natural oils, like those with Vitamin E and fatty acids, into your hair regularly to promote blood flow and help your hair grow faster It will also help to control fizz.

Coily

The last type of hair texture is coily. While the texture appears coarse, it can be easily damaged. Your hair will look better if you let it air dry before you style it. You should only wash your hair once or twice per week. 

Try using a pre-conditioner before washing your hair to help it retain moisture. This type of hair should only be washed once or twice a week. Handle your hair as little as possible, or you may find it breaking easier. Avoid over-styling your hair whenever possible.

Hair structure

Each person has a different hair texture. While it is often described by its type, the words actually refer to the circumference of your hair strands. There are only three hair structures. You are born with it, and assuming your hair stays on your head, you will die with the same hair structure.

Fine

Thin hair and fine hair are two different things. Thin hair is the amount of hair you have, while fine hair is the hair’s structure. People with fine hair have the hardest type of hair to take care of, and it must be washed daily with a volumizing shampoo. 

Your hair is likely to get greasy quickly. When using products on your hair, only use them from the middle to the ends, as using them close to your scalp may cause your hair to break. You should never rub a towel vigorously across your hair to dry it. Instead, pat your hair dry with a towel.

Medium

Medium texture hair usually covers your scalp very well. Therefore, regardless of how you style it, you will usually look like you have a full head of hair. Your hair is likely made up of two parts. It will have a cortex, the part where most of your hair’s pigment is located, and a cuticle, which keeps your hair silky and shiny. 

The cuticle also helps your hair retain moisture. While medium-textured hair does not break as easily as fine hair, it can still be damaged by hot styling tools, so take steps to protect it.

Coarse

When you compare the circumference of hair strands, coarse hair wins for being the biggest. It is typically bigger than a piece of sewing thread. It does not mean that your hair is rough to the touch. As a person ages, sometimes their hair becomes coarser due to prescription drugs, hormonal imbalance, or thyroid conditions. 

Use conditioners to protect your hair from breakage, particularly at the hair shaft. Since your hair can dry out quickly, avoid any products that have alcohol in them. You should have your hair trimmed every eight to 10 weeks.

Hair porosity

Hair porosity is your hair’s ability to retain moisture. Water and hair products need to be able to pass through the protective shell around each hair strand for your hair to stay healthy. The ease that it can do determines if you have high, normal, or low porosity.

High porosity

If you put a strand of your clean, product-free hair in a glass of water, it quickly sinks to the bottom. You must be proactive in protecting your hair’s cuticle. Try to protect your hair anytime you go outside, and avoid using heat-producing tools on your hair as much as possible. 

Your hair is more difficult to perm or curl, so if you choose to go with that style, use shampoos and conditioners that will help protect it. Since your hair easily absorbs nutrients, take advantage of that by using pre-shampoo products often to make your hair look shiny.

Low porosity

If you fill a glass with water and put one of your freshly shampooed hair strands in it that does not have any hair products on it, and it rises to the top before floating to the bottom, your hair has low porosity. It takes your hair a long time to air dry. 

You may also notice that conditioners and shampoos stay on the surface rather than being absorbed into your hair. Finally, it takes a lot of water to saturate your hair totally. You should use a clarifying shampoo with ingredients that add moisture to your hair.

Hair moisture

We have already covered many reasons that hair loses moisture quickly. Other factors, such as humidity, health, and diet, also affect your hair’s moisture level. Hair that has the right amount of moisture is less prone to breakage. Using the right hair care products is essential.

Oily

If you have oily hair, you may need to wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo daily that has a pH of less than 5.5. Additionally, you can use a dry shampoo or texture spray between washes. Using apple cider vinegar on your hair as a prewash can help.

Woman spraying hair

If the oil comes from your scalp, then exfoliating it can help. Products with sugar crystals in them are particularly effective. Limit the amount of time that you blow dry your hair, as the heat can cause your hair to become even oilier as a defense mechanism.

Dry

There are many reasons that your hair may be dry. Start by looking at your diet. If you are not consuming biotin daily, this may be the culprit. Foods high in biotin include egg yolks, legumes, and some nuts. Your body cannot store this nutrient. Additionally, think about how you treat your hair. 

Any chemical treatment, like a perm or coloring, can damage your hair. Furthermore, any heat treatments used to style your hair can damage it. Try turning down the water’s temperature a little when showering. You should also only wash your hair as needed.

Normal

To keep your hair healthy, it needs protein and moisture. The protein binds to the hair structure so that moisture stays locked inside. If you think your hair needs help getting to this point, use products designed to renew or revitalize it, as they are likely to contain the protein your hair needs. 

Getting your hair back in gorgeous condition may take a few weeks. Do not overdo it because you can lock in too much moisture. You are looking for your hair to stretch about 30% when wet but bounce back to its regular length when dry.

Hair length

You can wear your hair in many lengths, but it is vital to have an overall length in mind so you do not sabotage your goal. For example, if you plan on wearing your hair long, do not opt for a buzz cut along the way, as it will take longer to meet your overall goal. Hair on the average human head grows more than 10 miles annually if you add all the growth in individual strands together.

Long

Generally, your hair is considered long if it reaches below your shoulders. Many people aim to grow their hair out until it gets to their mid-back or tailbone. Use a boar-hair brush or a wide-tooth comb so you do not pull out individual strands when brushing or combing your hair. 

Plastic-coil ponytail holders will do less damage to your hair. Split ends will stop your hair from growing, so get a haircut at least every three months to help prevent them. Try shampooing your hair every third day and concentrate on cleaning your scalp.

Short

If you love wearing your hair short, you also have several options. You can choose a buzz cut, eliminating the need for styling your hair. You could also go with an ear-length haircut. While I will have more to say about how to style these cuts in a later chapter, these cuts help draw attention to your face’s structure. 

You may also opt for a chin-length cut, like a classic bob. An asymmetrical bob is a terrific option for adding a dramatic flair to your look.

Medium

A little contradictory, medium-length hair reaches your shoulders but is not longer than your armpits. Using textured hair products and cutting your hair in layers can be terrific options. The extra few inches can make your hair look even more fabulous if your hair is curly. 

Ensure that you are feeding your hair nutrition regularly, as this is the stage where thinner hair strands often begin to break. Get your hair trimmed regularly to prevent split ends. This hair length is often considered the most flattering because it is easy to create angular cuts to draw attention to your face’s strongest assets.

Hair color

The amount of a pigment called melanin in hair determines your natural hair color. Melanin comes in many types, so your hair color is determined by the type and amount you receive in your genes. There are only five primary hair colors, but many variations exist.

Black

Black hair is the most common hair type in the world. People with black hair have a large amount of eumelanin in their genes. While changes in your genes can cause your hair to change colors as you age, so can sun exposure. Therefore, if you want your hair to stay black, ensure you wear a hat when going outside. 

Additionally, stress can cause your black hair to change colors over time. Remember that your hair will look its best when it is healthy, so be sure to eat lots of B vitamin-rich foods, use the right products for your hair and wash it as needed in cool water.

Brown

Brown hair is the second most common hair type in the world. People with brown hair have lots of eumelanin-producing genes and very few genes triggering the production of pheomelanin. Where your ancestors are from may determine if you have dark brown or light brown hair. 

Individuals who trace their ancestry to Northern and Central Europe usually have light brown hair, while those who trace their ancestry to other places typically have darker brown hair. 

The darkest brown is officially called the deepest brunette, which may appear black at a distance. The lightest brown is called maple brown because of its similarity to the color of maple syrup.

Gray

You may have heard that stress causes your hair to turn gray, but that is a lie. Once a hair follicle produces hair, that hair will stay that color unless you dye your hair. Instead, gray hair is caused by a lack of pigmentation in the cells producing the hair follicle.

Woman sofa tablet

As some people age, their body naturally produces less pigmentation, so the hair has less color. Therefore, the lack of color makes some people’s hair appear gray while others appear silver or white. Some illnesses, including thyroid and certain kinds of sclerosis, can cause gray hair.

Blonde

Babies born with blonde hair often discover that their hair becomes darker over time. While researchers are not totally sure, they believe that as children age, the body produces more specific proteins, causing this change. 

Less than 16% of the population stays naturally blonde into adulthood, and they have one small genetic mutation in their bodies. Hair stylists know that there are more than 30 shades of natural blonde. Blonde hair is usually finer, but the average person with blonde hair also has more hair strands on average.

Red

There is only a 25% chance that you will have red-headed offspring without having red hair yourself. It takes a special mutation of the MC1R gene in both parents to produce red-headed kids. If you have red hair and want to go to a different color, you need to work with an experienced stylist because your hair must be stripped before it will accept the new color. 

The average redhead has 140,000 strands of hair, so think about this when choosing how you want to wear your hair. Options for thin hair are unlikely to work for you. The pigmentation in the genes of people with red hair means they will never go gray, although their color may fade.

White

While many people develop white hair as there is less pigmentation in their genes, some people are born with white hair. Two different conditions can cause this to happen. Albinism results in white hair, very pale skin, and light blue or light brown eyes. 

People born with poliosis have a patch of white hair, usually from birth. Some people develop this condition later in life. It can be caused by genetics, an autoimmune disease, or damage to the hair follicles. Some people only have a few strands of white hair, while others can be born with almost an entire head of white hair.


Are you ready to get your hair cut? I will offer different suggestions for men and women in the next chapter. Therefore, I encourage you to keep reading. While talking about these different styles, I will try to suggest who they fit best.

Hairstyles

At this point, you may be wondering what haircuts work best with your type of hair. Never fear. I am here to help you. While it would be impossible to name all the possibilities, I have included classic cuts that you will want to consider.

The reason that I chose classic cuts is that they are timeless, and they usually serve as the basis for trendier cuts. I have included options for men and women, so be sure to read the list that applies to you. You will want to read the opposite list so that you can give great advice to a friend.

While some decisions are made for you based on your hair’s genetic makeup, you can find many options. Do not forget that you can always choose to get your hair dyed a different color, and you can also choose to have highlights put in your hair.

One thing to remember when you think about dying your hair is that your hair needs to be in excellent condition. Feeding it the proper nutrients and using the right products can help. Additionally, if you use heat treatments on your hair, ensure you take the appropriate steps to protect it, as they can dry your hair.

Women’s hairstyles

Here are top women’s hairstyles:

Shag

The shag haircut consists of many feathered layers. Therefore, it is ideal for people who have medium to thick hair. While you can find some long shag options, most stop about the shoulders.

This cut is great for many hair textures, from straight to curly. It is not always an ideal cut for people with thin or fine hair as the layers may not be thick enough.

Woman behind hair
Source: Anna Demianenko on Unsplash

There are almost uncountable ways to wear this haircut. You can go very short, like a pixie cut, and wear the top longer while cropping the sides tightly. You can also wear it short with bangs on the front. 

On the opposite end of the length spectrum, you can have the layers cut longer and wear them with curtain bangs. You can incorporate soft waves into the look if you wear it long.

Pixie

If you are looking for a short hairstyle, a pixie cut may be ideal as the hair is generally left shorter than 3 inches. As I already mentioned, you can have a short shaggy cut, but there are many other options. 

For example, keeping the sides longer than a traditional pixie cut is a great way to add volume for those with thin or fine hair. Your hair can also look like it has more volume if you go with a feathered cut. 

You can add extra definition to your hair’s looks by adding highlights. The short length of this cut makes it ideal for those women wanting to try a new hair color as it will not take long to grow out if you hate the color. 

If life leaves you short on time to fix your hair or you just like that extra 10 minutes of sleep, a disheveled pixie can be an excellent option for you.

Ponytails

While long hair is most common for ponytails, other options are available. For instance, if your hair is medium length, consider pulling the sides together in the back and letting it rest on top of your bottom layer. 

You may also want to make a ponytail only on top of your head. If you have fine hair, consider using a spiral hair tie, as they are less likely to break your hair.

While ponytails are often worn for a casual look, there are many ways to updo a ponytail. Ponytails placed lower on the head are ideal for all-day events, while those set higher put more tension on your head. 

You can wrap all types of things, including flowers and pearls, around a ponytail to make it look fancier. If you have extremely long hair, consider wrapping it around your head and securing it with bobby pins.

Bobs

A bob cut may be ideal if you want to wear your hair short to medium. In this cut, the hair is typically cut straight around the head at jaw level, but you can find many variations. This cut is usually worn with curtain bangs, but other choices can easily be accommodated.

You may consider an inverted bob with stacked layers in the back and more curvy lines in the front. If you are particularly fond of one of your face’s features, then get an angular bob that points right at it to draw attention to it naturally. 

A layered bob is an excellent choice for women with thick hair because the cut eliminates most of the weight of your hair. Another fabulous choice is an asymmetrical bob because it will add a dramatic flair to your hair. Regardless of your final choice, these haircuts are low maintenance and look perfect on almost everyone.

Beach waves

Beached waves are relaxed curls that work exceptionally well for many women who want to add some texture to their hair. This style adds volume and movement to your hair, making it an ideal cut for those with thin hair. This is not a hands-off hairstyle, however, so be sure you are ready to commit to styling your hair.

Women with medium to long hair can easily wear this style but ensure you take steps to lock in moisture, especially if your hair tends to be dry anyway. You may want to put your hair in buns at your neck’s nape and let it air dry before taking down the buns. 

You can also choose to create them the night before using hair ties before you go to bed. Otherwise, you can use a flat iron or straightener to create the waves.

Braids

Another hairstyle that works great for medium and long hair are braids. Women with short hair can also create short braids in their hair, especially if they have longer bangs. The incredible number of ways to wear braids means you may turn to this hairstyle often.

There are four basic types of braids, but almost an endless variety of ways to wear those options. One choice is the classical three-strand braid. Start the braid near your face by using a French braid. If you have thinner hair, consider tugging at this option to make it look more voluminous. 

A third option is a Dutch braid. When forming this hairstyle, cross the strands under instead of over. If you need to go somewhere special, a fisherman’s braid is an excellent choice because of its intricate appearance.

Afros

Often worn by women of color, this tightly curled hairstyle sticks away from the head. If you do not want your hair sticking out all over, consider an afro ponytail, where you slick back your hair to the crown before the afro starts. 

While traditionally, afros have no part, you can choose to wear it parted on one side or in the middle to create a unique hairstyle. This can be an ideal wash-and-go hairstyle, and you can select the length from cropped to long. Another option is to taper the sides so that the afro is only on top of your head.

Using a serum before you fix your hair can be vital to keeping it styled the way you want it, regardless of the humidity level. Using a leave-in conditioner before styling your hair can also help.

Buns

Many women wonder where they would be daily without the ability to throw their hair up in a messy bun, but there are many other choices. An easy option that can be done with just a little mousse and a comb or brush is a high bun that perches on top of your head.

Woman posing street bun sunglasses

Wrap some pretty crystals around it and have a perfect updo with your hair out of your face. For a little more casual vibe, consider a bun using only part of your hair while leaving the rest down. Women with longer hair may want to use a texturizing spray to create a top knot. 

Braiding your hair and putting it in a low bun is an excellent look for the office, or wrap a pretty ribbon around it for a more casual look. While women with straight hair often prefer this hairstyle, if you are blessed with curly hair, consider a curly messy bun.

Most women stop with just one bun, but you can make multiple small ones or wear one on each side of your head. This is ideal for medium-length hair, where all your hair will not quite come together yet.

Lob

If you love to wear your hair about your shoulders, a lob, essentially a long bob, may be a great choice. This cut is universally flattering because there are many ways to wear this hairstyle. Most end somewhere between your chin and your shoulders. 

The right tweaks can make this haircut look fantastic on any age woman. You can easily make this hairstyle your own by adding accessories or dying your hair. While many lobs have center parts, you can opt for side parts. Adding big waves or curls is ideal if you want a youthful look.

A layered bob may be a great choice if your hair is curly because it will add dimension to it. Women with fine or thin hair need to consider a blunt lob because it adds volume to their hair. Long lobs ending about the collarbone will make your face look slimmer.

Quiff

Women looking for an edgy hairstyle may want to consider a quiff. This cut takes the hair from the front and pushes it backward while adding height. The hair on the sides and back is left very short. Usually, the hair at the top of your head is left about 3 inches long, and there is typically a fade in the back. 

To maintain this hairstyle, you may need to get your hair trimmed about every three weeks. While women with round faces look great in this cut because it helps to elongate their faces. The thinner the face, the better this look will appear on you. This cut is an excellent option for women who want to wear short or medium-length hair.

While most quiffs have clean sides, you may also want to consider an undercut. Traditionally, this cut has a connected appearance, but a more modern twist is to give it a disconnected look with longer hair that appears out of nowhere on top of the head.

Mohawk

If you are into punk or grunge aesthetics, consider punk mohawk. There are many styles of mohawks to consider. You may want to go with a clean mohawk, where the sides are neatly trimmed, and the top is about 2 inches long. 

Traditionally, mohawks are spiked haircuts, but you can also opt to brush the hair back away from your forehead without adding much height. A textured mohawk is a fantastic option for women who want to add volume to their center part. 

You can also add a design in this area rather than going with clean-shaven sides. The longer you leave the top, the easier it is to transition to a different hairstyle if you decide this look is not for you.

Of course, you can always choose to dye your mohawk. You can choose from various colors and decide if you want just the top dyed or an all-over dye job. You can also opt to dye different parts of your hair different shades.

Men’s hairstyles

Men’s hairstyles matter too. Your hair can significantly change your appearance and how others perceive you. Chances are you’ll look handsome and give a great impression. Here are the most common hairstyles for men:

The fade

The fade is a hairstyle cut extremely close in the back and on the sides and gradually can become almost any length on top. There are an incredible number of ways that this hairstyle can be cut. For example, the longer hair can be deeply parted and pulled across the top of the head. 

The style can also be cut with a low fade, and the hair is left much longer on the top. You may also want to consider a mohawk fade where the hair is kept spiky on top of the head and almost nonexistent on the sides. Another popular option is a crew cut fade, but I will have more to say about crew cuts in a moment.

If your hair is fine or thin, consider a drop fade. The fade occurs behind the ears, so the hair on top of the head looks particularly full and lush. Alternatively, a burst fade may be ideal if you are thinking of going with a mohawk but are not ready to spike your hair.

The undercut

If you love your face’s structure and want short hair, an undercut may be an ideal haircut for you. Like the fade, the sides and back are kept short, so the top of your hair looks voluminous. The difference between a fade and an undercut is that with an undercut, the change happens all at once, while with a fade, it happens more gradually. 

For the most part, hair is slicked back with an undercut while it is left more upright with a fade. Generally, hair on top of the head is left 4 to 6 inches long with an undercut.

The disconnect between the different hair parts can be pretty striking, but to get the best effect, you must commit to getting your hair cut about every three weeks. This is an ideal cut for men with thinning hair or who did not have much hair in the first place.

Buzz cut

A buzz cut may be an ideal choice if you love very short hair. This hairstyle is named after an electric razor’s sound when shaving off all your hair. The length of the hair is kept the same over the entire head. This style became popular in the late 19th century when the first electric razor was invented. 

Militaries around the world often use it because it is a quick haircut to give. This is a fantastic option for men with medium or thick hair, but you may see patches of skin between hair in those who have fewer hair follicles. Many men love this cut because it is easy to do at home, so you can skip hair appointments.

Remember that if you were born with a lumpy head or had a few adventures that have caused lumps or indents on your scalp, they will easily show.

Blowout

At its simplest, a blowout is simply blow-drying your hair without special tools, like a curling iron or a straightener. You can expect a blowout to last until you need to wash your hair again, which depends on many factors. 

This cut is especially an excellent choice for people who have coily or wavy hair because you are working with its natural texture instead of trying to fight it. This style will last longer if you keep from getting it wet and sleep on a satin pillowcase. 

While you may need to diffuse the hot air or turn down the temperature, hair dryers will not damage your hair like other styling tools do, but you should still wash and condition your hair regularly.

These haircuts give you a natural appearance and are not designed for people who want each lock of their hair to be perfectly in place. The most common look is to keep the top relatively short and taper your hair’s length on the sides and back.

Flattop

A flattop hairstyle is a type of haircut where the hair on the top of the head is designed to look flat when viewed from the side or the front. Typically, the hair on the front and top of the head is all cut the same length before the hair on the back of the head is tapered. 

Woman hairdresser cutting mans hair

The side and back hair can also be cut very short or left much longer than the hair on top of the head. While certain straight hair types may not need to use grooming products, usually wax pomade is used so that the hair on top of the head stands straight up.

Depending on the shape of your head and other factors, the sides of your head can have a boxy appearance with or without rounded corners. Generally, this style requires that a man wash and blow-dry his hair before using products to achieve the desired look.

Crew cut

This style with longer hair on the top and shaved sides came out of the 1930s when rowing teams at Ivy League schools chose to wear their hair in this style. The hair is left longer than a buzz cut, but it is still a short hairstyle. 

In a crew cut, the hair on the top of the head can be a uniform length or cut slightly longer in the front and shorter in the back. When the hair on top of the head is cut uniformly in length, this cut is often called a butch cut. If you have a round face, taking the face slightly higher will make it appear more oval.

This haircut is ideal for men with thicker hair that wants to stand up naturally. Generally, the hairstylist will cut the back and sides of the hair first before cutting the top to give a uniform, cohesive appearance. In many cases, the hair on top of the head is left about 1.5 inches long, while the back and sides of the hair are cut to about 0.5 inches long.

Cornrows

The hairstylist braids and plaits the hair to form geometric patterns when making cornrows. Traditionally, this hairstyle has neat rows of braids perfectly lined up, but many stylists have abandoned that method and started creating artwork with the braids. 

This style protects the hair, making it an excellent option for men who want to grow their hair out. Generally, cornrows will last about four weeks, but with extra care, you can get them to last up to 12 weeks.

This hairstyle, dating back to Ancient Africa, is often worn by athletes because it helps keep their hair out of the way while playing. The hair can be braided using many techniques, so men can choose to have big cornrows or very tiny ones. Of course, the more hair you have, the bigger the cornrows will naturally be.

Slick back

Thick and thin hair work equally well for a slick back hairstyle. This style also works well with straight or slightly wavy hair, but it does not work well for men with unruly hair. Some men find that using a good pomade helps them maintain the look when their hair does not want to behave. 

This hairstyle, where the hair is pulled from the front towards the back of the head, works well for all face shapes. You can choose how long you want to wear your hair.

To achieve the slick back look, start with towel-dried hair. Before you use the comb, work about a nickel-size gob of pomade into your hair. Then, use a good-quality comb to slick back your hair smoothly. You can also use your fingers to slick back your hair if you prefer a messier look.

Fringe

A fringe haircut incorporates bangs, and there are many ways to wear this style. An angular fringe is a perfect option for framing your face. The bangs are usually left longer in the front than on the sides and can be swept to either side. You may want to use pomade to give your bangs some texture. 

Again, you can sweep them to the side or wear them straight down, but you must decide before the stylist cuts your hair. A French crop can be incorporated into many hairstyles, and it is a super option when you want to camouflage the size of your forehead.

Man posing hands together bangs

One consideration that you will want to think about is how long you want your bangs to be. If you have wavy, curly, or coily hair, consider leaving them longer, as they will add visual interest to your face.


I hope you have enjoyed learning about these different hairstyles. In the next chapter, I will share some concluding thoughts. Therefore, I encourage you to keep reading. Besides, reading the next part should take a couple of minutes, so finish this post before racing off to get your hair cut.

Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed this post. While deciding which hairstyle fits your unique DNA the best, look at our other fashion posts, as each contains beneficial information.

We all have that friend who would look super in a different hairstyle. Please share this post with them as it might encourage them to try something new without you seeming to be pushy.

I know that we have covered a lot of material. If you have any questions, be sure to ask them. It is the way that we all learn.

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