Most people say it’s your footwear that is the first thing people fix their eyes on – but we’d argue, given it’s location on the body, it’s your hair. And, unlike a subpar pair of brogues or some battered white leather sneakers, you can’t easily slip out of a questionable hairstyle.
With that in mind, it pays to get acquainted with a classic men’s haircut ahead of your next visit to the chair. Like these three, chosen by the UK’s best barbers, that promise to work for just about anyone, and won’t fall hopelessly out of favour six months down the line.
1. THE FRENCH CROP
The white T-shirt of haircuts, the French crop is a style that suits most face shapes but is particularly ideal for men going thinner on top. Since you’re taking the hair forward slightly here, leaving length in the fringe can help to cover any receding patches. It’s a low-maintenance style perfect for someone in and out of the gym or swimming pool, as you can wear it without any styling product, just letting it fall naturally into place. If, however, you do want to use product, try a little hairspray, as the French crop is one of those men’s haircuts that’s meant to be left natural. The upkeep with this cut isn’t in styling but in making a point of getting it trimmed every three or so weeks.
2. THE BUZZ CUT
The buzz cut is a timeless style. But to really make it work, you need to have a great shaped head (a noggin like Ryan Gosling’s or Christian Bale’s, for example). Named after the sound they make, it stands to reason that the look is achieved using clippers, however there are less severe alternatives for those not blessed with a square jaw and perfectly proportionate head. If that’s you, go for a shape that is slightly square all over [clippered at the sides], with a little more length on the top. Scissor over comb is the Pankhurst technique and I’d highly recommend this rather than clippers exclusively. By cutting, you can work with the shape of the head to make the overall cut more flattering. A good barber will take everything he knows about you into account, from your personality to your style to your day-to-day living, to provide a cut that suits you. Remember you wear your haircut 24/7, so it needs to work for all scenarios.
3. THE SLICK BACK
The modern slick back first made an impact in the 1920s. At the time, it was useful to have a hairstyle that wouldn’t be messed up when wearing a hat (a status symbol and indicator of one’s class around the early 20th century). Since then, it has become a timeless classic. Straight hair is best for this – the more curl you have, the harder it is to slick back properly. As for what face shape suits this style, it’s pretty versatile, as it will allow facial features (like beards, moustaches) to be more prominent, with the hair essentially framing the face. Unfortunately, for those with a receding hairline, the slick back look won’t be ideal as it’ll make recession far more prominent. The back and sides need to be tapered, natural and fairly tight, with graduation up to the slightly heavier top. If you’re going for an undercut, there needs to be a disconnection here, but blending would be a better option for finer hair. To style, blow-dry the hair back (if you have hair that grows forward, this will take longer) – bear in mind it takes practice to do this effectively. For a traditional slick look, use a water-based pomade and comb through when damp, or try a matte paste for a softer, more contemporary finish.
