Google Image Search “best men's haircuts 2019” and you’ll probably get a lot of airbrushed-looking white dudes with extremely precious high fades. For the record: that is not the correct answer. Do not start straight ironing your quiff. That is the Internet being crazy and the grooming industry holding onto a popular haircut for a few years too many, as it tends to do (see: every glamour shot at your salon or barbershop). If you want to bring your hair into 2019 you’re going to go in the opposite direction and grow it long, groom it less, and not watch 870 YouTube vibes before dyeing your hair (just do it and see what happens). Today’s best looks are natural, wild, and bada** in a way that is crummy for Instagram but amazing in photos. Essentially, hair is finally fun again. Those beautiful quiff boys are missing the party but you, savvy reader, are not.
Rock God Rings
The ultra-groomed high fade heyday is over but that doesn’t mean one of the most popular men's haircuts is dead altogether. One way to modernize the cut is to let the length on top wave and curl up as nature intended (if you sneak a curling iron in there, we won’t judge). Don’t be quite as precious with the sides either and the whole style will take on a whole new vibe while still looking just as great from the sides as the tidier version.
The Twisted Afro
Big hair, long hair, let-it-do-whatever-it-wants hair is very much the grooming vibe right now. If you’ve been blessed with coarse strands, an afro that isn’t meticulously picked out but is artfully twisted up at the ends is a very stylish move. Be sure to find your light like a musician on stage to amplify the shape and texture you’re working with. Throw in a little face scruff and some visible chest hair you’re a full-on ‘70s god.
The Brownout
Stylish guys have been all about the bleach-blonde dye job for the better part of a decade. While there’s still a fair amount of it going on (see: Jonah Hill’s latest dip into the peroxide pool), just as many men have been going in the opposite direction by dyeing their hair super dark instead. The look is very Billie Joe Armstrong in a good way, not to mention cheaper to execute and kinder to your strands.
The Effed-Up Buzz-Cut
Let’s say your hair is straight and fine and doesn’t do anything unless you tell it to. In that case, you can fake messiness and character by going for a short crop or buzz-cut that isn’t so perfect. Leave a millimeter or two of extra length in front, don’t trim down your cowlicks, and use little in the way of product and you’re going to feel like a grooming badass—even in a nice suit.
The New Wave Fade
Even edgier than that would be to take the line of your fade a bit lower, and cut your hair on top a bit shorter, then dye it an unnatural color and let it get all dirty and textured. If your hair is fine this spin on the fade is great, since it doesn’t require too much from your strands but still makes a statement. Bonus badass points if you have jet black eyebrows, neck ink, and dabble in women’s fashion too.
All of the Curls
And if your natural texture is very curly but not coarse, do almost same thing and let it grow out a bit all around. Instead of twisting in definition to give it shape just let your natural ringlets do their thing. The best is if you can resist the urge to smooth out the sides with hair product. Sideburn curls will make you feel (and look) like a kid again.
The Hot Fuzz
“I haven’t really touched it in weeks” texture had a moment this summer that we appreciated because it represented the carefree, out-every-night fun that is that time of year. Whether you feel comfortable living this messy is a matter of your personal style and also your employment status, but we’re here for it if you decide that’s you. Fuzz it up, whether you’ve got blonde surfer hair, layered braids, or something in the middle.
The Serpico Redux (a.k.a. The Jackson Maine)
The ‘70s can’t stop, won’t stop inspiring stylish men. We’re not going to claim the “Serpico” look—big beard, layered shag, aviator frames—was officially popular, but there were more than a few guys swaggy enough to rock the look, especially after a certain Bradley Cooper directed flick took off. If you want to go big in 2019, spend some QT with a hair stylist and allow him or her to give you more layers than a wedding cake. Then invest in a blow-dryer.
Slippery When Wet
Miss the days when haircut precision and grooming products really, really mattered? There’s a 2019 haircut for you too. Try a layered, medium length cut that’s nice and tidy on the sides and shine-serum it up. We’re talking a silver-dollar sized squirt and possibly a re-application that night too. The more you futz with it, the better and greasier it’s going to look.
