This article/video is a 3-parter, where I also cover the best hairstyles for your face shape as well as more in-depth videos/articles for each of the hair types. Think of this article as more of a general overview, so definitely don’t miss the specific hair type articles/videos, as well.
Straight or Wavy Hair
You can pretty much go with any hairstyle. I’ll always prefer a shorter, more put-together style, as do the professionals I spoke with. However, as long as your hair looks clean, healthy, and like it’s been cut semi-recently, any length can look good – provided it fits your face shape.
I do want to point out that it was pretty unanimous that the quiff (center picture above) is best because it’s very versatile and allows you to do a messy or more polished hairstyle. As for length, like I mentioned in my best hairstyles for your face shape article/video, on the shorter side looks great and gives you some flexibility in how you style it. The longer you go and it pretty much relegates you to not being able to style it much aside from having some layers cut into it and letting it do it’s thing.
If you go with a longer style and you’ve got straight hair, then just make sure to get some layers in there so it doesn’t lay flat like a dead rug – as someone with straight, asian hair, this is a problem I have too! Remember though, depending on your face shape, a longer hairstyle may not be best for you.
Curly or Coarse/Kinky Hair
For all you curly, coarse or kinky haired guys, you’ve really got two ways to go – either go for sharp and short, or long and kind of tamed. It really depends on your preference. I always lean toward a shorter, sharper hairstyle because my clients with these hair types always look significantly better with shorter hair styles and they’re also easier to style and maintain.
So for curly hair, a quiff that’s 2-3 inches long on top looks amazing (left picture). This gives you the option to use some light product and have the finger combed look, where your curls are more embraced or throw some heavier product in it and go for a sharper, combed look.
For coarse or kinky hair, there’s nothing better than a temple fade (center image) with a little longer hair on top. This is straight fiyah! I like a little bit of volume on top and short on the sides. You can also go with a closely shaved haircut for convenience.
If you do want to go with a longer hairstyle, then you need to consider your face shape. I talked more about this in the best hairstyles for your face shape article/video.
Thinning or Balding Hair
If you’re in the early stages of thinning with a receding hairline, then stick to longer on top with layers and shorter on the sides and do a sort of messy look. How long and short you go depends on your face shape, though.
Like I mentioned in my shampoo and conditioner article/video, use a thickening shampoo and get a layered haircut to help create more volume and hide more of your scalp.
Also, for styling, please, please don’t use gel products because it’ll clump your hair together (as shown in the video at the top) and reveal more of your scalp – this actually shines a spotlight on the issue. The best products for you are mentioned in my article specifically about the best products for your hair type.
Whatever you do, though, don’t do the combed forward style. It looks terrible and doesn’t do a great job of masking the problem – it actually draws attention to it. If that’s all you can do to cover up your pretty significant receding hairline, then it’s time to embrace it and go for the closely shaved look which I’ll get into in a second.
If you’re balding just in the back, go longer on top, shorter on the sides and comb your hair back over the bald spot to hide it better.
If you can easily see your scalp or your bald spot is pretty severe or you just don’t want to bother with the hairstyles I mentioned, then it’s time to embrace it and go for a buzzed look with a 1 or 2 attachment on the clippers all around.
A balding man who is confident enough to own this style and do the best with the hair that he’s got is actually sexy. Jason Statham is the shining example of how to embrace your balding hair. You’ll look much better, regardless of your face shape, I promise.
As for the full-on razored bald look, it heavily depends on your face shape, but I think a super short buzz cut looks better in general and is much easier to maintain without nicks or razor bumps on your head. The full bald look is best on men with square or oblong face shapes, otherwise, just go for the super short hair version.
I hope that helps!