How to Style Men's Hair: A Guide

Every guy wants a great head of hair, and that starts with a great haircut. But what happens once you get that great cut and have to style it yourself at home? It’s not always easy to recreate what the barber or stylist does when you leave the chair. But styling your own hair doesn’t have to be intimidating or the reason you don’t get that funky new cut. With the right tips and products, styling your hair can be a breeze, no matter what your hair type. If you’re ready for your best hair ever, you’ve come to the right place, because this is the ultimate guide to styling men’s hair.

Choosing the right hair products, specifically shampoo and conditioner, can make a world of difference in the health and appearance of men’s hair. With so many different formulas available, it's a must that you tailor your hair care routine to your specific hair type. Whether you have curly, straight, oily, or dry hair, understanding your hair's unique characteristics is the key to selecting the perfect products that will leave your hair looking and feeling its best.

Styling your hair starts in the shower, so the shampoo you use matters. Knowing your hair type and using a shampoo designed for it can make a huge difference. Certain hair types benefit from certain ingredients. For example, LOVE Curl Shampoo for curly and wavy hair contains all-natural active ingredients to enhance the volume and texture of curls or wavy hair; VOLU Shampoo for fine hair gives immediate body and volume to flat strands; and MOMO is a moisturizing shampoo for dry hair. Then occasionally add in a detoxifying mud hair mask before shampooing to remove product buildup and impurities from your hair and scalp.

If you’re not using conditioner after every shampoo, you’re risking potential damage to your strands. Conditioners replenish the lost moisture and oils that can be stripped away by shampoo. Always use conditioner after shampooing to keep your hair healthy, especially if you have hair that’s longer than three inches. Just like with shampoo, use a conditioner that corresponds to your hair type.

Identifying your hair type is crucial to attaining your best hair. Is your hair straight, wavy, curly or coily? Knowing this fundamental characteristic lays the groundwork for finding the right products and styling techniques. The next step is understanding the unique texture of your hair—whether it's fine, medium, or coarse. Fine hair requires different styling approaches than its coarser counterparts, and tailoring your routine to your specific texture gives you optimal results.

Many men don’t think about blow drying their hair — but they should! Not only is blow drying your hair a great way to tame frizz, but it also lays the groundwork for using pomades and waxes, (which will only adhere to and shape your hair if it's completely dry). Blow drying can also add volume to thinner hair that needs a boost. It might be intimidating to ask, “How do I blow dry my hair?" so we’re breaking it down below.

The most important thing to do before any kind of heat styling is to apply a heat serum to your strands. These types of heat protectants minimize hair damage caused by the heat from styling tools like curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers. A heat serum adds a protective layer to your hair, sealing in moisture and smoothing the cuticle to keep it safe.

Use a round boar bristle brush. While vented metal round brushes are good for heat reinforcement while styling, boar bristle brushes are firmer and denser and create more tension when pulling the hair, which creates more volume and lift in the end.

The point of blow-drying is to use heat to set the hair where you want it. Pay attention to the airflow and point the dryer in the direction you want your hair to go. Think of your blow dry as directing your hair the way you want it.

A time-tested hairstyle that looks good on pretty much every guy is a parted cut. Not only are these styles versatile—working well for both formal occasions and casual outings—but they're easy to style and maintain for any hair length. Here are some of our favorites with hair styling tips.

Get the look by creating a side part and combing one side over, leaving the other side to fall naturally. Secure it in place using a pomade.

Unlike a traditional side part, a pompadour sweeps your strands subtly to one side. This haircut works best on medium to long hair with hair gel. Using a hair dryer to style a pompadour will give it long-lasting shape and volume.

The middle part undercut is a cleaner version of the classic middle part cut. It’s short and sleek, with a long fringe and closely cut underneath on the sides. With this style, the hair on the top is longer than the hair on the sides and there’s no definitive blend when split down the middle.

The blunt cut middle part looks best on straight, thick hair. But you can still rock it with curls or waves; you’ll just want to use a straightener to straighten your strands first. This mid-length cut is long enough to be modern but still manages to be a classic look.

Short haircuts are the go-to for most guys. There is just something satisfying about leaving the barber with a clean and fresh look. Plus, shorter hair holds volume better and gives the illusion that there’s more than there is, so if your hair is thinning, a shortcut can help. Here are some of our favorites.

The bald fade is a cut that really works on guys with curly or natural hair. If you're asking yourself, “How do I style short, curly hair?” Try a low bald fade for a subtle, low-key look or a high bald fade for contrast.

A buzz cut is identifiable by its ultra-short length, cut close to the head with electric clippers. Buzz cuts are super easy to wear and maintain. They require no styling and a quick trim when the length starts to grow.

A crew cut is a haircut where the hair on the top of the head is cut short and the sides are tapered even shorter to create a neat and tidy appearance. This one also requires little to no styling because of its length.

Long hair might seem intimidating, but If you have the accessibility to grow it, it’s actually pretty low maintenance. Just keep in mind that longer hair needs extra hydration and nourishment to keep it from looking frizzy, so keep a replenishing cream on hand to smooth split ends and . If you're considering longer lengths, choose a style that corresponds to your hair type. In general, long hair looks best on guys with medium to thick hair. If this is you and you’re wondering, “How do I style my thick hair?” Besides rocking it in ponytails, try one of these longer haircuts.

The curtain haircut features a long fringe parted down the middle, with shorter hair all around the sides. The look resembles a curtain, hence the name. Curtains work on all hair types and face shapes and they’re easy to maintain. To style, use dry wax to hold your curtains in place.

Adding a fringe to any hairstyle can completely transform your look. If you like the idea of longer hair but aren’t fully committed, try a long fringe. Choose between front bangs for a Caesar-like cut or a side-swept fringe for a retro 90s vibe.

If you have a more coarse hair texture and want to go long, consider a protective style like locs. Locs can be as thin or as thick as you want and can be created by twisting wet hair into tight ringlets or by visiting your local location, a hair stylist who specializes in locs. 

A mohawk features a strip of long hair running from the hairline to the back of the head and contrasting short sides. Long favored by punks and rockers, the mohawk is a great men’s style for making a statement.

From pomade to mousse, dry shampoo and hair spray, styling products add varying degrees of hold, texture, volume, and shine to your hair. Pomade is a great option for all hair types and can be used by men with thin and thick hair. Hair wax is a great option for men with thicker hair that has a natural lift and holds on its own. Like wax, hair clay is ideal for creating textured styles but is better for men with thinner, straighter hair that tends to fall flat. Hair putty is ideal for men going for a casual, easy-going style. And unlike pomade, it adds texture and some movement. The paste is good for almost every hairstyle, and you only need a small amount of paste to get the style and hold you desire. One of the main benefits of styling cream is that it gives medium to long hair a healthier look and a natural-looking shine. It is easily among the best men’s products for thin hair.  

Styling your own hair doesn’t have to be intimidating. With our men’s hair styling tips and the right product picks, you’ll have your best hair in no time, regardless of your hair type. Looking for thickening styling products to add into your hair care routine? We have lots of options for thickening products when it comes to styling. We suggest starting with a thickening shampoo from our enriching Energizing line for hair loss. Energize treats hair loss starting at the scalp with enriching formulas that stimulate circulation to prevent hair loss. The line also features a serum, thickening tonic and leave-in treatment gel. All of our formulas are free of harmful toxins, use many natural ingredients, and are made with renewable energy and packaging that minimizes the environmental impact. Have more questions about your hair? Book an appointment with a stylist near you, for an assessment and custom treatment plan.

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor