With so many trending hairstyles emerging in 2021 already, you’ll be thrilled to find out which haircuts are set to be popping off in the upcoming year.

A new chapter is set to start in 2022 and bringing along with it are fresh ideas for men’s hairstyles. Since gender-fluid looks are on the rise, expect to see shags, mullets, ‘90s curtain hairstyles, and a mix of the extremes – long or super short hair.

From daring cuts to bold colors and all sorts of lengths and styles, men’s beauty is taking a trip on the wild side. Inspired by 90s era fashion, the next season will give you sweet nostalgia.
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Keep scrolling to discover the biggest hair trends for men that will dominate in 2022.

Mullets

One of the most iconic men’s hairstyles of the ’80s aka the mullet is still going strong in 2022. This look is all about business in the front, party at the back!
If you find yourself on the more wild side and you like experimenting with new haircuts, then this is for you.

Short at the front, shorter at the sides, and long at the back, the modern mullet hairstyle stands out for its eye-catching shape and laidback vibe.

For a more refined take, ask for a mullet with a low fade on the sides, or if you’re bold enough embrace neon colors and acid pops in shades of lime green, magenta, and blue.
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Having bright-colored hair can be approved far easy to style up with neutral outfit.

Buzz Cut

In many SS/2022 fashion shows, designers gave us a little taste of the new upcoming grooming trends, including buzz cuts in many versions.

You can go for a buzz fade, shorter on the top and fade up into the sides or try geometric lines in the front and/or on the sides.

This is a great choice if you have thin hair or you’re starting to bald and you want a no-fuss haircut with minimal effort.
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When you have a buzz cut, it’s actually a nice way to grow a little bit of stubble beard on your face to balance out the short haircut.

Again, for all the trend-conscious men who want to add more flare to their hairstyle, a great option is to dye the buzzed hair in pastel hues or vivid colors. But remember it’s important to maintain the color to avoid getting brassy.

Bro Flow 

The bro flow is still gaining popularity and is injecting a new kind of attitude into men’s hair. It is suitable for men with thick medium-length hair, who want a low-maintenance hairstyle.

Giving a relaxed and rugged vibe, the classic bro flow tends to feature waves that curl back off of the face and neck. If your natural hair is a bit wavy, this haircut will look great on you!
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However, if you don’t have wavy hair, you can create this look using a sea salt spray or texturizer.

Natural Curls

The next season of 2022 is all about embracing a more natural look to an otherwise classic hairstyle. Men with natural curls can show how cool and sexy curly hair can be.

Whether you prefer short sides and back and curly hair on top or a curly hair mullet, remember to build volume up top.

Rudolph Valentino 

Coming from the 1920s, this hairstyle was very popular back then. The name comes from the Italian-American actor and fashion icon Rudolph Valentino, who kept his hair back, tight and ultra-glossy, whipped up into a perfect side parting. 

A modern take on this hairstyle is a short cut with a side or a middle parting that will make you look super neat and polished. If you have strong features, this may be the perfect hairstyle for you in 2022. ​

Shag

The men’s shag hairstyle is predicted to be huge in 2022. Coming in different variations, from short, long, layered, or tousled, with bangs, waves, curls, or sideburns.

It’s been a hairy year in more ways than one. Australia has seen influencers growing mustaches, civilians mimicking Chris Hemsworth’s lockdown beard and various other bizarre grooming trends as a result of all the extra time we’ve now got at home.

Reaching fever pitch, Matt Damon this week shocked American fans by stepping out with a ‘dirty’ Australian haircut last popular in Europe and America in the middle ages. Suffice to say, we thought the world of male grooming couldn’t get any crazier.

How wrong we were… enter the skullet.

Taking the cake for the most ‘confronting’ quiff this year is ‘the dusty’ (also known as ‘the skullet’). What’s that, you might ask? A haircut that looks like an elbow (essentially, a version of the mullet, but with the top either fully shaved or extra short).

Rocked two years ago by Richemond Midfielder/Forward Dustin Martin, ‘the dusty’ is now sweeping the country (as are mullets more generally, inspired by icons like professional surfer Mikey Wright), proving once again how long it takes for a bold new look to filter down to the mainstream after initially being laughed at.
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It’s not just Gold Coast groms and aspiring AFL players getting in on the action either, with DMARGE this week capturing a couple of young kings rocking ‘the dusty’ whilst ambling around south Sydney.

Though the snobs might recoil at such a cut, others – like Sydney barbershop owner Jacob Martin (proprietor of Tate & Lyle) say it could be evidence that Australian men are paying more attention to their mental health, with the ‘mullets for mental health’ month having just come to a conclusion.

As for the ‘finer’ details of the skullet cut itself, Mr. Martin said, “AFL players seem to treat dirtiness like a trophy… [but] at least the mullet section has straight lines.”

In regards to rocking this look for yourself: “the dirtier the skullet, the better.”

We didn’t stop there. Adam Walmsley, the owner from an inner Sydney salon, Friends & Family, was equally as perplexed by this ongoing trend.

“I’m not sure myself….is it part of the skullet family?”, Adam commented. Turns out Adam was the winner with the ‘skullet’ being the most logical answer.
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Wikipedia confirms this is the case, explaining the “skullet (plural skullets)” is “a more extreme form of the mullet hairstyle, in which the hair at the back is kept long, whilst the hair on the top and the sides is shaven in a buzzcut or skinhead style.”

Even if it may be intrinsically associated with having ‘a rude head’, we’d argue men should be able to snipper their skulls however they want, and not obsess about what others think. Indeed, half the ‘cool’ factor of a new haircut trend (whether its a Faux Viking Hipster Undercut or a Peaky Blinders Special) is in its rarity.
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Only problem is the ‘skullett’ movement is ‘growing’ so fast it may soon lose its shock value…

Getting a fresh look from the local barbershop isn’t going to last forever. If you want your latest haircut to look good day after day, you’ll need to learn how to maintain your hair too.

Whether you have a crew cut, a bowl cut, or hair long enough to compete with Fabio, it deserves good hair care for men to keep you looking sharp. To help you on the way, we’ve pulled together a top list of hair tips for men to show how to style men’s hair the right way.

#1: Take Good Care of Your Scalp

No matter what kind of haircut or hairstyle you choose, you need to look after your scalp. Just like any bit of skin on your body, hydrating the skin on your scalp is a simple way to improve men’s hair and restore its natural oils. While using an all-natural shampoo and conditioner a few times a week is excellent for men with hair, if you lack in that department, or decided on either a buzz-cut or cut-throat razor look, then you’ll need a moisturizer or massage balm.
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Apply to your scalp at night to achieve a smooth look by morning. Consider using a scalp scrub and a hot towel wrap if you begin to notice any buildup on your scalp or clogged pores. The best part is, it’s not only great for your skin but feels good too. Who said blokes couldn’t pamper themselves?

#2: Don’t Overwash Your Hair

A shower goes a long way towards a well-groomed look. However, you might want to avoid washing your hair every single day, as it’s probably doing more harm than good. That’s because shampoos clean by stripping your hair of pretty much everything, including your natural oils. If you shampoo every day, your hair starts to produce more oil, giving your hair a less than desirable shine.

#3: Be Gentle When Washing and Drying Your Hair

One of the biggest mistakes is to wash your hair in very hot water and rub it with a towel vigorously right after washing. Wet hair is the most fragile, so these are the proven ways to damage your hair. Better shake your head and let it air dry for a while. Then, blow dry your locks on medium heat, letting the blow dryer direct your hair to fall in the right direction.

#4: Use a Conditioner

Men’s hair care routine is often minimalistic, and many do skip the conditioner. You shouldn’t, though. With so many factors that dry out your hair, conditioner is an easy way to keep your hair silky and smooth.

Use some conditioner as the second step after washing your hair with shampoo, and it will soften your hair, making it easy to manage and style. If you’ve gone for a slicked-back look reminiscent of Saturday Night Fever, use conditioner to stop your hair from drying out and keeping it in place all day and all night.

#5: Step Up Your Short Hairstyle

Short cuts are so easy to style as it’s only the top of the head that needs attention if any at all. If your hair lacks that oomph and pizzazz, get some extra help from a few hairstyling products. Adding a matte pomade to the mix can allow you to rework your hair into something more natural-looking. If you want to take your hairstyle a step further, grab some sea salt spray to add volume and texture.

#6: Ace Bed Hair & Surf Hair

Bed hair and the male surf hair aesthetic are growing trends that require more than just waking up for the day or catching a few waves in the morning. Creating that spot-on, untouched look involves time and the right hair product. Sea salt spray or powders like dry shampoo, when worked into the roots, will assist with volume and shaping for that natural messy-unkept look. Male surf hair looks dry and can last for days if needed. Just don’t forget to wash your hair well in the shower, as using these products can create buildup on the hair and clog the scalp.

#7: Maintain Your Beard

Hairstyles with beards make one whole, so there are some much-needed beard grooming techniques you should never avoid. Just like the hair on your head, your beard also requires maintenance. Keep it hydrated by routinely applying beard oil at the start of the day. Beard conditioning creams and nourishing balms can also add to the grooming process, reducing frizziness and keeping your whiskers in check.

For those rocking thick or long beards, use a comb to pull debris from your beard. Plus, you’ll also want to grab yourself a beard brush to distribute oils throughout the rest of your beard. The brush also helps exfoliate the skin underneath your beard, preventing dandruff (yes, your beard can get it).

#8: Thin in Style

When it comes to thinning hair, selecting a flattering hairstyle and using styling products can create fuller and thicker-looking hair, making much difference to the way you look and feel. Creating volume is key and can ultimately allow for more options when it comes to styling your hair. Doing so will mean you will no longer have to opt for a combed-over look to hide behind.

As previously mentioned, try a salt spray or a powder, as these are light and won’t weigh the hair down while also creating the desired thicker look. Should you have a few patches, there are many hair growth products and tinted sprays available to help fill in any gaps.

Extra Tip: Curly Hair Needs a Curly Hair Routine

Curly hairstyles for men earn high scores, but you need to follow a few custom hair care tips to achieve well-defined locks and tame the frizz. A necessary move is to use hair products approved for curly hair, which often means ditching shampoos with sulfates and components that dry your hair.
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If you stick to the minimalistic hair care routine, plopping wet hair with a cotton t-shirt will be the best way to style your wavy or curly strands. If you have longer hair and feel ready to invest more time and effort into getting perfect curls, experiment with an LCO or LOC method depending on your hair porosity.

​Despite the commonality of curly hair in men, little has been published and written on the right hair care, hairstyles and haircuts for curly-haired men. The reality so far is that most curly men prefer to tame their curls by buzzing their curly manes instead of paying some attention as to what is needed to rock their tresses.
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My name is Kevin Arthur and I’m a barber with curly hair. It is thus that I’ve gone on to publish this CurlyHairGuys.com website with plenty of on-point advice and handy tips so as to give you all curly folks a resource with which to learn about your so-called waves, coils and kinks. You see, I too hated my hair in my teens; I have curly hair that can be labeled as coiled (you can learn more about curly hair types in this site too), so my hair has always been a very rebellious creature, so to speak!

​After working the ropes of my profession for many years, I’ve gone on to establish my own barbershop and I’ve trained my staff on curly hair care for men since approximately 70% of our clients have some type of curly hair. I’ve seen and experienced the dramas of curly hair, so I’d like to now create this website so as to give you all my advice and tips on curly men’s hair straight from my years as a barber catering (mainly) to curly-haired guys.

What is curly hair?

Right, this is the money question: what is curly hair? I believe that it’s best that I answer this question right from the stat before you continue to browse my site since many men have curly hair yet they do not know it.

Curly hair is inherited, hence the degree of curviness of your own hair strands is already established in your DNA and is yours alone, which makes each individual’s curly hair unique. Curly hair can be inherited via the mother’s side, the father’s side and it can even be a blend of both sides (as is usually the case of interracial kids with a curly-haired parent and a straight-haired parent).

Hair types for men

So, I’ve already mentioned that the degree of curviness that you posses is yours only. However, that same degree of curviness can be categorized into several types, which makes it easier for you to choose the right men’s hairstyles and haircuts for your curly hair.

The two most famous hair-typing guides are the ones of hairstylist Andre Walker and of men’s hair expert Rogelio Samson (author of ManlyCurls.com). I used to use Andre Walker’s hair typing guide with my male clients for a good number of years, but, when Rogelio Samson’s hair type guide came out, I changed to his hair-typing guide as the latter (i.e. Rogelio Samson’s guide) is specifically tailored to male hair, whereas Andre Walker’s hair-type guide was created with female hair in mind.

Using Rogelio Samson’s hair type guide, these are the four hair types for men:
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• Straight hair (straight hair is both a texture and a hair type)
• Wavy hair
• Coiled hair
• Kinky curly hair

Wavy hair, coiled hair and kinky curly hair are considered the three types of curly hair for men, and I personally use these types and hair-type guide to give my curly clients the best grooming results.

I will now continue below with this curly-hair guide by giving you the main tidbits of each of the three curly hair types including a reference photograph of each curl type as visual guidance.

Wavy hair (also known as wavy curls)

Wavy hair is curled as a wave-like pattern depicting the “S” letter of the alphabet. Wavy hair is the least curly of all hair types and it is the easiest to style for men. A male celebrity with wavy hair would be Adrian Grenier.
In the picture below, you can see how wavy curly hair looks like in a male; notice how the hair curves and begins to form wave-like shapes as it has reached a medium hair length.

Coiled hair (also known as coiled curls)

Coiled hair is curled in a spiral-like pattern which produces coils and ringlets. Coiled hair is a bit more difficult to style for men but it (coiled hair) enjoys a good amount of natural volume that enhances the hair’s aesthetics. A male celebrity with coiled hair would be Kenny G (a professional saxophonist).
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Here is (below) a picture clearly depicting how coiled curly hair looks like in a male; notice how the coils and ringlets are grouped as thick locks and how the locks preserve the well-defined coiled shape.

Kinky curly hair (also known as kinky coils or afro-textured hair)

Kinky curly hair is curled as tiny spirals with sharp (instead of smooth) edges, giving kinky curls a very-compact look. While kinky curly hair is notorious for being the most difficult men’s hair type to style (within reason), it does however enjoy a natural ability to voluminize to great lengths, which makes kinky curly hair, as a hair type for men, the most voluminous hair type. A male celebrity with kinky curly hair would be Will Smith.
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The next picture below is a great example of how kinky curly hair looks like in a male. Notice the very-small size of the curly coils and how sharp the overall coiling pattern is.

You can find more on these curly hair types on my published hair type guide, and I highly recommend that you go through the notions of learning your hair type so as to make the most of your curly mane.

Curly haircuts for men

One thing that I will tell you right now as a barber is that curly hair is cut different when compared to the hair-cutting of straight hair. Curly hair has to be cut dried (and not wet, unlike straight hair) and curly hair needs to be cut with a shaping emphasis instead of with a chopping emphasis. What this means is that there are certain men’s haircuts that favor curly men’s hair, while there are other men’s haircuts that look horrible on curly men’s hair.

You can find plenty of hair-styling information on this site under my curly haircuts guides (see the menu on the top) so make sure that you browse through them so that you can learn to choose and cut the right haircut for your curls.
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Curly hairstyles for men

Just like with the advice above on curly men’s haircuts, the same emphasis on carefulness must be said for curly men’s hairstyles. The main thing to bear in mind with curly hair is that curly hair will always have a tendency to coil back to its natural shape, hence the use of hairstyles that require your hair to be flattened or excessively combed are futile.

Don’t worry, there’s a lot more information on this site on styling and on products for curly hair, and I’ve made sure to include a section on this site that covers the most common mistakes of styling curly hair.

Hair products for curly men

Unlike what most people think, not all hair products suit curly hair. In fact, there is a specific range of hair-product types that are most useful for curly-haired guys. Likewise, there are certain hair products that you as a curly-haired dude should avoid or use the least.

Good hair products for curly men’s hair

Here are the some of the best hair products for curly men:

• Styling cream or hair cream.
• Light-hold hair gel (firm-hold hair gel is also fine).
• Hair mousse.
• Water-based pomades with a light hold or firm hold.
• Light-hold hair spray (which leaves your curls bouncy and flexible).
• Leave-in conditioner (to be used as a styling product).
• Hair conditioner.
• Deep conditioner or hair mask.
• Moisturizing shampoo.
• Natural oils like extra-virgin olive oil, argan oil or raw coconut butter.
• Wide-tooth comb.
• Ionic hair dryer (if interested in drying one’s curly hair faster or achieving extra volume with the other hair-styling products).

Bad hair products for curly men’s hair

Here’s now a list of some of the worst hair products for curly-haired men:

• Extra-strong-hold hair gel.
• Oil-based pomades.
• Strong-hold hairstyling waxes.
• Strong-hold.
• High-strength shampoos like clarifying shampoos or chelating shampoos when used often (once-a-month use or once-every-two-weeks use is OK though and I actually recommend such a spaced-out frequency).
• Daily use of any type of shampoo.
• Hair straighteners (also known as “flat irons”).
• Non-ionic hair dryers.
• Regular men’s comb or fine-tooth comb.
• Hair brush.

​As a rule of thumb, any hair product that has a strong styling hold will be a bad product for curly hair.

Men’s hair care and hair grooming for curly hair

The key to maintaining an aesthetically-pleasing mane of curls is to groom your curls daily and take care of them. This isn’t difficult since you only need a couple of minutes in the morning to groom your curls and rock a great mane of waves, coils or kinks atop your head.

CurlyHairGuys.com as the online reference for curly men

As mentioned earlier, my goal with this site is to bring you useful, trust-worthy information and tried-and-tested advice and tips on your hair so that you can get to know your curls better and thus open a new door to a world of endless hair-styling possibilities to fit to your styling taste and grooming needs.

Without further ado, welcome to CurlyHairGuys.com!