What is the difference between a fade and a taper?

A taper is when the stylist cuts hair in a way that the length gradually gets shorter. A fade also gradually gets shorter, however it eventually fades into the skin. A fade is good if you want a short and tight style, while a taper is more natural.

What haircut looks best on men with round faces?

A haircut with short sides and long top is flattering on men with round faces as it creates the illusion of a slimmer face—so all of the above 25 styles are good options. If you have a round face, avoid hairstyles that have volume on the sides.

What hairstyles are best for men with cowlicks?

Grab some hair gel and a hair dryer to help tame your cowlick. You can embrace your cowlick with messy or tousled hairstyles like Robert Pattinson’s look above. A pompadour hairstyle also works well with cowlicks. For a low-maintenance style, grow your hair out for a cool, shaggy look.

25 Men's Hairstyles With Short Sides and a Long Top

zac efron — @zacefron / Design by Michela Buttignol

The easiest hairstyle to maintain for most men? Cuts that are long on top and have a short back and sides. Not only are these styles versatile—working well for both formal occasions and casual outings—they are timeless and sophisticated. And while some of them are incredibly low-maintenance, others aren't necessarily for the faint of heart. "The shorter the haircut, the more maintenance it will require," notes Wayne Wildrick, regional barber manager at Fellow Barber in Los Angeles.

Meet the Expert

• Wayne Wildrick is a stylist and the regional barber manager at the Los Angeles location of Fellow Barber, a burgeoning chain of elevated barbershops.

• Giovanni Vaccaro is the artistic director for hair at Glamsquad, an in-home hair, makeup, nail service based in New York.

Below, we've rounded up 25 of our favorite men's haircuts with short sides and a long top, along with tips from stylists Wildrick and Giovanni Vaccaro on how best to maintain the looks.

01 of 25

Modern Fade

Singer Khalid's modern curly fade eschews a straight lin up brings out his texture. The result (balanced with a slightly grown-out beard) is the perfect natural look. Be sure to invest in a hydrating conditioner to ensure the hair on top stays moisturized.

02 of 25

Undercut With Fade

Zayn Malik with an undercut — Steve Granitz / Contributor / Getty Images

Arguably the most high-maintenance look on the list, the undercut requires much longer hair on top, with hair shorn down (in some cases, faded) on the sides. Just how short you go on the sides is best determined by natural bone structure. "Some clients may have bone protrusions on the sides and the back of the head," says Wildrick. "Generally, we don't expose them, so this is where your barber would decide where the fade placement should be to compensate for those irregularities that we all have as humans."

A mousse is the perfect styling product for men and it can be used to style all hair types.

03 of 25

Swept-Back

Bradley Cooper's elegant, swept-back style is one of the most-requested among Vaccaro's clients. "This style is probably the most popular, and my clients always bring in a photo of Bradley Cooper for this one," he says. "It looks good on most men and most textures." To replicate the look, Vaccaro recommends "keeping the sides wispy but not super tight." In other words, "no barber fades here."

04 of 25

Spiked Top

This is a good example of how the long on top/short on the sides type cut can be worn for versatility. In this shot, Liam Hemsworth's hair is styled in a loose, spiky style on top. The hair can also be combed neatly with a bit of pomade—try American Crew Pomade ($19)—for a more formal effect.

05 of 25

High and Tight

Faded sides with just a bit of length on top equates to a low-maintenance and still plenty of sophisticated style. Will Smith's version is accompanied by a well-groomed goatee, to balance the look.

06 of 25

Wavy Pompadour

For this shot, soccer star Radamel Falcao's hair is styled up and back to create a pompadour effect. The hair on top is worn a bit loose with separation for a more casual look.

07 of 25

Disconnected Sides

Justin Timberlake — Frazer Harrison / Staff/Getty Images

For this style, the hair is a classic men’s cut, short on the sides and back and left long and thick on top. There soft scissor cut blending on the sides to create a smooth transition from the short sides to the length on top. The hair may be styled back for a sleek, formal look.

As with any style, keep in mind that some looks are better on specific face shapes. This particular style looks best on a narrower face.

08 of 25

Short Sides With Locs

Soccer star Gabriel Barbosa's hair is kept short on the sides—but his long, blonde locs offer plenty of interest. The key here is to keep hair on the sides faded. So. The look accentuates his locs.

09 of 25

High Skin Fade

Cuba Gooding Jr. — Steve Granitz/WireImage / Getty Images

Highlight your coils with a high skin fade on the sides. If this is too much, opt for a low skin fade, which leaves a bit more hair on the sides, but it's still faded enough to create a stylish profile.

10 of 25

Texturized Top

Jamie Dornan — Dave J Hogan / Contributor / Getty Images

This is a versatile style, which can be worn messy with a bit of styling paste—we like Ouai Matte Pomade ($24) or combed neatly and parted, for a more formal look.

11 of 25

Short and Rounded

Comedian Kevin Hart's short cut is rounded, allowing it to show off his hairline. A slight taper on the sides lends trendiness and a longer goatee adds extra style.

12 of 25

Short, Lean Sides

For this style, as seen on Chris Hemsworth, the hair is cut aggressively short on the sides and back and left long on top. The top and front are cut with a razor to create movement, texture, and separation.

13 of 25

Casual Separation

Zac Efron at the Australian Premiere of Baywatch — Brendon Thorne/Stringer/Getty Images

For this long on top style, the Zac Efron's hair is razor-cut on top and in the front to add movement, texture, and separation. A bit of styling paste enhances the suave style.

14 of 25

Shattered Bangs

Ashton Kutcher — C Flanigan / Contributor / Getty Images

For this style, the hair is cut short on the sides and back while a razor is used in front to give the bangs a deconstructed look.

15 of 25

Afro Fade

Usher's style combines an afro fade and a mohawk with hair kept extremely cropped on the sides, and higher through the middle. To replicate this look, you'll want to get a trim every four to six weeks, and invest in plenty of hydrating hair products, to keep the longer hairs moisturized. And if you're wondering if a look like this would work for you, do your research. "If you are considering a fade, look up inspiration photos of people who have hair similar to your type and color," says Wildrick. "In my experience, I have generally found that clients with dark and thicker hair can get away with low to high fades whereas clients with light and less dense hair look more suitable with a low fade." A low fade allows for more gradience, which you can’t get with a mid or high fade.

A low fade allows for more gradience, which you can’t get with a mid or high fade.

16 of 25

Sleek Bangs

Cilian Murphy — Mike Coppola / Staff / Getty Images

For this style, actor Cillian Murphy's hair is cut close on the sides and back and worn parted neatly in the center. Pomade adds shine and control.

17 of 25

Disconnected Bangs

Actor and model Lucas Till is often seen wearing his hair short on the sides and back, with exaggerated length on top. For this style, the front is disconnected from the sides, and the hair is worn brushed forward and to the side.

18 of 25

Wavy Top

For this style, actor Kit Harington's natural wave is combed back but for a more natural look, the hair can be allowed to fall on its own, without the use of products.

19 of 25

Slicked-Back With Side Part

Here, Joe Alwyn's cut is short on the sides, longer up top, parted, and slicked back with a paste. Try Fatboy's Perfect Putty ($21) for a similar style.

20 of 25

Line Up

Actor Michael B. Jordan combines a lineup—where the natural hairline is straightened in the shape of a line—with a mid-fade. This style of fade lands below the temples and just above the ear. As Wildrick explains, how short you go with a fade depends on how often you plan to maintain it. "Suitability is always the word," he says. "The best way to maintain a fade (or any look) is to find one conducive to your lifestyle."

"If you go in for a skin fade, it will show signs of growing out within a week," says Wildrick. "If you are trying to maintain that look, you will need to be back in the shop every one to two weeks."

21 of 25

High Fade With Buzzed Sides

As seen on professional basketball player Steph Curry, a buzz cut keeps hair tight up top, and a high fade raises the hairline. The resulting look is masculine with a bit of an edge.

22 of 25

Full Top

Miguel's thick hair is cut in long layers. The style can be worn loose or styled neatly with products for a more formal look. For volume—without stiff hold—use a product like R+Co. Balloon Dry Volume Spray ($32).

23 of 25

Perfectly Disheveled

Robert Pattinson hair — Tibrina Hobson / Stringer/ Getty Images

Robert Pattinson effortlessly pulls off this perfectly tousled hairstyle. In fact, he’s known for it. You can mimic his disheveled do’ by rubbing some mouse through your hair for volume. Add in a bit of hair paste or hair spray for a little more height on top. The key is you don’t want it to look over-styled.

24 of 25

High Top Fade

Odell Beckham Jr.'s high top fade is similar to Steph Curry's (above), however he keeps the top longer. He also bleaches the ends to give it a bit more drama. Work in a light hold styling balm to provide moisture and a natural finish.

25 of 25

Messy Textured Top

Pete Davidson hairstyle — John Shearer / Getty Images

Pete Davidson's hair matches his personality—cool, quirky and approachable. To copy his look, use a light hand with hair products for his no-fuss style. Work in a touch of hair paste or hair spray for some volume on top, but keep it slightly messy. (Hair bleach and sunglasses are recommended, but optional.)

FAQ

What is the difference between a fade and a taper?

A taper is when the stylist cuts hair in a way that the length gradually gets shorter. A fade also gradually gets shorter, however it eventually fades into the skin. A fade is good if you want a short and tight style, while a taper is more natural.
What haircut looks best on men with round faces?

A haircut with short sides and long top is flattering on men with round faces as it creates the illusion of a slimmer face—so all of the above 25 styles are good options. If you have a round face, avoid hairstyles that have volume on the sides.
What hairstyles are best for men with cowlicks?

Grab some hair gel and a hair dryer to help tame your cowlick. You can embrace your cowlick with messy or tousled hairstyles like Robert Pattinson’s look above. A pompadour hairstyle also works well with cowlicks. For a low-maintenance style, grow your hair out for a cool, shaggy look.