Popular men’s hairstyles nowadays are those where the hair on top is longer, while the sides and back are kept short (or very short). Of course, there are countless variations of these kinds of cuts, and in this blog post, I’ll share five different examples of men’s hairstyles long on top. Hopefully, they’ll give you some inspiration for a fresh new look.
1. Undercut with slick back on top
A first example of a men’s hairstyle long on top is the undercut with a slicked-back finish. The sides and back are usually very short, while the hair on top is kept quite long. A few examples of this hairstyle include Brad Pitt in Inglourious Basterds or the character Jimmy Darmody in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. You can also spot this style frequently in Peaky Blinders. It’s a classic haircut that was especially popular during the 1920s and 1940s but has made a strong comeback today.
The best products to use for this men’s hairstyle long on top are mainly pomades. A water-based or oil-based pomade easily keeps your hair slicked back, as these products tend to be slightly stickier. When it comes to shine, you can choose anything from matte to glossy, though the undercut with a slick back usually has a bit more shine.
It can be helpful to use a good hairbrush or comb to get your hair neatly slicked back.
2. Long on top with fade
A slightly less drastic hairstyle where you keep the hair on top long and the sides shorter is the fade. With a fade, the hair around your ears is shaved the shortest and gradually gets longer towards your hairline. On top, you keep your hair medium to long in length.
With your longer hair on top, you can achieve many different men’s hairstyles long on top. You might go for a quiff, a comb-over, or a side part, for example. The possibilities are endless, and your choice can depend on your face shape and personal style — not every hairstyle suits every man.
When it comes to products for a fade with long hair on top, you can use a wax, paste, or clay if you prefer a natural or matte finish. These products also provide good hold to keep your hair in shape. Go for at least a medium hold to style your longer top properly, though you might prefer a strong hold for extra control.
3. Classic or modern pompadour
A classic pompadour keeps the sides a bit shorter, but they don’t necessarily have to be shaved. This men’s hairstyle long on top is an old-school look, though there are many modern variations available today.
A pompadour means that the longer hair on top is styled upwards and backwards. The classic version is neatly combed into place, while the more modern variations can also be styled using your hands for a slightly messier, more natural look.
For a traditional pompadour, it’s best to use a quality pomade with a bit of shine. A water-based pomade can be neatly combed into shape and will hold well once it has partially dried.
For a more modern pompadour that’s less tightly styled, you can go for a wax or paste with a medium to strong hold and a matte to semi-matte finish. This way, you keep your longer top hair in shape without it looking too sleek or rigid.
4. Side swept hairstyles
This is an example of a men’s hairstyle long on top where the sides don’t need to be very short. The hair on top should, of course, be medium length, but the sides don’t have to be shaved. However, as you can see in the photo, it also looks great with a light fade.
The side swept is a men’s hairstyle where the hair is styled to one side, falling naturally across the face. To achieve this look, you’ll need long hair on top that reaches roughly to your nose — otherwise, it won’t be long enough to “side sweep” properly.
If you like having long hair on top but don’t necessarily want a neatly styled look brushed backwards or to the side, the side swept is a great alternative. It offers a more casual, slightly messy appearance while still being stylish.
For this hairstyle, it’s best to use a medium hold product with a matte to medium shine finish. Think of products like a paste, cream, or wax.
A sea salt spray can also be a good option to add extra volume to your longer top hair. This category of product is often used as a pre-styler, and sea salt sprays for men have become very popular.
5. Messy (curly) long on top
If you want your hairstyle to look as though you’ve barely styled it at all, you can choose to keep your hair long on top while maintaining shorter sides and back. These don’t need to be extremely short, although that’s certainly an option if you prefer.
Your longer hair on top can be styled in a carefree, messy way. A look like this is also ideal for concealing a thinning crown or receding hairline. It’s a relaxed, effortless hairstyle that still comes across as confident.
If you have wavy or curly hair, this is also a great men’s hairstyle long on top to go for. Wavy or curly hair can sometimes be more difficult to control, but with this cut, it doesn’t need to be perfectly tamed.
Good products to use include medium-hold waxes, pastes, and clays with a matte finish. A matte finish provides a natural look and does the best job of disguising any thin spots. With shinier products, the scalp tends to be more visible.
Pre-styling products are also highly recommended for this messy, textured hairstyle with longer hair on top, as they help create plenty of volume in your wavy or curly hair.
Conclusion
This blog post is specifically aimed at men who want a men’s hairstyle long on top. With longer hair on top, you have plenty of options to experiment with different styles. You can decide for yourself how short or long you want to keep the sides and the back.
The five examples above are very different from one another, so there’s something for every man to explore when it comes to men’s hairstyles long on top.
For more hairstyling products, be sure to take a look in the Moquer shop. We literally have hundreds of different hair products to help you perfectly style and maintain your longer hair on top.