Coco Chanel once said that “a woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.”
How true is that statement? A fresh new haircut can totally boost your confidence and change your mindset. It will literally make or break your whole style.
But here’s the thing… there are so many different types of haircuts and cutting techniques to choose from. Are you better off with some texture? Or blunt ends?
Are layers going to thin out your thick hair or add body to your fine hair?
It’s imperative that you know exactly what you want and how to communicate it to your hairstylist. Otherwise, you could end up like
So with all of that being said, here are 13 different jaw-dropping types of haircuts (for both men and women) and some tips on how to wear them…
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1. Blunt Haircut
A blunt haircut is pretty much the most basic form of haircut… but never underestimate its power.
“Blunt” means that the hair is cut straight across, with no elevation (meaning that it’s cut where it naturally lays). The result is a very hard line with thick ends and no texture.
Blunt lines can look ultra-chic and are perfect for styles with little-to-no movement. Additionally, they’re needed to add shape to specific cuts, like bobs and lob haircuts.
Overall, if you’re looking for a sleek, smooth haircut, blunt is the way to go.
RELATED: 21 Ultra-Bizarre Hair Tools (That Are Actually Borderline Genius)
2. Layered Haircut
On the complete opposite side of the spectrum is a layered haircut (although the two can be combined- more about that later.)
Layers are cut when the hair is elevated, which leaves the hair with several different lengths and a ton of texture. They can be short and blended through the whole head of hair, or there can be minimal layering towards the bottom of the hair.
The number of layers you get depends on what angle the hair is elevated at when cutting it. Ultimately, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the different types of layered haircuts; so many different looks can be created from one technique.
💡TIP: Telling your hairstylist that you want a certain number of layers really makes no sense. Instead, you should communicate how high you want your layers to start and whether you want a lot of layering or not.
Additionally, if you have naturally curly hair, discuss your options with your stylist. Layers on curly hair can be the perfect disaster if not done correctly.
Some Different Types of Layered Haircuts:
- Long Layers – This is when long hair is just layered towards the bottom, keeping the length and thickness throughout the bulk of the hair.
- Face Framing – Layers are cut around the face to frame it. Think “The Rachel” haircut, made popular by Jennifer Aniston in the ’90s.
- Ghost Layers – A method of adding movement and texture, while keeping the illusion of a one-length haircut.
- Choppy Layers – Shorter layers that don’t blend as well.
- Textured Layers – Layers that are cut to have jagged ends (not blunt). These will blend well and add movement to a hairstyle.
3. Bobs and Lobs
Bob haircuts have been a staple of hair fashion for quite some time now, and they just keep getting more popular. There are so many different types of bobs to choose from, including graduated bobs, a-lines, layered bobs, and even the lob haircut.
To summarize, a bob is really just a short haircut that falls between the chin and shoulders. It could be layered all over or be blunt cut with beveled ends. It could be completely straight or have angled lines.
Nine out of ten times, bob haircuts are meant to curl under (even if just a little). The one exception is that long bobs (aka lobs) tend to be more on the blunt side as they are usually styled with waves.
💡TIP: Use a hot air brush to style your bob at home. This miracle tool adds volume, smooths the hair and curls under the ends, giving you a salon-quality blowout for a fraction of the cost.
4. Pixie Cut
A pixie haircut is a super short, yet super popular women’s haircut with tons of texture. As shorter hair has been trending for women in the past few years, the pixie has been slowly rising to the top.
A typical pixie cut will be tapered on the neckline, and the ears will be showing. Additionally, the edges should be soft and wispy to make it look more feminine.
This haircut should be done with a razor or point-cutting techniques to make it more piecey and choppy.
My absolute favorite styling product for these types of haircuts is the Paul Mitchell Spray Wax. To use it, just spray a little in your hand and use it to piece out the hair, while leaving it soft and workable.
5. Shag Haircut
A shag haircut is a hairstyle with short layers on top that blend into longer layers around the bottom (often with feathering on the sides). It was popular in the ‘70s with celebrities like Joan Jett, David Bowie, and Mick Jagger, but a modern shag has also been making its way around the hair scene.
This is what us hairstylists like to call a “180-degree” haircut, meaning that all hair is pulled directly up above the head and cut. This makes the hair thick and full around the crown, with fringier edges.
The modern shag leaves more bulk in the weight of the hair than the previous versions, and the layers are more blended and textured.
6. Disconnected Undercut (For Men)
Let me give you a quick rundown of what a disconnected undercut means. Disconnected means that there are different guides/lengths of a haircut that don’t blend into each other. Undercut means that the hair is much shorter on the sides than on the top.
Put that all together, and you have a men’s haircut that has really short back and sides and a really long top, with a hard contrast between the two lengths.
That being said, there are several variations of this hairstyle that are ultra-popular right now. Including…
The Pompadour
A pompadour is basically just a men’s hairstyle in which the top is combed straight up from the forehead, with no part. Although the modern trend is to keep the sides short, old-school variations of this haircut have longer sides that are combed back, greaser-style.
Comb-Over
The comb-over is pretty similar to the pompadour, but the hair has a hard part and is combed to the side.
It’s even quite popular to clearly define the part by edging out the line with clippers.
Quiff
A quiff is really just a combination between the other two types of haircuts. It’s messier and less defined than a pompadour but doesn’t really have a hard line like a comb-over.
Disconnected Top Knot Or “Man Bun”
This hairstyle takes the disconnected look to the extreme. To create this look, the sides should be extremely short, while the top should be really long and worn in a top knot or bun.
7. Mohawk / Faux Hawk
Both the faux hawk and mohawk are pretty similar in the sense that there is longer hair in the middle of the head and shorter hair on the sides.
The difference is that a mohawk is entirely shaved on the sides (it can be different lengths, but typically pretty short). Mohawks are also disconnected; there should be a stark contrast between the length of the hair on the sides and the longer hair on top.
A faux hawk is just longer hair (it could all be the same length or cut to be longer in the middle) that is pushed to a point on the top of the head. The sides are usually shorter but blend into the longer top.
The latter is usually a better option for people who need to be presentable for work, school, etc., as it can easily be disguised into short, spikey hair when needed.
For more mohawk inspiration, check out 10 different types of mohawk hairstyles!
8. Men’s Scissor Cut
Although some may not be able to tell the difference between a short scissor haircut and a clipper cut, they are noticeably distinct.
The two different hair cutting tools produce different textures. A scissor cut typically appears to be softer and more natural, while clippers result in a more blunt, uniform texture.
9. Caesar Cut / French Crop
The classic Caesar haircut and French crop are very similar in that they are cut short with clippers on the side and have a longer top that is combed forward.
The Caesar cut is meant to model Julius Caesar’s iconic style, and the bangs are usually cut straight across in the front.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
The main difference between these types of haircuts is that the French crop typically has longer, thicker hair on the top.
10. Wedge Haircut
A wedge is a short women’s haircut that has a distinctive “weight line” in the back. In other words, a thicker section of hair creates a horizontal line across the nape area.
Olympic figure skater, Dorothy Hamill, had a super iconic wedge hairstyle in the ’70s, but it’s a variation that isn’t seen as often these days.
Modern wedges can be integrated into many other types of women’s haircuts. Graduated bobs are typically wedged, along with several other short hairstyles.
11. Clipper Cuts
As I previously mentioned, clipper cuts are much different than standard scissor cuts. One unique aspect of using clippers is that they allow the option of extremely short hair.
Buzz Cut
A buzz cut is when the whole head has been shaved to a uniformly short length.
Fade
A fade haircut means that shorter hair “fades” into longer hair. Typically, the sides and back of the haircut will be skin-short and blended into a longer top (of various lengths).
However, the sides can be a bit longer (like 1/4 inch or so) as long as it still blends into longer hair on top. The blend should be seamless, with no line at all.
Crew Cut
There’s a lot of misconception as to what a crew cut actually is; many people ask for one when they really want a buzz cut or fade.
A true crew cut is short all over, but the front “bang” area, is longer and combed straight up to be uniform with the top of the head.
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12. Asymmetrical Cut
The concept of an asymmetrical haircut is pretty basic, but it can be used to create so many different styles. It just means that haircut that is longer on one side than the other.
The longest point will usually blend into the shortest point. However, there are a lot of different ways to integrate asymmetry into any haircut.
13. Women’s Undercut
The undercut is an insanely popular women’s hairstyle right now. Again, undercut just means that the hair is a lot shorter on the sides and/or back than the top and the two lengths are disconnected.
Another popular variation of the trend is the “nape undercut”, in which just the nape area is shaved. Typically there will be a special color or design that’s only visible when the hair is up.
General FAQ
Clipper cuts, buzz cuts, fades, crew cuts, disconnected undercuts, pompadours, comb-overs, quiffs, Caesar cuts, French crops, man buns, mohawks, and men’s scissor cuts are all popular types of men’s haircuts.
Blunt haircuts, layered cuts, bob haircuts, lobs, pixie cuts, wedges, shag haircuts, undercuts, and asymmetrical cuts are all popular types of women’s haircuts.
For women, it would be a basic blunt haircut with no layering. For men, it would likely be a mens’ scissor cut.
Blunt haircuts, layered cuts, bob haircuts, lobs, disconnected undercuts, crew cuts, fades, clipper cuts, comb-overs, quiffs, Caesar cuts, French crops, mohawks, pixie haircuts, wedges, shag haircuts, and asymmetrical cuts are all popular types of haircuts.
Final Thoughts
With so many different types of haircuts available, it’s good to know how to differentiate between them all so you can communicate what you want to your hairstylist.
Blunt hair is cut straight across, whereas layered hair is cut at an elevated angle to add movement to the style. Clipper cuts are typically pretty short, but many different men’s hairstyles can be achieved with the use of clippers and/or scissors.
No matter what type of haircut you’re into, a good haircut can make or break your entire style, so it’s important to get exactly what you want.
Hope this helps!
Until next time,
YOUR TURN: What’s your favorite type of haircut? I want to know what you think in the comments section 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
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Last update on 2023-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cheryl M
Friday 27th of September 2019
Hey TRacy- 1st, above all, get to your physician and have a mineral check done- your hair is starving for much needed minerals & protein...also get FULL thyroid check (3-4 different tests)! Meanwhile, just use a product such as WEN - only a conditioner, absolutely NO sulfates or lathering SURFACTANTS.
Ronnie
Friday 24th of May 2019
Many of the cool, trendy men ’s hairstyles of earlier years will likely carry over to the new year, meaning that the most popular haircuts will likely continue to be fades, undercuts, pompadours, comb overs, quiffs, slick backs, and even man buns or top knots, if you can pull them off.
TRacy
Wednesday 24th of April 2019
hello Im 46 and started loosing my hair. Not right from the root, My hair broke off. I had very health hair. Also loosing eyelashEs and eyebrows hair too. Do you hae any SUGGESTION for me?
Carly
Wednesday 16th of January 2019
Your descriptions of ever are super on point. I think its agreat list and covers all aspects. I did hair at one time but dont praCtice any longer except for family and close friends of coarse ( that will always be a thing lol) I had forgotten about the asymMetriCal cut, it reminded me how muchni love it! And bobs and long bobs too or lobs. Nice article!