Boys’ hairstyles have come a long way, offering a wide range of trendy and stylish options. One popular trend that continues to dominate is the long top and short sides look. This versatile style allows for creativity and personalization while maintaining a clean and polished appearance.
In this article, we’ll explore 20 amazing haircuts that combine longer hair on top with short sides, perfect for boys of all ages. Whether you’re looking for something edgy, classic, or somewhere in between, you’re sure to find inspiration in these stylish cuts.
1. The Classic Pompadour
The pompadour is a timeless hairstyle that exudes confidence and style. This look features short, tapered sides with a voluminous top swept upwards and backwards. To achieve this style, the hair on top is left longer, typically 3-4 inches, while the sides are cut short or faded. The key to a great pompadour is the contrast between the fuller top and the sleek sides.
To style a pompadour, start with damp hair and apply a volumizing mousse. Blow-dry the hair upwards and backwards, using a round brush to create height and shape. Finish with a strong-hold pomade or gel to keep the style in place throughout the day. This look is perfect for boys who want a sophisticated and mature appearance.
2. The Textured Quiff
The textured quiff is a modern take on the classic quiff, offering a more relaxed and effortless vibe. This style features a longer top with plenty of texture and movement, combined with short, faded sides. The hair on top is typically left 2-3 inches long, allowing for versatile styling options.
To create a textured quiff, apply a sea salt spray to damp hair and blow-dry while tousling with your fingers. Once dry, use a small amount of matte clay or paste to enhance the texture and hold. This style works well for boys with straight or wavy hair and can be easily adapted for different face shapes.
3. The Messy Fringe
For a more casual and youthful look, the messy fringe is an excellent choice. This style features a longer top with a textured fringe that falls across the forehead, paired with short sides. The contrast between the tousled top and clean sides creates an effortlessly cool appearance.
To style a messy fringe, apply a light-hold styling cream to damp hair and blow-dry while using your fingers to create texture. Once dry, use a small amount of texturizing powder or dry shampoo to enhance the messy, lived-in look. This style is perfect for boys who prefer a low-maintenance yet fashionable haircut.
4. The Slick Back
The slick back is a sleek and sophisticated hairstyle that works well for both casual and formal occasions. This look features longer hair on top, typically 3-4 inches, which is combed back smoothly. The sides are cut short or faded for a clean contrast.
To achieve the slick back, start with damp hair and apply a strong-hold gel or pomade. Use a fine-toothed comb to smooth the hair back, ensuring there are no stray hairs or bumps. For a more modern twist, you can add a subtle part on one side. This style is ideal for boys who want a polished and mature look.
5. The Faux Hawk
The faux hawk, also known as a fohawk, is an edgy and bold hairstyle that’s perfect for boys who want to make a statement. This style features a longer strip of hair running from the front to the back of the head, with shorter sides. The top can be styled into a spiky or textured look, depending on personal preference.
To create a faux hawk, apply a strong-hold styling product to damp hair. Use your fingers or a comb to shape the hair upwards and towards the center, creating a mohawk-like appearance. The sides can be faded or buzzed short for added contrast. This versatile style can be adapted to suit different hair types and face shapes.
6. The Side-Swept Undercut
The side-swept undercut combines elegance with edge, featuring longer hair on top that’s swept to one side, paired with very short or shaved sides. This style offers a dramatic contrast between the voluminous top and the clean sides, creating a bold and fashionable look.
To style a side-swept undercut, apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry while brushing the hair to your preferred side. Use a pomade or wax to smooth the hair in place and add shine. This hairstyle works well for boys with straight or slightly wavy hair and can be adjusted to suit different face shapes.
7. The Textured Crop
The textured crop is a low-maintenance yet stylish option that’s perfect for boys who want a trendy look without spending too much time on styling. This cut features a shorter top with lots of texture, combined with faded sides. The fringe is usually left slightly longer for added versatility.
To style a textured crop, apply a small amount of matte clay or paste to dry hair. Use your fingers to work the product through, creating a tousled and textured appearance. This style works well for all hair types and is particularly suited to boys with thicker hair.
8. The Modern Comb-Over
The modern comb-over is a sophisticated and versatile hairstyle that’s suitable for various occasions. This look features longer hair on top that’s combed over to one side, with short, faded sides. The key to this style is the clean, precise part and the smooth transition from the longer top to the shorter sides.
To achieve the modern comb-over, start with damp hair and apply a medium-hold styling cream. Create a sharp part on one side and comb the hair over in the opposite direction. Use a blow-dryer and a round brush to add volume and shape. Finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep the style in place. This look is perfect for boys who want a polished and mature appearance.
9. The Curly Fringe
Boys with naturally curly hair can embrace their texture with the curly fringe hairstyle. This cut features longer curls on top that fall across the forehead, paired with short, faded sides. The contrast between the voluminous curls and the clean sides creates a stylish and eye-catching look.
To style a curly fringe, apply a curl-enhancing cream to damp hair and scrunch gently to encourage curl formation. Allow the hair to air dry or use a diffuser attachment on your blow-dryer for more defined curls. Finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep the curls in place without weighing them down. This style is ideal for boys who want to showcase their natural curl pattern.
10. The Spiky Top
The spiky top is a fun and edgy hairstyle that’s perfect for boys who want to add some attitude to their look. This style features longer hair on top that’s styled into spikes, combined with short, faded sides. The spikes can be uniform or varied in length for a more textured appearance.
To create a spiky top, apply a strong-hold gel or wax to damp hair. Use your fingers to twist and pull small sections of hair upwards, creating spikes of varying heights and directions. For a more extreme look, you can use a fine-toothed comb to separate and define the spikes further. This style works well for boys with straight or slightly wavy hair.
11. The Brushed-Up Front
The brushed-up front is a trendy and versatile hairstyle that suits a variety of face shapes and hair types. This look features longer hair on top that’s styled upwards and slightly backwards, with short, faded sides. The front section is the focal point, creating height and drama.
To style a brushed-up front, apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry while brushing the hair upwards and slightly back. Use a round brush to create lift at the roots, especially in the front section. Finish with a strong-hold pomade or wax to keep the style in place. This look is perfect for boys who want a bold and fashionable appearance.
12. The Disconnected Undercut
The disconnected undercut is a bold and edgy hairstyle that creates a striking contrast between the longer top and the very short sides. This style features a clear distinction between the two lengths, with no gradual transition. The top is left long enough to style in various ways, while the sides are buzzed very short or even shaved.
To style a disconnected undercut, the options are numerous. You can slick the top back for a sleek look, create texture with a matte product, or even braid the longer section for a unique appearance. This versatile cut allows for creativity and personalization, making it ideal for boys who like to experiment with their hair.
13. The Textured Pomp Fade
The textured pomp fade combines elements of the classic pompadour with modern texturing techniques. This style features a longer, voluminous top that’s styled upwards and backwards, paired with faded sides. The key difference from a classic pompadour is the added texture on top, which gives a more relaxed and contemporary feel.
To achieve this look, apply a texturizing spray to damp hair and blow-dry while lifting the hair at the roots. Use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to create texture and movement on top. Finish with a matte clay or paste to enhance the texture and hold. This style is perfect for boys who want a modern twist on a classic look.
14. The Side-Parted Quiff
The side-parted quiff is a sophisticated and stylish option that combines volume on top with a neat side part. This look features longer hair on top that’s styled into a quiff, with a defined side part and short, faded sides. The result is a polished and versatile hairstyle that can be adapted for both casual and formal occasions.
To style a side-parted quiff, start by creating a deep side part on damp hair. Apply a volumizing mousse and blow-dry the hair upwards and away from the part, using a round brush to create lift and shape. Once dry, use a pomade or wax to define the quiff and smooth any flyaways. This look is ideal for boys who want a mature and put-together appearance.
15. The Textured French Crop
The textured French crop is a modern and low-maintenance hairstyle that’s perfect for boys who want a stylish look without spending too much time on styling. This cut features a short top with textured ends, often with a straight or slightly choppy fringe. The sides are cut very short or faded for a clean contrast.
To style a textured French crop, apply a small amount of matte clay or paste to dry hair. Use your fingers to work the product through, creating a tousled and textured appearance. Focus on lifting the hair slightly at the roots for added volume. This style works well for all hair types and is particularly suited to boys with fine or thinning hair.
16. The Swept-Back Undercut
The swept-back undercut is a sleek and stylish option that combines longer hair on top with very short sides. This look features hair that’s brushed backwards from the forehead, creating a smooth and polished appearance. The contrast between the longer top and the short sides adds drama and edge to the style.
To achieve this look, apply a smoothing cream to damp hair and use a blow-dryer and a brush to sweep the hair backwards. For a more relaxed version, you can use your fingers instead of a brush for a slightly messier finish. Complete the style with a medium-hold hairspray to keep everything in place. This hairstyle is perfect for boys who want a sophisticated yet modern look.
17. The Textured Ivy League
The textured Ivy League is a contemporary take on the classic preppy cut. This style features a longer top that’s cut to about 1-2 inches in length, with short, tapered sides. The key to this look is the added texture on top, which gives it a more relaxed and modern feel compared to the traditional Ivy League cut.
To style a textured Ivy League, apply a light-hold styling cream to damp hair and use a blow-dryer to create volume and texture. Once dry, use a small amount of matte clay or paste to enhance the texture and provide hold. This versatile style can be worn neatly combed for formal occasions or tousled for a more casual look.
18. The Messy Top Fade
The messy top fade is a trendy and youthful hairstyle that combines a longer, textured top with faded sides. This look is all about embracing natural texture and movement, creating an effortlessly cool appearance. The top is left long enough to style in various messy or tousled ways, while the faded sides keep the overall look clean and fresh.
To create a messy top fade, apply a sea salt spray to damp hair and allow it to air dry or use a diffuser for added texture. Once dry, use your fingers to tousle the hair and create a disheveled look. A small amount of texturizing powder can be added for extra volume and hold. This style is perfect for boys who prefer a laid-back, beachy vibe.
19. The Textured Pompadour Fade
The textured pompadour fade is a modern interpretation of the classic pompadour, featuring a longer, voluminous top paired with faded sides. Unlike the sleek traditional pompadour, this version embraces texture and movement for a more contemporary look.
To style a textured pompadour fade, apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry while lifting the hair at the roots. Use a round brush to create height and shape in the front, sweeping the hair backwards. Once dry, use a texturizing paste or clay to enhance the texture and provide hold. Finish by using your fingers to create separation and movement in the style. This look is ideal for boys who want a bold and fashion-forward appearance.
20. The Long Fringe with Undercut
The long fringe with undercut is a dramatic and eye-catching hairstyle that’s perfect for boys who want to make a statement. This style features a longer fringe that can be swept to the side or worn straight down, paired with very short sides and back. The contrast between the lengthy fringe and the undercut creates a bold and edgy look.
To style a long fringe with undercut, apply a smoothing serum to damp hair and blow-dry the fringe using a round brush to create your desired shape. For a sleek look, use a flat iron to straighten the fringe. Alternatively, for a more textured appearance, use a small amount of texturizing paste to create piece-y definition. This versatile style can be adapted to suit different face shapes and personal preferences.
In conclusion, these 20 stylish boys’ haircuts with long tops and short sides offer a wide range of options for every taste and personality. From classic looks like the pompadour to edgier styles like the disconnected undercut, there’s something for everyone. Remember, the key to a great haircut is not just in the style itself, but also in how it’s maintained and styled. Regular trims and proper hair care are essential for keeping these looks fresh and stylish. Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance cut or a high-impact style, these trendy haircuts are sure to turn heads and boost confidence.