New year new us right?
Can you believe January is almost over and Valentines day is right around the corner? That means there is no time to waste and we have to make sure we keep our hair and beards looking and feeling great. As an industry veteran, I have seen hairstyles come and go. Some are seasonal (hello man bun) and some end up having staying power (modern side part). I'm going to give you a few of the hair and beard styles that are in demand in 2024. Lets get started!
The modern mullet
Yes you heard me correctly, I said mullet. Now for all of you 80's babies don't panic just yet. This is not your uncles Joe Dirt mullet aka business in the front, party in the back. Today's mullet is much more Peso Pluma and less David Bowie. Todays mullet has a much more gradual blend from the sideburns to the back of the head. The length in the back is also shorter to help with control and the balance of the style. Today's mullet is much more versatile and in some cases barely noticeable unless you know what to look for. That means you can wear it in the office with a suit or when you go out this evening.
How to ask your barber:
- Tell them how much length you want in the back and on top. This is crucial for end desired look.
- Emphasize how short you want the sideburn area. The shorter you ask for the more pronounced the mullet will be
- Depending your hair texture, shorter may be the best way to go to keep it professional
The side part with a fade
This looks has gone through many variations throughout the years but has withstood the test of time. The modern version can vary in the length left on top and how aggressively short the sides are cut. If you are feeling trendy and want lest maintenance, go for skin fade or a #1 on the sides to really create a noticeable length change. If you want to keep things a bit more conservative, maybe go with a 2 or 3 on the sides to make the fade less obvious.
How to ask your barber:
- Tell them you like to push your hair to the side but make it clear if do or not like to part your hair
- If you have a high or receding hairline it is not recommended to part your hair as it will bring more attention to that area
- Be sure to tell them if you want the faded are high, medium or low. This will affect how trendy or more professional depending on your style
Fades and Braids
This hairstyle has become extremely popular because it allows you to play with longer length style without the maintenance of full blown shoulder length hair. This combination of short sides and long top gives many options to play with.
How to talk to your Barber:
- Get your hair braided first so your barber can see exactly where the braided hair starts and ends
- Depending on how aggressively you want to fade the sides will determine how much of a contrast there is
- Coloring the top before braiding can add an extra fashion forward touch. Especially once the fade is finished
The fringe
This has become an extremely popular style with high school and college age young men. Have you noticed a trend if all of these styles yet? Many of them offer lots of styling options because of their combination of short lengths on the sides and longer lengths on top. With this fringe style, you have lots of length and texture up top and short easy to maintain sides. That means depending on how your feeling and how much time you have, you can wear the top in multiple styles.
How to talk to your barber
- Ask to keep length and texture up top
- Relay the length you want on your bangs so there is no mistakes
- With this style it is recommended to keep the fade mid or low to avoid sharp contrast between top and sides
Short messy top
This style is also very versatile and the length on top can be changed to suit your maintenance goals. If you are willing to put in the time to style it, the top can be left longer so more styling options are available. If you don't want to commit to longer hair on top this can be worn short and very textured for an easy get up and go style.
How to talk to your barber
- Ask for a short easy to style length on top but not so short to where you don't have any options
- Ask your barber if they can razor cut the top for lots of movement and texture
- Be sure they are careful with any swirls you may have especially near the front hairline. If those are cut short, it will many potential styling options.
Hopefully this list has inspired you to be creative with your hairstyling choices in 2024. This year, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Get an opinion from your barber the next time you sit in their chair. The barbers at Chophouse Barber Company always make sure to have a thorough and detailed conversation with their clients so that perfect look is always achieved.