The Ultimate List of Trendy Comb-Over Haircut Styles for Men

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With expert tips on getting your comb-over done at the barber
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The comb-over is a classic men’s hairstyle that’s long been used to evoke style, class, and disguise thinning hair with an ever-fashionable ‘do. If you’re interested in getting a comb-over haircut, however, there are plenty of comb-over style ideas that are modern, cool, and even edgy! Check out our complete list below, as well as instructions from hair stylist Tiffany Carnevale-Russo and master hair stylist Frankie Sanderson on how to ask your barber for the look .

Popular Comb Over Style Haircuts

  • Classic Comb Over: A comb-over with hair on the back and sides that’s cut close to the head without showing any scalp.
  • Relaxed Comb Over: A comb-over with long hair on top that’s left natural, or styled with a hair product to be tousled and textured.
  • Comb Over with Fade: A comb-over combined with a high, mid, low, or any other type of fade (aka, hair that’s gradually tapered down the sides and back to skin level).
  • Comb Over with Long Hair and Undercut: A comb-over where the hair on top is left super long and the hair on the sides and back is almost completely buzzed.
  • Comb Over with Hard Part: A comb-over where the part is made to be very sharp and defined with a trimmer and straight razor.
Section 1 of 3:

The Top Men’s Comb-Over Hairstyles

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  1. 1
    Classic Comb Over Classic comb-overs have long hair on the back and sides that’s cut short without showing any scalp. The longer hair on top of the head is combed over to one side, and there’s a notable side part where the longer hair is parted from the scalp. This cut often has a sleeker, more streamlined, and vintage look than the modern styles (which tend to be more tousled, textured, and natural). [1]
    • Best For: People who already have medium-length hair on top but have some thinning spots. This look can be catered to any face shape or hair texture, but it’s generally best for people with straight hair and oval or square faces.
    • Styling Tips: Polish your part with a men’s comb , then quickly set it with a blow dryer before finishing the look with a matte-finish styling paste .

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Tiffany Carnevale-Russo is a hair stylist, licensed cosmetologist, and salon manager with over 19 years of experience as a specialist in haircuts and hairstyling for men.

    Frankie Sanderson is the founder of TheStudeo and a master hair stylist who specializes in hair extensions, chemical services, and designer cuts.

  2. 2
    Slick Back Comb Over A slick back comb over is similar to the classic one, but it depends more on styling to get a smooth, sleek look. The part is often more defined than normal, with the long hair being combed back from the forehead and temples toward the crown. Then, a hair product is used to hold the hair in place and create a shiny finish. [2]
    • Best For: Oval, square, or heart-shaped faces and wavy or thick hair.
    • Styling Tips: Start with wet hair and apply a firm-hold pomade or gel. Use a comb to pull your hair back from the forehead and temples, then blow-dry to set. Smooth down any flyaways or stray hairs with a small dot of hair gel.
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  3. 3
    Relaxed Comb Over The relaxed comb over is a more modern take on the classic look. While the hair is still combed over from one side to the other, the longer hair on top is made to be more textured, tousled, and natural than the slicked-back or gelled-down version. The defined part is less crucial, and it’s usually swapped out for a softer and smoother transition.
  4. 4
    Comb Over with High Fade The high fade , or the “ high and tight ,” puts a sharp, military-style twist on the comb over. The comb-over will still have longer hair on top of the head that’s styled by being combed over to one side. Under that hair, however, you’ll have a high fade, which is where the hair is shaved down to the skin at the temples and gradually tapered into the long hair on top. [3]
    • Best For: Thick, coarse hair or thinning hair, and square, round, or oval faces.
    • Styling Tips: Add a small dollop of styling cream to slightly damp hair, then blow-dry on medium heat in the direction you want the hair to be styled in. For more volume, mist a texturizing spray onto the base of your hair. Finish with a texturizing paste (for a matte look) or high-hold pomade (for a shiny finish).
  5. 5
    Comb Over with Medium Fade Another fade-based look, the medium fade is slightly smoother and lower-contrast than a high fade. The medium fade (or mid fade) generally starts at the middle of the head. From there, the hair gradually increases in length as you move up the head, until it seamlessly blends into the longer comb-over on top. [4]
    • Best For: People with beards, since you can seamlessly blend the beard into the fade.
    • Styling Tips: Work a pump of styling cream into hair, blow dry on medium heat, and spray a texture spray over your locks for volume. Set with a styling clay, paste, or pomade.
  6. 6
    Comb Over with Low Fade Pairing the comb-over with yet another fade, the low fade starts lower on the head than its high and medium counterparts. The fade transition usually begins somewhere around the ears. Below that point, the hair gradually fades into the skin, and above it, it gradually lengthens into the combed-over hair on top. [5]
    • Best For: Oval or square face shapes and straight or slightly wavy hair textures.
    • Styling Tips: Apply a small amount of styling cream to damp hair, then blow dry before applying some texture spray around the base. Then, finish off with a styling clay , paste, or pomade.
  7. 7
    Comb Over with Taper Fade This style pairs a classic comb over on top with a taper fade, meaning that only the nape of the neck and the areas around the temples are faded. In other words, the sideburns and neck are tapered out to skin, while the rest of the hair remains relatively long (especially on the top of the head).
    • Best For: People with short foreheads or round face shapes.
    • Styling Tips: Hydrate hair with some styling cream, then blow-dry hair and spritz the base with a texturizing spray. Work a styling clay, paste, or stronghold pomade through the longer locks.
  8. 8
    Comb Over with Line Up This comb-over style is pretty classic in terms of the long hair on the top of the head and faded hair on the sides. However, the hairline is “ lined up ” in a square shape to give a clean, symmetrical look.
    • Best For: People with an uneven hairline or natural hair who are willing to do frequent touch-ups.
    • Styling Tips: Apply styling cream into damp hair, then blow dry and finish with a texturizing paste .
  9. 9
    Comb Over with Long Hair and Undercut This type of comb over is long on the top like any other, but the length is more grown-out and exaggerated. Often, it’s paired with a fade or undercut on the back and sides, as well as a stark line between the long and short hair on each side of the head. [6]
    • Best For: People who want numerous styling options and a bold, edgy look.
    • Styling Tips: Work styling cream through the long locks, then blow dry it with a vent brush in the direction you want it to lay. Finish with a styling paste or pomade.
  10. 10
    Comb Over with Hard Part With this style of comb over, you want to create a hard part on one side of the head with a trimmer and straight razor. This will create a sharp, defined separation between the combed-over section and the rest of your hair. The cut is often paired with a skin fade on the sides and back of the head. [7]
    • Best For: People willing to get a maintenance trim every 2 weeks.
    • Styling Tips: Add some styling cream and work it through all the hair, then blow dry before adding a firm-hold pomade, styling paste , or styling clay.
  11. 11
    Comb Over with Waves If you have wavy or curly hair, this style adapts your hair texture into the traditional comb-over look. Specifically, your longer, curly hair will be left long on top and combed over to one side—the exact styling of your waves will depend on your exact texture and curl pattern. Depending on your preferences, you can also do a fade or taper on the sides and back of the head.
    • Best For: Wavy or curly hair.
    • Styling Tips: Apply a styling wax or pomade to add shine and definition to your natural waves. You can also apply a curl cream to reduce frizz or a pomade to add some texture to the curls.
  12. 12
    Comb Over Mullet The modern mullet has been increasingly trendy in recent years, so why not combine it with a comb-over! In this case, you’ll get a traditional mullet with a short front and grown-out back. However, the sides of your hair will be tapered, and the hair will be combed backward to emulate the comb-over and conceal any thinning or uneven hair.
    • Best For: People with generally long hair but bald spots toward the back of the head.
    • Styling Tips: Apply a texturizing pomade to damp hair and brush it back at the top.
  13. 13
    Comb Over Fade with Beard This style combines three elements—a comb-over on top, a fade on the sides and back, and a beard on the bottom. The longer hair on top is faded out on the sides and back of the head, usually tapering out to seamlessly merge with the beard (which can be styled in whatever way you most prefer!). [8]
    • Best For: Short and round faces.
    • Styling Tips: Style the hair with a styling cream or pomade, and condition the beard with an oil , balm , or wax .
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Ask Your Barber for a Comb-Over

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  1. Describe your desired cut to your barber, and bring visual references. When you go to a barber for a comb-over, clearly describe to them the exact type of style you want. Note the length of hair you want on the top, sides, and back, as well as how you want the longer hair styled. Also, detail how you want your hair to be parted (i.e., a hard part vs. a natural blend) and what type of fade or taper you want on the sides of your head.
    • Most importantly, “bring pictures,” instructs Carnevale-Russo. “Pictures speak 1000 words, and they’re more explanatory than actually verbalizing what it is you’re looking for. So, go on Google, go on Pinterest, and find the style or look you’re wanting.” [9]
    • “Also, when showing your barber or stylist what it is that you’re looking for, have a level of realistic expectation,” continues Carnevale-Russo. “Just because it looks good on a certain person doesn’t mean that it’s going to fit you just as well. Take your stylist’s or barber’s opinion into consideration, because it’s generally the best.” [10]
    • Sanderson agrees, adding that “hair texture” is a common point of discussion, “since people will often look at a picture and think ‘I want that’ because the haircut looks attractive on the model, but they don’t actually take into consideration that their hair texture doesn’t look like that at all.” [11]
Section 3 of 3:

What is a comb-over?

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  1. A comb-over is where longer hair is swept to one side of the head. Comb-over styles usually feature a distinct side part and longer hair on the top of the head than on the sides. It’s very similar to the classic side part, with comb-overs being a bit looser and more modern, and side part styles being tighter, with a distinct separation between long and short sections. Comb-overs used to have a bit of a bad rap because they were used to cover bald spots or thinning areas on top of the head—the longer hair from one side of the head would be “combed over” in order to cover up the balding area. [12]
    • Nowadays, comb-overs can still be used for thinning hair, but many people get them cut just because they like the look—especially when it comes to more modern versions, like the comb-over fade or comb-over mullet.
    • Comb-overs are typically styled with hair gel, pomade, or another product to hold the longer hair in place.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.apetogentleman.com/comb-over-fade-haircuts/
      2. ↑ https://www.apetogentleman.com/comb-over-fade-haircuts/
      3. ↑ https://www.axe.com/us/en/inspiration/hair/the-comb-over.html
      4. ↑ https://www.axe.com/us/en/inspiration/hair/the-comb-over.html
      5. ↑ https://www.axe.com/us/en/inspiration/hair/the-comb-over.html
      6. ↑ https://www.axe.com/us/en/inspiration/hair/the-comb-over.html
      7. ↑ https://www.apetogentleman.com/comb-over-fade-haircuts/
      8. ↑ https://www.axe.com/us/en/inspiration/hair/the-comb-over.html
      9. ↑ Tiffany Carnevale-Russo. Hair Stylist. Expert Interview
      1. ↑ Tiffany Carnevale-Russo. Hair Stylist. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Frankie Sanderson. Master Hair Stylist. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://www.hims.com/blog/comb-over-bald

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