How to Style Short Hair (Men)

Get an effortlessly handsome hairstyle in just a few easy steps

Co-authored by April Ferri and Eric McClure

Last Updated: April 25, 2024 References

Creating different looks can be challenging when you have short hair, but if your hair is longer than a buzz cut, it's still long enough to style. The styling products you use, the direction in which you comb your hair, and the way you dry your locks all play a big role in creating the finished look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Peaked Short Cut ^{[1]
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1
Apply putty to damp hair. Place a small amount of styling putty in the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together to distribute it. Evenly work the product into your hair from end to root. ^{[2]
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- Choose a matte putty instead of a glossy one.
- If your hair is notably fine, the putty may weigh it down too much. Consider using a lighter pomade or similar product that can supply texture and be applied to damp hair. Pomade will give your hair a glossy sheen. ^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  April Ferri
  Professional Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 8 December 2020.}
2
Push the hair upward while drying. Begin drying your hair with a blow dryer set to low. As you operate the dryer, use the fingers of your free hand to position the hair. ^{[4]
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- Starting at the edge of the crown, direct the hair straight up and toward the center of your head. The hair at the top front should meet in a point aligned to the middle of the crown.
- As your progress toward the back of the crown, make this peak less dramatic.
- The hair at the sides and back of you don't need much styling. Depending on personal preference, you can let them remain flat or subtly push them toward the crown.
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3
Sharpen the ends with a flat iron. Sporadically pass a skinny flat iron over the tips of your hair.
- Choose random sections along the crown, but try to keep the hair moving in the same general direction.
4
Secure with styling mud. Place a small amount of the product into the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together so that the mud gets onto your fingers. Pinch the styled ends of your hair to apply the product. ^{[5]
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- Waxes can also work, but if you opt for a wax, try to find one with a matte finish instead of a glossy one.
- Continue working the product into your hair until you're satisfied with the results.
Rogelio Samson, Men Hair Expert

When styling short hair, opt for versatile products that provide pliable hold with a natural finish. I recommend lightweight creams or styling balms that can be worked through damp hair before blow drying.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Partless Pompadour

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1
Apply mousse to wet hair. Squeeze a small amount of volumizing mousse into your palm, then gently rub the mousse over your hands. Evenly the product into your hair from root to end. ^{[6]
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- The product you use doesn't have to be a mousse, but it must be something that you can apply to wet hair for the purpose of adding volume.
2
Guide the top upwards while drying. Blow dry the hair at the top of your head using a low setting. Simultaneously use a brush to style the hair, drawing it upward and to the back.
- Focus on giving the hair height during this step. Once the roots of your locks dry vertically, you can ease the ends of the hair toward the back of your head.
- Make sure that you're positioning the hair straight up and straight back. Do not move it to either side since doing so could create a definable part.
3
Dry the sides flat. Move the blow dryer toward the sides of your head. Use a brush to guide the hair at your sides toward the back.
- Try to keep the hair at your sides relatively flat, too.
4
Apply styling mud to the top. Once the hair dries, place a small amount of styling mud in your palm, then rub your hands together until it spreads. Work the mud into your hair from end to root.
- If you have fine hair, consider using pomade or mousse. ^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  April Ferri
  Professional Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 8 December 2020.} If you have notably coarse hair, you may want to use wax.
- Work the product into your hair, but do so carefully to avoid disturbing the previously set direction. Guide your fingers upward, back, and slightly to one side while working the product in. Note that you should still avoid creating any notable part.
5
Add detail with a comb. Flatten the sides backward using a comb, then add any desired detail to the top of your head using a comb, as well.
- Avoid pinching out sections of the hair. The hair at your crown should move in the same general direction, so piecing out certain sections could ruin the overall look.
Once you're satisfied with the way your hair looks, apply a light coat of hairspray to help hold it in place. ^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Classy Businessman

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1
Apply pomade to damp or wet hair. Place a dab of pomade in the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together until the product warms up. Evenly distribute it over hair, working it in from end to root. ^{[9]
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- Pomades work well for this type of style, but if you don't have pomade, you could try using any product that adds a moderate amount of texture to your hair.
2
Part the hair to one side. Draw a part on either the left or right side of your head using a standard comb. ^{[10]
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- The part should be positioned to the far edge of the crown.
3
Style the top upward and back. Using your fingers, arrange the hair at the top of your head into place. Draw the hair upward, back, and slightly off to the side in the direction opposite your part.
- Work with the hair starting at the top side of your part. Continue arranging it in this manner until you reach the opposite side of the crown, at a point roughly mirroring the placement of your part.
4
Flatten the sides and back. Use your palms to flatten the hair at the sides and back of your head while simultaneously directing the hair backward.
- Start with the hair at the sides of your head and next to your face. Push it back, then continue moving your hands back to help guide the rest of the sides backward, too.
- When you reach the back of the hair, direct it downward so that it flows naturally with the sides.
5
Air dry the hair. Allow the hair to dry naturally instead of using a hair dryer.
- If you used a strong enough hair product, the style should remain secure without additional work. Check on it periodically as it dries, however, and touch up any wayward locks while they're still damp.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Smooth Comb Through

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1
Apply styling cream through damp hair. Squeeze a small amount of styling cream into the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together to spread it. Smooth the cream evenly over the entire head of hair.
- This style requires the use of lightweight hair products, so you should avoid anything heavier than hair cream. Hair mousse may work instead of cream, but make sure that your hair can still move freely after application.
2
Part the hair to one side. Draw a part into one side of your hair using a standard comb. ^{[11]
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- Position the part to the edge of the crown. It can rest on either the right or left side.
3
Guide the locks sideways while drying. Set a blow dryer to low speed and begin drying your hair. As you operate the dryer, use the fingers of your free hand to position your locks.
- Starting at the part, work the hair at the top of your head in the direction opposite the part. Continue over the entire crown and toward the side of your head.
- Guide the hair at the other side of your part in the opposite direction, pushing the sides straight down.
4
Paste the pieces in place. If desired, use a flexible defining paste to help hold the style in place.
- Work a small amount of paste over both hands, then smooth the paste onto your hair in the direction of the style.
- If you have fine hair, skip the paste and apply a light mist of hairspray, instead.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Vintage Comb Up

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1
Apply mousse and shine serum to wet hair. Combine small, equal parts of hair mousse and shine serum in the palm of your hand. Rub the product over your hands, then work it into your hair from end to root.
- The shine serum adds pizazz to this look, but you can skip it if you don't have it. You must use a mousse or cream, however, to give your hair more holding power.
2
Comb the sides upward and back. Use a comb to push the hair at the sides of your head back and away from your face.
- For the lower half of each side, focus on directing the hair back.
- For the upper half of each side, start directing the hair upward and toward the top of your head. If the hair at your sides is long enough to reach the top of your head, you should direct it so that it does.
3
Comb the top toward the center of your head. Guide the hair on either side of your crown toward the center of your head. Both sides should meet together at this center.
- Keep the hair relatively flat, allowing it to somewhat naturally over the crown. Do not direct the hair upward, back, or into a point.
4
Dry the hair naturally. Allow the hair to air dry. Do not use a blow dryer.
- Air drying the hair should allow any natural waves and curls to set in place, which is desirable for this type of style. Using a hair dryer, on the other hand, could cause the hair to dry too straight.
After the hair dries, use your fingers to make any final adjustments to the style, then spray the entire thing with extra-hold hairspray. ^{[12]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What products should I use on fine hair?

April Ferri
Professional Hair Stylist
April Ferri is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Co-Owner of Widows Peak Salon, a hair salon based in Los Angeles, California. With over ten years of experience, April specializes in hair coloring and enhancing and transforming natural tones into vibrant shades for beautiful and low maintenance hair. Her work has been featured in Voyage LA Magazine, and she has worked as a stylist for LA Fashion Week.

April Ferri

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

If you have fine or thin hair, avoid using any heavy creams. Instead, opt for something airy like mousse or an aerosol or spray.

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Question

How do I stop my hair from frizzing?

April Ferri
Professional Hair Stylist
April Ferri is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Co-Owner of Widows Peak Salon, a hair salon based in Los Angeles, California. With over ten years of experience, April specializes in hair coloring and enhancing and transforming natural tones into vibrant shades for beautiful and low maintenance hair. Her work has been featured in Voyage LA Magazine, and she has worked as a stylist for LA Fashion Week.

April Ferri

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

When you're picking out products, look for something that says anti-humectant. That means the product is going to help keep humidity out of your hair, which is what causes frizz.

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What should I do if I have really short hair?

Ella Hubbard

Community Answer

For short thick, coarse hair, use a short natural bristle. For soft, thin or fine hair, a longer bristle is more suitable for your hair. Brushes with longer bristles gently stimulate your scalp and distribute natural oil.

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Things You'll Need

Classy Businessman

Pomade
Comb

Peaked Short Cut

Hair putty
Styling mud
Blow dryer
Skinny flat iron