Whether your hair is short, medium, long, straight, curly, or some combination of the above, there are simply a ton of options to consider when getting your next cut. Start your journey by determining which type of hair you have and then follow our guides accordingly, to discover a truly epic selection of popular haircuts.

The great news about short men’s hair is that it’s relatively easy to maintain in terms of shape and style. The less great news (for some men, at least) is that you still have a ton of different styles to choose from. Examples include crop cuts, buzz cuts, comb-overs with hard side parts, mini-pompadours, and so much more.

Medium-length hair is more popular than ever before, thanks in no small part to a growing number of style-conscious men. Be sure to account for things such as facial shape and hair volume before landing on your cut of choice. It’s similarly important to brush up on your terminology so that you have a firm grip on words like “fade,” “undercut,” “pompadour,” “crop,” and “quiff.” You’ll find relevant definitions, essential products, and a dizzying array of medium hairstyles in our adjoining guide.

We envy all the men out there who can nurture and then rock a full head of long hair, but we don’t envy their hair care routine! Then again, “messy casual” is a popular style so having long hair doesn’t automatically mean you’ll spend hours in front of a mirror. Alternate hairstyles include braids, the man-bun, straight, wavy, and more.

Curly hair is a bona fide mark of distinction that requires a firm sense of style and a little extra love and care. A quick tip is to routinely apply hair moisturiser such as sea salt spray so as to maintain volume and prevent your hair from drying out.

So you’ve been blessed with naturally straight hair, have you? Or maybe you need to get busy with the straightening iron in order to maintain your look of choice. Whatever the case, straight hair gives you the perfect opportunity to keep things relatively simple when it comes time to visit the barbershop. Taking a seat in the chair, you ask for a hard side part or maybe a slicked-back cut with a solid fade, to name just two of your many options. Keep in mind that textural variations can render major impressions so aim for diversity (longer on top and shorter around the sides, for instance) and incorporate small amounts of hair product when necessary.

More men are taking a conscious approach toward grooming and appearance and the hair care industry has expanded accordingly. Not only will you find a slew of new barbershops popping up in cities around the world, but it seems that there have never been more men’s hairstyles to choose from than there are at this very moment. As such, you’ll want to master certain terms and looks so that you can sit down in that barber chair and get the right haircut every time.

Is your face round, oblong, square, or another shape like a heart or a diamond? Do you have a thick beard, a goatee, some stubble, or a smooth baby face? Are you thinning up top or as voluminous as you were in your prime? Does your hair dry out easily? Is it naturally curly or straight? Do you shower with shampoo every day? These are just of few of the questions a man should ask himself before walking into the barbershop for his next haircut. After all, what works for someone else might not necessarily work for you and vice versa. Brush up on the following areas to become a true master of your follicular domain.

You might see the words “face shape” and think of…well…the shape of your face. It sounds simple enough but there’s more to it than standing in front of a mirror and figuring out what geometric shape your face vaguely resembles. To get the most accurate results, you should account for things such as the distance between the top of each eyebrow and cheekbone, the height of your face, and the length of your jawline.

For plenty of men, a receding hairline is basically a fact of life. What’s far less pre-determined, however, is how you roll with this particular punch. One of the simplest options is to rock a clean shave or modern buzz cut. Other men work with what they have by adding extra texture or layering, which can dial up the visual contrast and cleverly conceal thinning hair.

If there was ever a topic that was more elusive than it sounds, it’s this one here. The simplest answer is that men should wash their hair with shampoo once every 2-3 days and no more than 3 times a week. However, there’s a slew of other variables to take into consideration. For instance, some experts suggest that men who use lots of hair products should shampoo more often than those who don’t. Furthermore, different types of hair will respond to different washing routines differently. And don’t even get us started on when you should use conditioner!

Most of the best men’s hairstyles and beards require a certain amount of regular maintenance along with the use of hair products such as pomade, clay, gel, beard oil, and more. If you have anything longer than a buzz cut, you’ll also want to know your way around a hairbrush and comb. Be forewarned that not all pomades and clays are created equal, which is why we’ve listed out some of the better hair products in a separate article.

First and foremost: only true experts should even consider bleaching their own hair and even they should think twice before doing so. Not only is bleach a toxic substance, but it can wreak all kinds of havoc on your hair and scalp. If you simply must do it on your own, we offer a relatively safe step-by-step guide on the process. However, the best advice we can give is that you get it done by a professional instead.

Facial hair (or the lack thereof) makes up a vital part of your overall appearance, to the point that it can even dominate other features. Whether you’re rocking a long beard or a simple moustache or anything in between, it’s important to consider how this decision will play out in accordance with your haircut and even your style of clothing. From the best beard styles for men to pointers on how to grow a moustache, we have you covered.

The men’s beard came roaring back into fashion over a decade ago and it’s been trending ever since. Equip yourself with some nourishing beard oil and trusty trimmers as you explore this ever-growing world of facial hair. You’ll soon discover a veritable bounty of beard styles, ranging from natural and full to partial beards like the Van Dyke or the Zappa. This is how you distinguish yourself from the herd so advance wisely.

The modern moustache is one of those things that can seem simple on the surface but quickly go awry. After all, the last thing you want to do is look out of touch or downright creepy, which are two vibes that the wrong moustache can generate. With a little patience and the right grooming tools, however, you can land yourself some upper lip-holstery of considerable style and quality. Consider pairing it with a beard to round out your facial hair portfolio, which is one of a number of pointers we dole out in our respective moustache guide.

Now you know everything about men’s haircuts and hairstyles, check out our favourite barbers in your city.

Gentlemen, let this be your mood board for hairstyles.