Should You Get A Buzz Cut?: Why It’s The Haircut Of The Summer

It’s clear there are few things more capable of derailing a group chat than a man with objectively great hair deciding to shave it all off. 

Most recently, Erling Haaland sent the football world into a mild existential crisis when he lopped off the long, blond locks that had become as recognisable as his goal celebrations. The Manchester City striker unveiled a close buzz cut with the caption: “New season, new trim.”

Then came Connor Storrie. The Heated Rivalry actor (he of the excellent curls and a very committed fanbase) was snapped in Canada with a freshly buzzed head while filming the show’s second season. The internet, predictably, took it extremely normally (it did not). 

And while it’s true that two big celebrity hair moments doth not make a trend, buzz cuts have always been an exceptionally cool and confident cut, with Haaland and Storrie making an extra convincing argument for shaving it all off. 

An Aussie summer is also an excellent time to make a change, because the brutal heat and humidity don’t exactly reward guys who’ve taken the time to dry and style their hair just so. A buzz cut is cool, with very little effort, and a whole lot of liberation. 

But is a buzz cut right for you? We spoke with the crew at Fitzroy’s P&P Barbers to find out what you need to know before diving (shaved) headfirst into the cut of the summer. 

Does Face Shape Matter For A Buzz Cut? 

The accepted wisdom around buzz cuts is that you need the “right” head or face shape to pull one off. According to P&P Barbers, that’s not a reason to rule yourself out.

“Buzz cuts are for anybody. We don’t rule out a buzz cut because of the shape of your face. If you want to give it a go, do it! It’s more about personal preference and how confident you feel wearing it.”

Now, that’s not barber-speak for “anything goes”. A good barber will still think about your hairline, density, growth patterns and how sharp or soft you want the finished shape to feel. The thing to know is that these details are things to work with, not a pass-or-fail test of whether a buzz cut will suit you. 

Hair does grow back, on average one to 1.5 centimetres each month, so the decision is hardly permanent. Still, it’s worth treating the first shave with some consideration, rather than an impulsive Friday-night experiment with your mate’s old clippers.

You Don’t Have To Start With A Number One All Over

When you picture a buzz cut, you probably picture the classic one-length version: clipped uniformly close from the fringe to the nape. Think Brad Pitt in Mr. & Mrs Smith. 

But it’s far from the only way to shave a head. P&P Barbers points out that short scissor work can create a similar, uniform shape with a softer, more textured finish (more Brad Pitt in Ocean’s Eleven) than a military induction cut. If you want to be technical, it’s not a buzz cut in the strictest sense, because clippers aren’t involved, but it could be a good stepping stone for anyone not quite ready to go full Haaland.

Then there’s the more current barber-shop version: a little more length and texture on top, with a fade or tapered finish around the sides and neckline. Still, not quite a buzz cut, but if you’re going from longer locks and want a transition haircut, a fade could be a great option. 

The early 2000s are also back in the mix, so don’t be afraid of a little bit of contrast. A fade with a bit of texture up top and a clean edge can give the cut a much more modern feel than a straight-up DIY number two.

A Buzz Cut Allows You To Go A Little Wild 

One of the biggest perks of running a clipper over your skull is that it turns your head into a blank canvas with zero stakes. And if you’re going to take all the length off, you might as well go all in.

With Y2K-style driving current clothing trends, it’s also made its way into grooming trends. The bleached-blonde buzz (made iconic by early-2000s David Beckham and Eminem, and more recently resurrected by Evan Mock and Frank Ocean) is the ultimate summer flex.

Because your hair is so short, the usual golden rule of bleaching (avoiding chemical damage) gets thrown out the window. If you fry it, or simply decide you look less fashion-forward and more like a high-school villain, it’ll completely grow out in less than a month anyway.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to try platinum blonde, neon pink, or a custom dye job, a buzz cut is your window to go wild with no long-term commitment.

Can You Give Yourself A Buzz Cut At Home? 

Technically, you can. Should you? Maybe not the first time. A uniform buzz is one of the more achievable haircuts to do at home, but sorry to say, it’s not as foolproof as the internet makes it look.

“Hair grows in different directions, so it can be easy to miss patches doing this yourself over the bathroom sink,” P&P Barbers says. “You also won’t get that tapered finish and clean edges you get from the barbershop.”

The sensible route is to let a barber set the foundation first. This way, you’ll learn what length suits you, whether you prefer the sides tighter and how much shape you want around the temples and neck. 

After that, maintaining a buzz cut at home is a much less cursed proposition. However, if you want a fade, taper or sharp line-up, it’s best to leave it to someone who can see the back of your head without relying on a complicated mirror set-up and unfounded optimism.

Is A Buzz Cut Low Commitment? 

A buzz cut is low-maintenance in the morning, yes, but it’s not necessarily low-commitment over the long haul.

“Because the hair is so short, you notice the growth much faster, so you’ll generally want to come in more regularly to keep it looking fresh,” says P&P Barbers.

The upside? “Buzz cuts are generally cheaper than a standard haircut, so the cost can balance out with what you’d spend on your normal routine,” the barbers add.

Taking Care Of Your Scalp In Summer With A Buzz Cut

If you’re prone to a dry scalp, good news: a buzz cut can actually make it easier to wash your hair properly and get product right down to the skin. The less good news is a buzz cut does make it easier for the sun to reach (and inevitably burn) your scalp. 

With a buzz cut, if you’re spending the day outside, treat your scalp like any other exposed bit of skin and slip, slop, slap with broad-spectrum SPF50+ sunscreen, a hat and, of course, a bit of common sense around the middle-of-the-day sun. 

Buzz Cut Pros & Cons

As with any big decision, listing out the pros and cons can be a helpful way to decide whether the big shave is right for you. 

Pros	Cons
Zero styling time in the morning	Barber visits every 2–3 weeks
Cooler for summer	Zero sun protection and the scalp is fully exposed to UV
Cheaper per visit than long cuts	A buzz cut reveals your head shape, scars, bumps, etc. you might not even know existed (not necessarily a bad thing though!)
Easy to bleach, dye and experiment with	If you DIY, it’s easy to miss spots over the bathroom sink

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So, Should You Get A Buzz Cut? 

If you’ve been thinking about doing it, then this might be your sign. Haaland has done it. Storrie has done it. Your barbershop is probably already seeing the references roll in. And at the end of the day, it’s a haircut, not a blood oath. If you don’t love it, your hair will grow back.

Summer is long enough for at least one questionable decision, and if you’re going to do something big and bold with your appearance, you may as well make it something that has a pretty high chance of looking good. 

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