5 Barber-Recommended Haircuts For Summer 2016
Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty Images1/5The Buzz Cut
Inspiration: Zayn Malik
There’s no better time of the year to commit to a ‘do as drastic as a buzzcut than summer, with its insane heat and humidity. Jason Schneidman, groomer to guys like Aaron Paul and Justin Theroux, agrees. “Summers are always a great time to go for something short,” he says, “like buzzing your head. It’s kind of like hitting the reset button.” Well, that all sounds eerily familiar...
Anyway, sound like something you want to try out? Great. Just don’t forget to use protection.
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic2/5The Skin Fade
Inspiration: John Legend
Not sure you’re ready for the level of commitment clipping it all off requires? In that case, Leah Shields, of Blind Barber’s Los Angeles shop, recommends going for a fade. “A skin fade would be ideal,” she notes, “but if you're not into that much skin, stick with a 1 blade around the sides and back. As for the top length, that would be the preference of the person. But I would recommend really short. The great thing about this particular style: it’s versatile. No matter what type of hair you have, it can easily be cut to shape the hair texture and needs of the client.”
Now, what about products? Shields has got you covered there too. “Hair needs to be low maintenance in the summer. Something to run your fingers through and go. I recommend Blind Barber 60 Proof Hair Wax. It’s a light, yet provides hold and versatility throughout the day, and it doesn't disappear in the summer heat, like a lot of other products do.”
Vera Anderson/WireImage3/5The Easy Sweep
Inspiration: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Of course, going short enough that you start to see some skin isn’t for everyone. In fact, a lot of guys go out of their way to avoid it, says celebrity groomer, Martial Vivot. “Something we hear a lot of is, ‘I want it a little shorter but I don’t want to see any skin.’ So for the summer, a great cut is to go shorter, but not that short, on the sides and neck, and medium length on top.” A perfect example of this: the Kingslayer himself, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. As Vivot puts it, “the key is to keep a natural, easy look.”
Product-wise, Martial has some pointers, too. “Since the summer is very hot and causes you to sweat, I recommend using less product. You can use any product but you just need to use less of it. When you have fuller hair, I like to use our Martial Vivot Gel and run a comb through it to push it back with this shorter summer cut. This gives you a really cool, easy summer look.”
Ethan Miller/Getty Images4/5The Tapered Pompadour
Inspiration: David Beckham
If you’re looking for a cut that maintains your cultivated length up top, while still cooling you down for the summer, then you’re in luck. Enter Adrian Fanus of New York’s Adrian Fanus Grooming. “One haircut that I would recommend for the summer,” he says, “would be a long textured pompadour with a high skin fade on the side. And for more versatility, ask your barber to just use a comb to create your part, instead of having them to cut in a hard part with clippers. This will allow you to style your hair multiple ways on the top.”
Before you go ahead and give it a shot though, take note: this snip does have some hair type-related stipulations, Fanus is quick to note. “For thicker straight hair, ask your groomer to thin out the top—this will allow your hair to be malleable. For thinner straight hair, keep your hair even longer on top to create an illusion of thicker hair. Finally, for curly hair, trim the top a little, but allow your natural curl to flow. And use minimal product to help emphasize your curls."
Neil Mockford/GC Images5/5The Surf-Ready Flow
Inspiration: Kit Harrington
For some guys, it’s all about length. Luckily for them, longer locks still have their place this season, says Jake Ungrey of Fellow Barber’s Williamsburg, Brooklyn shop. “Keep them locks growing to a mid-length,” he suggests (meaning somewhere between the jaw and the shoulder), “to get that Keanu Reeves from Point Break look. Just be sure to ask the barber to take some weight out with either shears or straight razor if you’ve got wavy, dense or curly hair.”
The great thing about this look is that styling’s a cinch. Simply use some product to tame flyaways and you’re all set. Ungrey’s recommendation? “Creams, like those by Malin & Goetz and Fellow Barber, are a great choice for those long locks. You can also bring home that beach vibe by using Byrd’s Texturizing Surf Spray, which leaves a nice coconut scent throughout your day.” Don’t mind if we do.
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