The Biggest Men’s Hair Trends For 2022

The Undercut Quiff

The quiff is the default hairstyle of adolescents armed with too many hormones and too many bargain hair products. This year’s version is not so try-hard, however. It sees the quiff enter the serious grown-up hairstyle arena via a sharply contrasting undercut and a finish that prizes gentle matte texture over skyscraping stiffness.

Before you think about which industrial-strength hair product can secure your hair into place, think about the cut; it’ll make maintaining this style a hell of a lot easier. “Ask your barber to disconnect the sides from the top at clipper grade zero, creating a blunt contrast in length,” says Bradley Smith, creative director at Bradley Smith Hair Heathrow. “Then you’ll need a taper off through the neck and sides while leaving length on top and your fringe will allow room to create texture and volume at the front.”

Those familiar with keeping a quiff in place will know that technique (and a steady hand) is everything. “To start, towel-dry your hair until slightly damp then apply a pre-styling agent,” says Smith. “Work a dash of sea salt spray into your hair all the way to the roots, then blow-dry your hair into shape, using a round brush to create texture and volume. Follow this by working a coin-sized amount of clay into your hair and create texture with your fingers. To complete the look, use a booster powder to help group your hair together.”

The Tapered High & Tight

Not really into long hairstyles? Can’t be bothered to style your hair? Don’t want to look like an egg with human features? This year’s tapered take on the high and tight sounds right up your street. This short, low maintenance style borrows the buzz cut’s CBA attitude but leaves you with something to play with up top.

The high and tight is a time-poor, style-conscious classic, but on the wrong head, it can get a little too Secret Service. “For a sleeker version of the basic short back and sides ask for a tapered high and tight at clipper guard one or two with a compact crop on top,” says Smith. “The finished cut should echo tradition but a sharply cut and textured length on top will steer modern; think Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds.”