Introduction

Undercut hairstyle is recognized to be one of the fashionable men’s hairstyles, since it involves short hair on the sides and long hair on the top of the head. This hairstyle, being fashionable and stylish, has become popular among people of any age, who can either prefer a business haircut or a trendy one. Moreover, this hairstyle looks very good with straight, wavy, curly and thick hair.

The feature that makes the undercut haircut appropriate for any occasion is the level of customizability that makes it possible to add such hairstyles as slick back, pompadour, quiff, textured crop, side part, and even long hair. No matter whether you are going to get a whole new look or just a trendy haircut, an undercut is the option for you.

In this guide, you will find everything about the undercut hairstyle – the history and the origins, differences between and fade hairstyles, popular variations and their descriptions, ways to style your undercut at home, and how to maintain it properly, as well as how to choose the right undercut for yourself depending on face shape and hair type.

What Is an Undercut Hairstyle?

An undercut hairstyle is a kind of haircut where the sides and the back have very short or shaved hair, and hair on the top is longer. In contrast to other haircuts, the blending of the two lengths of the hair is minimal. This hairstyle is characterized by its striking and fashionable contrast of short sides and long hair on the top.

There are various options for how you may wear your longer hair on top. You may get a neat slicked back, a trendy quiff, and more. All of the above-stated variations make this hairstyle perfect for modern and classical hairstyles.

An additional benefit of this hairstyle is the fact that it suits all types of hair. No matter if you have straight, wavy, curly, or thick hair, your barber will know how to style it properly in order to get a perfect look. This hairstyle also goes well with beards.

The History of the Undercut Hairstyle

Despite the fact that the undercut looks like a new trend for hairdos, this kind of haircut dates back over a hundred years. In the first decades of the twentieth century, the hairdo was quite popular among working-class men due to its practicality and cheapness. Additionally, in the 1920s and 1930s, the style became popular among soldiers and young men as it looked neat and required almost no maintenance.

The haircut changed in accordance with the development of fashion styles through the years. In addition, from the 1980s until now, this haircut has become very popular among those of various youth and music subcultures since it represented an icon of personality and confidence. This style of hair is popular among many performers and actors.

It is the latest fad because of social networking sites, celebrities, and barbers. This haircut can be called the trendiest haircut for men.

Undercut vs. Fade: What’s the Difference?

The thing one needs to remember about these two haircuts is that they are trendy because of their stylishness. At the same time, there are certain distinctions between these hairstyles because of the haircuts at the top and sides of the head. While both haircuts provide a stylish and fashionable hairstyle, each of them is distinguished by its unique cutting technique and style.

The first thing to note about an undercut hairstyle is that it is characterized by the distinction of the top and side hair parts. There is hardly any blending, which results in the bold transition of hair from the top to the sides, creating an edgy and trendy style. Thus, the undercut style is suitable for the sleek back, pompadour, quiff, textured crop, or even long-haired hairstyles.

The fade hairstyle, unlike the undercut style, features a smooth blend of hair from the longer top part into the shorter sides and neckline. The fade cut allows selecting one of the three variants of haircut: the low, mid, and high fade. Therefore, depending on one’s preferences, one can select either the low-fade, which involves trimming the hair near the temples, ears, and neck, or mid or high-fade, when hair grows shorter gradually.

Which Style Suits Different Preferences?

An Undercut hairstyle is ideal for any man who wishes to appear stylish and elegant. People who love to experiment with their hairstyles using various hair products like pomade, clay, and wax need to try out the undercut hairstyle. It suits people with straight, thick, and wavy hair. Those who love neat hairstyles and can be varied in styles go for the fade hairstyle. Since fades involve gradual transitioning from longer to shorter hair, it will suit those who work in professional places and do not want to attract too much attention. Also, fades go along perfectly with many hairstyles.

In conclusion, both styles are good, and neither of them is better. However, it depends only on the customer’s preferences what type of cut he prefers.

Best Undercut Hairstyle Variations to Try

What makes the undercut so popular is the fact that it can be used for different occasions and purposes. Be it your desire for a trendy hairdo or you prefer elegance, in both cases, this hairstyle will suit you perfectly. So let us review the best undercut hairstyles.

Slick Back Undercut

This hairstyle is always timeless because it involves keeping shorter hair on the sides while brushing longer hair straight back. Thus, you will have an elegant look that will be beneficial both for going to work and for any celebrations. The use of pomade or styling cream and backcombing can accomplish this.

This type of cut works for straight or wavy hair. It is suitable for use with a beard.

Textured Undercut

This undercut hairstyle is recommended to people who prefer a relaxed and modern hairstyle with movement. While a slick back undercut involves a sleek and tight look, a textured undercut is all about layers.

As a result, your hair will no longer be silky, but textured and almost natural. This is done by using matte clay or texturizing paste. This hairstyle is ideal for people with thick, wavy, and slightly curly hair.

Side Part Undercut

This hairstyle involves the combination of a classic side parting and the undercut. Therefore, longer hair parted to one side will result in a neat and clean appearance.

A stylish and elegant appearance, easy to maintain, versatile for various settings and occasions. The hairstyle will work for almost any face shape and works well with light-hold pomade.

Pompadour Undercut

This style is very daring and popular since it uses voluminous hair that is being swept up and backwards. It will give you an elegant and very masculine hairstyle. This hairstyle will suit men with thick or medium hair.

You should use a blow dryer and strong-hold pomade or wax for styling this undercut hairstyle on a regular basis.

Curly Undercut

For a reason, it’s an undercut style, and that’s because it’s a haircut designed for curly hair. Curls will not be left free, and short hair on the sides will help balance the hairstyle.

The most effective application method is to ensure that you use a cream or leave-in conditioner for curls.

Wavy Undercut

Just as with the curly hairstyle, the wavy undercut highlights the waves in your hair, while the sides will be short. You will have an organized hairstyle that will bring movement and volume to your hair.

Highlight the waves in your hair with a sea spray or a surfing gel.

Long Hair Undercut

In this undercut hairstyle, there is long hair on top, while the sides are shaved or cut short. You can opt to keep your hairstyle long, in a ponytail, or in a man bun.

It is an appropriate haircut for men who want to have long-cut hair, but at the same time they wish to minimise the bulkiness of the long hair. Hair regularly conditioned and trimmed will retain its length. 

Short Undercut Hairstyle

In the event you are a busy expert or student who desires a tidy, upkeep-free trimming, then this hairstyle is the one for you. The Top will be relatively short, while the sides will be even shorter.

Regular use of a small amount of matte paste is usually enough to style this undercut hairstyle.

Undercut with Beard

In case you’ve decided to let your beard grow but can’t decide on what haircut to go for, pair it up with a hairstyle. This will make the beard look better, giving you a good-looking style.

Maintain your beard so that it looks nice.

Modern Undercut Fade Combination

This haircut involves the combination of a bold undercut and smooth fade. Thus, instead of the sharp separation between sides and top, the sides will gently taper.

The outcome will be a modern and practical hairstyle that goes brilliantly with textured cuts, quiffs, pompadours, and slicked-back hairstyles.

How to Maintain an Undercut Hairstyle

When grooming and maintaining undercut hair the right way, it’s simple. Check out these maintenance techniques for preserving the sharpness of your undercut hairstyle.

How Often Should You Get a Trim?

Get your undercut haircut on a regular basis (once every two or four weeks) in order to maintain the cleanliness of the sides and contrast between the top and sides of your hair.

Washing and Conditioning Tips

Wash your hair twice to thrice a week using a mild shampoo, and apply a good conditioner to maintain the healthiness and manageability of your hair.

Keeping the Sides Sharp Between Visits

Brush your hair every day and always maintain the sides of your hair neatly trimmed. Regular barber services will help you keep your sides sharp.

Beard Maintenance (If Applicable)

If you have a beard, maintain it well by trimming it from time to time and applying beard oil to it.

Conclusion

There are many different ways one can style the undercut. Some examples include slicking it back, texturizing it, curling it, or wearing it in a pompadour undercut. These are all over-the-top styles that can be worn in various styles. The possibilities with the undercut are endless in terms of what kind of person you want to portray. Through choosing a proper variant of the undercut and the use of quality hair care products and routine cuts, you will always look fresh and fashionable.

FAQS About the Undercut hairstyle