It's time to get your hair ready for the imminent hot weather. While a thick, product-heavy mane might be more than fine in the winter, it can make for a rather uncomfortable (and very sweaty) summer. Prep for the heat by lightening up your hair cut to something shorter and easier to manage. Depending on your hair type and maintenance preference, some short hairstyles will work better than others. To help you figure out your perfect warm-weather 'do, here are 15 of our favorite heads of Hollywood hair—short-hairstyle edition.
Slicked-Back Side Part
This is good for guys who want low maintenance, but don't want to commit to something super short, like a buzzcut or a crewcut. It does require a fair amount of product, however, so maybe steer clear of this one during the summer if you sweat a lot. Otherwise, simply ask for around two inches on top and about an inch on the sides, and then slick it back and to the side while it's wet with some high-hold pomade.
High-and-tight
A cousin of the crewcut, the high-and-tight gets you as close to the ease of a buzzcut as you can without the latter style's commitment to the crop. It's especially good if you have a square head shape, although pretty much anyone can wear it. Simply have your barber start with a low setting on the clippers—1 or 2 should do it—and then fade up. The top should be left just long enough that you can work in some pomade to give it a bit of texture (and maybe a part).
Buzzcut
For those willing to commit, the buzzcut is a perfect spring hairstyle. No maintenance, no muss, no product to worry about. The only choice is how short you want to go. A 1 setting on the clippers gets you close to the skin, while a 4 gives you about a half an inch of fuzz. Just make sure you have a good skull shape before going this route.
Pomp Fade
As far as short hairstyles go, this one is a bit higher maintenance—but it's worth it. The biggest issue is keeping that volume in the front. For the cut, ask your barber to go shorter on the sides, with layered length on top. To style it, comb pomade back from your forehead while your hair is wet. Then break out the blow dryer and blow it back and up in order to create some height. Once it's dry, use your fingers and a bit more product to give it separation. And stay out of the rain.
Modified Pompadour
This is basically a modified (a.k.a. lower maintenance) pompadour. Basically, it's a similar cut—a bit longer and layered on top, with a fade down the sides and back—you just don't have to do as much in terms of styling. All you need to do is blow dry your hair back, and once it's dry, add a medium hold pomade and style it over to the side. Make sure to run your fingers through it to get a bit of volume. This is an especially good style for guys with straighter hair who want to keep things clean and clipped but not too conservative.
Long-on-top high-and-tight
Gosling sports one of the easiest styles to emulate for any face or hair type. Ask for something high and tight on the sides, and about an inch longer on top. Add a side part, which you'll maintain by towel-drying, then using matte pomade with a comb. Side note: We can't guarantee this hairstyle will make you look like Ryan Gosling.
Buzzcut with Skin Fade
This is for the man who wants something like a buzzcut, only with a bit more personality. Ask your barber for a skin fade, or, if you don't want that much skin showing, fade up from the sides and back with a 1 setting on the clippers. Go with whatever length you want on top, although for a sharper look like Zayn, it's better to keep it pretty short.
Taper Fade
For guys with thick wavy hair, a little length on top can be a good way to keep things in check. Just have your barber point cut two- or three-inch layers to remove bulk and add texture. A light conditioner is good to help dial down any frizziness, and to keep things more manageable. If your hair tends toward the dry side, a little oil (jojoba, argan, take your pick) can help smooth and soften things as well. To style it, rub a dime-sized amount of texturizing cream in while it's wet and then, once it's dry, some strong-hold wax to break it up and add texture. Ditch your comb and style it with your fingers.
Round Cut
If you have curly hair and a more angular face, go modern with a round cut. This one's longer on top and the sides, and then fades down to the skin. If it starts looking too bushy, it'll be pretty obvious you need a trim.
