20 Trendy Mens and Womens Hairstyles: Cuts, Colors & Styling Tips

Hi, I’m Lena — a salon hairstylist with over 10 years of professional experience creating looks for every face shape and hair texture. In this gallery-style post I showcase 20 standout men’s and women’s hairstyles, from textured crops and fades to layered bobs, pixies, long beachy waves and color-forward balayage. Each image is chosen to illustrate how cut, texture and color work together to flatter features and suit lifestyles. Whether you have thick, fine, curly or straight hair, I’ll explain which styles are low-maintenance versus high-impact and share my go-to products and quick daily styling steps. Expect practical tips for face-shape matching, managing growth between appointments, and easy at-home finishes that keep your cut looking salon-fresh. Use these 20 looks for inspiration and bring your favorite images to your next consultation — visuals make it easier to get the result you want.

Textured Wavy Fringe with Tapered Sides — Tousled Men’s Curly Hairstyle

This tousled wavy fringe with tapered sides suits natural waves to loose curls (2A–3B) and medium to thick hair density. Ask your stylist for longer layered length on top (about 4–6 in / 10–15 cm) with a gradual taper or disconnected undercut at the sides to maintain contrast and movement. Cut using point-cutting and light thinning to remove bulk without losing wave definition; dry cutting helps preview the finished shape. To style: towel-blot damp hair, apply a lightweight curl cream or mousse through mid-lengths and ends, then scrunch and diffuse on low heat with a diffuser attachment to enhance natural texture. For extra separation, finish by working a small amount of matte paste or light hold pomade through fingertips and piece out the fringe. Optional: a sea-salt spray for added grit or a 1/2 in curling wand to define a few strands. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic product knowledge and a diffuser. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks, use sulfate-free shampoo and weekly deep conditioner, refresh daily with water + styling cream, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.

Textured Tousled Fringe for Medium-Length Straight to Wavy Hair

This textured, side-swept tousled fringe suits medium-length straight to wavy hair with medium density; fine hair will benefit from added volume products while very curly or coarse hair will require smoothing before styling. The salon technique: cut into soft, layered lengths with point-cutting and light thinning at the ends to create movement, keeping the fringe longer on one side for an asymmetrical fall. For styling, towel-dry to damp, apply a lightweight volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray through roots and lengths, then rough-dry using fingers and a medium-heat blow dryer (use a diffuser for natural waves). Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte paste or styling cream through mid-lengths and ends to separate pieces; use a flat iron on low heat for selective piece-defining only if needed. Tools required: scissors, thinning shears, blow dryer, vent/diffuser attachment, wide-tooth comb and optionally a small flat iron. Products required: heat protectant, volumizer or sea-salt spray, matte paste, light hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — requires some precision to shape the fringe and layer balance. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks, use a sulfate-free shampoo, refresh texture with water plus sea-salt spray, and avoid heavy conditioners at the roots to preserve lift.

Textured Wet-Look Medium-Length Waves for Wavy/Curly Hair

This relaxed, wet-look textured haircut suits naturally wavy to curly hair of medium thickness and medium length (roughly 3–6 inches). The salon cut uses long layers and point‑cutting to remove bulk while keeping movement through the front and crown. To style: start with towel‑blotted, damp hair; apply a lightweight leave‑in conditioner or curl cream to hydrate, then mist with sea‑salt spray for texture. Scrunch the hair with your hands, and diffuse on low heat while cupping the ends to enhance natural wave pattern, or air‑dry for a softer finish. Once nearly dry, work a small amount of matte paste or clay through the mid-lengths and ends with your fingertips to separate strands and create that lived‑in, piecey look. Tools needed: wide‑tooth comb, microfiber towel, diffuser attachment for a blow dryer, and finger styling. Products: leave‑in conditioner/curl cream, sea‑salt spray, matte paste/clay, optional anti‑frizz serum. Difficulty: medium — requires product balance and scrunching technique. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, deep condition weekly, avoid daily shampooing, refresh with water + sea‑salt spray, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.

Textured Messy Crop with Long Fringe — Ideal for Thick Wavy Hair

This modern textured messy crop features a longer, layered top with a swept fringe and shorter, tapered sides — best suited to thick, wavy, or medium-curly hair that holds structure. The salon technique is a disconnected crop: remove weight through long point-cut layers on top, texture with thinning shears or a razor for separation, and clipper-taper the sides (guards 1–4) for contrast. Styling is hands-on — towel-dry to damp, mist a sea-salt or texturizing spray for grip, then blow-dry with fingers or a diffuser while lifting at the roots to encourage movement. Finish by working a pea-to-nickel sized amount of matte clay or paste through the mid-lengths and ends for piecey definition; use a bit of texturizing powder at the roots if you need extra lift and a light hairspray to lock shape. Tools needed: scissors, thinning shears/razor, clippers, blow-dryer with nozzle/diffuser, wide-tooth comb. Difficulty: moderate — the cut needs professional precision, daily styling takes 5–10 minutes. Maintenance: trims every 4–6 weeks, sulfate-free shampoo, weekly deep conditioner if colored, and refresh with water + product rather than heavy oils.

Textured Long Top with Short Sides — Wavy Tousled Fringe for Medium–Thick Hair

This contemporary textured long-top style with short, faded sides works best on medium to thick hair with natural wave or loose curl. The cut is created by leaving 4–6 inches on top with layered point-cutting and a soft undercut or tapered sides to reduce bulk and emphasize movement. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry while lifting with fingers or a vent brush for separation; use a diffuser for tighter waves. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte paste or sea-salt texturizing spray through the mid-lengths and ends to define pieces and create separation. Tools needed: scissors and razor for texturizing, clippers for the sides, blow dryer (diffuser optional), vent or round brush, and a wide-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or sea salt spray, texturizing paste or clay, and a light-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — some skill with blow-drying and product distribution helps. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 3–6 weeks, refresh layers every 8–12 weeks, deep-condition weekly if color-treated, and reshape with water and a small amount of product between washes.

Textured Wavy Medium-Length Top with Tapered Short Sides

This textured, wavy medium-length top with tapered short sides is ideal for natural waves, loose curls or straight hair that responds to product. Start on towel-damp hair: apply a sea-salt spray or lightweight mousse through the top to boost texture and a heat protectant before drying. Use a blow dryer with a diffuser or your fingers to lift the crown and direct hair back and slightly to the side; for added control use a medium round brush on the front sections. Work a small amount of matte clay or paste through the mid-lengths and ends, raking with fingers to create piecey separation and lived-in movement; finish with a light-hold spray if needed. Tools: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb or fingers, round brush, and clippers for the tapered sides. Products: salt spray or mousse, heat protectant, matte clay/paste, light hairspray. Difficulty: medium — requires practice with product amounts and shaping. Maintenance: trim sides every 3–5 weeks, tidy the top every 6–8 weeks, condition weekly, avoid heavy oils that weigh hair down, and refresh second-day hair with water and a dab of clay or salt spray.

Textured Curly Top with Tapered Sides

This textured, tousled curly top with tapered sides is ideal for natural wavy to curly hair and works well on medium to thick densities. The look is cut shorter on the sides with length left on top to create movement and a soft fringe. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner or curl cream, then scrunch and diffuse on low heat or air-dry while lifting at the roots with fingers for volume. Finish by working a pea-sized matte paste or sea-salt clay through mid-lengths and ends to separate and define pieces. Tools needed: hairdryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb or fingers, barber clippers for tapered sides, scissors/texturizing shears for the top. Products required: leave-in conditioner or curl cream, sea-salt spray or light mousse, matte paste/clay, heat protectant and light hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — 5–12 minutes daily; technique benefits from practice. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 3–6 weeks and tidy the top every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, avoid overwashing (2–3x/week), refresh with water + spray between washes and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.

Textured Curly Quiff with Low Fade and Natural Beard

Suitable for thick, wavy to curly hair, this modern textured quiff pairs a voluminous top with short tapered/skin fade sides and a natural full beard. To style: start with towel‑dried hair (damp, not dripping). Apply a light sea‑salt spray or curl cream through the lengths to enhance texture, then use a blow dryer with a diffuser on low heat while lifting at the roots with your fingers to create volume and defined waves. For separation and hold, work a small amount of matte clay or paste through mid‑lengths and ends, shaping with fingers to form the quiff; avoid combing to preserve movement. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide‑tooth comb, barber clipper/scissors for upkeep. Recommended products: sulfate‑free shampoo, hydrating conditioner, curl cream or sea‑salt spray, matte clay/paste, light hairspray, and heat protectant. Difficulty: intermediate — daily styling is 5–10 minutes, but achieving a clean fade and balanced top requires a skilled barber. Maintenance: trim sides every 3–4 weeks and top every 6–8 weeks, deep‑condition weekly, avoid over‑washing, and sleep on a satin pillowcase or loosely tie the top to reduce frizz.

Textured Tousled Top with Short Tapered Sides — Messy Mens Crop

This textured, tousled top with short tapered sides is ideal for fine to medium hair and suits natural waves or slight curl; thick hair can wear it with internal thinning and layered point-cutting to remove bulk. Start on towel-damp hair: apply a light sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse through roots and mid-lengths. Blow-dry while lifting with your fingers or a small round brush to create movement—use a diffuser for extra wave definition. Once dry, emulsify a pea-sized amount of matte clay or texturizing paste between palms and rake through the top to form separated, piecey strands; twist small sections for added definition and use thumbs to push fringe forward or lift the crown. Finish with a light-hold hairspray or texture powder to lock the shape without shine. Tools: blow-dryer, vent or small round brush, wide-tooth comb. Products: sea-salt spray/mousse, matte clay or paste, light hairspray, occasional deep-conditioning mask. Difficulty: easy–moderate. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks, use lightweight conditioner, refresh by misting water and reworking product, and avoid heavy oils that weigh the style down.

Textured Long Top with Side-Swept Volume — Mens Layered Hairstyle

This modern textured long-top with side-swept volume works best on medium to thick hair and natural waves or straight hair that holds shape. Fine hair can achieve the look with added root-lifting products; very curly hair should be cut with longer layers or lightly relaxed for the same sweep. Cut: keep substantial length on top (3–6 inches) with layered point-cutting for movement and shorter, blended sides and back. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply a volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray at roots and through lengths, then blow-dry using fingers or a large round brush to lift the front and direct hair to the side. Finish by working a small amount of matte clay or lightweight pomade through ends for separation and hold; set with light hairspray if needed. Tools and products: scissors and thinning shears, comb, blow dryer, round brush or diffuser, volumizing mousse/sea-salt spray, matte clay, light hairspray, dry shampoo. Difficulty: intermediate — achievable at home with practice. Maintenance: trim sides every 4–6 weeks, refresh top every 8–10 weeks, use conditioner to prevent frizz, and rework shape with a damp spritz and rough-dry between washes.

Textured Wavy Quiff with Tapered Sides

A versatile textured quiff designed for medium to thick hair with natural wave or body. Start with towel-dried hair and apply a light heat protectant and a volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray at the roots to build lift. Use a blow dryer with a concentrator nozzle and a round or vent brush to direct hair upward and back, creating volume at the crown; for stronger natural waves, diffuse on low heat while scrunching. Work a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste into your palms, warm it, then work through the mid-lengths to ends to define strands and separate the top for a lived-in texture. Use fingertips to tousle and a comb only for initial shaping. Finish with a light-hold flexible hairspray to lock shape without stiffness. Tools needed: blow dryer, round/vent brush, comb, diffuser (optional). Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray, matte clay/paste, light hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — takes 5–10 minutes once you learn the technique. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks to keep the taper clean, use clarifying shampoo weekly to remove buildup, and refresh daily with water or a bit of cream styling product.

Textured Curly Top with Tapered Fade and Beard

This look suits medium to thick wavy or curly hair that holds shape—ideal if you want volume on top with clean, tapered sides and a grown-in beard. The cut is achieved with a short tapered fade on the sides (clipper guards #1–#3 depending on preference) blended into 2.5–4 inches on top. Use scissor-over-comb and point-cutting to remove bulk and add texture so curls sit naturally. For styling, towel-blot damp hair, apply a small amount of curl cream or lightweight mousse evenly through the mid-lengths and ends, then scrunch. Diffuse on low heat while lifting at the roots with your fingers or let air-dry for a softer finish. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte clay or light pomade into the top for separation and hold. Tools needed: clippers, scissors, thinning shears, wide-tooth comb, diffuser-equipped hairdryer. Products required: sulfate-free shampoo, conditioner, curl cream/mousse, light paste or clay, salt spray for extra texture. Difficulty: moderate—best to get the initial fade and shape from a barber; daily styling is quick. Maintenance: refresh curls with water or a leave-in between washes, condition weekly, and book trims every 4–6 weeks for the sides and 8–12 weeks for top length; keep the beard neckline tidy with regular shaping.

Textured Quiff with Short Tapered Sides

This modern textured quiff suits straight to slightly wavy, medium-to-thick hair and works best for men seeking controlled volume without a polished finish. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a pea-sized amount of volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray through the roots and mid-lengths. Blow-dry using your fingers or a medium round brush while lifting at the roots to build height; concentrate heat at the crown and rough-dry the ends to preserve texture. Finish by working a matte clay or fiber paste between your palms and raking through the top to separate pieces, then shape the quiff with fingers for a slightly undone look. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, vent or round brush, tail comb for sectioning, and texturizing shears for the cut. Products recommended: salt spray or mousse, matte clay/paste, light-hold hairspray for longevity. Difficulty: moderate — 5–10 minutes daily once trained. Maintenance: get a short taper every 4–6 weeks to keep the sides neat and remove weight from the top; use a weekly deep conditioner if hair is dry and refresh with a spritz of water and a dab of paste between washes.

Textured Quiff with High Fade and Tapered Sides

This modern textured quiff pairs a high fade/tapered side with a longer, choppy top to create lift and movement. Best suited for straight to slightly wavy hair of medium thickness; fine hair benefits from volumizing products, while thicker hair may need stronger texturizers to control bulk. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray at the roots, then blow-dry using your fingers or a vent brush while lifting the hair forward and up for height. Use texturizing scissors to create uneven, layered lengths on top for separation. Finish by warming a matte paste or clay between the palms and working it through the mid-lengths to ends to define pieces and add separation; use a light-hold hairspray to lock the shape if needed. Tools: clippers for the fade, scissors and texturizing shears, blow-dryer, vent or round brush. Products: pre-styler (mousse/sea-salt), matte paste/clay, light hairspray, occasional deep conditioner. Difficulty: medium — straightforward once you master the blow-dry lift. Maintenance: visit the barber every 3–5 weeks for the fade, trim top as needed, avoid daily heavy product buildup by shampooing 2–3 times weekly and using conditioner once a week.

Textured Medium-Length Wavy Hairstyle with Beard

This mid-length, textured wavy cut works best on natural wavy to loose-curly hair and medium to thick density. It’s tailored to create relaxed volume through the crown with longer, face-framing layers. To style: towel-dry hair until damp, apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner and a salt/texturizing spray through the mid-lengths and ends. Use a diffuser on low heat while scrunching with your hands to enhance waves, or air-dry for a looser finish. Once dry, separate and define pieces with a small amount of matte clay or cream, working from ends inward for natural separation. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb, fingers, and a pair of hairdressing scissors for regular shaping. Recommended products: leave-in conditioner, sea-salt or texture spray, matte pomade/clay, heat protectant and light hairspray for hold. Difficulty: easy–intermediate — requires some practice with product balance. Maintenance: trim every 8–10 weeks to maintain shape and remove bulk, deep-condition weekly if hair is dry, avoid heavy oils that weigh waves down, and sleep on a satin pillowcase or loosely tie hair to preserve texture.

Textured Tousled Crop with Short Tapered Sides — Wavy/Thick Hair Style

This textured, tousled crop with short tapered sides works best on wavy to thick hair but can be adapted for medium-fine hair with added product. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a small amount of sea-salt spray or light volumizing mousse from roots to mid-lengths for body. Blow-dry while lifting the hair at the crown with your fingers or a vent brush to build volume; use a diffuser for curlier textures. Once dry, warm a pea-to-nickel sized matte clay or paste between your palms and work it through roots to ends, raking and separating strands to create piecey definition. Use fingertips to push hair forward and up for the tousled finish; finish with a light mist of flexible-hold hairspray to set. Tools needed: blow dryer (diffuser optional), vent or round brush, wide-tooth comb, and styling scissors for trims. Products: pre-styler (sea-salt spray or mousse), matte clay/paste, heat protectant, and light hairspray. Difficulty: easy–medium, 3–7 minutes styling. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks to keep the tapered sides clean, refresh texture with dry shampoo or texturizing spray between washes, and condition weekly to avoid dryness.

Tousled Wavy Mid‑Length Men’s Hair with Textured Fringe

This tousled, mid‑length look with a textured fringe works best on naturally wavy to loose‑curly hair and medium to thick densities. The cut keeps length on top with short sides and layered ends to reduce bulk and encourage movement. To style, start with towel‑dried hair, apply a lightweight sea‑salt spray or volumizing mousse through the lengths, then rough‑dry with a diffuser or blow dryer while scrunching with your hands to enhance natural wave. Use a wide‑tooth comb or fingers—avoid over‑brushing. For definition, a small curling wand can refine rogue pieces; finish by working a pea‑sized amount of matte paste or clay through the ends and fringe for separation and hold. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide‑tooth comb, texturizing scissors for the cut, optional curling wand. Recommended products: sea‑salt spray, light mousse, heat protectant, matte paste/clay, occasional leave‑in conditioner. Difficulty: medium — quick to recreate once you master scrunching and product balance. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks to preserve shape, deep condition monthly, and refresh between washes with water and texture spray or a light dry shampoo.

Textured Tousled Curly Fringe — Medium-Length Top with Short Tapered Sides

This relaxed, textured fringe works best on natural wavy to curly hair with medium to thick density; it can also be created on straighter hair using thermal or chemical texturizing. In the salon ask for a medium-length scissor cut on top with lots of point-cutting and layer removal to create movement, and a short tapered or clipper fade through the sides and back to keep the shape clean. Styling technique: work with damp hair, apply a sea-salt spray or lightweight mousse, scrunch from roots to ends and either air-dry or diffuse on low heat while shaping with fingers. Finish by separating and defining pieces with a light matte paste or cream for hold without stiffness. Tools needed: barber scissors, thinning shears, clippers, wide-tooth comb, blow dryer with diffuser, and a styling brush if you prefer smoother texture. Products: salt spray or mousse, curl cream or leave-in, matte paste/wax, light holding spray. Difficulty: moderate (4–6/10); daily styling takes 5–10 minutes. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, use a hydrating weekly mask, avoid heavy silicones, and refresh second-day texture with water + leave-in or salt spray.

Textured Curly Top with High Taper Fade — Men’s Wavy Hairstyle

This look suits natural wavy to curly hair with medium to thick density; fine hair can also wear it if length is built up and texturizing is minimized. Cut technique: create a high taper/fade on the sides with clippers (guards 1–3) and leave 2–4 inches on top. Use scissors and point‑cutting to remove bulk, plus a thinning shear or razor to add texture and encourage curl separation. Styling technique: work a small amount of sea‑salt spray or curl‑enhancing mousse into damp hair, scrunch and diffuse gently while lifting at the roots to keep volume. Finish by working a matte clay or lightweight paste through the ends for piecey separation and matte hold. Tools needed: clippers, scissors, thinning shears, blow dryer with diffuser, wide‑tooth comb and styling brush. Products required: leave‑in conditioner, sea‑salt spray or curl cream, matte paste or clay, light hairspray for hold, and beard oil for grooming. Difficulty: moderate — the fade benefits from a professional cut; daily styling is quick (5–10 minutes). Maintenance: trim sides every 3–5 weeks, tidy top every 6–8 weeks, deep‑condition weekly and refresh curls with water or spray between washes.

Textured Curly Top with Short Tapered Sides

This is a versatile textured curly top with short tapered sides — ideal for men with natural waves to medium‑tight curls. The cut keeps length on top for movement while the sides and back are tapered with clippers to maintain a clean silhouette. In the salon, achieve the shape with a clipper taper on the sides, scissors and point‑cutting on the top to add separation, and light texturizing with thinning shears or a razor where needed. For styling: towel‑dry to damp, apply a small amount of leave‑in conditioner or curl cream, then scrunch and diffuse on low/medium heat for lift. Finish by working a matte clay or light hold paste through the ends with fingertips for definition and separation. Tools needed: clippers, scissors, thinning shears, comb, blow dryer with diffuser. Products required: leave‑in conditioner, curl cream or sea‑salt spray, heat protectant, and a matte paste/clay. Difficulty: easy–medium if you have natural texture; higher if recreating with straight hair. Maintenance: trims every 4–6 weeks, weekly deep conditioning, refresh with water + product between washes, and sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce frizz.

As a stylist, my best advice is to choose a hairstyle that respects your hair’s natural texture and your daily routine. For men, that might mean a textured crop or taper that grows out cleanly; for women, a layered bob or long layers that add movement without heavy styling. Prioritize a regular trim every 6–12 weeks to maintain shape, use heat protectant before styling, and select products for your hair type — lightweight cream or sea-salt spray for fine hair, moisturizing cream or oil for thick or curly hair. If you’re changing length or color drastically, book a consultation so we can plan cut and color that enhance your face shape and lifestyle. Use the 20 images here to pinpoint the vibe you love, then customize it — small tweaks create a look that’s uniquely you. See your stylist regularly and treat your hair kindly for the best long-term results.