The Undercut adds a cool twist to any popular men’s hairstyle. From pompadours and quiffs to slick backs and disconnects – we’re breaking down the magic behind the trending undercut.
What is an Undercut?
If you ask us, the classic undercut is both cool and extremely versatile.
An undercut generally refers to any men’s haircut that leaves length on top while the back and sides, in contrast, are closely cut, faded or even completely buzzed as we know it from the buzz cut.
As an effect of the booming popularity of Peaky Blinders, the hairstyle has re-gained an extreme popularity.
Getting the perfect undercut is all about precision, focus, and skills. And since the skin fade versions are getting more and more popular, choosing a good hairdresser for this cut is vital!
Should I go for the Undercut?
Wondering if an Undercut is for you? You’re not alone – but there are a few things to consider before calling up your hairdresser:
- The type of undercut to chose depends much on your face shape. A slick back or short haircut balances nicely with a longer face shape. In contrast, an undercut pompadour or quiff with slightly cropped sides compliments a rounder face better.
- The undercut works with almost every kind of hair type – from curly, coarse and thick to the thin and Scandinavian types
- As you may have guessed, the haircut is not low maintenance. It needs to be freshened up at least every two weeks. If you’re the kind of guy who really values those 20 extra minutes under the covers each morning, you should probably go for a different hairstyle instead.
The 3 Most Popular Undercuts
1. The Undercut Quiff
There are many, many different variations of this iconic hairstyle. Depending on your hair type, the undercut quiff can look either sharp and slick or more relaxed – and even a bit beachy.
2. Slick Back Undercut
Here’s one for all you hipsters out there!
A classic slick back is always a good idea. It has a true gentleman’s touch to it, but adding an undercut takes the haircut to a whole other, cool level.
The slick back undercut is, as you might have guessed, characterized by a visual difference between the length on top and the short sides. The sides are often times made as a complete disconnect.
Pro Tip: Haven’t been blessed with hair of a lion? – Just don’t go too high on the back and sides with the clipper. And make sure to keep as much length as possible to create a thicker look on top.
3. Pompadour Undercut
The pompadour undercut has two sharp characteristics that set it apart from other types of undercuts. In order for the hair to be swept back in a pomp the haircut needs to be almost skin fade around back and sides and much longer on top of the head.
How to style an Undercut
- STEP 1: As always, start out with fresh, newly-washed hair. It’s important to remove all excess oil, dirt and product residue from the hair. Use a quality shampoo before you begin your styling
- STEP 2: Spray 15-20 pumps of pre-styling spray into the hair to protect against the heat of the blow-dryer and add volume, texture and hold. Use a comb to distribute the product evenly.
- STEP 3: Now it’s time to grab your blow-dryer! Put the hair-dryer on maximum heat and use the comb to create extra volume. Switch between drying backward and forwards as well as using your hands to tousle your hair for even more volume and texture. Finish off by using the comb to work your hair into the desired position.
- STEP 4: Ready for the styling? Grab a wax depending on the look you’re going for. A pomade is perfect for a slick, smooth finish and a molding wax for a more natural look. Pro Tip: Battling thinning hair? Add a volumizing powder to your roots before using a strong-hold wax.