35 Badass Undercut Hairstyles for Men

The undercut is one of those popular and distinctive haircuts that can be recognized even with the naked eye, from a mile away. That’s because its main features, which are simplicity and contrast structure, can create an individual style for those who go for it. Adding a sense of modernity and restraint.

_We may earn money from affiliate links on this page. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.

Men love this cut because it keeps up with nowadays’ fashion and has a lot of styling options, giving a lot of room for customizing. To help you stay tuned, we’ve prepared all the basic things you should know about the cut. Here is all about its creation and maintenance and styling. Let’s join our club!

What Is The Undercut Haircut?

@braidbarbers

You may see this cut everywhere, but what is an undercut exactly? First of all, these haircuts for men involve the length contrast: the sides and top are of different lengths. The top is always left longer, and the sides, as well as the back, are razored or buzzed. As for the overall length of your cut, it can range from short to long, but originally this cut comes in a short-to-medium style.

Undercut Fade

@barbersdream

Undercut fade is a fantastic mixture of trendy haircuts that combines in itself the neatness of the classic fade haircut and the striking edginess of the undercut. Being the embodiment of practicality and fashionability, fade undercut is an awesome base to both keep your hair immaculate and make it fit your style.

Pro Tip: Discuss with your barber the suitability of this style for your hair type—curly, straight, thick, or thin. Some hair types require additional styling or treatment to achieve the desired look.

Disconnected Undercut

@andyfadepro

The disconnected undercut is all about boldness and rough transitions. The hair on top is traditionally longer, yet the transition to the short sides is pretty abrupt as it starts going shorter at a certain point, forming the disconnected body.

Pro Tip: Consider your face shape. Oval and square face shapes usually work best with a disconnected undercut, but variations can be adapted for other shapes.

Slicked Back Undercut

@spukthebarber

As men’s undercut creates a bold and high contrast look, you may want to keep the style of the hair on top quite moderate. A slicked back undercut will come out well-balanced yet still pronounced. Besides, this elegant hair look by WAHL UK ambassador Teodorescu Radu will suit almost any ambiance.

Side Swept Undercut

@andyfadepro

Give your office hairstyle a trendy twist with an undercut mens haircut. Style top in the side swept undercut for a neat and tidy appearance of the look and complement it with a side undercut for extra emphasis. Andy Rosario, a Florida barber, writes on his Instagram about this work:

Thus is a low maintenance but super stylish haircut. It requires little styling time and works with the dry styling product after the cut. Nice shape, low fade, clean beard.

Long Bang Disconnected Undercut

@andrewdoeshair

An undercut is so versatile that it works for pretty much any hairstyle, and long hair on top is no exception. Undercut with a long bang comes out especially awesome when packed into a top knot on a messy texture.

Hard Part Undercut

@joshconnollybarber

Guys who opt for living on the edge will highly appreciate this mind-blowing combo of an undercut haircut and a hard part haircut. It even works for a faux hawk should you decide to enhance your crest.

Brushed Back Undercut Hair Style

@lianos_urban_cutz

With a male undercut long hair style becomes extremely versatile. When you need it to suit a formal ambiance, you can brush the locks on top backward and be good to go.

Pro Tip: It is also a good idea to enhance its volume with the help of a round brush and a blow dryer.

Pompadour Under Cut Hair

@johnny_snips

Undercut pompadour hairstyle, made by Las Vegas hair cutter Johnny Snips, is a modern comeback of the rocking rolling 50s. According to Johnny, the point is to sweep the top back with the help of wax or pomade, creating a voluminous lift on the front:

How y’all are you comfortable taking your pompadour? I tend to go for more volume when styling clients. TIP: It is always easier to tame down volume with products (pomades and pastes) then to BUILD up volume with products. So blow dry to a high amount of volume that might be too much for your client because it’s easier to tame the hair down then to build the hair up. Plus the style/volume will last a lot longer.

Brushed Back And Wavy Undercut Haircuts

@xbigwesx

Work with your barber to customize the undercut’s length and shape to suit your style and hair type. The top can be left long for versatility in styling or cut shorter for ease of maintenance.

Pro Tip: The key to a sharp disconnected undercut is precise cutting. The transition between the long top and short sides must be clean and well-defined.

Short Hair With Undercut

@r.braid

A bald undercut is arguably the best way to show off your head tattoo without getting all your hair shaved off.

Pro Tip: Maintain the sharpness of the undercut with regular trims, usually every 3-4 weeks. This keeps the distinct line between the top and the sides.

Side Part Undercut

@anthonythebarber916

A side part undercut is an excellent way to play around with your cut. Initially, this cut doesn’t involve side parting, so it can be a nice base for experiments. With a side swept undercut, your look will become more eye-catching and sharp, as parting creates a definite line that sets the unique balance of your whole style.

Undercut Design

@electricbarbering

Another good thing about the undercut is that it gives you the possibility to individualize your cut. You can spice up your brand-new image with an undercut design, which, in turn, can take place wherever you want. It can highlight the transition between the sides and top or simply embellish the back with a unique design.

Spiky Top Undercut Fade Men

@mikeyyyyyyy_

There are short hairstyles that focus on texture and volume at the same time, giving a pretty masculine look to the wearer. A spiky hair on top with a hint of messiness that is paired with softly faded sides is a nice way to emphasize your shakedown nature. As the author of the haircut, barber Mikey Henger writes:

I would try to give you some super “professional” sounding description of what I did, but I just made a cross out of left over hair from the fade I did. Didn’t even really cut the top, just scrunched it up a bit. I always like combining clean with crazy.

Mens Undercut Fade With Quiff

@z_ramsey

You may remember the iconic quiff hairstyle from the stylish musicians of the loud 50’s. And now, it’s still quite a trendy style that you can combine with short undercut men from all over the world wear.

Styling Tip: If you work with a short-hair under cut, you can create a quiff hair effect by simply brushing your waxed top towards the back, while the classic medium length variations require drying your hair up and back with a hairdryer.

Undercut Man Bun Fade

@ahmetaslanhairsalon

Undercut man bun with fade is a combo hairstyle that guys with any hair type can pull off. The thing is that nothing is easier and more manful than wearing a chic and sleek man bun, so if you were looking for a reason for growing out your hair, let modern man bun variation take your style to the next level.

Undercut Long Hair

@brianhickman1

With an undercut long hair men kill two birds with one stone. On the one hand, they remove the weight from their locks, as a men undercut takes the hair off the sides and back. On the other hand, a long hair undercut men hairstyle comes out unbelievably eye catching and sharp. So, you can rest assured that you will never go unnoticed.

Curly Undercut

@edouardclipperhand

If your hair texture is curly, then you should necessarily accentuate it with a male undercut. Not only does it keep your curly undercut in the spotlight but it also allows you to maintain your kinks much easier. According to Montreal hairstylist Edouard Martin, you need to use styling products for this style:

I focused on the movement on the texture I created with the curls using beach waves spray on damp hair.

High Fade Undercut

@xbigwesx

A mens undercut is a way to go if you want to upgrade your slightly outdated high fade. For the ultimately stylish and contrasty look, enhance it with a skin fade.

Faux Hawk Mid Bald Fade

@ahmetaslanhairsalon

If you’re longing for some change in your current hairstyle but don’t want to be too reckless with the hair clippers, a mid fade will give you exactly what you want. It’s also a great way to make your old-school faux hawk haircut up-to-date.

French Crop Mens Undercut Fade

@hayden_cassidy

Although a French crop haircut is quite sharp in and of itself, an undercut will give it a completely new edge. If it’s still not enough, define your French crop with a carved-in line that goes all around your head.

Comb Over Fade

@horatiuthebarber

For gents who follow a dress code or want to fit a formal ambiance, a comb-over haircut is always a smart option. Though, it might seem a bit too preppy at times, and here’s when fade comes into play.

High And Tight Undercut With Hard Part

@alan_beak

Men who value their time will greatly benefit from having their short haircuts for men and undercut. In addition to a bold look, a short undercut men hairstyle delivers low maintenance and easy styling.

Messy Undercut

@r.braid

Because a men undercut makes your hair look dapper, why not style the top messy then? Tousled locks will give your appearance a carefree and effortless vibe, while the undercut sides will not let the hairstyle appear unkempt.

Pro Tip: Use the right styling products. Pomade, wax, or clay can provide hold and texture to the longer hair on top, allowing you to style it as desired while keeping the sides sleek.

Top Knot Undercut

@urednistvo.pricesk.robert

Another example of the versatility of the undercut, paired with long hair, this style has a modern look that, once in place, requires very little styling.

Wavy Taper Undercut

@shawn_barbz

A great style for naturally wavy-haired men, this look sees hair on top deliberately kept long and then styled with a lightweight gel or hair balm to keep waves in place with a shiny, beach feel.

Layered Undercut

@giuse_laguardia

For those who don’t want to part with their traditional layered cut, it is possible to keep an existing layered style and simply pair it with an undercut below. Just make sure to style longer hair with a wax or serum to show off hair’s layers to their best.

Pro Tip: Use a blow dryer to add volume and shape to the top. Direct the airflow from the roots upwards for maximum lift. A round brush can help achieve even more volume and a polished look.

Middle Part Undercut

@alan_beak

Middle parts seem to have taken over social media. Guys middle part their hair on every occasion. Yet, if you want to take it to another level, go for an undercut middle part. As it comes out incredibly defined and sharp, you are guaranteed to be the center of attention.

Modern Mens Undercut Long Hair With Bang

@hayden_cassidy

A long undercut gives you plenty of benefits. On the one hand, you create a striking contrast between the top and the sides thanks to a noticeable difference in length. On the other hand, it makes your long locks easier to maintain even if you decide to go for an extended bang.

Wet Slicked Back Undercuts For Men

@blackfishbry

When you need to look groomed and polished, simply slick back the hair on the top of your head. This is an easy yet surefire way to achieve a neat and tidy appearance. As a rule of thumb, the bolder the look you want, the shorter hair on the back and sides should be.

Pro Tip: Keep your hair in top condition with regular washing and conditioning. Consider using a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to maintain the health and shine of the longer sections.

Medium Mens Undercut

@andrewdoeshair

A really popular choice for long-haired men, this medium voluminous hair sees a sharp, clear line drawn between the long hair and undercut beneath. Easy to style, it is also ideal for the hotter summer months to keep hair away from the face. As stylist Andrew Does Hair writes, even curly hair can become straight with proper styling:

Clean lines and blurry fades when it fits, choppy fades with no lines when it fits. This curly hair was blow dried with lots of heat. The hair on top has been texturized heavily so that shorter hairs will want to push up the longer hairs.

Low Fade Undercut

@dexterdapper

And finally, for men with already long hair, why not try out an undercut just to the lower portions of the head, allowing hair to be left down and slick back or tied up for a versatile style.

Side Part Undercut With Full Beard

@blackfishbry

A side parting can also be used to add some height and volume to an undercut style, while also making giving the look a slick, professional vibe.

Short Side Quiff

@z_ramsey

Similar to a traditional undercut, a fade sees the hair gradually become shorter as it nears the neck. A side quiff here adds body while leaving hair long enough to tie back or style differently for more options.

How To Give Yourself An Undercut

While it is always advisable to find a good hairdresser to do your undercut, there is a way of trying out the style yourself at home; just make sure to have some good quality hair trimmers to hand.

First of all, read how to cut your own hair. Then tie up any or pin back hair you want to remain longer, making sure that the section left to cut is in a neat line at the same height around the head.

Next, take your hair trimmers and carefully trim the hair you want to cut, working from the neck upwards. Use a mirror or ask a friend to help with trickier sections around the back.

Undercuts Today

While undercuts were traditionally an affordable method of hairdressing for working men at the beginning of the twentieth century, they had broadly fallen out of fashion until their re-emergence in popular culture thanks to popular television show Peaky Blinders.

Since then, shows like Vikings- which see multiple characters sporting the style alongside longer hair- as well as the style’s popularity among celebrities like David Beckham and Justin Timberlake has seen the undercut become one of the most popular men’s haircuts.

How To Style Undercut Haircut

Undercuts are famously versatile since the style’s main feature is the razor sharp distinction between the longer hair on top and the shaved hair below.

This leaves the hair on top to be styled pretty much any way you want, from slicked back straight hair to beachy waves, a top knot, or even a fringe.

How To Get The Undercut

Whether you’re about to go for long hair undercut or you stay true to the classics, there are no restrictions for the general length of your cut. But there are some basic things that every man should know to stick to the right structure of the cut.

Get The Right Tools And Products For Self Cut

Make sure that you work with a good electric razor, a pair of comfortable scissors, and a fine comb. Hair waxes, pomades or gels that match your hair type are crucial for styling routine.
Follow The Basics

• Keep up with the proportions. Of course, you can regulate the top, going for any length from 2 inches to 6 inches, but don’t forget to keep the balance. In case of the 2-inch top, 1-inch sides will give an authentic look, and for the 6-inch top, 4 or 5-inch sides would work best.
• If you don’t dare to get the cut yourself, consider taking a photo of the desired result with you so that your barber can give you exactly what you expect from your new undercut.

What Face Shape Works Well?

When speaking of classic variations of men’s undercuts, square and diamond-like faces are the perfect match for the cut. Since it has a minimalist and smooth silhouette, it will balance out the angular facial features of such face shapes, making them look less sharp. But let’s don’t forget that undercuts can be different. That means some blended or seamless options for men with round or oblong faces can create the needed smoothness to their faces too.

How To Maintain The Undercut Hairstyle

Like most hairstyles that feature short cuts, an undercut requires regular upkeep. However, if you are okay with the way your hairstyle develops when the hair grows out, you can leave it like that. Yet, to touch it up, it is better to visit a hairstylist as often as once per month. In case you want your cut to look the same, you need to ask the barber to cut your hair all-over. If you want to get a more contrasty look, such as a disconnected undercut, for example, ask the barber to trim the back and sides only.

The undercut is one of the most requested cuts: and you’ve just discovered the main reasons why. As you can see, this cut has no limitations and also lets you show off your creativity. It’s time to call your barber or get yourself a razor, isn’t it?

FAQs

REFERENCES:

• …to cut under or beneath… Source
• The undercut is a hairstyle that was fashionable from the 1910s to the 1940s… Source
• Pinterest. Undercut. Source

RELATED STORY
• 
  Different Curly Undercut Haircut Ideas For Any Choice
• 
  15 Slicked Back Undercut Ideas For Men
• 
  30 Undercut Fade Ideas And Ways To Rock It In 2025
• 
  Undercut Long Hair Styles: Cool Ideas For Men
• 
  You Can’t Go Wrong With A Disconnected Undercut Haircut