What do Grace Jones, Duke Nukem, Simon Cowell and Paul Phoenix from Tekken have in widespread? Properly, other than the truth that they might in all probability all kick your ass (though we’d take our possibilities with Cowell), you’d be forgiven for pondering not an amazing deal.
Nonetheless, forged your gaze hair-wards and also you’ll discover a standard theme rising. All 4 are follically geared up to hold their pints from bar to desk in handsfree mode because of their quite fetching angular haircuts.
Jokes apart, flat tops usually get a foul wrap. The mere point out of their title tends to conjure up pictures of both stern-faced Fifties US army officers or, on the full reverse finish of the spectrum, Will Smith carrying his high-school blazer inside out, circa 1992. There’s no in-between… or is there?
Properly, sure. With the proper method, you may sport this throwback minimize with out your fashion credentials falling, er, flat. So get your spirit stage on the prepared and uncover embrace one in all barbering’s most fascinating and difficult creations.
What Is A Flat High Haircut?
It needs to be pretty self-explanatory however simply in case you’re a bit sluggish on the uptake, a flat high, within the broadest sense, is any haircut the place the hair has been minimize or styled to look flat and stage throughout the highest of the top. This will embrace something from conventional army crew cuts, proper via to the high-top fades of the eighties hip-hop neighborhood.
Flat tops are normally taken quick on the again and sides, narrowing and elongating the form of the face, that means that For those who’ve obtained a peanut head, this basic minimize could be your new finest pal.
Granted, this method hasn’t fairly labored for Kim Jong Un, however we will in all probability all agree that he’s a reasonably excessive instance.
Historical past Of The Flat High
Created for the army, the flat high crew minimize shortly grew to become one of the standard armed forces trims in the US. Its shorn again and sides provided all of the practicality of a buzz minimize whereas the patch of hair on high enabled it to sidestep the ‘white trash’ connotations {that a} absolutely shaved head carried with it on the time.
So, when and the way did this sensible, army minimize make its method out of the forces and into the subcultures?
“I believe we will safely say from the top of the Second World Conflict,” says Joe Mills, proprietor of Joe & Co. and long-time lover of flat tops. “Loads of regular guys have been conscripted into the forces and obtained used to noticeably quick hair. After they have been demobbed a lot of them stored it quick, particularly stateside.
“[The style] doesn’t actually pop up within the UK till the later Fifties, however in case you take a look at loads of pictures from the States throughout that interval it’s significantly prevalent.”
From right here, the flat high was picked up by varied subcultures, which wore it proudly as an emblem of rise up. From rockabilly guys with their baseball jackets and creepers, to early hip-hoppers and their sky-grazing high-top fades, it was the youth tribes that have been accountable for turning this wise, army coiffure into the daring trend assertion it’s at present.
Beneficial Merchandise
Earlier than you attempt to deep dive into the shallow finish of the pool, be sure you’re absolutely geared up to get the job executed. Click on via to seek out our favourite merchandise for finishing any of the flat high kinds included in our checklist with ease and elegance.
American Crew Increase Hair Powder
American Crew Males’s Hair Gel
Mattress Head Laborious Head Hair Spray
ScreenShot2022-02-20at44637PM
REVLON 1875W Light-weight + Compact Journey Hair Dryer
Finest Flat High Haircuts
1. Basic Flat High Haircut
The basic flat high is actually the minimize that began all of it. It’s for sure the flat high in its purest kind. Easy, clear, and tight – it has all the traits of a primary trim however with a extra refined look.
@frankdabarber / Instagram
2. Navy Flat High Haircut
The minimize that (really) began all of it. This fashion is the flat high in its purest kind. Easy, clear and tight – it might sport all of the traits of a primary trim, however the army flat high is something however.
“The everyday traits of this fashion are the tight, pores and skin light sides, which give this fashion its army really feel,” says Adam Harant, senior stylist at Pimps And Pinups. “Along with this, it’s fully sq. on high. There may be some size left on the entrance, which elongates the face, however the extreme construction of the haircut creates a extra sq. and masculine face form.”
Harant suggests asking your barber for a excessive and tight pores and skin fade on the perimeters and a flat, sq. high. “The size can then be custom-made to your preferences. Simply be sure you don’t have it too lengthy within the fringe space, as an excessive amount of weight could cause the fashion to droop.
“When it comes to styling at dwelling, I’d advise purchasers to blow-dry, if potential, all of the hair within the fringe space straight up and away from the face. End with a robust, matte styling wax or clay to make sure the fashion stays steady and glued all through the day.”
@facutslavera / Instagram
3. Trendy Flat High Haircut
If a standard flat high is simply too outdated for you, attempt placing a contemporary spin on it by having a much less distinct crown and mixing the flat high into the remainder of the hair. Having a really gradual fade from the highest of the top right down to the nape of the neck is much less drastic.
@theoldsociety.mx / Instagram
4. Brief Flat High Haircut
Although practically all flat tops are on the shorter facet, go for a pores and skin shave on the again and sides of the top in order for you one thing further quick. Whereas it’ll undoubtedly require common visits to the barber, quick haircuts place an emphasis on the flat high itself since there’s little to no distraction from the remainder of your hair.
@schorembarbier / Instagram
5. Flat High with Beard
A beard enhances the masculine facets of a flat-top haircut and helps to even out the form of 1 face. Whereas the boxy form of a flat high may spotlight some asymmetry within the face, a beard does nice at hiding that asymmetry with out a lot effort. Simply be sure you hold your chosen beard fashion strimmed and formed in order that it doesn’t conflict with the outlined form of the flat high.
@leftysbarbershopmi / Instagram
6. Fade Flat High Haircut
This hanging flat high variation was introduced into reputation by funk/early hip-hop band Cameo, which is why it’s typically known as a ‘Cameo minimize’ or ‘Cameo afro’. As a way to hold this look sharp it’s going to take fairly a bit of labor, so don’t take it on until you’re keen to commit. Styling at dwelling may be achieved with a little bit of pomade (for a wholesome shine), a wide-tooth comb, and a pleasant clear tapper – however you continue to may end up in want of weekly journeys to the barber.
@barbeariapiressp / Instagram
7. Curly Flat High Haircut
Historically, flat tops are seen on quick, straight hair. Nonetheless, a curly flat high possesses a extra trendy aptitude that’s much less refined and extra touseled. Along with pairing your curly crown with a temple or quick fade, you can too use a salt spray to present your curly crown some texture.
@jorge.santana_ / Instagram
8. Flat High Mullet Haircut
Let’s be clear – mullets undoubtedly aren’t for everybody however they’re coming again into mainstream trend. That being stated, in case you’re fascinated with giving it a attempt, flat high mullets are much less dramatic than normal mullets, and they are often made extra trendy by bleaching your hair or utilizing gel so as to add some spikey texture.
@renardsbarbershop / Instagram
9. Flat High for Receding Hairline
A receding hairline is just one thing that many males are pressured to cope with at one level or one other. Whereas it is likely to be tempting to develop your hair so long as potential to cover it, a flat high can really tone down the obviousness of receding hairline by giving the hair some form. For those who discover a flat high nonetheless doesn’t assist your hairline, take extra size off the highest or just go for a buzz minimize.
@luuizpr / Instagram
10. Flat High Boogie Haircut
A glance favored by American teenagers within the late sixties and later by rockabilly revivalists, in all places from Hoxton to Harajuku, the flat high boogie is a minimize with critical perspective.
“It incorporates a flat high from the crown, graduating to longer size on the entrance, with sufficient size on the perimeters to be brushed or blow-dried again right into a DA [duck’s arse], and tapered quick into the nape of the neck,” says Joth Davies, proprietor of Savills Barbers and Savills Academy. “Ask your barber for a ‘flat high with fenders’ or, to these within the know, a ‘flat high boogie’.”
This minimize takes stringent upkeep and cautious styling to maintain it wanting sharp. Davies suggests working a small quantity of paste into damp hair and blow drying again with a vented Denman brush for the smoothest potential end.
“Sure hair varieties might require straighteners to fashion,” provides Davies. “Haircuts are additionally required not less than each few weeks, with some flat high wearers sitting within the chair as usually as as soon as every week.”
@ttracy_tzu / Instagram
11. Excessive Flat High Haircut
A excessive flat high haircut encourages further size on the crown of the top and is a bit boxier than a normal flat high. This coiffure grew to become fairly standard amongst younger black males within the 90s, and if you wish to have loopy size, coarse and compact garners the very best outcomes.
@menshairdk / Instagram
12. Lengthy Flat High Haircut
With an extended flat high haircut, the hair on the crown blends into the remainder of the hair on the again and sides of the top. This tackle the flat high has a extra uniform size than most kinds. As a way to obtain a modern and cohesive look, rub some pomade or hair gel between your fingers and slick again your hair.
@badxhead / Instagram
13. Flat High with Design
Since many flat tops are accompanied by some type of fade, shaving a enjoyable design onto the facet of the top provides some character and aptitude for males hoping to catch some further consideration. Whereas this won’t enchantment to a extra formal or skilled crowd, your hair ought to develop out shortly, making the design very non permanent and funky for particular events.
@barbearia.club10 / Instagram
14. Flat High with Laborious Half
If you wish to add some dimension and depth to your flat high haircut, ask your barber for a tough half. Although that is mostly achieved with a facet half that leans towards the middle, go for one thing extra funky and drastic in case you’re feeling daring.
@kambuja_barbershop / Instagram
15. Flat High Haircut with Fenders
Much like a burst fade, a flat high haircut with fenders takes you again in time to the 50s and 60s. Whereas it’s not a quite common minimize in trendy instances, it nonetheless has a particular attraction. A flat-top haircut with fenders is finest characterised as having the hair on the nape of the neck blended as much as meet the flat high on the crown of the top.
@brazilian_barber_shop / Instagram
16. Rockabilly Flat High Haircut
The flat high is without doubt one of the defining parts of the rockabilly subculture’s signature look. A lot so in truth that the motion has put its personal stamp on the fashion. Right here’s how one can get it for your self.
“When that high is flat and cleanly minimize it is without doubt one of the most hanging shapes in your entire hair world,” says Tom Chapman, founding father of the Lions Barber Collective and ambassador to The Bluebeards Revenge grooming merchandise. “There are loads of variations, and it doesn’t should be pores and skin quick on the perimeters. Nonetheless, it does should be flat on high.”
This fashion might look nice nevertheless it’s very area of interest and so conveying to a barber precisely what you need utilizing mere phrases could be a little bit of a problem. Fortunately, Chapman has an answer: “I’d say take a photograph with you. It’s really easy to do nowadays.
“This minimize isn’t for everybody,” warns Chapman. “A powerful hairline and progress sample will make life a lot simpler. To fashion, use an excellent pre-styling product for added management and quantity, then blow dry and brush up on the similar time.” End with a strong-hold hairspray to maintain your hair in place all day lengthy.
@welinton_luizz / Instagram
17. Semi-Flat High Haircut
A semi-flat high haircut doesn’t have as a lot peak as a full flat high haircut. For those who like the form of a flat high however need one thing extra delicate, it is a nice choice. A semi-flat high haircut may be very nostalgic for a shorter fashion that was standard in the course of the 50s.
@pomadowy / Instagram
18. Flat High Haircut with Pompadour
If you wish to channel your interior Elvis, go for a flat high haircut with a pompadour. This distinctive coiffure requires an honest quantity of effort to take care of, nonetheless, the outcomes are properly price it. The pompadour provides a sublime contact to a extra informal haircut, simply just be sure you have some hardcore hair gel and hairspray readily available in order that it may be styled with the correct form and quantity.
@felipe_vittola / Instagram
19. Flat High Dreads
Regardless of being an odd pairing, this look is definitely tremendous modern and funky. Dreading the longer locks on the crown of the top requires that you just sculpt your dreads up quite than down, and also you’ll need to form them right into a cohesive dice in addition to you may. As a way to preserve a way of class and grooming, pair your dreaded flat high with a clear temple fade.
@atelie.dreadsetrancas / Instagram
20. Dyed Flat High Haircut
Bleaching your flat high is an effective way so as to add a contemporary twist to this retro haircut. Whereas you can too go for some enjoyable or eye-catching colours, bleaching makes a press release with out going overboard. Although it’s distinctive, a bleach flat high haircut can nonetheless slot in in a extra skilled or formal setting.
@reuzeluk / Instagram
Flat High FAQ:
How To Lower A Flat High
To the informal observer, it might appear as if all you may have to create the right flat high can be a pair of backyard shears, however in actuality, it requires laser precision, a watch for element, and a talented, regular hand.
“The distinction with a flat high, versus nearly every other fashion, is it doesn’t comply with any of the standard guidelines for slicing hair,” says Mills. “It’s completely visible.”
There are a number of methods generally used to get the fashion proper, however Mills explains that this varies quite a bit from barber to barber.
“Usually, It’s all about standing the hair up with a dryer, then spraying and shaping it with hair clippers,” he says. “There’s no straightforward approach to do it and that’s why it’s not a straightforward minimize to ship. I don’t suppose loads of barbers have ever been proven or would know method it… however personally, I believe it’s an amazing look and once I minimize within the store the entire crew needs to look at and become involved.”
Is a Flat High For Me?
For those who’re a busy man on a good funds, then a flat high is probably not your trim. Its exact styling signifies that it grows out in a short time and would require a touch-up each week or two so as to keep wanting contemporary. Clearly, this isn’t going to be straightforward on the pockets, to not point out it is going to be extraordinarily time-consuming.
One other factor to remember is your face form. We talked about {that a} flat high – peak dependent – can add size to the face, that means you may need to give it a miss in case you’re eager to keep away from any “why the lengthy face?” jibes out of your hilarious mates.
Individuals with sq. faces must also err on the facet of warning when occupied with getting a flat high, as its angular look will solely exaggerate the boxiness of the top.
Methods to fashion a flat high haircut
Although your barber will form your flat high, you’ll undoubtedly want some heavy-duty hair gel or wax to make use of on the each day if you wish to rock an outlined flat high haircut. The extra coarse your hair the much less gel or wax that you just’ll want.
