Time flies whether you’re having fun or not, and that includes the time between when you last got your son’s hair cut and the day his wavy hair starts looking less bohemian and more like Cousin It.
Or maybe you didn’t like his last haircut in the first place. When the time for another trim arrives, this time, you’ll be ready. These boy haircuts are it in 2022, just in time for a summer style update or looking cool for back to school.
The Shag
The shag haircut is the boy haircut you get when your kid hates haircuts. It’s low-maintenance and unfussy, with choppy, loose layers and minimal styling required.
It can look too unkempt on grownups, but it’s a cool hairstyle for little boys. Plus, he can throw on some bell bottoms and have a built-in 1970s Halloween costume.
The Drop Fade
For an undeniably stylish look, try a drop fade. Dropping subtly below the ear, it can be combined with other cuts on top to create a natural, yet modern look.
We love this boy haircut because of its versatility. It can be dressed up or down almost effortlessly.
Undercut
There are so many ways to wear an undercut. An undercut is used to describe any cut in which the side or back is cut short, leaving longer hair on the top. It can be done as pictured, leaving curls or a ponytail on top or with a hard side part.
The hard side part is our favorite variation because the defined line gives the edgy undercut a more polished feel.
The French Crop
The French crop reminds us of Spock — but in a good way. It’s a great look for wavy or curly hair, but the clean-cut lines give a balanced, sleek look on straight hair, too.
The minimal styling requirements are a bonus.
Faux Hawks
Hair says a lot about a person’s personality. For boys who aren’t feeling the tried and true short hair, consider a faux hawk. It’s not as much of a commitment as a mohawk, and it’s way easier to maintain, yet it adds a touch of edge and grittiness to the cut.
This hair design is longer on the top and shorter on the sides, leaving a strip in the middle to be styled as desired. It’s not a low-maintenance style, however, so steer clear of this one if you’re not a fan of using styling products on the regular.
Crew Cuts
The crew cut is a classic. On its own, it can come off as a preppy style, but it can be jazzed up by adding an undercut or fade. A crew cut with a little spice, you know?
This short boys haircut is a winner for keeping hair out of their faces, perfect for playing sports or long study sessions.
The Surfer Cut
Surfer haircuts are back in style just in time for beach days. The style was popularized in the 1950s, boasting a laid-back, wind-tousled look.
Part it however you’d like, but it’s worth nothing that the ’90s middle part has finally made a comeback. Surfer styles work best on curly or wavy hair, but it’s not a bad look on straight hair, either.
The Ivy League
The Ivy League haircut sets itself apart from the crowd with finely tapered sides and a slightly longer top, with the most length toward the front.
It’s plenty proper enough for school or work but without looking frumpy in the slightest. In our opinion, it looks best with a defined side part.
The Quiff
The quiff took off in the 1950s, and there’s a reason it has stood the test of time. It can be adapted to fit one’s personal taste, but the base look requires lots of volume on top and short hair on the sides. Traditionally, the top is swept up using gel, but modern twists on the quiff are shorter and require less styling.
It’s a great boy haircut because it can be smoothed out using gel or left in its natural state for a casual, intentionally messy look.
The Mop
The Beatles were known for their signature mops of hair, and the boys haircut has made a resurgence of late. It pairs well with the baggy, boot-cut jeans and blocky white sneakers that have recently made a comeback.
Just let hair grow out to a medium length, covering the forehead with long fringe and framing the face. It’s a playful, carefree style perfect for grade schoolers and middle schoolers alike.
The Burst Fade
Fades are not so much a haircut on their own but a stylistic variation that can be added to other hairstyles. The burst fade is similar to the drop fade, except it tapers around the ear and has a half-circle appearance, with more length at the neck.
Add it to an edgy faux hawk for an easy-to-wear, fashion-forward style. Just keep in mind that fades need frequent trips to the barber to maintain.
The Line Up
In addition to fades, line-ups up the cool factor of other cuts. A line-up involves a shaved line along the hairline or back from the temples.
It’s often paired with a skin fade to create a distinctive, sporty look that makes a statement.
The Comb Back With Skin Fade Look
Torn between a modern look and a classic, like the crew cut or quiff? Mashing up the comb back, a traditional boy haircut that accentuates any face shape, with a skin fade creates a sophisticated yet wearable style.
It works just as well for high schoolers as it does for kindergarteners and every age in between.
The High and Tight
With military roots, the high and tight is as low maintenance as a boy haircut can get. Short and tidy, the high and tight is usually faded or completely shaved at the sides, with a little more length at the top.
The boyish look is neat and appropriate for any school or athletic activity without any time spent styling it in the morning.
The Caesar
The Caesar cut is usually the same length all over, with a sharp line across the front.
It’s more of a preppy cut, but to give it a modern update, some boys prefer to combine it with a tapered fade.
Textured Bangs
Messy, textured bangs can be any length and work well on high foreheads, drawing the gaze to the eyes instead. Short bangs work well with short hairstyles, but long, messy fringe with layers makes a shag or surfer cut even cuter.
Asymmetric bangs can give a rough-around-the-edges vibe instead.
Long, Loose Waves
There’s no law that says boy haircuts have to be short. Long, natural hair is totally in. Long hair needs little maintenance, aside from minor trims that can be done at home. It’s especially popular for boys with naturally wavy hair, the texture of which makes the long, relaxed look more intriguing.
Middle parts are popular with cuts like these because it keeps the hair out of the face without tying it back.
Sassy Spikes
Spiky hair was such a thing in the 1990s. Since Gen-Z basically raised ’90s styles from the dead, spiky hair is worth a try.
Instead of going with sharply defined spikes drowned in gel, try messy spikes that blend in more with your kiddo’s natural hair texture.
The Regulation Cut
You don’t have to join the army to wear the regulation cut. It’s super easy to style and maintain. Just brush the longest section up top to the side. Obviously, a side part is a requirement here, so if middle parts are your preferred look, move along.
Other than that, we love the regulation cut because it leaves more length and flexibility than most military-inspired cuts, and it’s a breeze to dress up for formal occasions.
The Pompadour
Remember Johnny Bravo? His signature, gravity-defying cut was called the pompadour. The pompadour isn’t for kids who want to roll out of bed, grab a pop tart and still barely make it to school on time.
It requires daily styling to achieve the voluminous, confidence-boosting look. Pair it with faded sides and a jean jacket for a fashion-forward 2022 take on the pompadour.
The Soccer Cut
One of the most popular boy haircuts today is the soccer cut, inspired by the looks of players like Christiano Ronaldo. There are tons of options to choose from, but razor cuts with fun designs are a big hit with the younger crowd.
For best results, help your son choose a soccer-inspired cut worn by a player with a similar hair type to his own. Then, just bring in a photo of the player’s look, and let your barber work their magic.
Natural Curls
Maintaining long, natural curls takes work, but what’s more eye-catching than healthy natural hair? Mastering the art of curl care is definitely a journey, and many little boys don’t have the patience for a time-consuming hair care routine.
If that’s the case, keep curls on the shorter side for a gorgeous, tangle-free option.
Crazy Colors
Last but not least, we present to you the latest phenomenon in boy hairstyles: merman hair. There was already unicorn hair and mermaid hair, but why leave all the fun and self-expression to the girls’ hairstyles? Bold colors are the easiest to experiment with on naturally light hair because no damaging bleach is required.
For kids, we recommend having a stylist apply semi-permanent color instead of permanent dye. That way, there’s less commitment. If they don’t like it, it’ll fade back to its original shade in about four to six weeks.
