Men's hair trends move more slowly than you might think. The dramatic year-on-year shifts you see in fashion magazines don't really play out in the barbershop. Instead, popular styles evolve gradually. A fade gets a little higher, a crop gets a touch more textured, a classic cut gets a modern twist.
That said, 2026 has some clear winners. These are the styles our clients are asking for most often right now, and the ones we think will carry through the rest of the year.
This has been building momentum for a few years and shows no sign of slowing down. The textured crop is short, low-maintenance, and works on almost every hair type. It's characterised by a choppy, forward-falling fringe with plenty of texture on top, paired with a fade or taper on the sides.
Who it suits: Nearly everyone. It's particularly good for thicker hair because the texturing removes bulk, and it works well on oval, square, and heart-shaped faces. If you have a larger forehead, the fringe provides natural coverage without looking like you're hiding anything.
Maintenance: Low to medium. A trim every three to four weeks keeps the shape. A small amount of matte clay or texture powder is all you need for styling.
The mullet is back, and it's nothing like the one your dad had in the eighties. The 2026 version is shorter, more textured, and blended properly. Think of it as a textured crop that's been allowed to grow out at the back. It's still clean at the sides and has shape throughout, rather than the abrupt "business in the front, party in the back" of decades past.
Who it suits: Men who want something with a bit of personality. It works best with wavy or naturally textured hair, and suits rounder face shapes well because the length at the back elongates the profile.
Maintenance: Medium. You'll want to visit every four to five weeks to keep the shape deliberate. Without maintenance, a mullet can quickly slide from "intentional" to "just needs a haircut."
The simplest cut on the list, and one that never truly goes out of style. A uniform buzz all over, sometimes with a subtle skin fade at the sides for a bit more shape. In 2026, we're seeing more men embrace the buzz cut as a deliberate style choice rather than a last resort.
Who it suits: Men with strong jawlines and well-shaped heads. It's also the most honest haircut. There's nowhere to hide, so it works best if you're comfortable with your natural features. If you're dealing with thinning hair, a buzz cut can actually be the most flattering option because it removes the contrast between thick and thin areas.
Maintenance: Very low. A clipper refresh every two to three weeks keeps it neat. No product needed.
Centre-parted, slightly longer, and deliberately relaxed. The curtain fringe has been growing in popularity, especially among younger clients. It's the most "effortless" look on this list, meant to look like you haven't tried too hard, even though a good barber has carefully layered and shaped it to fall that way.
Who it suits: Men with straighter or slightly wavy hair who are happy to grow the top out to a few inches. It's excellent for narrower or longer face shapes because the parted fringe adds width. Not ideal for very curly hair, as the curls fight against the centre part.
Maintenance: Medium. The cut itself only needs refreshing every five to six weeks, but you'll need to blow-dry or at least towel-dry it into shape most mornings.
Not a new trend by any means, but the skinfade continues to dominate in 2026. It's the default choice for a huge number of men because it pairs with almost any style on top, from crops to quiffs to slicked-back looks. The fade itself is the star, with that clean gradient from skin to hair.
Who it suits: Almost anyone. The height and gradient of the fade can be adjusted to complement different face shapes. If you're not sure, check out our guide comparing skinfades and taper fades.
Maintenance: High. A skinfade looks its best for about a week and needs topping up every two to three weeks. It's the most frequent visitor to the barber's chair, but the results are worth it. See our full skinfade service page for details and pricing.
A timeless classic that's having a moment again. The slicked-back style works by growing the top to three or four inches, then combing or brushing it straight back with a medium to high-shine pomade. The sides can be faded, tapered, or left at a short scissor-cut length.
Who it suits: Men with straight to wavy hair and enough density on top to hold the shape. It's a strong look for square and oval faces. If your hair is fine, you can still pull it off. Just use a lighter product and accept a more relaxed version of the style.
Maintenance: Medium. A trim every four to five weeks, and daily styling with pomade or gel. It's more effort in the morning than a crop or buzz cut, but the polished result is hard to beat.
The best haircut is one that matches your hair type, your lifestyle, and how much time you want to spend on it each morning. Trends are useful for inspiration, but they shouldn't override what actually works for you.
If you're thinking of trying something new this year, have a chat with us when you come in. We can look at your hair and suggest what'll work, or adapt any of these styles to suit your face shape and preferences. Browse our full haircut menu to see what we offer, then book online when you're ready.