A strong faux hawk haircut is a popular hairstyle with men for a ton of reasons โ itโs relatively low maintenance, itโs got an expressive shape, and it doesnโt tip into OTT territory. It also serves to sharpen the bone structure in your face, can add a bit of height, and when the sides are kept regularly trimmed, itโs professional enough for any office.
With the right fade or taper through the back and sides of your head, it suits straight, wavy, and curly kinds of hair, making it a genuinely versatile haircut for anyone. So if youโre considering a faux hawk as your next hairstyle. hereโs a guide to our favourite variations for inspiration.
Check them out.
Jump To:
- Classic Faux Hawk
- Faux Hawk Fade
- Long Faux Hawk
- Short (Micro) Faux Hawk
- Textured or Messy Faux Hawk
- Disconnected Faux Hawk
- Tapered Faux Hawk
- Burst-Fade Faux Hawk
- Faux Hawk Mullet
- Curly or Coily Faux Hawk
- โEuroโ Faux Hawk (Sleek & Polished)
- Subtle or Business Faux Hawk
- Slicked-Back Faux Hawk
- Ombre or Coloured-Tip Faux Hawk
- Hard Part or Design Faux Hawk
- Faux Hawk Hairstyles Inspiration
- How To Brief Your Barber
- Product & Maintenance
Classic Faux Hawk
This is the benchmark for faux hawk cuts, where the hair builds height along the centre while the sides taper neatly to keep the outline clean. Length on top usually sits at two to four inches, giving enough lift to pinch into a defined ridge or a looser, finger-raked shape.
When youโre at the barber, ask for a gentle taper at the temples and nape so it feels wearable in every setting, and as far as product use goes, some matte clay works well, adding body without shine.
Faux Hawk Fade
Every good barber will tell you a fade sharpens everything, because youโre getting better contrast at the sides and more volume up top.
Ideally, youโll want to keep the top medium in length and layer the interior so it stands without stiffness, but styling is simple โ work clay from back to front and pinch the crest into place. Regular line-ups will keep this hairstyle looking its best.
Long Faux Hawk
Extra length unlocks a few more options when it comes to the faux hawk, with slight variations such as swept waves, the mini quiff, or a sculpted crest with flow through the crown. Keep the sides tight to preserve the hawk silhouette, then add some layering internally so the top stays tall and strong.
For some product recommendations, a pre-styler like salt spray can add airiness, while you can finish off the look with paste for flexible hold. Expect trims every three to four weeks to maintain shape, but if youโre willing to do that, youโll enjoy one of the more confident, expressive, faux hawk hairstyles in the game.
Short (Micro) Faux Hawk
With a short faux hawk, youโre getting minimal length, with maximum intent. The top sits around one to two inches and nudges upward at the centre with just a touch of product, while the sides can be tapered or softly faded to keep attention on the ridge.
Itโs super low maintenance and works on just about any kind of hair, but make sure to ask for some subtle texture at the front so it lifts without spikes. That way, itโll be easier to restyle after the gym or a swim.
Textured or Messy Faux Hawk
While most faux hawks are all about a strong silhouette, thereโs nothing wrong with adding some messy texture to bring a little separation and lightness to your look. This cut uses choppy layering and point-cutting to create irregular peaks along the centre line, while the sides stay tight enough to frame the choppy texture.
For styling, you can apply salt spray to damp hair, let it air-dry, then scrunch in clay for definition to create a finish that looks effortless rather than engineered. Great for thick, stubborn hair that needs internal weight removal.
Disconnected Faux Hawk
A deliberate step between the centre of the faux hawk and the sides creates an unmissable point of visual focus, throwing emphasis upward.
Maintenance is straightforward with this one โ simply tidy the undercut every couple of weeks and refine the length up top every month.
Tapered Faux Hawk
The tapered faux hawk allows for soft, gradual transitions with the nape and temples tapering with guards (rather than being taken to the skin), which makes it easy to wear in formal settings.
The centre keeps a moderate height that can be brushed up or slightly forward, but remember to ask for a tidy edge-up and a natural neckline to avoid a harsh outline. A small amount of lightweight cream is all youโll need to control this hairstyle.
Burst-Fade Faux Hawk
The burst fade curves around the ear, โburstingโ from the temple into the nape and drawing the eye toward the crest of your faux hawk, essentially adding a touch more dynamism without needing extreme height up top.
To get this haircut, make an appointment with your barber and ask for a curved fade that hugs the ear and a balanced length through the centre (two to three inches generally works well). Weekly neck shaves and line-ups are what youโll need to keep the silhouette razor-clean.
Faux Hawk Mullet
The faux hawk mullet hits two popular birds with one stone, featuring a ridge that forms through the front and crown, and a back thatโs left longer for a measured tail.
Keeping the sides tight will ensure the shape stays purposeful rather than shaggy, while another good tip is to remember that internal layering stops the top from feeling heavy, while the rear length adds attitude. A little salt spray and paste will create some lived-in movement, and as far as ongoing maintenance, a trim every three weeks will be enough to hold proportions.
Curly or Coily Faux Hawk
When your natural hair is already exploding with great texture, it doesnโt make sense to do anything else but celebrate it. For this hairstyle, youโll want to maintain length through the middle so the curls can stack in height, and then taper or fade the sides to frame the silhouette.
When youโre in the barberโs chair, ask for minimal manipulation up top โ some light shaping and hydration is all thatโs required. Once youโre home, a satin pillowcase or durag will protect the definition of your hair overnight.
โEuroโ Faux Hawk (Sleek & Polished)
If youโre trying to picture what the โEuroโ faux hawk looks like, just imagine prime Cristiano Ronaldo during his years with Real Madrid.
To create this cut, the sides need to fade or taper neatly, while the centre ridge is smoothed back or upward with controlled volume. Some tight blending at the temples and a crisp hairline will serve up the impression of serious precision, and for product styling, just fork a small amount of pomade through the top, combing it into place.
Subtle or Business Faux Hawk
If youโre working in a particularly formal environment, a slightly more subtle approach to the faux hawk could be in order. With this style, the ridge is modest and the sides are blended closely, and you can keep the front slightly elevated to refine the face without shouting for attention.
Ask for a conservative length through the top (two inches is generally good) and a tidy taper around the edges, while styling doesnโt need much more than a light cream or grooming tonic for a natural finish. This haircut isnโt about eye-catching volume; itโs for those who want a modern silhouette that keeps it cool from Monday to Friday.
Slicked-Back Faux Hawk
Promising volume and flowiness in equal measure, the slicked-back version of a faux hawk sees hair length remain focused through the centre line, before being swept back with a brush for a sleek profile.
The sides need to stay clean with a taper or low fade, but as far as maintenance goes, a weekly tidy of the neckline keeps the cut sharp.
Ombre or Coloured-Tip Faux Hawk
A little bit of colour never hurt anyone, and some dyed tips can look great with a faux hawk. Ensure you keep the base natural or dark, lift the ends for high-contrast tips through the crest, and donโt forget to ask your colourist for a tone that will complement your skin.
Keeping it fresh requires maintenance with purple shampoo if you go blond, as well as a weekly hydrating mask to avoid any itchiness or flaking, but the cut itself is simple โ ask for tapered sides and a layered centre.
Hard Part or Design Faux Hawk
If youโre willing to commit to the look with regular tidy-ups, thereโs something unmistakably eye-catching about a razor-clean part or minimal shaved lines accenting the hairโs ridge.
Opting for a low or mid fade is ideal to frame the design, but youโll want to keep the top medium length for sculpting. When it comes to product styling at home, a small amount of matte clay should do the trick as far as adding some definition.
Faux Hawk Hairstyles Inspiration
How To Brief Your Barber
When you walk into your local barber shop, youโll want to keep three key pieces of information in mind: the length through the ridge (the centre strip), the finish on the sides (taper, low/mid/high fade, or undercut), and the styling idea (matte and textured, smooth and glossy, or natural).
Having some photos on hand will always help to properly explain what you want, but if your barber is good, theyโll be able to tune the details of the cut to work with your growth patterns and hair density.
Product & Maintenance
Clays and pastes give a dry, modern finish with a lasting hold, while if youโve got longer or curlier hair, using some lightweight salt spray will help create separation and definition. If youโre partial, a small amount of pomade can also look great when you want polish.
Shampoo between two and four times per week, use conditioner regularly, and donโt forget to book tidy-ups every two to four weeks to keep both the silhouette and edges crisp.
If you enjoyed this guide to the best faux hawk hairstyles, you might enjoy Boss Huntingโs other hair-related guides below:
