Top 25 Hairstyles For Asian Men: What to Ask For & Styling Tips

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Find the perfect haircut for you with our styling guide
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With all the options you’ve got for haircuts as an Asian guy, it can be tough to pick one. Plus, if you’ve got thicker, straight hair, you want a style that’ll work with your hair’s natural texture. Wondering how to look suave and take advantage of your hair’s potential? We’ve put together a list of 25 popular hairstyles that work amazingly well with Asian hair. We also interviewed master hair stylist Nick Arrojo for the best tips to style your hair like a pro!

Best Hairstyles for Asian Men

  • For short clean styles, try a classic side part, a tapered fade, or a French crop.
  • Try trendy medium-length cuts, like a two-block cut, layered fringe, or pompadour.
  • For longer hair, wear a middle part, get a wolf cut mullet, or tie it into a man-bun.
1

Brush up

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  1. A brush up combines the appeal of an undercut with a bit more volume.
    Your barber will cut the sides of your hair short and leave a few inches of length on top. To style this cut, spray a bit of mousse into your hands. Use the mousse to lift your hair upwards.[1]
    • Styling Tip: Finish off the style by blow drying the strands until your hair stands up perfectly. If you use heat on your hair, we recommend using mousse with heat protectant properties, like Kenra Volume Mousse.
    • Best face shapes: Round and square
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2

Natural and messy

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  1. This is an effortlessly cool style that works for any hair texture.
    To style the look, blow dry your hair slightly upwards to add volume. Blow drying works better than towel drying because rubbing your head in a towel generates a lot of frizz. If you’ve got thin, straight Asian hair, add a texturizing powder, like Level 3 Styling Powder. Got thick Asian hair? Add a fingernail-sized amount of matte pomade, like Suavecito Pomade Firme. Rub in the product from the front to the back, until you’ve got the just rolled-out-of-bed look you want.[2]
    • Styling Tip: Messy styles tend to look better when they’re shorter. Make sure to get your cut cleaned up every 4-6 weeks.
    • Best face shapes: All face shapes
3

Classic side part

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  1. The side part works best with thick, straight hair.
    This cut goes by several names (including the “businessman haircut”), so bring in a photo for your barber. The top and sides are cut short with a tapered neckline, but you’ll leave the top long. Then, you’ll create a deep side part and comb the top of your hair to one side.[3]
    • Styling Tip: If you want a slicked back look, use a shine pomade. Rather than using a fingernail-sized amount, go for a quarter-sized scoop.
    • Best face shapes: Square or oval
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4

Modern slickback

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  1. Slicked back hair works best for straight hair that’s not very thick.
    You can pull off this 1950s and Wall Street classic look if you’ve got hair that’s shorter on the sides and longer on top. Using your hands, work a quarter-sized amount of wet gel or pomade into your hair from front to back. Then, repetitively comb any loose strands backwards.[4]
    • Styling Tip: If you like the slickback style but don’t like the traditionally shiny look, use a flexible hold hairspray.
    • Best face shapes: Oval or round
5

Curtained hair

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  1. Curtained hair is coming back due to TikTok and the revival of 90s fashion.
    To maintain curtain hair, Arrojo says to “grow your hair out, create a center part, and style with hair cream for a floppy finish.” Let the fringe fall to either side of your face, or style your hair for a neater look.
    • Styling Tip: Take a fingertip-sized amount of low-to-medium hold hair cream in your hands. Run your fingers through your hair from the roots outward to create a floppy, natural finish.
    • Best face shapes: Oval or square
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6

Two block hairstyle

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  1. The two block cut has become massively popular thanks to K-pop.
    It looks like a mushroom cut with shaved sides. Ask your stylist to cut the sides short and lightly taper or fade the back. Keep the top of your hair the same length as your eyebrows, while adding layers and texture to soften the crown.[5] For a truly K-pop-inspired look, try dying your hair with bold color.
    • Styling Tip: Blow dry your hair after you hop out of the shower. Angle the dryer slightly downwards so the hair lays flat. While your hair’s still slightly damp, use a bit of pomade and run your hands through the top to give it a tousled vibe.[6]
    • Best face shapes: Oval or heart
7

Gradual fade

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  1. A gradual fade can highlight your bone structure.
    This style especially looks great on people with high cheekbones. Your barber will cut the sides short and leave the top long.[7]
    • Styling Tip: Slick the top back with wet gel or pomade for a professional or date-ready look.
    • Best face shapes: Oval or round
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8

Pompadour fade

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  1. You can’t go wrong with this modern take on a classic style.
    Anyone with medium-to-long hair on top can rock this look. Simply wash your hair and blow-dry it while combing it back with a round brush. Rub a dime-sized amount of styling paste into your hair. We recommend V76 by Vaughn because it’s easy to rework and reshape. After you’ve applied the paste, create a quiff (a fluffy, voluminous top) by teasing your hair up at the front. Add hairspray to keep everything in place.[8]
    • Styling Tip: When you want to add volume on top, always comb from front-to-back, and from the sides towards the crown to add height.
    • Best face shapes: Round or square
9

High fade crew cut

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  1. Crew cuts take basically zero styling effort to look great.
    Ask your barber to give you a high fade to concentrate the length at your crown. Whether your hair is spiky, unruly, or ultra-straight, the crew cut is a universally suave and classy cut.[9]
    • Styling Tip: This is a “wash it and go” style, but you can use a matte clay] to bring out texture and hold.
    • Best face shapes: Diamond or triangle
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10

Taper fade crew cut

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  1. Add a modern spin on the classic crew cut.
    A taper fade means the back and sides of your hair will slowly blend into the longer hair on top. As a result, you get a bit more contrast in your cut for a clean, sophisticated look.[10]
    • Styling Tip: Use a comb to sweep the hair slightly to the side, or run your fingers through your hair for a textured, messy look.
    • Best face shapes: Oval or round
11

Skin fade with a spiky top

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  1. This hairstyle is easy to maintain and effortlessly cool.
    For this hairstyle, you’ll get the sides of your hair buzzed ultra-short while letting the top do its own thing. If you’ve got coarser hair that tends towards spikiness, let that texture shine![11]
    • Styling Tip: Run your hands up through your hair with a bit of gel or pomade to get the top of your quiff to stand up.
    • Best face shapes: Diamond or triangle
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12

Side-swept top and taper

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  1. A side-swept undercut is a trendy, asymmetrical haircut.
    Essentially, it’s short on the sides and long on top, but you’ll part your hair to the side. To create the side part, use a light hold styling product and brush your hair to the side.[12]
    • Styling Tip: If you’ve got a lot of length on top, you’ll need to use a heavier hold styling product. Run some pomade or texturizing paste through the ends for a tousled look.
    • Best face shapes: Round or heart
13

French crop

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  1. French crops create definition and structure.
    You might opt for a French crop if you have a larger forehead or wider face. This short style involves cropping your hair to the same length all around while leaving straight, blunt fringe in front. Ask your barber to clip the sides of your hair without creating too much contrast with the top. Or, if you want a more modern look, ask for a taper fade along the sides for more contrast.[13]
    • Styling Tip: This look barely requires styling, but you can always use a pinky-fingernail-sized amount of pomade to neaten up any unruly strands.
    • Best face shapes: Oval or square
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14

Angular fringe

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  1. Angular fringe is a great face-framing cut to let your features shine.
    The great news about this haircut is it looks great on everyone—no matter your hair texture or length. Similar to the pompadour and undercut (and, well, most modern styles), this is a “short on the sides, long on top” cut.[14]
    • Styling Tip: Try using a sea salt spray before you style your hair to give your angular fringe even more texture.
    • Best face shape: All face shapes, but especially round
15

Layered fringe

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  1. Fringe works well for straight, Asian hair.
    For this edgy cut, get your barber to cut the sides short and leave the top front section longer, with a bit of texture. That way, you’ll get choppy bangs that hang slightly over your forehead with zero styling effort.[15]
    • Styling Tip: You’ll need to grow out your hair 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) on top for most fringe styles.
    • Best face shapes: Square or oblong
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16

Long fringe

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  1. This edgy, emo-inspired style works well with medium-to-long hair.
    Let your fringe grow out so it hangs slightly forward into your face. Create a side part to give your hair a side-swept, casual and sophisticated look.[16]
    • Styling Tip: If you need to style your fringe for a formal event, apply a fingernail-sized amount of pomade to help neaten up your bangs and tuck any loose strands into place.
    • Best face shapes: Square or oblong
17

Top knot with a fade

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  1. This is the ultimate tough-guy haircut.
    Let your hair grow out long enough, and ask your barber to give you a fade on the sides. You’ll style your hair by tying a small topknot or creating a ronin bun.[17]
    • Styling Tip: For a more formal look, comb a dime-sized amount of wet gel or pomade through your hair before you tie it up.
    • Best face shapes: Oval or triangle
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18

Man bun

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  1. Long hair tied in a bun is a sexy, stylish, and rugged look.
    According to Arrojo, “a man bun is a quick and effective solution to keep long hair out of your face.” Let your locks grow out long and straight, and brush your hair to eliminate any tangles. Tie your hair into a loose ponytail, and wrap your hair tie around a second time to create a bun. If you have enough slack, twist the hair tie around one more time to secure the bun in place.
    • Styling Tip: Grow out your hair until it’s at least 6 inches (15 cm) long to create a man bun.[18]
    • Best face shape: Diamond
19

Long hair with a middle part

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  1. Middle parts work really well if you have symmetrical features.
    Let your hair grow out long for this modern, eye-catching look. For daily styling, use a comb to trace a line down the middle of your crown from front to back. Separate the hair along the line, and you’ve got a clean middle part![19]
    • Styling Tip: Longer hair dries out faster, and washing your hair too frequently can lead to brittle ends. Try cutting one shampoo session out per week and see if your hair feels healthier.
    • Best face shapes: Oval or square
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20

Wolf cut mullet

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  1. The wolf cut or “K-pop mullet” took South Korea and Gen Z by storm.
    It’s a bold, androgynous look that can add texture and edge to straight hair. Ask your barber to cut your hair into a mullet with soft, graduated layers in the front. You’ll end up with a cut that’s full of choppy style, reminiscent of 1970s rock and roll.[20]
    • Styling Tip: Use a rolled brush to flip the ends of your bangs out, away from your face for a feathered look.
    • Best face shapes: Round, oblong, oval, or heart
21

Textured bowl cut

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  1. The bowl cut is an easy way to cut straight, thick hair.
    Bowl cuts create thick front bangs, and the hair on the top of your head is cut to the same length all the way around. In a textured bowl cut, though, you get to shake things up. Your barber will add layers and texture to the front section to create choppier fringe.[21]
    • Styling Tip: For an edgy option, ask your barber to add a fade to create intense contrast between the top section of your hair and the sides.
    • Best face shapes: Round or square
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22

Bro flow

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  1. The bro flow features longer layers, pushed away from the forehead.
    It’s a cool, effortless, and slightly grungy hairstyle that requires minimal upkeep. The hair is longer on top, cut in medium to long-length layers to add movement and flow. The sides and back are cut shorter, creating a messy yet refined look.[22] Ask your barber to channel cut your hair, trim it, then thin it out for more texture.
    • Styling tip: Apply matte wax to the ends of your hair to add texture, or apply a sea salt spray to damp hair and let it air dry.
    • Best face shapes: Oval or square
23

Mop top

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  1. The mop top is a textured, medium-length cut with parted fringe.
    Popularized by the Beatles, the Mop Top is the perfect style for guys with curly hair in the Type I and II range. The hair is brushed down for a combed-over effect, and the bangs are swept to the side to create a shaggy appearance. Ask your barber to cut the top so it’s 3-5 inches in length, falling past your eyes, then have them fade the back and sides.[23]
    • Styling tip: Work a dollop of gel throughout your hair, then use a wide-tooth comb to style your fringe forward. Apply some texturizing spray for an effortless, disheveled look.
    • Best face shapes: Square or heart
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24

Caesar cut

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  1. The Caesar cut is a textured crop with short, straight fringe.
    Also called the army cut, the Caesar cut is a short, textured style that’s paired with a fade or tapered sides. The hair is usually layered 1 to 2 inches all around, with horizontally cut bangs.[24]
    • Styling tip: Brush and dry the hair in the same direction that it’s growing in. Run a bit of styling wax or pomade through the ends to style and texture your hair.
    • Best face shapes: Oval or square
25

Buzz cut

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  1. This military-style haircut is buzzed all around or faded on the sides.
    The buzz cut is a masculine and low maintenance look, making it the perfect option for guys who don’t want to spend a lot of time on styling. Request this style by name, or get specific with the guard number. Traditionally, barbers follow the 3-2-1 rule of using a #3 guard on top, a #2 guard on the sides, and a #1 guard to clean up the edges.[25]
    • Styling tip: Brush your hair from front to back to keep it looking polished. If your hair gets longer, apply a little styling cream or balm
    • Best face shapes: Round and square
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Expert Q&A

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Tips

  • If you have longer hair, Arrojo recommends sweeping your hair back with a “hair cream, pomade, or styling cream.”
    Thanks
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  • Bring your barber reference photos of the hairstyle you want. If you’re getting fringe, for example, you’ll need to decide on choppy or wispy layers, wavy or relaxed texture, or a shorter or longer length. The key to a flattering haircut is to be specific about what you want!
    Thanks
    Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Follow Asian barbers on Instagram on TikTok, like 12pell, to see what style suits your face shape best. Generally, the haircut is more important than the styling, but popular choices for Asian men include short crops, medium-length layered cuts, classic taper fades, and side-parted looks.
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about hair styling, check out our in-depth interview with Nick Arrojo.

References

  1. ↑ https://atozhairstyles.com/articles/brush-up-hairstyles-for-men/
  2. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-style-messy-hair
  3. ↑ https://www.themailroombarberco.com/blogs/blog/the-classic-side-part-a-timeless-look
  4. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-slick-back-your-hair
  5. ↑ https://www.barberindustries.com.au/rhodes-barbershop-blog/the-two-block-hairstyle-who-it-suits-most
  6. ↑ https://menshairstyletips.com/two-block-haircut/
  7. ↑ https://machohairstyles.com/best-asian-hairstyles/
  8. ↑ https://www.barberindustries.com.au/mayfield-barbershop-blog/modern-day-pompadour-and-what-to-ask-your-barber
  9. ↑ https://www.menshairstyletrends.com/crew-cut-haircuts/
  1. ↑ https://www.menshairstylesnow.com/crew-cut/
  2. ↑ https://lovehairstyles.com/asian-hairstyles-men/
  3. ↑ https://www.menshairstylestoday.com/side-swept-undercut-hairstyles/
  4. ↑ https://www.ringmybarber.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-french-crop/
  5. ↑ https://statestreetbarbers.com/about-us/haircut-guide/angular-fringe-mens-haircuts-at-ssb
  6. ↑ https://menshaircuts.com/fringe-bangs-haircut/
  7. ↑ https://menshaircuts.com/fringe-bangs-haircut/
  8. ↑ https://haircutinspiration.com/the-top-knot-hairstyle-visual-guide-for-men/
  9. ↑ https://haircutinspiration.com/man-bun-hairstyle/
  10. ↑ ​​https://www.fashionbeans.com/article/best-long-hairstyles-for-men/
  11. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/wolf-cut-k-pop-trend-history
  12. ↑ https://www.dmarge.com/how-to-wear-bowl-cut
  13. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/the-coolest-mens-hairstyle-in-2017-is-the-bro-flow
  14. ↑ https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/grooming/article/the-beatles-haircut
  15. ↑ https://www.barberindustries.com.au/wollongong-barbershop/the-textured-crop-hairstyle-and-what-to-ask-your-barber
  16. ↑ https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2019/09/04/how-to-give-yourself-a-buzz-cut/

About This Article

Nick Arrojo
Co-authored by:
Nick Arrojo
Master Hair Stylist
This article was co-authored by Nick Arrojo and by wikiHow staff writer, Bailey Cho. Nick Arrojo is a Master Hair Stylist and the Owner and Founder of Arrojo NYC, an independent hairdressing brand. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in cutting and styling hair using precision-based hairdressing and educating hair professionals through Arrojo Education. Nick has become a well-known icon in the hair industry with his internationally recognized razor-cutting technique, work with fashion designers, and seven years as TLC’s ‘What Not to Wear’ hairdressing host. This article has been viewed 245,000 times.
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Updated: November 2, 2024
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