The Best Hairstyles and Tips for Men with Long Hair

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Co-authored by Arthur Sebastian and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: December 9, 2024 Fact Checked

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Classic Styles

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Updos

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Tips for Caring for Long Hair

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Video

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

So, you’ve been growing your hair and don’t know how you should be styling your long, luscious locks as a guy. Don’t panic because we’ve put together the ultimate long hair styling guide that covers everything you need to know! From the classic styles to the best products to use, you’ll find everything you’ll ever need right here. Read on to learn how to style and care for long hair.

Things You Should Know

Use products like pomade, wax, and gel when styling long, straight hair to keep your look in place without weighing your hair down.
Go for a tousled, wind-swept or half-up half-down hairstyle if you have long, wavy hair for a classic yet swoon-worthy look.
Always opt for a hairstyle that fits you and your hair’s needs—work with your hair, not against it!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Classic Styles

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1
Slick your hair back with pomade, wax, or gel if you have straight hair. Styling straight hair can be easy-peasy as long as you have the right products. Use a brush to pull your clean and dry hair away from your face, starting at the front of your face and moving towards the back. Take a small amount of product and run it through your hair (in the same direction as the brush) to keep it in place.^{[1]
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- Pomade work best for guys with thick hair and has a medium hold.^{[2]
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- Wax is best for guys with curly hair but has less hold.
- Gel is best for all hair types and maximum hold but can give a crunchy texture.
- If you have wavier hair, consider using a paste to hold your curls and style in place.
2
Wear your hair naturally loose and tousled if you have wavy locks. The longer you grow your hair, the more pronounced your waves will be, so part it in the middle and wear it naturally for a low-maintenance style.^{[3]
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- Run a small, quarter-sized dollop of mousse through your hair to reduce frizziness without weighing your curls down.
- Try using a curl-defining cream to enhance your curls and give them more shine.
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3
Rock a middle part if you have straight, chin-length hair. Who says flat hair has to be boring? A classic middle part can do wonders, especially if you have high cheekbones or a defined jaw. Simply use a comb to part your hair down the middle. Tuck your hair behind your ears, put on a smolder, and you’ll have everyone swooning!
- Wash your hair with a smoothing shampoo, so your straight locks shine all day long.
4
Slick your hair back if you have an undercut. No matter your hair type, a clean taper or fade paired with a swoopy hairdo can accentuate your handsome features. Simply ask your barber for an undercut along the sides of your head and to keep the length on top. This way, you can brush your hair back to create a retro look.
- Use a texturizing spray or dry shampoo to add more volume to your hair.
5
Go for chin-length layers if you have curly hair. Embrace your natural hair texture by getting a haircut that frames your face and lets your curls bounce. Opt for a messy part and tousle your hair with a bit of sea salt spray, and you have an effortlessly charming look.
- Scrunch your curls with a curl-defining product to make them more pronounced.
6
Style your hair in dreadlocks or box braids if you have curly, natural hair. Give yourself dreadlocks or do box braids at home, or have your hair professionally done. These twisted styles are extremely versatile and can be worn up or down. Despite popular belief, they need regular maintenance, so only get them if you’re willing to take the time to care for them.^{[4]
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- In certain cultures, dreadlocks have a symbolic meaning, so styling them outside a specific culture may be seen as cultural appropriation.^{[5]
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Get a perm if you have thick hair. Perms are chemical hair treatments that can give thick hair even more volume and curl without the frizz. The treatment is done in a salon and normally lasts 3 to 6 months. Style these waves with a voluminous fringe or messily tousled.^{[6]
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- Rub a small amount of gel or mousse in your hands and scrunch them through your hair to define and hold your new waves in place.
- Use a moisturizing conditioner to add moisture to your hair after it’s chemically treated.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Updos

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1
Pull your hair up and out of your face with a ponytail. If your hair brushes past your shoulders, try putting it in a ponytail for a quick and classic updo. Brush all the tangles out of your hair, and then gather it up to the back of your head. Secure it with a hair elastic, and you’re good to go!^{[7]
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- Spritz your hair with hairspray after it’s pulled back to set your hairdo and lessen the chance of fly aways.
- Tie your ponytail at the top of your head or on the base of your neck—do whatever’s the most comfortable for you.
2
Tie your hair into a man bun for a messy yet swoon-worthy look. Man buns are a popular hairstyle for men with long hair because they’re easy to do and effortlessly fashionable. To create a man bun, all you have to do is make a ponytail, twirl the tail around with your finger, and wrap it around the base of the ponytail. Secure everything in place with another hair elastic, and you have a super simple yet hot look.
- There are multiple ways to make a bun, so experiment with bobby pins and wrapping styles to find what works best for you.
- Use a small amount of hairspray to help your bun stay in place.
3
Wear half of your hair up and the other half down for a relaxed look. Half-ponytails are ideal if you’re going for a styled yet rugged look because of their effortless vibe. Simply brush out your hair, removing any tangles. Then, use your fingers to divide your hair into 2 parts by dragging your fingertips from the top of your ears to the back of your head. Tie the top section of your hair into a ponytail or bun using an elastic.
- For a cleaner look, part your hair with a comb and slick back the top half.
- Give your hair a little texture by spritzing it with some sea salt spray.
4
Braid your hair for a strong, secure hairstyle. If you need a hairstyle that’ll stay in place all day long, go for a braid. Brush out your hair, then divide it into 3 even sections. Cross the left section over the middle section, then cross the right section over the middle. Continue crossing until you reach the end of your hair. Secure the finished braid with a rubber band or hair elastic.
- Try different kinds of braids like the French or fishtail braid until you find something that matches your style and is easy to do.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Tips for Caring for Long Hair

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1
Limit how often you shampoo your hair to keep it healthy. Everyone’s hair is different, and whether or not you shampoo every day or every other day depends on your age, lifestyle, hair length, and hair type. For some, washing their hair less is healthier, whereas others find that washing their hair more is better.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} Find a hair washing routine that works for you and stick to it. You may be washing your hair too much if:^{[9]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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- It’s constantly dry.
- Starts breaking.
- You have a dry, itchy scalp regularly.
- Try using dry shampoo in between washes or wearing headbands or bandanas to cleverly hide excess oils.
2
Work with your hair type, not against it. Your hair is unique, so embrace its natural quirks! Opt for hair cuts that follow your natural curls, waves, and cowlicks, and use products made for your hair type and texture. This way, you won’t be fighting against your hair every morning but working with it.
- For instance, if you have curly hair, use curl-defining creams instead of pomades to style it so your curls don’t flatten.
- If you have heavy, straight hair, opt for layers to keep your hair from falling into your face.^{[10]
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- If you have wavy, frizzy hair, stick with a straight cut or trim so your curls naturally weigh themselves down.^{[11]
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3
Massage your scalp daily to encourage hair growth. If you want your hair to grow even longer, try giving yourself a scalp massage. Scalp massages have been proven to increase hair growth and thickness in men, so why not give it a try?^{[12]
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Research source} Simply massage for 5 minutes every day.^{[13]
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- If you’ll be washing your hair after your massage, consider massaging with coconut oil, as this can give your hair extra vitamins and minerals.
4
Get a haircut every 6 to 8 weeks to promote hair growth. Believe it or not, trimming your hair may help it grow even longer. Long hair can easily become unruly, so opt to get it cut every 6 weeks or so to combat split ends and freshen things up. You may even notice your hair growing faster because of your periodic hair cuts.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 1 April 2020.} Along with this, regular trims can:
- Prevent split ends.
- Keep your hair manageable.
- Minimize dry scalp.
5
Try to blow dry your hair less. Excessive blow drying can dry out your hair, causing it to become brittle. Using heat regularly can also damage your hair follicles, stopping hair growth and lessening shine. Aim to let your hair air dry whenever you can so your hair stays happy and healthy.^{[15]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

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- If you need to blow dry your hair, spray it with a heat protectant beforehand and use the lowest heat setting. This will help protect your hair from the heat and limit the damage.
6
Invest in high-quality grooming items meant for your hair type. Using the right materials can make a huge difference when caring for your hair. You don’t need to buy the most expensive products, but pick those designed to help you and your hair’s needs. For example:
- Purchase a wide-tooth comb or wet brush if you brush your hair while it’s wet, as they can prevent split ends and breakage.^{[16]
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- Find shampoo designed for color-treated hair if you dye your hair.^{[17]
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- Buy silk pillowcases if you have curlier hair, so it doesn’t frizz up at night.
- Use cloth-covered hair ties instead of plastic elastics if you have thin or fine hair to avoid breakage.^{[18]
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  Expert Source
  
  Arthur Sebastian
  Professional Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 1 April 2020.}
Jen Atkin, Celebrity Hairstylist

Choose your hair products thoughtfully. "Most people buy their shampoo and conditioner from the same product line (Volume, Repair, Clean, etc.) and don’t realize that you usually need a different shampoo and conditioner variety for each. Fixing this common mistake can be the key to achieving your hair goals."

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I help my hair grow?

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Arthur Sebastian is a Professional Hair Stylist based in San Francisco, California. He is the Owner of Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon, a studio offering Hair Styling, Color & Brazilian Blowout services. Arthur has 30 years of experience styling hair. His career began with apprenticeships at Wayne’s Beauty College in Santa Cruz, California Miss Marty’s School of Beauty in San Francisco, California. After receiving his Cosmetology License in 1998, he rented his first station at Wack Shack Hair Salon in San Francisco, going on to hold positions at Posh Hair Salon, Acabello Hair Salon, and Red Union Salon before opening his own studio. With over 500 online customer reviews, Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon has a 5 star average rating on Yelp and 4.9 average review on Google.

Arthur Sebastian

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

You can't really make it grow any faster, but you can keep it from breaking. Make sure you get adequate trims, because if the ends split, it's like a pencil breaking—that split will keep travelling up the hair. If you keep the ends cleanly cut, it won't reach that split end stage, so you'll get to a longer length faster.

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Question

Can I blow dry my hair on the cool setting?

Breezybri1112

Community Answer

Yes, but sometimes it won't give the same effect as the hot setting. it depends on your hair type. Thin hair dries easily with either setting, but thicker hair usually dries faster with heat.

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How do I deal with awkward stages when family and friends make fun of me?

Community Answer

Honestly, no one will remember once it is grown out, because then it will look good. If you're really worried, wear a hat during the awkward stages.

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Tips

Loosen up your ponytails, buns, and braids to prevent damaging your hair's roots or encouraging split ends.^{[19]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 1 April 2020.}

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Avoid longer styles if you have a balding hairline, and opt for a buzzcut or faux hawk instead.

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