Modern men’s hair trends: 4 cuts defining contemporary style
Every stylish man knows that 2026 is all about longer hair for guys. From the catwalks to the football pitch, men are embracing tousled locks and Nineties-style curtains, but in a smart, modern way.
Here, the men’s hair experts from Paul Edmonds London reveal the four hottest hair trends for guys this year, and how to decide which is best for you.
1. THE BRO FLOW
Noah Morgan, Stylist, talks through the celebrity-approved flow hairstyle.
The look: “The bro flow took the men’s hair world by storm last year, thanks to celebrities like Bradley Cooper, and lots of influencers have adopted the flowing, mid-length look too. This is all scissor work. It’s a mid-length graduation cut with a bit of heaviness throughout the top, but keeping it really nice and tight down the sides. It’s really versatile. With the front, you can have it going to the left, right, parted in the middle, or all pushed back, and you can vary the length. It’s low maintenance too. You only need a trim around once every six to eight weeks.”
Who does it suit? “The bro flow haircut can suit most people. The only part you might want to tailor is the length at the front depending on the height of your forehead. It’s best on wavy hair but curly textures work too. I did this on a gent who had 3A curly hair. At first it was quite bushy, but then I cut it into the bro flow shape.”
How to style it: “If you want volume and texture, it’s best to apply a volumising mousse while the hair's wet and blow-dry it back. Otherwise, a pommade like Oribe Rough Luxury is great if you want to be more structured, or they've got Fiber Groom, which is a lot softer and springier.”
2. MODERN CURTAINS
The look: “Curtains are similar to the bro flow, except they’re shorter on the sides. We use clippers to go really low around the hairline. This is similar to what a lot of trendy guys in Sweden are getting at the moment.” – Noah.
Who does it suit? “Compared to the Nineties, when curtains had a little taper fade at the back, the modern look is softer because it's more scissor-cut, so it’s a bit more versatile. The length also varies from person to person. Some people have it disconnected at the sides and others have it blended in. Curtains work on curly hair too. In that case, we sometimes add a semi-undercut.” – Hayley Kemm, men’s hair expert at Paul Edmonds London.
How to style it: “Modern curtains are quite easy to style and maintain. A lot of guys like to put a wet-look gel in, then shake the hair out and it just falls naturally. If you want to wear it wet-look, I always rely on Kevin Murphy Super.Goo because it gives a really nice texture. For men with curly hair, especially in hot weather, they often just air-dry their hair. I always use Kevin Murphy Killer.Twirls for that, which is an air-drying cream, so they can walk out of the salon and let it dry naturally.” – Hayley.
3. THE TEXTURED CROP
Noah explains the style that combines a fade with tousled texture.
The look: “This look involves a mid to high fade, usually a skin fade, or it could be slightly longer, done with a one or two clipper guard. It's really tight and straight on the hairline with a bit of length on top that’s chopped into, creating a really nice texture. It would need to be trimmed about every two weeks to stop the skin fade becoming overgrown.”
Who does it suit? “The best hair types to do the textured crop on are very thick and coarse hair, because that's where you can see a lot more texture. We can tailor the height of the fade. A high fade can really bring out someone's features, and typically you’d go shorter on the top as well, but sometimes you wouldn't want a high fade if someone’s got quite a square or larger head. Then you'd want to keep a bit more bulk and weight around your ridges so it's more graduated.”
How to style it: “Some guys just like to put a salt spray in and leave it to air-dry, or you can add a clay while it's wet. As it dries it will harden, and then you break it up with your hands when it's dry. My favourite clay is Kevin Murphy Rough.Rider, or Night.Rider is great if you want that really strong hold.”
4. THE MODERN MID FADE QUIFF
This is how you do a contemporary quiff, Noah says.
The look: “Similar to the textured crop, the mid fade quiff combines tight back and sides but has more length at the front, and the quiffed section is straight. If you have a skin fade, you’ll need to trim it every two weeks, but if you're only getting a one or two on the back and sides, you can probably get away with about every four weeks.”
Who does it suit? “The modern quiff works best on type one and two hair, meaning straight or with a slight wave. You wouldn't be able to achieve this look if you've got more of a defined curl or coil. It's best to talk to your stylist about the quiff length, because if it's too long it can really exaggerate the shape of your face.”
How to style it: “You can use a round brush to create a smoother, more controlled quiff, or you can just use your hair dryer and fingers to blow it up and in place. Salt spray helps to add a nice bit of volume, then you can go in with a softer pomade, like Kevin Murphy Free.Hold, which gives shine, hold and a nice bit of texture and definition.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is the most popular men's haircut in 2026?
A: Longer hairstyles such as the bro flow and modern curtains are among the biggest men's hair trends in 2026, alongside cuts like the textured crop and modern mid fade quiff.
Q: Are fades still in style?
A: Yes. Mid fades and skin fades remain popular, particularly for the textured crop and modern mid fade quiff. The height and strength of the fade can be tailored to suit different face shapes and hair types.
Q: What men's hairstyle is easiest to maintain?
A: The bro flow and modern curtains are relatively low-maintenance styles. The bro flow typically only needs a trim every six to eight weeks, while modern curtains are designed to fall naturally with minimal styling.
Q: What products should men use for textured hairstyles?
A: Sea salt sprays, styling clays, pomades and volumising mousses all help create texture, volume and definition. The best product depends on the hairstyle and the finish you're trying to achieve.
Q: Is longer hair trending for men?
A: Yes. Longer hairstyles are one of the biggest men's hair trends for 2026, with the bro flow and modern curtains proving especially popular thanks to their natural movement and versatility.
Q: How often should men get a haircut?
A: Most men benefit from appointments every four to eight weeks depending on the style, desired shape and maintenance level.
Mastering men’s hair at Paul Edmonds London
If you’ve been thinking about growing your hair out for a while or embracing a new style, this is your sign to do it – and Paul Edmonds London is the place to go for your next cut.
Our men’s hair specialists are well-versed in the latest trends and can help you decide which is the best look for you. So whether you need some subtle shaping on your journey towards a mid-length style, or are ready to cut in modern curtains or a textured crop, they’ve got the expertise to craft a cool, flattering cut.
From skin fades to bro flows, our stylists can do it all. Book a hair-up appointment at Paul Edmonds London.
