Buzz cuts are back: The ultimate guide to the classic men’s haircut
Some of the world’s coolest celebs have been making the case for shaved heads recently.
With pop star Justin Bieber and actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Austin Butler leading the way, the buzz cut is one of the men's hair trend for 2025.
The super-short crop has a fascinating history that originates in the military and has been adopted by various subcultures throughout the years, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood haircuts.
Not only do people get confused about the definition of a buzz cut, they often presume it won’t suit them or is hard to maintain - but that’s not always the case.
Here, the team explain everything you need to know about the iconic hairstyle that’s making a comeback in 2025…
What is a buzz cut?
“The definition of a buzz cut is a shaved head that’s the same length all over,” says Hayley Kemm, men’s hair expert at Paul Edmonds London.
Named after the buzzing sound that clippers make, it essentially means a shaved head, but hairdressers don’t tend to use that terminology any more, she explains: “The moment you say ‘shaved head’, people seem to think it’s a thugish hairstyle because that's how it was viewed back in the day.”
A buzz cut may be the same length all over, but the length, determined by the clipper head or the grade setting of the clippers, can vary.
“Some people think a buzz cut is literally down to grade zero, but it's not,” Hayley says. “I don't tend to go above a grade four when it comes to a buzz cut, but you will get people who will request a five, six, seven or eight.”
Sometimes, people confuse the buzz cut with a ‘fade’ cut, but there is a distinct difference.
“A buzz cut is the same length all over but a fade is left shorter through the sides and the back.” says Paul Edmonds. “A buzz cut is a fairly quick cut to do whereas a fade is a much more complicated.”
Dating back to the 1800s, the buzz cut boom began thanks to Serbian inventor Nikola Bizumić, who designed the first manual hair clippers.
“When soldiers used to go into the military they would have their hair clippered off, partly to help prevent head lice and to ensure they looked uniform,” says Paul, explaining that the look was adopted by skinheads and punks in the 1970s.
“It was kind of an anti-establishment thing because at that point hair was being worn a bit longer, so therefore a buzz cut was pushing against what was the ‘acceptable’ look.”
The best celebrity buzz cuts
Fast forward to now and a host of well-known men have embraced the buzz cut.
After having floppy boyband hair for years, former One Direction star Zayn Malik made a super-short buzz cut his trademark look, while Jake Gyllenhaal debuted a fresh crop at this year’s Golden Globes.
American actor Austin Butler has also rocked a buzz cut on the red carpet, swapping his tousled blonde tresses for a much shorter style while appearing at the San Francisco Film Festival.
David Beckham, who regularly experiments with different hairstyles, has had a buzz cut on many occasions, as has Justin Bieber, who unveiled his latest shaved style in New York a few weeks ago.
“Some people are scared to get a buzz cut because they don't know whether it will suit them,” Hayley says.
“But when they see a celebrity like David Beckham, Zayn Malik or Jake Gyllenhaal with one they're more likely to go for it. It gives guys the confidence to follow in their footsteps.”
Will a buzz cut suit me?
Wondering if a buzz cut is right for you? It’s best to have a chat with your hairdresser, who will be able to advise on what to consider when you’re thinking about going a lot shorter with your hair, and what clipper grade to choose.
“You have to think about forehead, ear and head shape,” Hayley says.
Hair colour is another factor, she continues: “Sometimes with buzz cuts, the darker your hair is the better it can look. If you’ve got blond hair, it can become almost transparent.” There are exceptions, of course, as Austin Butler proves.
Hayley will always ask a client about their lifestyle and how a clippered look will fit with their fashion choices: "I’ll ask, ‘What do you do for work? How do you normally style your hair?’ Some people also like a buzz cut because they have skin problems or psoriasis so it's easier for them to cleanse the scalp and treat the psoriasis.”
While we sometimes associate longer hairstyles with a more youthful appearance, a buzz cut can be surprisingly flattering on receding hairlines.
“Depending on their head shape and the colour of their hair, if you take it all off, it can make their hairline look a bit stronger,” Hayley explains. “It can change the whole appearance of somebody who's losing their hair and make them look a lot younger.”
If Hayley doesn’t think a buzz cut is the best option she will always be honest and offer an alternative: “If I looked at somebody's head shape and thought it isn't going to suit them I will tell them and then I’d work with scissors and take it to a softer, longer version of a buzz cut.”
How to maintain a buzz cut
How often do you need to go under the clippers to keep your buzz cut looking fresh?
“That's a personal preference,” Hayley says. “I've got clients who come in once a week, but then I've got guys who will leave it longer. When you're used to having short hair and you get that little bit of growth, it can feel really long.”
When it comes to hair styling, it doesn’t get much easier than a buzz cut. Simply wash and condition as usual then finish by smoothing a styling product all over.
“I would probably use something like a pomade or paste which adds a bit of shine,” Hayley says. “You don't want something that's going to style the hair, nothing too heavy.”
These are Hayley’s favourites for perfecting a buzz cut
Give me a buzz
The buzz cut is a men’s hairdressing classic that keeps coming back into fashion thanks to stylish actors, athletes and musicians.
If you’re thinking of following suit, chat to your hairdresser, who can advise on if a buzz cut will suit your hair type, head shape and lifestyle, and how to make it your own.
Thinking about trying a buzz cut? Book your next appointment at Paul Edmonds London.
