Women notice hair. A national survey of 1,033 young adults conducted by Kelton for Axe Hair found that 73% of women ages 18 to 24 said hair is one of the first things they notice about a man. That number alone should tell you something about where to put your attention before you leave the house.
The question of what works has actual answers. Research exists. Stylists weigh in. Preferences vary by age, but patterns emerge with enough consistency to make real decisions about what to do with the stuff growing out of your head.
What the Side Part Still Gets Right
A study commissioned by Wahl Clipper and conducted by Opinion Research Corporation found that the side part ranked first among hairstyles women prefer. The research, based on a representative sample of approximately 500 women nationwide, associated this cut with traits like handsome, fashionable, and successful. Yahoo Finance reported that the style has the widest appeal among women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
Age shapes preference more than most men assume. The same Wahl study found that women in their 20s respond better to crew cuts or short, spiked looks. The tousled style performs well with women in their 20s and 30s, while the buzz cut resonates with those in their 40s and 50s.
The Bed Head Paradox
A survey of 319 Americans reported by Real Men Real Style found that 72% from both genders rated bed head as the single most attractive men’s hairstyle. The style works because it looks accidental. Sea salt spray, a few passes with your hands after washing, and you walk out the door looking like you woke up that way.
The effort required to look effortless is the trick. Too much product and it becomes obvious. Too little and it tips into genuine neglect. The sweet spot sits somewhere between.
Melissa DeZarate, a celebrity stylist whose clients include Christopher Briney and Simu Liu, told StyleCaster that natural hair textures, soft waviness, and tight curls are being showcased more openly now. Men are leaning into what their hair does on its own rather than forcing it into shapes it resists.
Short and Clean Still Wins With Younger Women
The Kelton survey for Axe Hair found that 58% of women ages 18 to 24 chose short and clean-cut as their favorite men’s hairstyle. This preference runs counter to the bed head data, which suggests that context matters. The occasion, the setting, and the woman in question all factor into what reads well.
David Alexander, a celebrity barber with over 30 years of experience, told The Adult Man that the faded buzzcut has long been the choice of police, military, and athletes. The style is easy, masculine, and works with most face shapes. It requires minimal maintenance and reads as disciplined without trying too hard.
The Textured Crop Has Staying Power
According to Beard Beasts, the textured crop has secured its place as one of the defining men’s hairstyles of the last decade. Its layered finish and structured shape adapt to almost any face shape or hair type. The style strikes the balance many men want: strong, refined, and low maintenance.
Pinterest reported that searches for textured men’s hairstyles surged by 75% in the past year. A Statista survey showed that 60% of men aged 25 to 34 favor styles like the undercut due to its balance of style and practicality. These numbers point toward a preference for cuts that look good without requiring daily attention.
Money Follows the Part
The Wahl study on career success found that men sporting the side part are more than 35% more likely to have an annual salary of $100,000 or more than men with any other hairstyle. Six in 10 people associated this style with being professional.
Correlation is not causation. The side part does not make you wealthy. But the association between this cut and professional success is strong enough to affect perception. Women notice this too. The traits linked to the side part, handsome, fashionable, successful, carry weight in how a man is perceived before he speaks a single word.
Quiffs and Pompadours Remain in Rotation
J-Travis Walters, National Corporate Education Manager for Schwarzkopf Professional, told StyleCaster that haircuts like the quiff and pompadour remain popular, though men are focusing more on embracing their natural texture. A Men’s Health poll found that 27% of men consider the quiff their preferred everyday hairstyle.
The quiff requires more upkeep than a fade or a crop. It needs product, a blow dryer, and some attention each morning. But for men willing to put in the time, it delivers a polished look that photographs well and holds shape throughout the day.
The Celebrity Effect
Ryan Gosling became known for his floppy layers and mid-length textured cut, though his sharp short sides and side part have earned equal attention. David Beckham has worn nearly every style a man can attempt, but his low-maintenance buzz cut turned him into an international heartthrob.
These examples matter because they offer visual reference points. A photo of what you want makes the conversation with your barber shorter and more productive.
What the Beard Adds
Research from The Journal of Evolutionary Behavior found that women rated men with light stubble as best for one-night stands and men with longer beards as better for relationships. The study also found that women automatically rated men with beards as more masculine than clean-shaven ones.
Hair and facial hair work together. A textured crop with light stubble sends a different message than the same cut with a full beard. The combination you choose affects the overall impression you leave.
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