Written by Menswear Style in Hair on the 14th September 2020

With many barber shops now reopening albeit with a pre-book model and screen dividers, many of you guys are probably thinking its now time to put your hair into a professional’s hands. You’ve either being giving yourself a buzz cut at home or you’ve let your hair grow out since March when lockdowns first began. Either way, you’re probably not looking your best right now. With this in mind, we’re bringing you an expert hairstyle trend analysis with help from Unilever’s Head Stylist, Dan Lynes. Here are the haircuts guys will be getting this Autumn.

A Grown-Out Crop 

Almost every man in the country was tempted to take the clippers to his hair at some stage during lockdown; and sadly, loads of Brits actually did it when the fringes got too much. These brave souls are now finding what was once a sharp solution to lack of barber access, now resembles a microphone more than it does a good haircut! Taking a trip to your barber and asking for a ‘Grown-Out Crop’ is an easy, low-maintenance way to keep your hair looking sharp while simultaneously getting some length back on top. It's also called a ‘Caesar Cut’, and for a nice variation get your barber to blend the top into a sharp fade. On your way back from your haircut, make sure you stop by your nearest Boots or Superdrug to pick up some VO5 Flexible Wax Spray, one spray a day will help tame fluffiness and maintain hold.

French Crop 

This is for the guys who took the head-shaving plunge toward the beginning of lockdown; the top has grown out into a nice fringe, but overall the hair is in need of a little tidying. This slightly longer ‘French Crop’ is a fantastic way of getting loads of texture and thickness into your hair quickly, with minimal effort. And to get the lovely, very on trend, chopped-up, matte look sported by the strapping lad pictured, grab some Matt Rework Paste. Or, if you want a little more gloss to your look, Styling Wax will do the job nicely too.

Relaxed Quiff

For those with much more length to play around with on the top, this is a slightly different, more modern take on the side part quiff, which is less sculpted, less styled, and a little messy. It’s great for guys who want their hair to have some structure, without looking as if you’ve spent all morning in the mirror getting each strand in place! If you’re one of the lucky few who only need a tiny bit of styling to get your hair beautifully coiffured, then a little shake of VO5’s Thickening Powder will keep your hair pointing skyward without it looking too ‘done’. However, if like most of us mere mortals you have to persuade your hair into place, then a little Natural Texture Spray rubbed into damp hair will do the trick perfectly. Then, just style into place using a hairdryer. The end result will look totally natural.

Pompadour 

This is for the guys who resisted lopping their hair off when barbers were shut, and instead grew it out and embraced the length. The longer look brings with it a lovely natural softness which neither the sharp faded look, nor the previous, short-sided quiff can ever emulate. To get this look, follow the same process as you would for the Relaxed Quiff but instead use product with more hold. VO5’s Gel Wax is great for this if you want a gloss finish. Or if you prefer a less shiny look, some Matt Paste will do the job.

Long Hair 

You’re embracing the extra length lockdown brought with it, and why the hell not? Get your barber to work a good structure to the haircut by telling him long is the look you’re going for. This will just mean that it holds its shape well as it gets longer. Finish the look off with either Natural Texture Spray for a matt finish, or simply mist a little hairspray on dry hair and smooth over with your hands – it will ensure you don’t have any fluff and that you get a relaxed finish.

Have you been to the barber/hairdresser since lockdowns lifted? ?? #haircut

— Menswear Style (@MenswearStyle) September 14, 2020

Unilever’s Head Stylist, Dan Lynes, provides men's hairstyle trends for Autumn 2020 such as the Grown-Out Crop, French Crop, Relaxed Quiff, Pompadour, and Long Hair.