Written by Jim Shaw in Hair on the 7th June 2021

With us now out of lockdown, Jim Shaw from TONI&GUY has noticed a surge in men embracing their longer hair and coming into the salon for a trim or to have their long hair styled rather than a complete revamp with a lot of length being cut off. For 2021 it’s all about modernising these longer hairstyles and being aware of the extra TLC your long hair will require between appointments. Below are his three top modern long hairstyles for 2021, with suggested hair products that should be used to keep your long locks looking their very best and healthy at all times in between appointments.

Long curls and enhanced natural textures

Embracing the hairs natural texture is going to be very popular this year and we will see a lot of men loving their natural waves and curls. Ask your men’s hairdresser for a blunt trim, which will help accentuate your curls and enable them to be more manageable, as well free from frizz and flyaways, which are common with these hair types. To further keep curls and natural waves looking their best at home, smooth and healthy in appearance, styling is key. It’s essential to use a styling product such as a lotion, serum or light paste and distribute this through your hair with your fingers, giving your curls a more polished look and more body to your hair. This hairstyle also looks great when the curls are brushed out and some texturising product is applied to give your hair softness, yet a lot of body and movement.

The modern mullet

The mullet is a hairstyle that is becoming back on trend for both men and woman in 2021. We’ve seen many celebrities sport this look and wearing the mullet more choppy in texture to give it a modern appearance. For 2021 this style looks more contemporary and best when worn a little bit shorter on the top and even shorter on the sides, but blended together seamlessly. This gives the hair a different texture and allows you to be able to style your hair in a number of different ways. The versatility of this haircut is one of the best things about it – you can wear it slicked back with a gel or serum or you can use a texturising spray or mattifying product to give the style added texture and body. With this hairstyle maintenance is key and it will require regular trips to the salon to keep the fade looking its best. This hairstyle also looks great worn natural, so it’s a good idea to spray some leave in conditioner into your hair and leave to air dry to provide your hair with nourishment, and keep the longer section of your hair looking its best and free from split ends.

Bowl cut

The bowl cut is back for 2021 but with a fresh approach – longer and thicker in appearance. This is great for men who love a more retro inspired haircut and who like wearing their hair more sleek and smooth in appearance that natural and textured. This hairstyle is also great for framing the face and showing off facial features, and is a particularly good hairstyle for showing off colour if you like to opt for bolder and dimensional hair colours. With this haircut it’s important to use a good quality shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair smooth and shiny, as well as regular hair masks to keep split ends at bay and your hair free from damage.

Featuring long curls and enhanced natural textures, the modern mullet, and bowl cut in this guide to men's long hair trends by Jim Shaw.