Trending Short Haircuts for Barbers to Know Right Now

Short haircuts for men are more versatile than you might think, offering everything from bold fades to textured crops. Whether your client is after a low-maintenance buzzcut, a stylish quiff, or a taper fade there's a haircut for everyone. We asked leading barbers and industry experts to break down the best short hairstyles for men in 2025 and their top cutting tips.

1. Buzzcut

 

The crew cut is a practical and popular short haircut, that suits all hair textures. "This is usually very short on the sides, slightly longer on the top and typically with a longer fringe (which could then be considered a small pompadour)," says Keri Blue, founder of Human First UK and short hair artist. It's a universally flattering style that’s both neat and stylish. "This cut can be used on any hair types and textures, and it doesn’t need any particular shape face to still look very trendy," they add.

3. French Crop (Caesar Cut)

The taper fade is one of the most in-demand barbershop fades right now. "The taper fade is a great way of achieving the look of a skin fade without having to fully commit to it," says Miles. It’s a cleaner alternative to full fades and works great with curls or waves. Keri adds: "A taper fade or blowout is perfect for people who don’t want to expose too much of their head with a complete fade but want to keep it smart. It can be used on any textured hair but looks particularly good paired with a curly top."

5. Quiff

 

The quiff haircut mixes an old-school, classic cut with modern edge. "The quiff combines the 1950s pompadour hairstyle, a shape that never fails, with a Mohawk - it’s a classic," says Janene. To style, Ollie advises: "To create the perfect quiff it's best to fully blow-dry the hair. I like to spray a small amount of OSMO Matte Salt Spray into the hair as a base and then blow-dry through."

A modern take on the classic pompadour, the short pompadour gives height without too much volume. "A slicked back style that adds volume and height. A variation of heights can be achieved with this short, slicked-back style with extra volume on top," says Janene Hawkins-Bush. This style suits all hair types and works especially well for clients wanting a more manageable pomp.

7. Burst Fade

The burst fade haircut, also called the Gentleman’s Mohawk or the South of France cut, features a dramatic arc around the ear. "Thicker hair allows for a more striking result," says Rhys Whitehouse, Wahl Ambassador. Originally made popular by Usher and barber Curtis Smith, it’s ideal for afro and thick hair textures.

8. Mullet

The modern mullet is having a strong resurgence in barbershops, blending expressive, edgy style with versatility. “There are lots of different types of mullets, ranging from sharp exaggerated and tapered to soft editorial looks. In my opinion, everyone can have a mullet,” says Eleni Tsesmatzoglou from Nūdo Studio. Oliver Hill from MaxOliver adds: "A lot of our customers think curly or wavy hair is needed for a mullet, but I think by using the right products, all hair types and densities can work well."