The Best Wavy Hairstyles for Men

Wavy Hairstyles for Men Marlon Teixera — @marlontx

Wavy hair and curly hair are similar, but they're not exactly the same. Waves are not as tightly curved as curls or coils, although with styling, wavy hair can be made curly and curly hair can be made wavy. However you achieve them, waves have a stunning texture and are versatile, pairing well with all face shapes and aesthetics.

For those with wavy hair or seeking to create a wavy look, finding the best styling method can be a demanding task. Some men have very thick hair and dense curls, or they may have frizz and flyaways that change with the weather. With the right haircut and products, however, men of all hair types and textures can both look and feel put together. Take for example, Entourage’s Adrian Grenier, who looks dapper with well-conditioned, shiny waves, or Timothée Chalamet, who styles his natural curls in longer waves to add more dimension. Even Snoop Dogg has tried out the wavy texture.

We spoke to Los Angeles stylist Samantha Lepre and New York-based stylist Mark Alan Esparza for some of the other best wavy hairstyles for men to try now.

Meet the Expert

Mark Alan Esparza is a New York-based hairstylist whose work has been seen in worldwide campaigns and runways for Balenciaga, Theory, Maison Kitsune, Rick Owens, Coach, and many more.
Samantha Lepre is a glam rock hair and makeup artist based in Los Angeles. Inspired by the 1980s dark wave, ball culture, and the world of metaphysical energy, she works on editorials in international publications in addition to styling hair for indie artist Perfume Genius.

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and create a wavy look, what exactly should you expect from your stylist? Esparza says that “a hairstylist should always look at the shape and density of the client's hair before deciding what technique is going to work best for them.” Lepre adds that communication is key. “I would recommend being specific with the density of layers you would like,” she says. “The less dense your layers are, the more blended they will be and the easier it will be to grow out.”

As for how to style your wavy hair, Lepre suggests air-drying or using a blow dryer on cool with a diffuser, then combing back the waves and applying hairspray close to the roots before moving the waves into their final position. Of course, feel free to add, remove, or change some steps depending on what works best for your own style.

Ready for some inspiration? See some of the best wavy hairstyles for men ahead, along with plenty of expert tips to create your best texture ever.

01 of 17

TikTok Hair

Darrell Jones with tousled brunette hair and a blue shirt — @darrelljoness

This look is an evolution of the E-boy haircut. In this cut, the sides are tightly trimmed to the upper ears, revealing a texturized top full of wavy layers and styled in different directions to add complexity and depth.

02 of 17

Grown-Out Waves

Dev Patel wears a grown-out wavy hairstyle with facial hair — Getty Images

Dev Patel sports a grown-out shag look, created by texturizing with scissors to keep the same length all around while adding some depth and distinctiveness among layers. For this look, simply apply a styling product to wet waves and let it dry naturally.

03 of 17

Shag

Timothée Chalamet sports long, wavy hair to create a look of “organized chaos.” To recreate this look, you could style sections of curls with a flat iron to create wider waves, or you can also try blow-drying with a diffuser to create thicker, long batches in different directions.

04 of 17

Mop Top

“Another trending hairstyle for curly haired fellas is Jack Harlow's rounded out mop top,” Esparza says. “This cut is best suited for those with medium to tight curls, which help keep the hairstyle structured. Gentlemen with looser waves will have a harder time achieving and maintaining this particular style without the help of a small curling iron or a perm.”

05 of 17

Classic Middle Part

Man with center parted wavy hairstyle and short goatee — @tomy_the_barber

This hairstyle is an updated version of the classic middle part, with wavy bangs to add some interest. This look could work well for people who have high foreheads they may want to balance out. This is an effortless look where you let your hair do its own thing. Lepre recommends applying a curl cream to wet hair in order to create definition and separation while adding shine and protecting from humidity.

06 of 17

Medium-Length Waves

Marlon Teixera wears a tousled wavy haircut — @marlontx

Model Marlon Teixera rocks a modern take on a bedhead look using sea salt spray and cream to add texture, depth, and complexity. To add some moisture to dry hair and achieve this look, Lepre recommends using an oil “for if your ends need some moisture love.”

07 of 17

Low Fade

This look uses a tight fade that graduates to reveal a naturally wavy texture at the top. It's a great choice for people with naturally wavy or curly hair looking to add some interest and structure to their overall look.

08 of 17

High Fade

This nearly skin-tight fade tapers slightly toward the top of the head, revealing a wavy hairstyle that stands out with the help of a glossy pomade to create shine and accentuate the waves, which move in different directions.

09 of 17

Curly Burst Fade

Wavy Hairstyles for Men Curly Top Burst Fade Odell Beckham Jr. — @obj

Never one to shy away from trendsetting cuts, Odell Beckham Jr. sports a wavy hairstyle accentuated by high buzzed sides and a bold use of color.

10 of 17

Wavy Pompadour

Wavy Hairstyles for Men Pompadour Harry Styles — Getty Images

In this look, Harry Styles rocks a pompadour at the top and shorter waves on the sides. Style the top by applying hair wax, which keeps longer strands blown back and separated from the sides. A texturizing cream was also used on sides to shape the waves.

11 of 17

Shorter on the Sides

Esparza says that wavy or shag hair has been on trend more recently via social media. “I’ve been seeing a lot of what is seemingly called ‘TikTok boy hair,’ which is cut short on the sides and back with clippers and left long on top with a considerable amount of weight in the front,” he says. “This is a popular style with those who have massive amounts of waves or curls over the forehead.”

12 of 17

Classic Shag

Jacob Elordi with a shag haircut — @jacobelordi

Lepre tells us that the wavy or "shag" look originated from hairstylist Paul McGregor for Jane Fonda in the 1970s. “Many actors and musicians during the 1970s and 1980s rocked a shag, such as Farrah Fawcett, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Steven Tyler,” she says. “In the 1990s, Jennifer Aniston made ‘The Rachel’ shag hairstyle a trend.”

13 of 17

Taller Up Top

Corbin Bleu in a hoodie with curly hair that's taller on top — @corbinbleu

Corbin Bleu shows off a naturally curly head of hair that's kept shorter on the sides and taller up top. The look is neat and well-kept (though it does require a trim every few weeks to stay that way).

14 of 17

Retro Curls

Bollywood actor Gautam Singh Vin with curly hair — @gautamvigim

Bollywood actor Gautam Singh Vig demonstrates that classic, 1970s-esque curls are back in a big way. Here, his curls are kept well-maintained and glossy, likely with a pomade with nice hold.

15 of 17

Long Waves

Penn Badgley with curly hair — @pennbadgley

Penn Badgley's grown-out waves prove that if you've got it, you should flaunt it. Here, the hair is balanced out by well-groomed facial hair (a beard and a mustache) and styled simply by being combed back. When it comes to length, Lepre recommends graduating layers “so the crown of the head's hair does not get flat or weighed down. The shag complements every face shape, although you need to consider the type of bang relative to your face framing.”

16 of 17

Short Afro

Alfred Enoch with a subtle fro and facial hair — @alfieenochofficial

Alfred Enoch's subtle Afro is balanced by his facial hair. This natural style requires little in the way of styling, though a quality conditioner will keep coils smooth.

17 of 17

Glossy

Adam Brody in a suit with wavy hair — @ohadambrody

Waves can be styled with a simple slick-back, as seen on actor Adam Brody. Here, grown-in facial hair helps to balance the look and keep it from looking too perfectly groomed. According to our experts, there are no hard rules that should prevent anyone from going for a wavy hairstyle, but there are some considerations. Esparza explains that while wavy hair can look good on any face shape, it needs a cut that complements the wearer's bone structure.