These are the hottest men’s hair trends for 2018

Each month, celebrity hairstylist and Attitude Hair and Grooming expert Jason Collier is sharing his wealth of experience to help keep you looking razor-sharp and ready for any occasion…

We all take inspiration from the catwalk trends for fashion and grooming, but another hot area to trend spot is the world of male celebrities. Taking tips from stylists or simply being ahead of the curve, celeb watching gives a great indication of what will be popular in the months ahead.  

Bear in mind that for a style to work for you it has to be something that suits both your face shape, hair type and, importantly, your lifestyle. There’s no point going down the bleached blond route if you don’t have the time or inclination for the upkeep and maintenance. This is where your stylist’s advice is invaluable – they will be able to give you an honest opinion of what will work, particularly if you are planning on a dramatic new look.

Crops, shaved sides with high fade, quiffs and curtains (forget the grungy look of the past, this Millennial style has the option to look smart and casual), all look set to be key trends in 2018. The secret to any trend though, is to use it for inspiration and adapt key looks to work for you.

Let’s start with Millennial Curtains. We’re not talking about the lank layers of hair that once hung unflatteringly over famous faces, 2018’s take on this look can be smartened up for the day job and left more casual for weekends. Keep the sides and back short to emphasise the longer front and dry hair with a bit of height at the temples to give the look a lift. For hair prone to frizz, finish off with L’Oreal Profesionnel Tecni Art Airfix Antistatic Spray, which will help fight against humidity and static.

Crops are back, ranging from close to the bone to textured on top, often teamed with a high fade when left longer on top. Vintage Brad Pitt is the classic inspiration for an undercut with slicked back longer hair on top – a look that remains popular – while Zayn Malik has teamed a taper fade with spiky hair on top. (A taper haircut is generally longer, getting shorter as it reaches the hairline, while fade cuts go from short to super-short down to the skin. A taper is cut with scissors, but you’re talking clippers for a fade.)

A gradual fade will be seen in 2018, which gives quite a polished look. It’s also likely that Brooklyn Beckham’s back-to-school buzz cut will whip up interest in super-close crops. The key to this look is maintenance – regular trims are needed to keep this looking clean and sharp.

The quiff was popular in 2017, but because it’s such a versatile look that works well on short, mid-length and longer hair, it’s going to be around in 2018 too. This time round it will be teamed with a more-accentuated side parting – take inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo’s distinctive parting with hair combed over on top. Colin Farrell often opts for a side parting, but with a more structured style with a deep parting and plenty of styling cream to give quite a sculpted look.

To get a relaxed quiff look, keep the top longer, and the back and sides close cropped. Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray is a handy product to add texture, volume and hold for styles that still want a bit of movement. A bit of clay – literally just a pea-sized amount – also works well for a relaxed finish. American Crew’s Molding Clay is always reliable. Finish with hairspray if you want extra hold.

Styling products mean you can switch from slicked-back styling to that messy tousled hair look that Zac Efron does so effortlessly – both looks likely to be seen in 2018. Youthful and casual, tousled hair still has a place in everyone’s hearts, but a slicker, more controlled look will also be popular. Slicked-back hair is a great option if you are growing a style out, but still need to look smart for work. American Crew’s Pomade will provide hold with shine, which is ideal for that classic, slicked-back look.

Take inspiration now for a fresh new look to take you into 2018 with style and confidence.

Jason Collier is an award-winning hair colourist and stylist to the stars, and Creative Director at the Matthew Curtis Hair Salon at The Rosewood London. For more visit jason-collier.co.uk and follow him on Twitter and Instagram.