Today’s comb over haircuts aren’t the same as they were in the 1980s or 1990s. If you’re thinking of that signature middle-aged look that involves plastering a few strands of hair over a thinning patch or a bald spot, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Comb Over Haircuts
The key to choosing a complementary comb over hairstyle is to make sure that it works with the angles of your face and highlights your features. There’s nothing to hide behind with a cut like this, plus the look requires styling and upkeep. Bearing that in mind, here are some of the hottest examples of the comb over trend. Which one’s going to become your new signature ‘do?
1. Tapered and Tidy
Not all comb over haircuts are over-the-top. This style is an excellent example of a neat, tapered comb over. It’s more of a comb up. In styling this cut, you use the same technique for a faux hawk by finger-combing the hair up and slightly forward. Instead of a pompadour in the front, the hair is slightly spiked.
2. Short Sandy Blonde Comb-Over
This haircut doesn’t have quite as much height. It’s more of a preppy-inspired ‘do, making it an ideal corporate cut. The sides aren’t nearly as short. To get that chic final touch, you simply comb your hair with the hint of a part.
3. Wavy Comb-Over with a Handlebar Mustache
Middle-aged guys can go for a rugged look by combining a chic comb over with thick facial hair. The sides are slightly shorter than the top that is brushed back with a wide-toothed comb. Complete the style with a handlebar mustache and a Verdi beard for a grizzled appeal.
4. Wet-Look Comb-Over with a Deep Part
Wet looks are a popular pick, and many celebrities have rocked them. Use ample wax or pomade and brush over the strands with a deep side parting. This style is easy to maintain as it stays intact all day long.
5. Side-Parted Comb-Over with S-Waves
Whether your hair is straight, curly, or wavy, a comb over hairstyle makes you look effortlessly classy. This hairstyle features an undercut merging into the beard while the long waves on the top are swept to one side. A bit of hairspray keeps the style in place the whole day.
6. Glossy Comb-Over with a Full Beard
Although this style is quite simple, it is chic enough to set you apart from others. The sides are trimmed and slightly shorter than the top that is swept back on one side using pomade. A well-kempt full beard takes this look to another level.
7. Short Black Waves with Tapered Sides
Who says comb overs are for straight hair only? Men with natural curls can rock this style by sweeping the strands to one side with or without a hard part. Couple the long top with an undercut or fade along the sides and the look is complete.
8. Voluminous Comb-Over with a Temple Taper
This comb over haircut is the classiest and refreshes your look instantly. The sides are trimmed neatly, creating a stylish taper fade, while the top is long enough to be brushed to one side. Accentuate the style with light facial stubble.
9. Side-Parted Quiff with a Temple Fade
Now that Justin Timberlake no longer has an oodles of noodles ‘do, he defines #hairgoals for quite a lot of guys, and rightly so. Learn how to do a comb over with short hair by stealing JT’s look. Notice how the sheared sides transition into a longer length closer to the crown. That clean part is an important detail, too.
10. Wavy Comb-Over with a Hard Part
A lot is going on here, but all of it’s on-point. Men with naturally curly or wavy hair bring a new dimension to the combed over undercut.
Notice how his hair is shortest around the temples and the nape of his neck. The fade is crucial. You also need to ask the barber or stylist to create a clear line of delineation at the part.
11. Sleek Comb-Over with a Front Swoop
Everything about this comb over hairstyle is sleek, polished, and put together. This is a cut that easily carries you from the office to the club, from the classroom to the bar, or from the gym to the movies. It always looks good, it’s easy to style, and because it doesn’t require much shaving, the upkeep is fairly minimal.
Comb Over Hairstyles for Short Hair
Men have been gifted with a whole lot of hairstyle variety, to begin with. From short comb overs to sleek undercuts, it just makes one want to stop and admire the art in their hair and how perfectly it suits their face shapes.
12. Hard-Part Comb-Over with a Low Taper
Undercut hairstyles have been popular for quite some time, which is why they blend in with almost any look you ask for. Combining an undercut with a short comb over would make one look classy.
13. Wavy Comb-Over with a Mid Fade
If one has lightweight hair, then they should opt for this look. A mid fade leaves the lower sides almost bare, with a darker band meeting the long, separated strands on top. The hair is super bouncy, which attracts more attention towards them. One should get short layers in their hair with some highlights to make each layer stand out on its own.
14. 3-In-1 Comb Over Hairstyle
This hairstyle is for those men who are a fan of trying something new and adventurous. Carrying 3 hairstyles at once can seem to be a tough job, and it is, but with practice, everything becomes perfect.
This hard part comb over hairstyle for short hair is high maintenance, so if you’re up for giving your hair some extra time and effort, then go for this look.
15. Tousled Blonde Side Sweep
A neat haircut doesn’t always look good or define the term classy. Sometimes it’s just okay to have a “just got out of bed” look, which seems even sexier if one is daring enough to wear it outside the house all day long.
16. Faded Undercut Comb Over
If you’re living in a country where it gets super-hot and humid most of the time, having a faded undercut on comb over would be the right thing. The hair is short, requires fewer products to stay in place, and needs combing over only once.
If you have a beard, the faded look can continue with your beard, giving a nice symmetrical continuation of the hair onto the face.
17. Short Curly Comb Over
The majority of the men think that if they have curly hair then they have no options to go for when it comes to hairstyling. This is wrong because it’s actually a blessing to have curly hair as it’s natural and looks super-cute on them. To style curly strands, go for a side-parted short hair comb over with a nice faded side undercut.
18. Side-Swept Waves with Full Sides
Just like curly hair, wavy short hair can also be styled in a comb over. In fact, it looks even better if you have natural waves forming, making the hair look like a sea of waves. This look is extremely classy and makes one look like they’ve stepped out of a magazine cover.
19. Blonde-Tipped Comb-Over with a Shaved Line
This one is an addition to the short undercut hairstyle. If you’re bored of a plain undercut on a comb over for short hair, then add some sidelines to really accentuate the partition of the top and side hair.
20. Long Comb Over
The long top is combed back and across with a smooth, glossy finish. Full sides are combed backward around the ear to continue the flowing shape.
21. Short Comb Over with Temple Fade
A short comb over follows a clean side part and lies close to the head. The low temple fade removes weight around the sideburn without taking the sides too high.
22. Swept-Back Salt-and-Pepper Comb-Over
Medium-length brown hair is swept loosely back off the forehead and toward one side. The soft texture and minimal product keep the comb over relaxed rather than slick.
23. Disconnected Undercut Comb Over
The long top is combed smoothly to one side above a disconnected undercut. With no gradual blend between the lengths, the sharp contrast defines the cut.
24. Side-Swept Fringe with Full Sides
Long brown hair is directed from a deep side part and swept across the forehead. The softly separated front pieces give the comb over movement without a stiff finish.
25. Short Comb Over with High Fade
The short top is combed diagonally from a defined side part into a neat sweep. A high skin fade keeps the sides clean, while the full beard adds weight below.
26. Textured Comb Over with Bald Fade
The top is combed to one side with visible texture and a slightly tousled finish. A high bald fade creates strong contrast, and the short beard completes the shape.
27. Silver-Gray Comb Over
A cool silver-gray top is combed to the side above a skin fade. Darker roots and a dark beard frame the pale color and keep the cut from looking flat.
28. Comb Over with Drop Fade
The top is brushed up and over with a soft, rounded lift at the front. A drop fade dips behind the ear and blends close at the nape.
29. Short Comb Over with Brushed-Up Front
The top is brushed forward and slightly upward at the front for a compact lift. A high fade and short beard keep the style balanced and easy to shape.
30. Comb-Over with a Curved Part
A curved part guides the glossy top diagonally back from the hairline. The sides keep their length and are combed neatly back, with a tapered sideburn in front of the ear.
31. Short Comb-Over with a Rounded Front
The short top is combed neatly to the side from a clear part, with subtle lift at the front. A close taper through the sides keeps the cut tidy and practical.
32. Blonde Comb Over with Extra-Long Top
The strawberry-blonde top is left longer and brushed back in one smooth sweep. A low skin fade removes bulk around the ears and keeps the top-heavy shape clean.
33. Ivy League Comb Over
The short dark top is combed across from a defined side part with a small lift at the front. A low fade and neat hairline give the Ivy League cut its close, controlled shape.
34. Comb-Over with a Widow’s Peak
The front follows the natural point of the widow’s peak before sweeping neatly to one side. Short tapered sides keep the hairline visible without making it the only focus.
35. Glossy Comb Over with a Skin Fade
Pale lines trace the ridges of the dark top as it is brushed up and back. A high skin fade and sharp lineup give the glossy finish a clean base.
Not every man can pull off comb over hairstyles, but many of them can. The cut’s a universal pleaser, and because there’s such an array of variations, it’s not difficult to find a cut that suits you.
