Even if your hair is thin, wavy is arguably one of the best textures for men’s hair. Each extra curve is like a volume booster that adds interest to short haircuts.
If you prefer a closer crop as opposed to longer locks, then you’re in luck. We have all of the very best short hairstyles out there for guys with naturally wavy hair.
Short Wavy Hairstyles for Men
Read on to see our top 25 styles to suit your every mood and need.
1. Full Wavy Quiff with Tapered Sides
Creating sleek shape is important when styling short thick wavy hair for men. High and tight looks feel professional and prevent any bushy vibes. Ask your stylist to honor your waves up top but crop hair closely around the head.
2. Brushed-Back Gray Crop
Closer to the scalp is usually the way to go for hair as it ages. Short gray hair is desirable so long as you honor the natural waves that sit at the front of the head. Cut it short over the ears and at the back of the head for a polished and professional look.
3. Subtle Undercut
Short wavy hair with an undercut is ideal for guys with beards. Undercut portions have a pruning effect that makes space for a full beard and gorgeous textured hair. Push all of the hair back off of the forehead for a sexy, confident vibe.
4. Short Mohawk
A short mohawk can be fun for wavy hair because the volume is achieved all on its own. Work the width of your mohawk according to your face shape for the most pulled together appeal.
5. Wavy Pompadour
Pompadours are easy on wavy hair because your natural texture can be used for creating the polished height that the look requires. Buzz hair on the sides of the head for a modern and trendy twist.
6. Glossy Side-Parted Waves
Ladies love a man who is tall, dark, and handsome. Add some waves to that shiny dark hair.
Keep it thick and get a side parting. One side should be neat while the other has some hair falling onto your forehead.
7. Brown Wavy Cut with a Curled Nape
Chocolate brown is such a desirable shade for anybody. This tone is eye-catching, so make sure your hairstyle is neat.
A gentle side parting with volume towards the front will make you look handsome. Let the hair around the nape of your neck become curly rather than wavy.
8. Slicked-Back Waves with a Long Beard
Slicking your short hair back is the perfect way to hold your waves in place. If you use a hard-hold gel, then the texture will remain very visible.
Add a bushy and long beard to contrast the neatness of the hair on your head. Ideally, let the beard’s natural texture show but brush it through so there are no tangles.
9. Wavy Curtains with Lifted Roots
A youthful face looks fantastic with a soft side part. Wavy texture gives bangs a curling effect that frames truly gorgeous eyes. Create some height at the top of the head to slightly elongate the face.
10. Brushed-Up Waves with a Mid Fade
The clean cut guy should look no further than short wavy hair with a fade. Create a bald look over the ears that gradually fades into closely cropped wavy texture. This style looks best with a clean face.
11. Tousled Quiff with a Loose Forelock
Don’t worry about looking polished. The tousled bedhead look never goes out of style. Make sure hair is clean, however, and find a method to your madness when styling this ‘undone’ look.
12. Asymmetrical Waves
To avoid an overpowering or bushy look, an asymmetrical style shows off texture with a contained and polished vibe. Cut hair shorter on one side and brush it back for a minimal look.
13. Piecey Bangs
Guys with weaker chins or round or square face shapes should utilize piecey bangs. The see-through nature elongates the appearance of the face while honoring the beauty of naturally wavy curls.
14. Side Bangs
Wavy hair makes bangs look different than you’d expect, and brushing hair onto the forehead is very common with them.
Brush enough hair forward so that it looks like you have side bangs covering one half of your forehead.
15. Soft Curly Crop with a Side Sweep
Letting some frizzy flyaway hairs define your look will make you appear as though you put no effort in and look this good naturally.
Make sure the sides remain short so the entire top section of your hair can stand out more.
16. Compact Curly Fringe with a Fade
Undercuts always make it easier to focus on the hair on top of the head. Get a fade if you want to make your undercut look better.
Keep the hair right on top of your head mostly flat so the waves are more concentrated towards the forehead area.
17. Wavy Pompadour with a Hard Part
Create a soft wavy texture and hold it in place with soft hold cream. Get a hard line shaved into your side part, and get a fade below the line for a modern style.
18. Retro Waves + Gel
Decades ago men wore waves just at the very front of their short hair, secured with hard gel. The rest of their hair was slicked back.
Add a full and neatly groomed beard if you want to fully embrace the art of manliness. Don’t forget to blend the sideburn area into the sides of your hair.
19. Wavy Fringe with a Shaved Side Design
Men sometimes decorate their fades with a design. Here there’s a small line shaved into the hair and a patch of longer hair left to go with it.
The top serves as contrast as the hair is particularly soft and fluffy as it’s brushed towards the face. Adding a straight beard creates further contrast to make it very difficult for people to look away from you.
20. Tousled Crop with Eye-Grazing Bangs
Messy wavy haircuts are often so long that they hide the eyebrows and gently brush the tops of the eyes. Layers give the hair an even thicker and messier appearance.
Styling your hair over your face like this brings more attention to your hair and it creates the illusion of a shorter face if you have a large forehead.
21. Rounded Wavy Crop with a Fade
Brush your hair onto your forehead but keep it straight. Only the top layers should be wavy.
Add a beard with a gradient where it starts thinner towards your ears and gets thicker towards your cheeks and chin. It should blend in with the sides of your hair.
22. Waves with a Low Fade
Loose dark waves are left longer on top and paired with a low fade above the ears and a full beard. A light curl cream can define the bends without making the top stiff.
23. Wavy Pompadour with Loose Forelock
Deep waves are brushed up and back into a high pompadour, with one curl dropping over the forehead. A firm pomade provides the hold and shine needed for the sculpted finish.
24. Swept Wavy Fringe
A thick wavy fringe sweeps diagonally across the forehead while the sides taper neatly around the ear. The forward texture works best with enough top length to bend and separate.
25. Tousled Curls with Mustache
Loose curls are tousled across the top with the sides kept shorter and tidy. The soft, unstructured finish needs only a light curl cream and minimal combing.
