20 Best Flat Top Haircuts For Men: Top Hairstyles 2024

What do Grace Jones, Duke Nukem, Simon Cowell and Paul Phoenix from Tekken have in frequent? Properly, other than the truth that they might in all probability all kick your ass (though we’d take our probabilities with Cowell), you’d be forgiven for pondering not an important deal.

Nevertheless, forged your gaze hair-wards and also you’ll discover a standard theme rising. All 4 are follically outfitted to hold their pints from bar to desk in handsfree mode because of their slightly fetching angular haircuts.

Jokes apart, flat tops usually get a nasty wrap. The mere point out of their identify tends to conjure up photographs of both stern-faced Fifties US navy officers or, on the overall reverse finish of the spectrum, Will Smith carrying his high-school blazer inside out, circa 1992. There’s no in-between… or is there?

Properly, sure. With the precise method, you’ll be able to sport this throwback reduce with out your model credentials falling, er, flat. So get your spirit stage on the prepared and uncover the way to embrace one in all barbering’s most attention-grabbing and difficult creations.

What Is A Flat Prime Haircut?

It must be pretty self-explanatory however simply in case you’re a bit sluggish on the uptake, a flat prime, within the broadest sense, is any haircut the place the hair has been reduce or styled to look flat and stage throughout the highest of the top. This could embrace something from conventional navy crew cuts, proper by means of to the high-top fades of the eighties hip-hop neighborhood.

Flat tops are normally taken short on the back and sides, narrowing and elongating the form of the face, which means that When you’ve bought a peanut head, this classic cut may be your new greatest good friend.

Granted, this method hasn’t fairly labored for Kim Jong Un, however we are able to in all probability all agree that he’s a reasonably excessive instance.

Historical past Of The Flat Prime

Created for the navy, the flat prime crew reduce rapidly turned some of the fashionable armed forces trims in america. Its shorn again and sides supplied all of the practicality of a buzz cut whereas the patch of hair on prime enabled it to sidestep the ‘white trash’ connotations {that a} absolutely shaved head carried with it on the time.

So, when and the way did this sensible, navy reduce make its manner out of the forces and into the subcultures?

“I feel we are able to safely say from the top of the Second World Conflict,” says Joe Mills, proprietor of Joe & Co. and long-time lover of flat tops. “Quite a lot of regular guys have been conscripted into the forces and bought used to significantly short hair. Once they have been demobbed a lot of them stored it brief, particularly stateside.

“[The style] doesn’t actually pop up within the UK till the later Fifties, however when you have a look at quite a lot of pictures from the States throughout that interval it’s significantly prevalent.”

From right here, the flat prime was picked up by varied subcultures, which wore it proudly as a logo of insurrection. From rockabilly guys with their baseball jackets and creepers, to early hip-hoppers and their sky-grazing high-top fades, it was the youth tribes that have been chargeable for turning this wise, navy coiffure into the daring trend assertion it’s right this moment.

Really useful Merchandise 

Earlier than you attempt to deep dive into the shallow finish of the pool, be sure to’re absolutely outfitted to get the job completed. Click on by means of to seek out our favourite merchandise for finishing any of the flat prime types included in our checklist with ease and elegance.

Greatest Flat Prime Haircuts 

1. Traditional Flat Prime Haircut

The basic flat prime is actually the reduce that began all of it. It’s surely the flat prime in its purest type. Easy, clear, and tight – it has the entire traits of a fundamental trim however with a extra refined look. 

2. Army Flat Prime Haircut

The reduce that (truly) began all of it. This model is the flat prime in its purest type. Easy, clear and tight – it could sport all of the traits of a fundamental trim, however the navy flat prime is something however.

“The standard traits of this model are the tight, pores and skin pale sides, which give this model its navy really feel,” says Adam Harant, senior stylist at Pimps And Pinups. “Along side this, it’s fully sq. on prime. There’s some size left on the entrance, which elongates the face, however the extreme construction of the haircut creates a more square and masculine face shape.”

Harant suggests asking your barber for a excessive and tight skin fade on the perimeters and a flat, sq. prime. “The size can then be personalized to your preferences. Simply be sure to don’t have it too lengthy within the fringe space, as an excessive amount of weight may cause the model to droop.

“By way of styling at residence, I might advise shoppers to blow-dry, if doable, all of the hair within the fringe space straight up and away from the face. End with a robust, matte styling wax or clay to make sure the model stays steady and stuck all through the day.”

3. Fashionable Flat Prime Haircut

If a conventional flat prime is just too outdated for you, strive placing a contemporary spin on it by having a much less distinct crown and mixing the flat prime into the remainder of the hair. Having a really gradual fade from the highest of the top all the way down to the nape of the neck is much less drastic. 

4. Brief Flat Prime Haircut 

Although practically all flat tops are on the shorter aspect, go for a pores and skin shave on the again and sides of the top if you need one thing additional brief. Whereas it should positively require common visits to the barber, short haircuts place an emphasis on the flat prime itself since there’s little to no distraction from the remainder of your hair.

5. Flat Prime with Beard 

A beard enhances the masculine points of a flat-top haircut and helps to even out the form of 1 face. Whereas the boxy form of a flat prime would possibly spotlight some asymmetry within the face, a beard does nice at hiding that asymmetry with out a lot effort. Simply be sure you hold your chosen beard style strimmed and formed in order that it doesn’t conflict with the outlined form of the flat prime. 

6. Fade Flat Prime Haircut

This hanging flat prime variation was introduced into reputation by funk/early hip-hop band Cameo, which is why it’s generally known as a ‘Cameo reduce’ or ‘Cameo afro’. With the intention to hold this look sharp it’s going to take fairly a bit of labor, so don’t take it on except you’re prepared to commit. Styling at residence could be achieved with a little bit of pomade (for a wholesome shine), a wide-tooth comb, and a pleasant clear tapper – however you continue to would possibly end up in want of weekly journeys to the barber.

7. Curly Flat Prime Haircut

Historically, flat tops are seen on brief, straight hair. Nevertheless, a curly flat prime possesses a extra trendy aptitude that’s much less refined and extra touseled. Along with pairing your curly crown with a temple or brief fade, it’s also possible to use a salt spray to provide your curly crown some texture.

8. Flat Prime Mullet Haircut

Let’s be clear – mullets positively aren’t for everybody however they’re coming again into mainstream trend. That being mentioned, when you’re eager about giving it a strive, flat prime mullets are much less dramatic than normal mullets, and they are often made extra trendy by bleaching your hair or utilizing gel so as to add some spikey texture. 

9. Flat Prime for Receding Hairline

A receding hairline is solely one thing that many males are compelled to take care of at one level or one other. Whereas it may be tempting to develop your hair so long as doable to cover it, a flat prime can truly tone down the obviousness of receding hairline by giving the hair some form. When you discover a flat prime nonetheless doesn’t assist your hairline, take extra size off the highest or just go for a buzz reduce. 

10. Flat Prime Boogie Haircut

A glance favored by American teenagers within the late sixties and later by rockabilly revivalists, all over the place from Hoxton to Harajuku, the flat prime boogie is a reduce with severe angle.

“It incorporates a flat prime from the crown, graduating to longer size on the entrance, with sufficient size on the perimeters to be brushed or blow-dried again right into a DA [duck’s arse], and tapered brief into the nape of the neck,” says Joth Davies, proprietor of Savills Barbers and Savills Academy. “Ask your barber for a ‘flat prime with fenders’ or, to these within the know, a ‘flat prime boogie’.”

This reduce takes stringent upkeep and cautious styling to maintain it wanting sharp. Davies suggests working a small quantity of paste into damp hair and blow drying again with a vented Denman brush for the smoothest doable end.

“Sure hair types might require straighteners to model,” provides Davies. “Haircuts are additionally required not less than each few weeks, with some flat prime wearers sitting within the chair as usually as as soon as every week.”

11. Excessive Flat Prime Haircut

A excessive flat prime haircut encourages additional size on the crown of the top and is a bit boxier than a normal flat prime. This coiffure turned fairly fashionable amongst younger black males within the 90s, and if you wish to have loopy size, coarse and compact garners the very best outcomes. 

12. Lengthy Flat Prime Haircut

With an extended flat prime haircut, the hair on the crown blends into the remainder of the hair on the again and sides of the top. This tackle the flat prime has a extra uniform size than most types. With the intention to obtain a glossy and cohesive look, rub some pomade or hair gel between your arms and slick again your hair.

13. Flat Prime with Design

Since many flat tops are accompanied by some type of fade, shaving a enjoyable design onto the aspect of the top provides some character and aptitude for males hoping to catch some additional consideration. Whereas this won’t enchantment to a extra formal or skilled crowd, your hair ought to develop out rapidly, making the design very momentary and funky for particular events. 

14. Flat Prime with Onerous Half

If you wish to add some dimension and depth to your flat prime haircut, ask your barber for a tough half. Although that is mostly achieved with a aspect half that leans towards the middle, go for one thing extra funky and drastic when you’re feeling daring. 

15. Flat Prime Haircut with Fenders

Just like a burst fade, a flat prime haircut with fenders takes you again in time to the 50s and 60s. Whereas it’s not a quite common reduce in trendy instances, it nonetheless has a particular attraction. A flat-top haircut with fenders is greatest characterised as having the hair on the nape of the neck blended as much as meet the flat prime on the crown of the top. 

16. Rockabilly Flat Prime Haircut

The flat prime is among the defining components of the rockabilly subculture’s signature look. A lot so the truth is that the motion has put its personal stamp on the model. Right here’s how one can get it for your self.

“When that prime is flat and cleanly reduce it is among the most hanging shapes in all the hair world,” says Tom Chapman, founding father of the Lions Barber Collective and ambassador to The Bluebeards Revenge grooming merchandise. “There are quite a lot of variations, and it doesn’t need to be pores and skin brief on the perimeters. Nevertheless, it does need to be flat on prime.”

This model might look nice however it’s very area of interest and so conveying to a barber precisely what you need utilizing mere phrases generally is a little bit of a problem. Fortunately, Chapman has an answer: “I might say take a photograph with you. It’s really easy to do today.

“This reduce isn’t for everybody,” warns Chapman. “A strong hairline and development sample will make life a lot simpler. To model, use pre-styling product for added management and quantity, then blow dry and brush up on the identical time.” End with a strong-hold hairspray to maintain your hair in place all day lengthy.

17. Semi-Flat Prime Haircut

A semi-flat prime haircut doesn’t have as a lot top as a full flat prime haircut. When you like the form of a flat prime however need one thing extra refined, it is a nice possibility. A semi-flat prime haircut may be very nostalgic for a shorter model that was fashionable through the 50s. 

18. Flat Prime Haircut with Pompadour

If you wish to channel your inside Elvis, go for a flat prime haircut with a pompadour. This distinctive coiffure requires a good quantity of effort to take care of, nonetheless, the outcomes are properly value it. The pompadour provides a sublime contact to a extra informal haircut, simply just remember to have some hardcore hair gel and hairspray readily available in order that it may be styled with the right form and quantity. 

19. Flat Prime Dreads

Regardless of being an odd pairing, this look is definitely tremendous progressive and funky. Dreading the longer locks on the crown of the top requires that you simply sculpt your dreads up slightly than down, and also you’ll wish to form them right into a cohesive dice in addition to you’ll be able to. With the intention to keep a way of class and grooming, pair your dreaded flat prime with a clear temple fade.

20. Dyed Flat Prime Haircut

Bleaching your flat prime is a good way so as to add a contemporary twist to this retro haircut. Whereas it’s also possible to go for some enjoyable or eye-catching colours, bleaching makes an announcement with out going overboard. Although it’s distinctive, a bleach flat prime haircut can nonetheless slot in in a extra skilled or formal setting. 

Flat Prime FAQ:

How To Reduce A Flat Prime

To the informal observer, it could appear as if all you would possibly have to create the right flat prime can be a pair of backyard shears, however in actuality, it requires laser precision, an eye fixed for element, and a talented, regular hand.

“The distinction with a flat prime, versus virtually every other model, is it doesn’t comply with any of the normal guidelines for slicing hair,” says Mills. “It’s completely visible.”

There are a number of methods generally used to get the model proper, however Mills explains that this varies loads from barber to barber.

“Typically, It’s all about standing the hair up with a dryer, then spraying and shaping it with hair clippers,” he says. “There’s no straightforward approach to do it and that’s why it’s not a straightforward reduce to ship. I don’t suppose quite a lot of barbers have ever been proven or would know the way to method it… however personally, I feel it’s an important look and after I reduce within the store the entire staff needs to observe and get entangled.”

Is a Flat Prime For Me?

When you’re a busy man on a decent finances, then a flat prime is probably not your trim. Its exact styling signifies that it grows out in a short time and would require a touch-up each week or two with a purpose to keep wanting contemporary. Clearly, this isn’t going to be straightforward on the pockets, to not point out it is going to be extraordinarily time-consuming.

One other factor to keep in mind is your face shape. We talked about {that a} flat prime – top dependent – can add size to the face, which means you would possibly wish to give it a miss when you’re eager to keep away from any “why the lengthy face?” jibes out of your hilarious mates.

Folks with sq. faces also needs to err on the aspect of warning when occupied with getting a flat prime, as its angular look will solely exaggerate the boxiness of the top.

The right way to model a flat prime haircut

Although your barber will form your flat prime, you’ll positively want some heavy-duty hair gel or wax to make use of on the day by day if you wish to rock an outlined flat prime haircut. The extra coarse your hair the much less gel or wax that you simply’ll want.