If you’re an Asian man in need of a fresh new haircut, browse our list of the 20 best Asian hairstyles for men.
In any culture, people tend to notice two things about you — the state of your shoes and the state of your hair. Perhaps, though, you’re a man of Asian descent looking to freshen up your cut. We’ve got you covered with some of the best Asian hairstyles for men.
Whether you go to a salon or a classic barbershop, it can be tough to describe what hairstyle you want. That’s why bringing a photo for reference is always a good idea. That way you can explain what you want quickly, without knowing technical terms.
Here are some of the best Asian hairstyles out there today.
What Are the Best Asian Hairstyles?
Men of Asian descent are uniquely blessed. Their thick, often straight, hair allows them to experiment with cuts other guys just can’t. This makes them some of the world’s best hairstyle trendsetters.
But it isn’t always easy. While each strand is, yes, thicker and stiffer, it can be just as unruly as those of men from other backgrounds. And, since the hair tends to stay put, the blessing can also be a curse.
While, of course, we all have slightly different-shaped heads, Asian men are particularly notable. This means that many somewhat traditional styles don’t quite work.
We’ve rounded up 20 of the best Asian male hairstyles. Some are a little more trendy. They lean toward youthful adventurous. Others are cleaner classics and would be just fine in any office environment.
Thick Crop
Starting out more youthful. A thick crop is well-rounded and gives fullness to the hair.
It’s also a versatile style. It works well for guys with a more casual style, but even a messier crop will look good dressed up.
The Short Quiff
A ‘quiff’ is a style where the hair is kept shorter on the sides and back but with plenty of volume in the middle.
They look best on guys with thicker hair. And, if you’re an Asian guy, that’s no problem at all. Experiment with a shorter one. If you like it, you can certainly go longer.
Thick Brush Up
Even more hair. Even more volume. This style for Asian men is built, as the name would imply, on brushing the hair straight up.
It looks even better with an even cut on the top, with slightly tapered and clean sides.
Swooping Fringe
As Asian men tend to have thicker hair, styles are easy to hold without a lot of product. This is great for a swooping, slightly asymmetric fringe cut.
It’s low maintenance and works well in casual to more ‘business casual’ environments.
Layered Locks With Texture
Another look that really requires thick, wiry hair to pull off well. The layered look maximizes texture and creates depth and visual interest.
Favored by prep schoolers, it isn’t ‘just’ a good Asian hairstyle.
Short Korean Cut
While Asian is versatile and can be molded into many shapes, it can be tough and rather unruly, too. Men of Korean descent sometimes have to deal with this issue.
One option is to cut the hair short, as even at short lengths the hair will still appear longer than it really is due to the sheer thickness. This is a smart look that will fit with any kind of smart casual attire.
Loose Waves
While perhaps a majority of Asian hair is thick and straight, it’s still not uncommon for Asian men to have waves. And that can be a good thing. Try some loose waves. Extend them forward and sweep them to the side.
Doing so creates a hybrid between both a fringe and a modern, side-sweep look. It’s an awesome casual style that leans into your hair’s natural flow.
Medium Taper
This is rather conservative, but it strikes the right chord. It recognizes Asian hair as being thick and full, yes, but it also tames it a little and keeps it professional. It is less aggressive than a quiff and not as tight as a fade.
This works for traditional office looks and any suited environment. It might be one of the more versatile hairstyles out there, not to mention the best Asian hairstyles for men.
Tangled Volume
Back to the natural realm. Again, while a number of Asian men have thick, straight hair, some have rather coarse locks. This embraces the looks and allows your hair to grow naturally, letting it do what it wants.
If you desire a little more freedom, or you’re in a transitional phase and don’t want to think too much, it’s a style to consider.
Aggressive Brush Up
Since Asian hairstyles tend to be thick and rather voluminous, to begin with, you can get a ton of height with minimal effort.
This look will attract some attention. And it can easily drift into cartoonish territory on a shorter guy. But that might just be the whole idea.
Dense Pompadour
Thick hair and the pompadour have always gone hand-in-hand, but it’s certainly more popular now to pump up the volume even more.
A word of caution, though, when trying this style. It’s possible to do, but taking it too far can trend into Johnny Bravo territory pretty quick.
Side Swept With a Hard Part
This is a neat, clean style suitable for those who appreciate a professional, minimalist aesthetic. There are also a few things to consider here.
First, this really looks best with fairly straight hair, which would absolutely put it in the best Asian hairstyles category. If yours is wavy, it can get unruly rather quick.
Second, a ‘hard’ part is sometimes created by literally shaving or using a clipper to create a line. You’ll need a good barber to find the natural break in the hair.
Short Man Bun
A polarizing, but still popular, hybrid of tapered back and sides and a man bun on top. It can be fun to play with but maybe a little out of place in more conservative offices.
Thick Top and Etched Lines
Line etching is a unique way to express both your style and personality. Designs are intricate and elaborate and can be almost anything you want.
It works particularly well on dense hair as distinct contours can be seen from further away. However, thick hair also grows quickly, requiring more frequent maintenance.
Large Fringe Spikes
Bangs are typically thought of as boring, flat, and straight. But they don’t have to be.
Try something pieced out with a scissor cut. This works with thick hair as it’s easy to texture and will largely stay in place without much product.
Blown Out Quiff
Perhaps less popular than five or so years back, but still a great look for someone seeking more volume. Thicker hair can just grow straight up and stand on its own, which is great. But it can be styled, too.
Try a warm dryer to start the process, then use a cool dry with some product to lock the style in place.
Side Swept Undercut
One of the more popular hairstyles, and not just one of the best Asian hairstyles, today, a side swept undercut is both a little daring and quite professional.
Let the hair grow out on top, but keep the back and sides pretty tight. Use a little product when you need it for the office, but let it go on its own on the weekend.
Choppy Texture
As we’ve spoken about, texture works wonders for Asian hair. Not only does it look good long, but shorter as well is just fine. If your hair is thick enough, a little goes a long way.
Messy Curls
Admittedly, this is less common, since not many Asian men have curly hair. But we do want to show some love with a sleek look combining controlled curls and a fresh fade.
This works well both on longer or shorter silhouettes.
Slanted Side Part
A modification on the classic side part, it works well for men of all backgrounds. In many cases, it might actually look better, as our heads aren’t perfect shapes.
A slanted side part follows the contours of your head and looks much more natural than a hard part.
Wrapping Up: The Best Asian Male Hairstyles
The barbershop is a fascinating place, no matter your background. And, the culture around the barbershop is as interesting as the styles coming out of it. Even the NIH here in the United States published a study on the Black barbershop and health information.
While this is, of course, a roundup of the best Asian hairstyles, our hair says quite a bit about us. Our lifestyle. Our career. Even our hobbies. It’s something we all have, but it’s uniquely our own.
Suppose you don’t fit into a box or have one of these styles. Maybe they’re not you. That’s okay. Express yourself. Experiment and try something new. One of the best things about hair is it’ll always grow back.
Thanks for reading.
Please leave your questions and comments down below.
