Hairstyles for medium hair: trends of 2021 and comments from a professional barber

Let's face it – not all medium hair styles suit our brother. Yes, this is an unpleasant and inconvenient truth, and the point here is not in our capabilities, but in physical data. For example, the concept of 'go to the barber shop, show a photo of Beckham and get a trendy hairdo' won't work if you have different face shapes with him. And this is cool, because such a concept makes men consciously approach their appearance, more often find time for barbers. We are for a conscious approach to our own bow, so we turned to the masters from FIRM Barbershop Moscow for advice.

Which men's hairstyles for medium hair should be worn in 2021 and which shouldn't? What are the differences from 2020? Does the choice of hairstyle depend on the shape of the face? These and some other questions are answered by Boris Pak, the leading master of the FIRM Moscow network, the technologist of the Men Stories brand.

Boris Pak, leading master of the FIRM Moscow network, technologist of the Men Stories brand

Boris Pak – on the trends of 2021 in the field of men's haircuts

Every year the industry of men's haircuts in Russia confidently takes a step forward, and a good barbershop is no longer about shaved whiskey and side bangs, or rather, not only about that. Masters are more willing to make a variety of haircuts, more actively suggest the client to change the image, and together they form a paradigm that must be adhered to in the future. In general, 2020 is a year of complete diversity and permissiveness.

It is worth noting that the fashion and hairdressing industries are undergoing a complete 'renaissance'. That is, a huge number of different styles get along harmoniously with each other. And if we look at the catwalk, we will see that there is no trend as such. There are many different brands of clothing, brands and people that represent a particular style. And there are a lot of such groups, formed around any movement or subculture. It's the same with haircuts, absolutely everything is possible. You can have both long hair and short.

2021 is a year of complete diversity and permissiveness. Photo from Lookbook 2019 of the FIRM Moscow network, which will be presented on April 26

Haircuts for a typewriter with smoky transitions and clear contours, and classics under the parting, and slight negligence of smart casual style are also popular. It is safe to say that British haircuts in the style of the Oasis group have returned to use again, heavy round shapes like the Beatles, torn punk haircuts like Sid Vicious. Also, a fairly large community has formed around the so-called traditional haircuts, I mean European and American old school, for example, the Pompadour haircut.

Water-based lipsticks and greases are making a comeback for strong hold. Many people, including high-status adult men, begin to grow their hair. No, we are not talking now about the fact that you can look like a young metalhead with unwashed hair to the shoulder blades. But a neat length above the shoulders, combed back or parting, is also more relevant than ever.

Boris Pak – about what hairstyles you can't do

Now any length is relevant, and you can get a haircut in any way. Any haircut that looks harmonious on a man and emphasizes what needs to be emphasized has a place to be.

Any haircut that looks harmonious on a man has a place to be. Photo from Lookbook 2019 of the FIRM Moscow network, which will be presented on April 26

The most important taboo is to give a person a haircut that he doesn't need. Conditionally: if a person comes at the age of 35 in an official business style and wants to shave whiskey to zero and leave a mop on top, this is better to do. In general, Top knot or Montana haircuts are best left to teenagers.

Why is it so important to know the shape of the face?

The Chinese strategist and thinker, author of the treatise The Art of War, Sun Tzu, said: “Know the enemy and know yourself, then you will not be defeated in a thousand battles.” Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your face is important in order to be able to choose the right hairstyle for medium hair yourself. If this knowledge is neglected, the only way to create a spectacular bow is systematic trips to the barber shop. And this is time and money.

Boris Pak: 'Features of the anatomical structure of the skull and face, hair type and general style of the client – this is what determines the choice of haircut, and a good master always pays attention to these points. A photo of an actor or a football player on the client's phone is just an understanding of the general vector of the request, a starting point for the master. The main thing is not to be afraid of experiments and trust the professionals, then any haircut on your head will look relevant. '

Features of the skull and face, hair type and general style – this is what determines the choice of haircut. Photo from Lookbook 2019 of the FIRM Moscow network.

For clarity, let's return to the example with a photograph of Beckham. David has a square face with a pronounced lower jaw. What is good for a square will not work for a circle. If you are a bearer of a round face, Beckham's hairstyles will look tasteless at best, and sometimes funny.

In the context of the harmony and completeness of the bow, the hairstyle is as important an element as the costume. You wouldn't want to wear a classic suit with cheap Chinese sandals or beach flip flops? It looks out of place. It's the same story with hairstyle – an unkempt pile of hair can ruin any look.

But if you personally, dear friend, are ready to experiment with a suit and flip flops, then keep in mind one obvious fact: not everything is stylish, which is unusual. Sometimes unusual is just ridiculous. Check out our article 'Moveton' and you might look at such experiments from a different angle.

Face shapes and tips for choosing hairstyles

First, a few universal rules – a small checklist that will help you quickly grasp the essence:

• If the face is round or oval, the hairstyle should make a square out of it.
• If the face is square or rectangular, the hairstyle should visually round it.
• If the face is triangular, you need volume that will hide a wide forehead, visually expanding a narrow chin.

Now in more detail.

There are several face shapes, the most common are square, circle, triangle

Oval and round face shapes

An oval face shape is considered ideal, because almost any hairstyle suits it. However, the soft and rounded lines of the cheeks and chin can create an overly soft and feminine look, which is not always desirable for a man. To add brutality to such a bow will help:

• Undercut haircut variations;
• Top knot;
• 'Canadian'.

More about Top knot and 'Canada'.

Top knot

Top knot is essentially a knot of long hair at the crown of the head. Strength and harsh aesthetics are hidden behind external simplicity. In days gone by, variations of this haircut were worn by legendary warriors – samurai, Scythians, Vikings-northerners. Top knot is a temperament hairstyle. Strong men with bright personality and powerful creative energy will successfully emphasize their passionate qualities with the help of 'Top knot'. For those who do not tolerate excessive attention to their person, Top knot is not the best choice.

Top knot – famous hairstyle of ancient and legendary warriors Top knot is not the best choice for adherents of formal and business style of dress. Top knot – expressive, although outwardly simple haircut

'Canadian'

'Canada' is the signature haircut of the 1970s Canadian hockey team. Subsequently, it was adopted by Soviet athletes. The longest strands in this haircut are on the frontal and crown parts (3-4 cm), and the shortest ones can be no longer than one millimeter. “Canadian” is suitable for men of all ages.

Square face shape

Yes, the oval is considered to be ideal, but today more and more likes from the fair sex are gained by men with a square face shape. Here is everything that ladies love – brutality, a strong-willed chin, a masculine square jaw, on which a slight unshaven looks great, that's all. Therefore, the hairstyles for the square should be chosen according to this image. For example, variations of old school are Rockabilly and Psychobilly.

Rockabilly and Psychobilly

Expressive 70-80 style hairstyles. Striking examples of such styling are Elvis Presley and Jim Carrey in the image of Ace Ventura. A shaved whiskey and nape are welcome, but not required. This also includes Quiff and Pompadour.

Old School Pompadour Legendary Pompadour Jim Carrey as Ace Ventura Old school classics Old School Rockabilly

Triangular face shape

A triangular face shape is when the forehead is wide, the eye line is slightly narrower and the chin is very narrow. For a triangle, medium length hair is a great choice. With their help, you can create a visual volume that will cover a wide forehead and make the face more symmetrical. Haircuts will help to solve the problem of additional volume:

• 'Gavroche';
• elongated Undercut.

Please note: the triangular face shape is often accompanied by a specific hairline – a 'heart'.

Undercut

Undercut – haircut for lawyers and lawless people. In the 1920s, it was customary in the United States to look stylish and expensive. Gangsters and policemen of those harsh times competed not only in the power of intelligence and ability to shoot, but also in the rigor of their appearance. This is not surprising, because grace is to the body what a book is to the mind. Undercut can be described simply: on top – long, on the sides – short. Simple and elegant.

Undercut – stylish, simple, expensive Elongated Undercut Undercut, combed to the side

'Gavroche'

This haircut combines several styles. A striking example of the image is the Soviet rock musician Viktor Tsoi. Please note: some styles of 'Gavroche' imply long hair on the back of the head, a la, Dima Bilan in the early 2000s. Despite the fact that 2021 is a time of tolerance, it makes sense to refrain from such a hairstyle. There are only two reasons, but they are compelling: 1) Most likely, you are not Dmitry Bilan; 2) the 2000s are in the distant past.

Elongated 'Gavroche' Torn 'Gavroche' Viktor Tsoi and his 'Gavrosh'

Conclusion

The times when people on the opposite side of the cultural abyss could be aggressively reprimanded for the wrong hairstyle in the yard are surely a thing of the past. However, if you decide to grow your hair, and your styling is formed only by the headwind on the street, this is a failure.

Do you, dear readers, prefer to solve the issue of your own styling on your own, or do you entrust your hair to barbers? Or perhaps you don't 'bother' at all about this? Do you think it's worth a modern man to devote so much time to hair on his head? Please share your opinion in the comments.