- Good to know
- Getting a buzzcut (video)
- How to style a buzz cut
- Five good reasons to consider a buzz cut
- Buzz cut hairstyles
- Who suits a buzz cut
- Buzz cut maintenance
- Summary
Good to know
- The buzz cut or crew cut works with any face shape. But if you have scars or dents on your head, these will become visible.
- For those of us who don’t have a perfect jawline, a buzz cut is a good option to consider.
- In terms of age, it is a hairstyle mainly chosen by young men. But of course this is entirely up to you.
- As the hairstyle is short cut, you obviously don’t have to take your hair length into account.
- Your hair type is also not important for a buzz cut, crew cut or any variation on this military style.
- The buzz cut is very popular with balding men.
- If you’ve never had a cropped haircut before, you’ll find yourself feeling extra cold in the spring and fall.
- Do you have thick hair or have you never cut your hair before? Then your scalp is more sensitive to UV radiation, especially in the summer.
So, we hear you’re looking for a hairstyle that is both bold and practical? Look no further! This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the buzz cut.
So, we hear you’re looking for a hairstyle that is both bold and practical? Look no further! This ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about the buzz cut.
We’ll explain the different types of buzz cuts and other related hairstyles to give you inspiration for your next visit to your trusted barber.
The buzz cut (or buzzcut) is actually a generic collective name for short ‘buzzed’ hairstyles, in other words, cropped hair. The different terms such as crew cut, butch cut, Ivy League, induction cut are also used.
However, they are all cut hairstyles that are only styled with clippers (position 0 to position 4). So no scissors or other tools are used.
Due to its traditional roots, a buzz cut is mainly associated with military hairstyles.
Because it’s easy to mistake other kinds of short cuts for this hairstyle, this article shows the clear differences and origin of these hairstyles so that you are up-to-date with the correct names.
Getting a buzzcut
How to style a buzz cut
There is not much styling options for the traditional buzz. After you get out of the shower, all you need to do to finish getting ready is pat your hair dry with a towel if you have a buzz hairstyle.
On the other hand, if you really want to go the additional mile, using coconut oil or pomade to your hair will make it appear more lustrous.
In addition to that, it will keep the scalp moisturized and give your hair a pleasant scent.
Five good reasons to consider a buzz cut
Many people find it hard to decide to go through life with a short haircut. Which makes sense, since our haircut is often one of the first things people notice about us.
Now, we’ll look at some of the pros and cons of the buzz cut to help you decide.
1. An Easy Way to Change Your Look
Changing your hairstyle is the fastest and least invasive way to try out a new look.
This is even easier if you have a buzz cut, since you don’t have to wait for your hair to grow out first. With a little practice, you can also change the way your hair looks by using a clipper.
Most of us have a favorite hairstyle and we only deviate from that occasionally.
Getting a buzz cut is a certain way to upgrade your style; it draws attention to your jawline and gives you a cool and masculine look.
2. The Buzz Cut Saves Money
Men spend more and more time and money on grooming these days, and that only gets worse as your hair gets longer.
More and more items have to be used on long hair and beards.
To keep longer hair healthy and clean, you should wash it more often and then put conditioner on it. Using a leave-in conditioner while styling your hair during the day is also normal.
And of course, pomade or wax is used to keep hair in shape.
Almost all product can be saved by getting a buzz cut. You don’t need shampoo or conditioner, and you also don’t need to style your hair.
Depending on how short you want to keep your buzz cut, you will need to visit the barber or men’s salon more often.
But even so, buzz cuts generally cost less per cut and are easy to do yourself with a good pair of clippers.
→ Read more: The best hair clipper to use at home to give yourself a buzz cut look
3. It’s low maintenance
The buzz cut is incredibly low maintenance. No need for styling products or time-consuming hair routines; just get up and go!
By low maintenance, we mean:
- Spending a minimum amount of time in front of the mirror (there is no styling needed with this style)
- No need to clean your hair with shampoo and you don’t need a conditioner at all
- After any physical activity, you are ready right away; you don’t need to style your hair
- You don’t need any products to keep your hair in shape during the day (it withstands any and every weather condition)
- No need to dry your hair after taking a bath or a swim.
4. Buzz Cuts Hides Gray Hair
Most guys start to get gray hair when they are 30 years old.
Gray hair stands out more when the hair is long, so a buzz cut is a good way to hide gray hair because it makes them less visible.
5. Buzz Cuts Cover Up Hair Loss
Lack of hair in men is something that 80% of all men have to deal with at some point in their life.
Some people have a harder time with it than others, but we all have to deal with it.
The buzz cut is a great way to hide thinning hair. When the hairs are shorter, the line between a bald head and stubble is much less noticeable.
It can also be a fresh start for those wanting to grow out their hair evenly or for men looking to get rid of damaged hair and start fresh.
Buzz Cut Hairstyles
Find out where this classic hairstyle came from and get ideas from celebrities and other guys who know how to wear it well.
Do you want a buzz cut haircut more than anything else? Then bring these pictures with you to the hairdresser the next time you go.
The classic buzz cut, also known as the crew cut (and sometimes the butch cut)
As you read earlier, the term “buzz cut” is the collective name for hairstyles that are cut with clippers. So there is actually no unique hairstyle that can or should only be called a buzz cut.
On the other hand, the crew cut is. The sides and back of the head are cut to the same length (trimmer positions 2 and 3). This is what makes the classic crew cut.
The hair on top of the head is left longer than the hair on the sides and back, which usually has gradual fade.
There are two kinds of crew cuts: the American and the European. The hair on top of an American crew cut is about 2.5 centimeters long, and the sides and back are shaved.
The Europe crew cut has less difference in hair length between the top and sides.
College students wore crew cuts a lot in the 1920s and 1930s, especially in the summer when the short hair helped keep them cool. On leave, soldiers also wore crew cuts.
They first got the crew cut from their service, but many soldiers chose to keep wearing the classic crew cut on leave.
The crew cut is also called the ‘butch cut’.
With a crew cut, you won’t need any styling tools at all. If your hair gets too long, use a cream or wax with a medium hold to keep it in place.
→ Must read: The ultimate men’s haircuts inspiration guide this year
Crew cut / butch cut inspiration
The Induction Cut
The Induction Cut is the shortest buzz of all variants of the buzz cut. To get this look, your hairdresser will shave your head with clippers without a stand plate (position 0).
So, you get the shortest form possible. You’d have to shave your head totally bald to get even shorter.
The induction cut got its name from the military. New recruits were all given the same haircut so that there would be no distinction as to origin or culture.
The fact that head lice can’t get a hold of an extra short haircut, making it a lot cleaner, is another reason why this hairstyle is just so great.
During one-on-one fights, it is also helpful that enemies can’t grab you by the hair.
You don’t need any hair products to style an induction cut.
Induction cut inspiration
Ivy league hairstyle
TThe Ivy League buzz cut is a clean, smooth haircut that makes you look sophisticated. Ivy League cuts can be styled in more ways than the other cuts we’ve talked about, making them more versatile.
For instance, you can make your hair in the front of your head into a small pompadour while cutting your hair shorter in the back.
An Ivy League haircut doesn’t have any spikes or big quiffs. Instead, it has a clean side part. Keep that in mind if you want to give off an Ivy League vibe.
The Ivy League haircut is otherwise cut in exactly the same way as the crew cut, except that the top length is slightly longer, shaved from setting 4, as opposed to setting 2-3 where a crew cut is shaved.
The top of an Ivy League haircut can be trimmed with scissors.
Ivy League got its name from the students of “Ivy” schools in the United States.
These are schools like Harvard, Brown, and Princeton, as well as other well-known schools with a “preppy” attitude. This haircut is not required, but it is popular among the students.
We suggest a medium-hold wax or clay for styling an Ivy League haircut.
Ivy League hairstyle inspiration
Flat top
The flat-top (read: flattop) version of the buzz cut is characterized by the flattened top of the hairstyle. The hair on top is modeled upright with a generous portion of gel or wax.
Most of the time, the hair on the flat top of the head is between 2 and 2.5 inches long. This is one of the most simple variations on the buzz cut.
But it’s best to find out ahead of time if your hairdresser has enough experience making a flat top.
A Flat top hairstyle is best styled with a strong hold hair wax.
Flat top hairstyle inspiration
Jarhead or High & Tight Haircut
You may have heard the name “Jarhead” or seen the movie with the same title.
This style is the buzz cut with a military twist.
Marines usually cut their hair short like this. The length of the hair makes it easy to see the shape of the head.
To get a High-and-Tight hairstyle, the sides and back are shaved on an even position (position 1 or). The top is then shaved into shape by a double position in length, (position 3 or 4), depending on the length chosen for the sides and back.
High and Tight inspiration
Who suits a Buzz Cut
While a buzz cut can make your face look softer, facial hair can give you more texture and roughness.
A buzz cut is a great way to draw attention to angular facial features, so it’s a good choice for anyone with a square, diamond, or rectangular face.
It also suits people with straight or curly hair.
Because it softens the contrast between the forehead and hair, it can also help men hide receding hairlines or bald patches.
Buzz Cut maintenance
You should get in the habit of shaving your head every two weeks if you want to maintain a sharp buzz cut fade.
Waiting too long to have a haircut can result in unsightly regrowth.
You should get along with your barber if you prefer to experiment with different crew cut fades, such as the skin fade line-up.
It’s likely that you’ll be making weekly visits to the barber or you will be trimming your own hair with clippers for a refresher.
Summary
The buzz cut and its variants are timeless hairstyles. Just shave the hair short and you’re done.
It comes from the need for a practical haircut and is intended for men who do not want to stand in front of the mirror for too long in the morning.
Since these variations suit almost any face type, you really can’t go wrong. For the somewhat longer variants such as the flat top, it’s best to visit a hairdresser or barber with experience.
