Not all long hairstyles for men last forever, even man buns.
It started with Jared Leto chopping it off for the filming of Suicide Squad. Then, the clip-in man bun surfaced on Groupon, which took the trend a hair too far. Finally, Brooklyn dive bar, Boobie Trap, ended it for all hipsters by endorsing the “man bun special”, which included one man-bun removal in exchange for an entire bottle of alcohol. Unfortunately, the man bun is on its final hurrah as the cool-guy coif amongst long hairstyles for men, especially if local Brooklynites are ditching the trend.
These lumbersexual topknots were probably so popular because you could wear it pretty much anywhere with little effort. You could slick it back for weddings, tousle it for those hoodie-and-jeans days, or pull it back before going beast mode at the gym. It was the all-encompassing, hipster-loving, sweat-wicking hairstyle that literally held your hair back at 2AM after one too many shots.
Saying goodbye to the man bun is like saying goodbye to an old friend that you’ve finally outgrown, but you’re also strangely relieved to leave in the past. Even though its versatility is hard to match, there are plenty of other long hairstyles for men with just as much bunnish potential.
Here’s a round up of the top 10 long hairstyles for men looking for a new mane game.
1. Side Swept Faux Hawk
Get the look: This side swept faux hawk looks even better with bedhead because of its super casual appeal. Instead of spiking the center, like the traditional mohawk, leave the center draped to the side. For a more rugged look, roughen up the topmost crown with either pomade or texturizing spray.
2. The Half Pony
Get the look: The half pony is an understated nod to the man bun, but takes half the effort. Most of all, it’s another way to keep your hair out of your eyes while still showing off your long locks. Gather the top half of your hair into a loose ponytail and secure with a hair tie.
3. Straight Centered Part
Get the look: A simple hair part is an easy way to freshen up your look, especially if you’re accustomed wear your hair down 24/7. Brush your hair back and run a comb along the desired hairline for a smooth part. If you normally wear your hair with a middle part, try switching it up with a side part instead.
4. Low Pony
Get the look: Take your pony game down a notch with a low ponytail that can be styled either classic chic or urban casual. Get the iconic Lagerfeld look by taming any flyaways, or leave it relaxed by tying it loosely at the nape of the neck.
5. Slicked Wet-look Hair
Get the look: Due to it’s effortlessly cool vibes, this just-stepped-out-of-the-shower hair is perfect for formal affairs, as well as a runway favorite. Apply a dime-sized amount of either hair gel or mousse, and run it through the crown. Finish the look with hairspray to calm any loose ends, especially if you have frizz prone hair.
6. Tousled Beach Waves
Get the look: Texture is key for creating loose waves, especially if you’re trying to get natural beach hair. Scrunch a salt-based spray into the ends, like Bumble and Bumble’s surf spray. This is one of those long hairstyles for men that works best on thick hair, so apply volumizing mousse or hair lifting spray into the roots if you need an extra boost.
7. Single French Braid
Get the look: Although this style takes some advanced finger work, a single french braid looks super modern when it’s done right. If braiding is foreign territory for you, try practicing with a standard braid before attempting a more advanced look.
8. Choppy Bangs
Get the look: You’ll probably forget about the man bun once you try man bangs. While some men prefer the mainstream side swept look, try styling them straight across for Ramones-inspired rock hair.
9. Long Undercut
Get the look: The long undercut may look deceivingly short on the sides, but it still has that long-hair attitude on top. This style looks trendy on all hair types, especially contrasted with a full beard.
10. 90’s Shaggy Bob
Get the look: This 90’s throwback is making a major comeback, but today’s version is modified with a little less grunge and a little more swag. Moreover, if you don’t have naturally wavy hair, you can imitate the look by creating loose waves with a large-barreled curling iron.
