Front and back view of a young Caucasian man with black hair modeling a textured faux hawk with short tapered sides and a neat short beard.
Faux Hawk

Textured Modern Faux Hawk with Tapered Sides and Short Beard

Top Top Medium (5-10 cm)
Sides Sides Short (6-20 mm)
Hair Type Hair Type Straight (Type 1)
Face Shape Face Shape Square
Maintenance Maintenance Medium
Thickness Thickness Medium / Normal

About This Style

This modern iteration of the classic Faux Hawk strikes the perfect balance between edgy rebellion and polished professionalism. As clearly visible in the reference image, the style features a remarkably prominent, textured ridge of jet-black hair running down the center of the head. This central peak is expertly styled upward and slightly forward to create dynamic, eye-catching volume. The stark contrast between the medium-length top—left precisely around 5 to 10 centimeters—and the neatly tapered short sides highlights the haircut's structural silhouette without resorting to a dramatic, scalp-exposing skin fade. It is an elevated, highly refined look that transitions seamlessly from relaxed weekend outings to everyday professional scenarios.

Perfectly suited for men with square face shapes, the vertical lift of this faux hawk naturally elongates the face and softens strong, angular jawlines. The addition of a short, well-groomed beard ties the entire aesthetic together, framing the face with rugged sophistication. Straight, medium-thick hair holds this piecey, separated texture exceptionally well when paired with the right matte styling products. Whether you are heading to a creative office environment or stepping out for an evening event, this highly versatile haircut delivers a confident, modern statement that remarkably requires only 5 to 10 minutes of dedicated morning styling.

Key Features

  • Centralized volume peak that stretches seamlessly from the front hairline all the way to the crown, creating the unmistakable signature faux hawk silhouette.
  • Deeply point-cut texture heavily applied to the top section to significantly enhance separation and prevent the naturally straight, thick black hair from looking blocky or heavy.
  • Smooth, expertly blended taper on the sides and back (ranging precisely from 6 to 20 millimeters) that completely avoids exposing the scalp while maintaining a sharp, clean edge.
  • Upward and slightly forward hair flow direction at the front hairline, acting almost like a highly textured quiff that merges flawlessly into the central ridge.
  • Seamless, intentional integration between the faded sideburns and the short, neat facial hair, framing the angular square face shape perfectly.

Getting the Cut

  1. Ask your barber for a modern, textured faux hawk with a medium-length top (roughly 5 to 10 centimeters) and clean, short, tapered sides.
  2. Request a clipper guard #2 or #3 (approximately 6 to 10 millimeters) for the sides and back, ensuring a smooth, medium taper rather than a severe high skin fade.
  3. Instruct the barber to leave the maximum weight and length right down the center of the top section to properly build the foundational faux hawk shape.
  4. Ask for heavy point cutting and the use of texturizing shears throughout the top section to break up the dense, straight black hair and encourage a piecey, easily spikable finish.
  5. Request a slight length graduation toward the front hairline so the bangs can be styled upward and forward with maximum volume and control.
  6. Specify a natural, smoothly tapered neckline at the back to blend effortlessly with the upward flow of the crown and central ridge.
  7. Ask the professional to expertly line up your beard and blend the sideburns seamlessly into the tapered sides for a highly cohesive, framed appearance.

Daily Routine

  1. Start your routine with freshly washed, towel-dried hair that remains slightly damp to the touch but is absolutely not dripping wet.
  2. Apply a generous dime-sized amount of high-quality pre-styling thickening spray or sea salt spray evenly through the top section to build essential foundational volume and grip.
  3. Use a professional blow dryer set on medium heat and high speed, directing the powerful airflow upward and toward the center of your head while using your fingers to aggressively lift the roots.
  4. Once the hair reaches about 80 percent dry, angle the blow dryer slightly forward at the front hairline to meticulously create that signature sweeping faux hawk peak.
  5. Scoop out a nickel-sized amount of premium matte clay or styling paste, rubbing it vigorously between your palms until it warms up completely and becomes invisible.
  6. Work the warmed product thoroughly through the top section, starting from the back crown and moving forward, raking your fingers upward to firmly define the central ridge.
  7. Pinch, twist, and pull individual small sections of hair at the top to dramatically enhance the piecey texture and lock the final faux hawk silhouette securely into place for the day.

Products & Tools

  • Premium matte styling clay or texturizing paste featuring a high hold and a zero-shine finish to lock in the vertical volume and enhance the piecey texture all day.
  • High-quality sea salt spray or dedicated thickening pre-styler to add necessary grit, texture, and foundational volume to naturally straight, medium-thick hair types.
  • Professional-grade blow dryer equipped with a concentrator nozzle attachment for delivering precise, targeted airflow and maximum root lift during the drying phase.
  • Vented skeleton styling brush or a wide-tooth carbon comb to assist with initial gentle detangling and volume building during the crucial blow-dry preparation.
  • Daily clarifying shampoo and a lightweight, volumizing conditioner to actively prevent heavy product buildup from dulling the natural shine of the black hair.

Maintenance

  • Schedule consistent barber visits every 3 to 4 weeks to maintain the crisp, clean taper on the sides and prevent the medium-length top from becoming too heavy to comfortably style upward.
  • Wash your hair every 2 to 3 days using a high-quality, sulfate-free shampoo; straight, medium-thick hair can easily lose its essential natural oils and become brittle if overwashed.
  • Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water on non-wash days to effectively reset the hair's styling memory and remove light, water-soluble styling product residue.
  • Strictly avoid heavy, oil-based pomades or wet-look gels, as these outdated products will severely weigh the faux hawk down and create an unwanted, greasy appearance.
  • Keep your short beard neatly trimmed and lined up every few days to maintain the sharp, intentional contrast with the meticulously styled hair on top.

Best For

Face Shapes: Exceptionally ideal for square and oval faces; the prominent vertical height of the faux hawk beautifully elongates the face and perfectly balances strong, angular jawlines. Hair Types: Absolutely perfect for straight (Type 1) hair with medium to normal thickness that possesses the structural integrity to support sustained vertical styling. Demographics: Highly recommended for young men aged 18 to 25 who are actively seeking a dynamic, youthful, and fashion-forward personal style. Lifestyles: An excellent choice for casual, active everyday wear or creative professional work environments where a moderate 5 to 10-minute morning styling routine is easily manageable.

Pro Tips

  • Always avoid applying dense styling clay directly to the hair roots; instead, focus the product entirely on the mid-shafts and ends to prevent the hairstyle from collapsing under its own weight.
  • If your straight hair is particularly stubborn or resistant to volume, utilize a quick blast of cold air from your blow dryer at the very end of your morning styling routine to effectively freeze the lifted volume in place.
  • During humid summer months or intense workouts, smartly switch to a slightly stronger holding matte paste or finish the look with a light, even mist of matte hairspray to reliably prevent the faux hawk from falling flat.
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