20 Men’s Faux Hawk Haircuts

A faux hawk offers the edgy look of a mohawk without the extreme commitment of shaved sides. It works because the styling is versatile enough for the gym or the office.

Getting the right taper on the sides is the secret to making this modern look work.

1. Taper Fade Faux Hawk

This style blends the sides gradually into the longer hair on top. It keeps the silhouette clean while highlighting the central peak.

Ask the barber for a #2 guard on the bottom to keep the look professional. What works: Keeping the top at least two inches long for enough lift.

• Requires a 30-minute barber visit
• Style with a matte clay
• Best for round face shapes

Quick win: Blow dry hair upward before applying product to lock in the height.

2. Messy Textured Faux Hawk

This version uses choppy layers to create a relaxed, athletic vibe. It is perfect for guys with thick hair who want to reduce bulk without losing style.

Use a sea salt spray on damp hair to get that gritty texture. Best move: Avoid using too much gel or the hair will look crunchy.

• Very low daily maintenance
• Apply product to dry hair
• Best for casual or weekend settings

Most guys skip this: Using a wide-tooth comb to separate sections instead of just fingers.

3. Low Fade Faux Hawk

The fade starts just above the ears, leaving more hair on the sides than a traditional version. It creates a subtle transition that is easy to wear in a corporate environment.

Keep the point of the hawk centered to maintain perfect symmetry. Worth doing: Pairing this with a short beard to balance the face.

• Budget-friendly $25-$40 cut
• Style with a medium-hold wax
• Great for oval face shapes

Best shortcut: Rub wax between palms until it is warm to avoid white clumps in hair.

4. Short Spiky Faux Hawk

This is the go-to for guys who want zero hassle in the morning routine. The hair is kept under two inches and pushed toward the middle for a sharp look.

Focus the product on the very tips of the hair to create definition. Smart shortcut: Use a high-hold pomade for a look that lasts all day.

• 5-minute morning routine
• Works well for thinning hair
• Excellent for summer heat

Quick win: Pinch the ends of the hair together to create distinct, sharp points.

5. Long Top Faux Hawk

This style features significant length on top that can be swept back or peaked. It offers the most versatility for switching between a hawk and a quiff.

Blow dry the front section back and up to create maximum volume. What works: Using a round brush during the drying process to direct the hair.

• Monthly barber trims needed
• Requires a strong blow dryer
• Best for night outings

Most guys skip this: Applying a pre-styler to protect hair from heat damage before drying.

6. Burst Fade Faux Hawk

The fade curves around the ear, mimicking the look of a traditional mohawk more closely. It leaves more hair at the nape of the neck for a bold profile.

Line up the edges with a straight razor for a sharp finish. Best move: Keep the back length slightly shorter than the front for balance.

• High-end barber skills required
• Use a fiber cream for hold
• Fits an athletic lifestyle

Best shortcut: Use a hand mirror to check the back alignment every morning.

7. Curly Hair Faux Hawk

Natural curls add built-in volume and texture that straight hair lacks. The sides are kept tight to let the curls stack up in the middle.

Apply a curl-defining cream while the hair is still soaking wet. Worth doing: Letting the curls fall naturally rather than forcing them into a stiff point.

• Hydration is key for this look
• Minimal combing needed
• Great for medium-length curls

Quick win: Air dry your hair to prevent frizz from the blow dryer.

8. Skin Fade Faux Hawk

This is an aggressive version with the sides shaved down to the skin. It creates a high-contrast look that makes the hair on top pop.

Make sure the transition from skin to hair is blended perfectly by the barber. Smart shortcut: Use a matte paste to keep the top looking natural.

• High maintenance style
• Use a matte finish product
• Best for bold personalities

Most guys skip this: Using sunscreen on the exposed scalp of the fade area.

9. Undercut Faux Hawk

There is no blend between the sides and the top in this disconnected style. The sharp line where the hair stops creates a modern, edgy aesthetic.

Style the top with a heavy-duty gel for a structured finish. What works: Keeping the sides at a #1 or #0 for maximum contrast.

• Creates an edgy aesthetic
• Requires frequent side trims
• Best for straight hair types

Best shortcut: Use a comb to create a clean part line where the undercut starts.

10. Wavy Faux Hawk

Waves provide a softer, more natural look than straight spikes. The natural movement of the hair does most of the work for the style.

Use a light-hold cream to keep waves in place without making them stiff. Best move: Work with the natural direction your hair grows.

• Low styling effort required
• Works for thick hair
• Good for casual offices

Quick win: Scrunch the hair with your hands to enhance the wave pattern.

11. Mid Fade Faux Hawk

The fade starts at the temple, offering a balance between the low and high fade. It is a common choice because it fits almost any head shape well.

Ask for a drop in the back to follow the natural curve of the skull. Worth doing: Using a blow dryer to direct the hair toward the center.

• Most versatile hawk look
• 3-week trim cycle
• Good for all hair types

Most guys skip this: Cleaning the neck hair with a trimmer between barber visits.

Faux Hawk Haircuts for Men

12. Tapered Professional Faux Hawk

This style bridges the gap between a corporate environment and a weekend aesthetic by keeping the height moderate and the sides tapered. It utilizes a soft gradient on the sides to avoid the harsh contrast of a traditional hawk while maintaining enough length on top for texture.

Request a mid-fade that blends seamlessly into a two-inch top to ensure the look remains polished during office hours. What works: Keeping the peak centered and slightly rounded rather than spiked into a sharp point.

• Budget for a barber visit every 3-4 weeks to maintain the crispness of the side taper.
• Use a matte clay or styling paste on dry hair to create volume without the dated shine of gel.
• Adjust the height of the top section based on face shape; those with longer faces should keep the hawk lower to avoid over-elongating the profile.

Quick win: Apply a small amount of sea salt spray to damp hair before blow-drying to provide natural grit and structural hold before adding your final styling product.

13. Braided Texture Faux Hawk Variation

This style merges the sharp silhouette of a hawk with the intricate detail of scalp-tight braids. It provides a structured look that stays secure during high-intensity activity while maintaining an edgy aesthetic.

Use a high-hold pomade on the top sections before braiding to ensure the central ridge remains defined and frizz-free. Best move: Combine three parallel braids along the center to create maximum height without needing a trimmer.

• Budget for a professional braider if unfamiliar with self-styling; expect a 45-minute session for complex patterns.
• Wash and blow-dry hair straight to remove tangles before starting the sectioning process to ensure clean lines.
• Swap traditional hair ties for clear elastic bands or small metallic rings to lean into the athletic, modern vibe.

Most people skip this: Apply a light sea salt spray to the loose ends of the central ridge to add grit and prevent the hair from looking too flat or greasy.

14. Voluminous Pompadour Faux Hawk

The Pompadour Faux Hawk blends the height of a vintage quiff with the aggressive taper of a modern hawk. This look relies on extreme volume at the front that gradually narrows toward the crown for a sharp, aerodynamic profile.

Use a round brush while blow-drying to lift the roots before applying a high-hold matte pomade. What works: Keeping the sides at a skin fade or grade 1 creates the necessary contrast to make the textured top pop.

• Budget for a 30-minute barber session every three weeks to maintain the sharp side-to-top transition.
• Apply pre-styling sea salt spray to damp hair to provide the structural grit needed for maximum height.
• Scale the height down for professional settings by smoothing the top closer to the scalp while maintaining the centered peak.

Most people skip this: Blow-drying the hair in the opposite direction of growth first creates massive natural volume without needing excess product.

15. Pointy Faux Hawk

This is the classic look with a sharp, narrow ridge in the center. It works best on short to medium hair that can stand up on its own.

Pinch the hair together at the top of the head to form a V shape. Worth doing: Keeping the sides very short to make the ridge stand out.

• Bold, youthful look
• Use a firm-hold glue
• Best for younger guys

Most guys skip this: Checking the side profile in a mirror to ensure the ridge is straight.

16. Drop Fade Faux Hawk

This style curves the fade behind the ear for a more natural look. It keeps the bulk of the hair in the center while cleaning up the neck area.

Ask the barber to drop the fade line toward the nape for extra dimension. Best move: Use a medium-hold clay to keep the center peak from falling flat.

• Expect a 45-minute session at a professional barbershop.
• Keep the sides tight with a touch-up every three weeks.
• Pairs well with a short, groomed beard to balance the height.

Most guys skip this: Check the back view with a hand mirror to ensure the center peak is perfectly straight.

17. High Fade Faux Hawk

This version starts the fade high up near the temples for a sharp contrast. It works best for guys who want a bold look without shaving the sides down to the skin.

Keep the top length around three inches to create a clear focal point. What works: Apply product to damp hair and blow-dry upward for maximum height.

• Budget $30 to $50 for a quality high-fade cut.
• Wear it with athletic gear for a clean, gym-ready look.
• Best for men with oval or round face shapes.

Quick win: Use a blow dryer on the cool setting to lock the style in place after applying product.

18. Faux Hawk with Shaved Lines

Adding surgical lines to the sides gives this cut a custom, street-style feel. These lines draw attention to the fade and make the overall look more aggressive.

Place two parallel lines on one side to break up the symmetry. Smart shortcut: Use a detail trimmer at home to touch up the lines between barber visits.

• Shaved lines usually need a touch-up every 10 days.
• Works best when paired with a skin-tight side fade.
• Great for high-contrast dark hair where the scalp shows clearly.

Best shortcut: Line up the slashes with the end of your eyebrow for a balanced, symmetrical look.

19. Matte Textured Faux Hawk Style

This style uses a high-hold clay to create height and definition without the greasy shine of traditional pomades. It relies on internal layers to provide volume while keeping the sides tapered enough to avoid a full mohawk.

Apply a nickel-sized amount of matte clay to dry hair to maintain the structural peak throughout the day. Best move: Use a blow dryer on high heat to train the hair upward before adding product for maximum longevity.

• Visit a barber every 3-4 weeks to keep the side taper crisp and the top length manageable.
• Work the product from the roots to the tips to ensure the vertical lift does not collapse.
• Adjust the peak height based on face shape, keeping it shorter for longer faces to maintain balance.

Quick win: Use a sea salt spray on damp hair before blow-drying to add grit and extra grip for the matte clay.

20. Shadow Fade Faux Hawk

A shadow fade leaves a slight amount of hair on the sides instead of going down to the skin.

This creates a softer transition that looks intentional and masculine. Keep the side hair short enough to see the scalp but long enough to show some color. What works: Use a light styling cream if you want the hair to move naturally throughout the day.

• Expect to pay for a standard mid-tier barber service.
• Great for guys with sensitive skin who want to avoid razor irritation.
• Best for cool weather seasons when you want a bit more coverage.

Quick win: Lightly pinch the very tips of the hair with your fingers to create defined, sharp points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hair products should I bring to the event?
We recommend bringing your favorite high-hold pomade or matte wax to ensure your style stays peaked all night. Don’t worry if you forget, as our styling station will be fully stocked with premium gels for quick touch-ups.

Will there be professional barbers available for trims?
Yes, we will have expert barbers on-site to provide complimentary edge-ups and styling consultations. It is a fantastic opportunity to get professional advice on which faux hawk length best suits your face shape.

How should I prepare my hair before arriving?
Please arrive with clean, dry hair that is free of any heavy styling products. This provides a fresh canvas for our stylists and ensures that any new product applied will hold your hawk firmly in place.

Is there a specific dress code that complements the faux hawk theme?
We suggest a modern, edgy aesthetic like a fitted leather jacket or a crisp button-down to match the bold energy of the haircut. The goal is to look sharp and confident, letting your hairstyle be the centerpiece of your look.

Can I still participate if my hair is currently too short for a full hawk?
Absolutely, as even short hair can be styled into a stylish ‘micro-hawk’ using the right texturizing techniques. Our team loves showing guests how to make the most of their current length while transitioning to a bolder style.