Men's Hairstyles: 2012 THE BEST MEN'S HAIRSTYLES OF 2012

Men's hairstyles in 2011 offered a lot of variety, but the start of the year means it's time to toss out the old and usher in the new. When it comes to your appearance, that means getting rid of anything that’s not helping you put your best face forward -- and your hairstyle is no exception. Here we present seven of the latest men’s hairstyles for 2012 and provide you with tips on how to make them work for you. We’ve also broken each style down by both the classic and trendy takes, for those looking for an alternative. 

Men's Hairstyles: 2012

Double Slick

Classic: In some form or another, a sleek slick has regularly appeared in men’s hairstyles over the past few years, largely due to the popularity of period dramas such as Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire. This year, the twist is two slicks instead of one. To wear the double slick in a more classic way, like actor Chris Hemsworth, you’ll need to grow your hair to medium length. Next, create a center part close to your forehead using your fingers, but don’t be too precise about it -- you’re going for a wavy look that combines refinement with roguishness. Lastly, use a minimal amount of gel or styling cream and a wide-toothed comb to gently maneuver your front hair slightly upward and toward the side.

Trendy Take: Given that 2012’s indie rock hairstyle is largely about a full head of hair that women will want to run their hands through, your focus should be on choosing products that will help you get strong, shiny strands. For a hipper variant of the indie front, add a volumizing mousse to your hair-care routine to get some lift like Jimmy Fallon's, and then finger-style your hair for a purposefully undone look. This style lends itself beautifully to naturally wavy hair.

Short Buzz

Classic: Last year, an ultra-defined buzz cut was the go-to hairstyle for black men. This year, the square-shaped cut remains the leading style for a good reason: It makes any man’s face appear more masculine, it’s easy to maintain and it’s sharp and sexy at the same time. Cam Newton and Drake have both recently been photographed sporting classic examples of this cut.

Trendy Take: In 2011, the unique way to wear this cut was by incorporating asymmetrical designs. For 2012, however, trade the fancy hairstyling that no one will see unless they’ve got a bird's-eye view of your scalp in favor of stylish sides that will get everyone’s attention. You’ll notice Ludacris’ style, for instance, deviates from the perfectly square. Alternatively, shearing off most of your locks like Don Lemon is another fashion-forward way to wear this style.

Trendy Take: Take the good-boy edge off this cut, as Michael Fassbender has done, by leaving your front just a little longer than the rest of your hair and using a smidge of wax to get a piece-y effect. This style is particularly recommended for men in the early stages of hair loss. Also, if you’ve got a rounder face or soft facial features, consider growing some scruffy facial hair to bring a strong, masculine vibe to this style.

Short And Even

Classic: An all-over short cut of a uniform length, as recently seen on Justin Timberlake, will emerge as one of 2012's favorite men’s hairstyles. In addition to being a wash-and-go style that’s ideal for active dudes, this look exudes clean-cut American charm that will pair well with the minimalist ensembles you’ll be seeing in stores throughout 2012.

Trendy Take: To wear chin-length layers in a very of-the-moment way, see Ashton Kutcher’s fresh take on the ’90s grunge-surfer look. The actor’s locks are only lightly layered and his part has a somewhat haphazard appearance that’s straight out of the '1990s. What keeps Kutcher’s hairstyle fresh, however, is its healthy (not greasy) shine. If you opt for this natural style, too, avoid scraggly locks by not making the mistake of skipping haircuts.

Chin-Length Layers

Classic: Surf culture past and present has been a major theme in fashion as of late, with models being sent down runways sporting rash guards with blazers and long, natural hair. For a sleek option, model your hairstyle on Viggo Mortensen’s gradually layered locks. As you can see, medium to long layers can work well on straight hair regardless of your age, but what really counts here is a top-notch haircut that will air dry to perfection.

Trendy Take: Curly haired guys with an artsy side and a devil-may-care attitude will favor James Franco’s interpretation of this hairstyle, in which locks are still longer on top than on the sides but are overall longer everywhere. Another notable feature of this easygoing style is that while it may appear messy, curls are actually well defined, so you’ll need to throw a curl-controlling cream or shampoo into your grooming routine.

Messy curls

Classic: It’s a fact that curly hair tends to have a mind of its own. The trick to working with this hair type is to get a great cut and then let your curls do their thing. In 2012, that means having your hair cut much shorter on the sides than on your crown. With buzz-cut sides and a peaked front, Oscar Pistorius’ ‘do is the gold standard for a classy, office-appropriate look. To keep everything polished, remember to use an anti-frizz product to control fly-aways.

Trendy Take: If you are employed in a creative field or it’s your day off from your suit-and-tie job, consider rocking a refined quiff, which was also showcased in a variety of major 2012 shows. Begin by working mousse throughout your entire head, and then have fun playing around. Just remember to keep the biggest lift in the front of your head and finish with a misting of hairspray to ensure your style stays put.

Rockabilly

Classic: Originally pioneered by musicians like Johnny Cash and Elvis, the ’50s pompadour is in the midst of a revival. As long as you go with a toned-down pomp, as seen in the Dolce & Gabbanna and Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 runway shows, this hairstyle works even in a conservative environment. Achieve a low-key pompadour by using mousse to coax only your front strands into standing up, then brush them slightly backward and to the side.

Trendy Take: To adopt 2012’s double slick in a less traditional way, check out the style sported by actor Michael Pitt. Reminiscent of the sharp hairstyles favored by men in the early 20th century, this cut is characterized by hair that is significantly longer on the top than it is on the sides. To get this style, visit your barber and ask him to trim the hair on the crown of your head to a medium length and to remove weight from the sides of your head -- the more daring you are, the shorter the bottom layers can go. At home, comb all of your hair back with a touch of styling product and run your fingers through your hair to achieve the double slick. This hairstyle works best with straight hair.

Indie-Rock Front

Classic: The cool, mod-ish look that has become synonymous with indie rock was highly influential in determining men’s hairstyles for 2012. Whether you love this genre or your musical tastes lie elsewhere, this hairstyle is incredibly easy to wear. A classic version of this cut, like the one worn by Lionel Messi, simply involves asking your barber to snip some piecey layers into your hair and then brushing the front forward before you leave for work.

Men's Hairstyles 2012

Face it: Most New Year’s resolutions, from quitting smoking to losing weight, require extreme diligence to fulfill. In contrast, changing something like your hairstyle requires minimal effort but offers a wealth of returns, because not only will you receive compliments from others, but you’ll look and feel better on a daily basis.