Less intense than a traditional mohawk yet just as stylish, a faux hawk makes an excellent hairstyle choice for men. Youthful and eye-catching, the look draws attention without appearing over-the-top. So, if you’re after a style that will allow you to play up the punk on the weekend and keep things professional during the week, a faux hawk is for you. But, don’t head to the barber just yet. As there are many versions of this hairstyle, you’ll need to find the perfect one for you before receiving your new cut. Thankfully, we can help you make your decision. Here’s our selection of sexy faux hawk haircuts to inspire your next look.
Mohawk vs Faux Hawk
The Mohawk has shaved sides with a dramatic strip of hair that runs from the front of the head to the back. A faux hawk is a less dramatic take on a Mohawk; the sides are clipped shorter than the strip of hair on your head, but there is not a great distinction between them.
How to Style a Faux Hawk
The Faux Hawk relies on good blending, so make sure that there isn’t much distinction between the longer and shorter proportions of your hair. For styling your locks, it is best to apply a product when your hair is almost dry. Use your fingers so that the product coats your hair. From here, your next step depends on the type of faux hawk that best suits your face shape. For added volume, harness a blow dryer to direct your hair back and along the centre of your head. Use your fingers to work in a bit more product to get the desired hold then finish with a strong hairspray.
1. Short Faux Hawk
A short faux hawk is tamer than the longer versions of this hairstyle and will allow you to add some texture to your hair. The trick when cutting a shorter faux hawk is to ensure that you style it with precision. You won’t be working with longer proportions (making your styling less forgivable), so it is up to the product you’re using to ensure it sits right. We recommend a matte hair product (pomades work nicely) and a lot of patience. You can use a comb, but your fingers are best for added precision.
2. Long Faux Hawk
A longer faux hawk is different from a regular Mohawk, because of the blended proportions. As such, it is integral for your barber to confirm that he/she will not take too much off the sides. Hair product is paramount for a longer faux hawk, so use a decent amount to ensure your locks stay in place all day. There is still a lot of hair to work with, but it is all about trial and error – use your fingers to adjust your hair as you see fit.
3. Taper Fade Faux Hawk
The taper fade faux hawk blends the hair nicely on the side of the face. The trick to maximising the proportions of this cut is knowing what length will suit your individual features. This will better allow you to decipher whether more volume and length up top will work for your face shape. A fail-safe option is to work with medium length hair for this hairstyle.
4. Low Fade Faux Hawk
With a low fade faux hawk, it is important that your hair registers polished and well put together. As you’re working with significantly shorter proportions at the bottom of your hair, a bit of gloss will go a long way and complement a low fade. Opt for a glossy gel or mousse and style accordingly.
5. Curly Faux Hawk
For those blessed with curls, a curly faux hawk is a different way to lend dimension to your natural hair texture, particularly if you are struggling with a thick and unmanageable mane. Keep in mind that this cut typically works best for gents with wavier curls. Use a lightweight mousse or pomade that works well with your curls and style accordingly. For a refined take, blow dry your curls for a long-lasting hold but ensure you don’t entirely lose the curly shape.
6. Undercut Faux Hawk
The closest version to a Mohawk, the faux hawk undercut relies on a pretty big distinction between the sides and the centre part of your faux hawk. Your overall aim should be to play down the severity of an undercut, making the centre part of your hair register not as severe.
7. David Beckham Faux Hawk
David Beckham shows us how to do the faux hawk justice, and his take on this cut has developed over the years. From his early years in soccer to his more modern interpretations of this hairstyle, Beckham keeps his hairstyling proportionate to his face shape. Beckham’s modern cut still preserves faux hawk inspired elements but is more toned down in terms of balance.
