The faux hawk, a stylish evolution of the iconic mohawk, has emerged as a versatile and sophisticated hairstyle for men seeking a blend of edge and practicality. This guide delves into the origins, characteristics, and diverse iterations of the faux hawk, offering comprehensive advice on how to achieve and style this popular look. Drawing on insights from celebrity stylists and barbers, this article aims to equip individuals with the knowledge to embrace this enduring trend.
Understanding the Faux Hawk: A Modern Take on a Classic
The faux hawk, a decidedly less intimidating cousin of the punk rock mohawk, retains the central raised strip of hair but achieves its effect without the extreme side-shaving or aggressive styling. While the mohawk is characterized by a stark contrast between a shaved scalp and a prominent central crest, the faux hawk employs a more nuanced approach, typically featuring shorter sides and longer, styled hair on top that can be manipulated into a peak or textured point. This makes it a far more accessible and adaptable style, suitable for a wider range of professional and social settings.
Celebrity stylists like Jason Collier, whose clientele includes global stars such as Justin Timberlake and Damian Lewis, highlight the faux hawk’s inherent wearability. "It’s much more of a crowd-pleaser, less dramatic than a mohawk and has a sleek, urban sophistication to it that makes it a far more wearable look," Collier explains. He further elaborates that the defining features are "a short back and sides but with longer than usual hair on the top – not as much length as a pompadour, but long enough that the hair can be spiked up or formed into a point." This description captures the essence of the faux hawk: a contemporary interpretation that prioritizes adaptability and understated style over outright rebellion.
In practical terms, the faux hawk offers a middle ground between conventional short haircuts and more daring styles. It provides enough visual interest to stand out without being so unconventional that it poses a barrier in formal environments like job interviews. The style’s popularity can be traced back to its adoption by various cultural icons and celebrities, including David Beckham during the late 2000s, Zayn Malik in his earlier career, and Brad Pitt in his more recent, distinguished phases. Their embrace of the faux hawk has cemented its status as a fashion-forward and widely appealing hairstyle.
Choosing the Right Faux Hawk: Factors to Consider
The successful implementation of a faux hawk hinges on two primary considerations: an individual’s face shape and their lifestyle. Understanding these elements is crucial for tailoring the cut to best suit the wearer.
Face Shape Dynamics
For individuals with longer face shapes, such as rectangular or triangular, stylists recommend avoiding excessive length on top and keeping the sides from being cut too tightly. This approach prevents the hairstyle from elongating the face further. Conversely, those with wider face shapes, like heart or round, can benefit from the illusion of added length by incorporating more height on top and opting for shorter sides. This strategic manipulation of hair length and volume helps to create a more balanced and harmonious facial profile.
For those with an oval face shape, often considered the most versatile, there is a greater degree of freedom. As celebrity stylist Josh Thorner notes, "oval-faced guys – who can pretty much do whatever the hell they want." This inherent symmetry allows for greater experimentation with various lengths and styling techniques.
Lifestyle Integration
The faux hawk’s styling demands can vary significantly based on its length. While a shorter faux hawk requires minimal styling effort, longer versions necessitate more time and product to achieve and maintain the desired shape. Celebrities often showcase artfully tousled faux hawks that appear effortless, but as Thorner points out, "those artfully tousled faux hawks seen on the crowns of celebs are not the result of rolling from bed to red carpet." The longer the hair on top, the more effort and product will be required to achieve and sustain the signature peak. Therefore, individuals with limited time or a preference for low-maintenance grooming should consider a shorter variation.
Mastering the Art of Faux Hawk Styling
Achieving the signature faux hawk look is surprisingly straightforward, requiring a nuanced approach to product application and styling techniques rather than brute force. Celebrity stylist Jason Collier emphasizes simplicity and preparation as key.
Preparation and Product Application
For those with fine or straight hair, allowing it to air dry naturally before styling is often sufficient. However, individuals with thicker or wavy hair might benefit from blow-drying and brushing to achieve a sleeker base. Collier advises caution with product usage: "A strong-hold hair wax is the best product to use on this kind of style; use an amount the size of a pea and warm it between your palms, spread it across your hands and get some heat into it." Over-application can lead to stiff, unnatural-looking spikes, detracting from the desired textured effect.
The goal is to create a "strategically messed up mound," as Collier describes it, rather than rigid spikes. This is achieved through the controlled application of product and the use of fingers for styling. "Simply use your fingers to push the lengths of the hair up, and tweak it until you’re happy with how the area looks," he suggests. The ideal finish is "all pulled up, a little messy, nothing too ‘done’."
Exploring the Diverse World of Faux Hawk Variations
The faux hawk is not a monolithic style; it encompasses a spectrum of variations, each offering a distinct aesthetic and catering to different preferences. From the subtly edgy to the more pronounced, there is a faux hawk for nearly every man.
The Faded Faux Hawk
This iteration of the faux hawk incorporates a gradient fade on the sides, blending the shorter hair into the longer top section. It offers a cleaner, more contemporary edge compared to the traditional mohawk. Joseph Lanzante, a respected hair stylist and owner of a leading UK barbering academy, provides guidance on achieving this look. "To achieve a faded faux hawk, ask your barber to set the clippers on 0, then the hair should be faded into a grade 2, using 0.5 to 2 grades," he advises. The top section should maintain a uniform length but be layered to provide texture. "To finish this style use paste to define and separate the hair," Lanzante adds, recommending products like American Crew Defining Paste or DOVE MEN + CARE Molding Paste for their ability to sculpt and hold.
The Short Faux Hawk
Ideal for those who prefer a more understated approach, the short faux hawk delivers a touch of punk-inspired flair without the commitment of longer styles. Josh Thorner, a stylist at London’s Manifesto Barbers, explains that "A clipper fade will achieve a sharp uniform look for a short faux hawk: the shorter the fade the greater the overall contrast will be." He recommends discussing the desired maximum length through the middle with your barber, aiming for a rounded shape to connect the sides. The length on top should be graduated from back to front, with the fringe retaining some length. For styling, Thorner suggests using a surf spray for texture, applied to damp hair and dried with a diffuser, followed by a matte clay for a finished look. Products like R+CO Rockaway Salt Spray and American Crew Matt Clay are well-suited for this style.
The Shaggy Faux Hawk
For men with naturally textured or wavy hair, the shaggy faux hawk offers a stylish way to embrace their hair’s natural movement. Joe Mills, a renowned hair stylist and owner of Joe and Co., suggests that for this style, "the top should be at least 4 inches long and shaved at the sides." He emphasizes the importance of chopping into the top layers to add texture, which prevents the peak from falling flat. Styling involves applying sea salt spray to damp hair, blow-drying with fingers to create a messy quiff effect, and finishing with a matte paste. Byrd Sea Salt Surfspray and Schwarzkopf Got2b Beach Matt Surfer Look Matt Paste are excellent choices for achieving this look.
The Medium Faux Hawk
Representing a balanced approach, the medium faux hawk offers an edgier alternative to a short cut while remaining less extreme than longer variations. Lanzante describes the process for this style: "To get a medium faux hawk hairstyle requires using hair clippers at the back and sides from grade 3 up to a grade 4." He further explains, "On the crown of the head hair should be layered in uniform length and defined and textured using a medium shine paste." This cut provides versatility, allowing for easy transition into other styles. BABYLISSPRO Ceramix Xtreme Hair Dryer and American Crew Defining Paste are recommended for achieving and maintaining this look.
The Long Faux Hawk
This dramatic style is best suited for individuals with ample time for styling and an oval face shape. It represents a bold statement, demanding more maintenance to remain in peak condition. Thorner advises requesting a clipper fade at the back and sides that isn’t too short, ensuring the top remains disconnected from the sides. "The top should be cut from the back to front and the back should be the shortest point. Ask for lots of length at the fringe," he instructs. Texturizing with a styling cream on dry hair is key, followed by blow-drying upwards and backwards. For added hold, a blast of cold air can seal the cuticle. Hairspray can be used for extra longevity. MITCH by Paul Mitchell Clean Cut Styling Cream and KEVIN.MURPHY SESSION.SPRAY are suitable products for this more demanding style.
The Undercut Faux Hawk
This variation requires a high degree of precision from a barber, as it involves a significant disconnection between the long, textured top and the faded, undercut sides. Mills likens it to a "slightly shorter version of the shaggy faux hawk, but the underlying idea is the same. The top is still disconnected but with less length throughout." He stresses the need for at least a couple of inches of length on top to avoid an unintentional appearance. The styling process often involves a texture spray applied to damp hair, followed by blow-drying and finishing with a grooming cream to add texture with the fingers. SACHAJUAN Ocean Mist Texturizing Spray and HANZ DE FUKO SCHEME CREAM are recommended for achieving this high-drama, high-maintenance style.
The faux hawk, in its many forms, continues to be a testament to the enduring appeal of styles that balance edginess with wearability. By understanding the fundamental principles of its design and the nuances of its various iterations, men can confidently embrace this trend and adapt it to their unique personal style and lifestyle.
