While we were off in our sad little reverie (#DND), it’s probably not a surprise that we started noticing a surfer hair microtrend popping up on the latest men’s runways. Great news for guys with medium to longish hair, as well as all y’all out there with a bit of texture: Messy, wavy hair is in, and you don’t have to be an expert on the swells to look just as cool. Scroll on for five of the best versions we’ve seen:
Hang Ten! Surfer Hair Looks We Love
1. Wavy Lob
Yep, guys can do long bobs too. This look features a lot of natural, air-dried texture and an easy middle part—in short, full-on wash and wear. Start by showering with a moisturizing shampoo, like Dove Men+Care Complete Care 2-in-1 Fortifying Shampoo + Conditioner, then towel-drying. If you have wavy to curly hair that’s around collarbone-length, simply allowing hair to air-dry can give you the texture you need; otherwise, a few spritzes of a salt spray, like Suave Professionals Sea Minerals Infusion Texturizing Sea Salt Spray, can get you those beachy bends… at least till you can get it straight from the source this upcoming summer.
2. Lazy Side-Part
Yes, it looks eerily close to that grungy feel of the early ’90s, but hear us out: The details, specifically those lazy waves towards the ends and that sexy side part, are what separate this from the telltale look of charming burnouts everywhere. True to form, not much is needed to ace this surfer-inspired hairstyle especially on guys with slightly straighter hair, save for a regular shampoo. Or make like the real forefathers of this hairstyle and skip the wash and just refresh with a dry shampoo, like Dove Refresh+Care Detox & Purify Dry Shampoo, which also helps give a bit of that rumpled (deadbeat-chic?) texture.
3. Half-Slick
Look as slick off that longboard as you do on it with an easy-to-recreate half-wet style. Guys with wavy or curly hair that want a bit of control up top can try this surfer hair look that looks like you just squeezed on your rashie from the forehead down. Depending on your hair’s thickness, swipe a dime- or quarter-sized amount of firm-hold shine pomade on your palms, like Bed Head for Men by TIGI Slick Trick, rub it to spread evenly and apply front to back on the tops of your head. Use any leftover product to help tuck the sides behind your ears and refine with a fine-toothed comb.
4. The Pretty Boy
Gunning for second favorite ’90s throwback, this long-ish haircut ends at the jawline and is pretty much one length all throughout—yes, including and especially at the bangs, a characteristic that gives it its boyband-heartthrob appeal. The finish of this surfer hair look is a slightly molten sheen—easily replicated with some cream, like AXE Natural Look Understated Cream—and don’t forget that killer, lead-singer flop over one eye.
5. The Broodster
Shorter than its other counterparts and definitively less angsty-looking (because, you know, you keep it on the inside), this look features hair that’s cut near the ears and lightly mussed all throughout. A diffused fringe area barely features any sharp lines save for your natural parting, and hair is left to air-dry and finger-styled with a bit of softening cream, like AXE Natural Look Softening Cream, for a bit of curl definition and surf-to-turf polish. Want more medium-length hairstyle inspiration? Check out more trends we’re loving at the moment.
