Let's be honest. We all remember the curls. That one specific, perfectly coiled ringlet that used to bounce off Nick Jonas’s forehead during the Disney era was basically its own character in the Jonas Brothers' narrative.
Then everything shifted.
When the youngest Jonas brother decided to chop it all off, it wasn't just a grooming choice. It was a brand pivot. The Nick Jonas short hair evolution became the blueprint for how a teen idol transitions into a legitimate adult star without losing their fan base.
The Breakup with the Ringlets
The transition wasn't immediate. It started with a "short wavy" look around 2010—a bit of a compromise. He kept the length on top but tightened the sides. According to his long-time groomer, Marissa Machado, who has worked with him since he was 15, the goal was often to manage the sheer volume of his hair. Out of all the brothers, Nick has the densest hair, which makes it prone to frizz if the cut isn't precise.
By the time he launched his solo career with Jealous, the curls were a memory.
The buzz cut he debuted around 2014 was a massive shock to the system. It was aggressive. It was military-inspired. Most importantly, it framed his face in a way that highlighted his jawline—an essential move for someone moving into "leading man" territory. If you're trying to recreate this, Machado often recommends a #1 or #2 guard on the sides with just a slightly longer length on top to avoid that "tennis ball" roundness.
Why the Buzz Cut Worked (And What Most Get Wrong)
Most guys think a buzz cut is the "lazy" option. They think you just run a clipper over your head and call it a day. That’s where they’re wrong.
When Nick rocks a buzz, it’s usually a taper fade. This means the hair isn't one length; it’s a #1 at the nape of the neck and ears, blending into a #3 or #4 on top. This subtle gradient adds height to the face. Since Nick has a heart-shaped face, adding that tiny bit of verticality prevents his forehead from looking too broad.
It’s about geometry, honestly.
The "Clean" vs. "Textured" Short Hair Dilemma
Even when his hair is short, Nick oscillates between two distinct vibes:
- The Red Carpet Slick: Think 2017 Met Gala. This is a very tight buzz where the hair is almost uniform. To get that "expensive" look, he uses shine-heavy products like the Baxter of California Hard Water Pomade. It’s about reflecting light.
- The Textured Crop: This is what we see more of lately. The hair is maybe an inch or two long on top, jaggedly cut with shears rather than clippers. It looks "messy," but it's a controlled mess.
How to Ask Your Barber for the "Nick Jonas"
Don't just walk in and say "Give me the Nick Jonas." That's a gamble. Depending on the year you're referencing, you could end up with a 2008 shag or a 2024 textured fade.
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If you want the modern, sophisticated Nick Jonas short hair look, ask for a mid-fade with a textured crop on top.
You want the sides to start short but not skin-deep unless you have a very angular jaw. Tell your barber to "point cut" the top. This creates those peaks and valleys in the hair that allow product to actually do its job. If the hair is cut straight across, it’ll just lay flat and look like a helmet.
The Product Secret: V76 and Beyond
Nick isn't just a "wash and go" guy. He’s surprisingly involved in his grooming. There’s a famous story from his Jumanji press tour where he introduced his own stylist to a brand he found in a boutique: V76 by Vaughn.
Specifically, the V76 Texture Clay is a staple for his shorter, "scruffier" looks. It provides a matte finish, so it doesn't look like he has "product" in his hair, but it stays exactly where he puts it. For his more formal, side-parted wedding looks, he reportedly used The Salon Guy’s ICE Pomade to get that high-shine, high-hold finish that survives a 12-hour event.
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Maintenance Is the Catch
Short hair is actually high maintenance. To keep a fade looking crisp like Nick's, you’re looking at a barber visit every 2 to 3 weeks. Once the hair around the ears starts to "fuzz," the whole look loses its edge.
Also, scalp health is huge. When your hair is that short, your scalp is visible. Using a scalp tonic—Machado often uses V76 Tonic Hair & Scalp—keeps the skin from getting dry or flaky under the bright lights of, well, life.
The Actionable Blueprint
If you're looking to pivot your style like Nick did, here is the realistic path:
- Identify your face shape: If you have a round face, avoid the uniform buzz; go for a high fade to add height.
- Invest in a matte paste: Stop using grocery store gels. A high-quality matte clay (like V76 or Daimon Barber) is the difference between looking like a teenager and looking like a professional.
- The Beard Connection: Short hair almost always looks better with scruff. Nick rarely goes clean-shaven with a buzz cut. He keeps a "heavy stubble" to balance the lack of hair on top.
- Blow dry, even if it's short: Even with an inch of hair, using a hair dryer on a low, warm setting to "set" the direction of the hair before applying product makes the style last twice as long.
The Nick Jonas short hair transition proves that you don't need a massive mane to have a "signature look." It’s about the precision of the fade and the intentionality of the texture. If you've been leaning on the same haircut for years, maybe it's time to see what a #2 guard can do for your jawline.
Start by switching to a matte styling clay this week to see how your natural texture reacts without the weight of heavy oils. From there, book a consultation for a mid-taper fade to sharpen your silhouette.