Most guys think growing their hair out is a passive process. You just stop going to the barber, right? Wrong. Dead wrong. If you just sit there and let it grow without a plan, you’re going to hit month six looking like a bedraggled castaway who lost a fight with a lawnmower. Real mens long hair hairstyles require more strategy than a short fade ever did. It's about bone structure, hair density, and honestly, how much patience you have for getting shampoo out of your eyes every morning.
Growing your hair is a commitment. It's a lifestyle change.
I’ve seen too many men give up during the "awkward phase"—that brutal middle ground where your hair isn't short enough to style with wax but isn't long enough to tie back. It just sits there. Pooled around your ears. Flaring out like a mushroom. But if you can get past that, the rewards are massive. You get versatility. You get a look that stands out in a sea of corporate buzzcuts. You just need to know which direction you're headed before you start the journey.
The Reality of the Man Bun and Its Variants
Let’s talk about the man bun. People love to hate it, but it’s still the king of functional mens long hair hairstyles for a reason. It keeps hair out of your face when you’re working or hitting the gym. But there is a massive difference between a "top knot" and a "full bun." A top knot is often done with shaved sides—the undercut look—which was huge around 2015 thanks to actors like Jason Momoa. Now, things have shifted. The trend is moving toward the "full man bun," where all the hair, including the back and sides, is long enough to reach the tie.
It looks more natural. It looks less like you're trying too hard.
If you're going for this, you have to be careful about "traction alopecia." This is a real medical concern where pulling your hair too tight literally yanks the follicles out of your scalp over time. Dermatologists like Dr. Jeff Donovan have noted that constant tension can lead to permanent hair loss at the hairline. So, keep it loose. Use a hair tie that doesn't have that little metal bit that snags and breaks your strands. Silk or velvet scrunchies are better, even if they feel a bit "extra." Your hairline will thank you in five years.
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The Flow or The Bro Flow
Then you have "The Flow." This is the quintessential athlete look, popularized by NHL players and guys like Trevor Lawrence. It’s all about mid-length to long layers that sweep back away from the face. It isn't a "neat" look. It’s messy. It’s textured.
To get this right, you actually have to go to the barber while you’re growing it out. I know that sounds counterintuitive. But a stylist needs to "take the weight out" of the back. Men’s hair tends to grow faster or at least look bulkier at the nape of the neck. If you don't thin that out, you end up with a mullet you didn't ask for. A good stylist will use thinning shears or a razor to create channels in the hair so it lays flat and moves when you walk.
Finding Mens Long Hair Hairstyles That Match Your Face Shape
You can't just pick a photo of Chris Hemsworth and expect it to work. Hair follows the rules of geometry. If you have a very round face, growing your hair long and keeping it all one length can make your head look like a bowling ball. You need angles. You need layers that hit at the jawline to create the illusion of a sharper chin.
Square faces are the luckiest here. You’ve already got the jaw, so the hair just softens the edges. You can pull off the "shaggy rocker" look—think 90s grunge or Kurt Cobain. It’s effortless.
- Oval Faces: Basically anything works. Long, middle-parted, tucked behind the ears.
- Heart Faces: Avoid too much volume on top; you want the bulk to be around the chin to balance out a wider forehead.
- Long/Rectangular Faces: Be careful. Super long, straight hair will just make your face look even longer. You need some waves or volume on the sides to add width.
Texture is the other half of the battle. If you have pin-straight hair, you’re going to struggle with volume. It’s going to hang flat. You’ll need "sea salt spray." It’s basically magic in a bottle. It adds grit and makes your hair look like you just spent the day at the beach instead of sitting in a cubicle. On the flip side, if you have curly or coily hair, your "long" hair will take twice as long to show its length because it grows up and out before it grows down. You need moisture. Constant moisture. Leave-in conditioners are your best friend.
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The Middle Part vs. The Side Part
The 90s are back with a vengeance. The "curtains" look—that middle part that framed the faces of every boy band member in 1997—is a core part of modern mens long hair hairstyles. But it’s risky. A middle part is very symmetrical. If your nose is slightly crooked or your eyes are uneven, a middle part will highlight that.
A side part is more forgiving. It’s more "classical." It adds height to the top of your head, which is great if you’re on the shorter side. Honestly, just flip your hair around and see where it naturally wants to fall. Don't fight the cowlicks. You will lose that fight.
Maintenance Is the Part Nobody Tells You About
Short hair is easy. You wake up, maybe put in some pomade, and go. Long hair is a chore. You have to think about "sebum." That’s the natural oil your scalp produces. With short hair, the oil only has to travel an inch. With long hair, the tips of your hair are essentially starving for oil while your scalp is drowning in it.
This is why you stop washing your hair every day.
If you wash it daily, you strip everything away, and your hair turns into a frizzy mess. Wash it twice a week. Use a conditioner every single time. And please, for the love of everything, stop rubbing your head vigorously with a towel. That creates friction, which leads to split ends. Pat it dry. Or better yet, use an old T-shirt. It’s softer on the hair cuticles.
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Professionalism and the Long Hair Myth
Can you have long hair in a corporate job in 2026? Yes. Mostly. The key is neatness. A "low ponytail" at the nape of the neck is the "suit and tie" of long hair. It’s sleek. It shows you’re intentional. The "half-up, half-down" look—where you pull back the top section but leave the rest loose—is a great middle ground for creative offices or tech environments.
The only thing that really looks unprofessional is "unkempt" hair. If it looks like you just woke up and haven't seen a comb in three days, people will judge. If it looks shiny, healthy, and styled, it’s just another fashion choice.
Actionable Steps for Your Hair Journey
Stop looking at the mirror every day. Hair grows about half an inch a month. You won't see progress in a week. You'll just frustrate yourself.
Instead, focus on the health of the hair you already have.
- Buy a wide-tooth comb. Do not use a fine-tooth comb on long, wet hair. It will snap the strands. Start combing from the ends and work your way up to the roots to de-tangle without ripping.
- Invest in better products. Throw away the 3-in-1 shampoo/conditioner/body wash/engine degreaser. Get a dedicated sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates are harsh detergents that make long hair look like straw.
- Schedule "dusting" appointments. Tell your barber you want a "dusting," not a cut. They will just trim the very tips—the split ends—to keep the hair healthy without sacrificing the length you’ve worked so hard for.
- Watch your diet. Hair is made of protein (keratin). If you aren't eating enough protein or vitamins like Biotin and Zinc, your hair will be brittle. It’s not just about what you put on your head, but what you put in your body.
- Learn the "Cold Rinse." At the end of your shower, turn the water to cold for 30 seconds. It seals the hair cuticle, which traps moisture and adds a natural shine that no product can fake.
The "awkward phase" usually hits around month four or five. Your hair will be too long to style and too short to tie. It’s going to get in your eyes. You’re going to want to cut it. Don't. Buy a hat. Wear a headband when you’re at home. Power through. Once you hit that one-year mark, you’ll have enough weight for the hair to finally start hanging down instead of sticking out. That’s when the real fun begins and you can actually start experimenting with various mens long hair hairstyles.
Own the look. Confidence is 90% of the style anyway. If you look like you're embarrassed by your hair, everyone else will be too. But if you wear it like you meant for every single strand to be exactly where it is, you've already won.