Trendy Hairstyles for Men Over 40 – 2025: Best Ideas for Modern Short and Long Haircuts
As men embrace their 40s and beyond, hairstyles play a key role in reflecting personal style and confidence. In 2025, trendy hairstyles for men over 40 offer a mix of classic sophistication and modern innovation, catering to every hair type and lifestyle. Let’s explore the best short, medium, and long haircuts for older mens, including practical styling tips and care advice.
Classic Taper Fade
The classic taper fade remains timeless and versatile, offering a clean look that suits all face shapes. This style features gradually shorter hair from the crown to the nape, creating a polished yet modern appearance. It’s perfect for professionals seeking a stylish yet understated cut.
To maintain the sleek finish, use a pomade like American Crew Pomade for light hold and shine. Regular trims every three weeks are essential to preserve the fade’s sharpness.
Modern Pompadour
The modern pompadour reinvents a vintage favorite, combining volume at the top with neatly trimmed sides. It’s ideal for older mens with thick or wavy hair who want to add height and sophistication to their look.
For styling, use a volumizing mousse like Moroccanoil Volume Mousse and finish with a matte clay for texture. Blow-drying with a round brush will help achieve that signature lift.
Textured Crop
The textured crop is a trendy, low-maintenance haircut for yr old mens in their 40s. It features short, textured layers that provide movement and style, ideal for thinning or fine hair.
Use a lightweight styling cream like Baxter of California Cream Pomade to add texture without weighing the hair down. Weekly scalp exfoliation with Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Scrub can promote healthier growth.
Side Part with Undercut
The side part with undercut adds a modern twist to a classic haircut. This style pairs a sharp side part with shaved or closely cropped sides, perfect for a bold yet professional look.
Style with a water-based gel like Suavecito Original Hold Pomade to keep the part defined all day. Finish with a hair tonic for added shine.
Slick Back with Low Fade
The slick back with low fade combines vintage charm with a modern edge. The longer top is slicked back, while the sides gradually fade for a seamless look. This style suits older mens who prefer sleek and sophisticated hairstyles.
Use Layrite Superhold Pomade for maximum hold and a glossy finish. A boar bristle brush can help achieve the smooth slicked-back effect.
Short Quiff
The short quiff is a versatile and youthful hairstyle that works well for men with straight or slightly wavy hair. It adds height and volume, making it a best haircut for 40s over.
Apply TIGI Bed Head Manipulator for texture and volume. Regular trims every four weeks will help maintain its shape.
Buzz Cut with Line-Up
The buzz cut with line-up is sharp, clean, and low-maintenance. A lined-up hairline adds precision to this simple haircut, making it ideal for yr old mens with busy lifestyles.
Keep the scalp hydrated with Nioxin Scalp Recovery Moisturizing Conditioner. Consider weekly use of a trimmer for a fresh look.
Caesar Cut
The Caesar Cut is a timeless, low-maintenance haircut featuring short, straight bangs across the forehead. Ideal for men with fine or thinning hair, this cut is both stylish and easy to manage. It suits those with oval or square face shapes and offers a clean, polished look.
To maintain the shape, use a light-hold styling gel like Gatsby Moving Rubber and schedule trims every three weeks. Finish with a lightweight shine spray like Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shine Spray for a sleek effect.
Long Layers with a Side Part
For those who love longer hair, long layers with a side part offer a sophisticated, polished look. This haircut is ideal for older mens with thick or wavy hair, adding movement and volume to their style.
Use a smoothing cream like Kerastase Discipline Keratine Thermique before blow-drying to enhance shine and control frizz. Finish with a styling wax for hold.
Messy Spikes
Messy spikes offer a youthful, energetic style that’s great for casual settings. This trendy haircut for 40s over adds texture and volume, making it ideal for men with straight or wavy hair.
Apply TIGI Bed Head Hard to Get Texturizing Paste for a messy, tousled look. Use a sea salt spray to add texture and keep the spikes in place.
Low Maintenance Buzz
The low maintenance buzz is perfect for yr old mens who want a simple, fuss-free haircut. With its clean lines and no styling required, it’s great for those with a busy lifestyle or thinning hair.
Keep the scalp moisturized with CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and apply a sunscreen like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face & Scalp to protect against sun damage.
Short French Crop
The short French crop features short sides and a slightly textured top with fringe. This look is stylish and easy to manage, making it ideal for older mens in 2025.
Use Kevin Murphy Night Rider for a matte finish and flexible hold. Regular trims every four weeks are essential to keep the fringe sharp.
Brushed Back with Fade
The brushed back with fade combines longer top layers with gradually faded sides, creating a balanced and modern style. Ideal for professionals, this look suits older mens long or thick hair.
Use a strong-hold pomade like Layrite Cement Clay for a structured finish. Blow-dry the top back with a vented brush to add volume.
High and Tight
The high and tight is a military-inspired style that’s practical and sharp. With closely shaved sides and a slightly longer top, it’s a go-to for men who prefer minimal maintenance.
Maintain the clean look with a quality electric trimmer like Wahl Lithium Ion Clipper. Use a lightweight moisturizer like Jack Black Clean Break Oil-Free Moisturizer for the scalp.
Crew Cut
The Crew Cut is a versatile classic that combines short sides with a slightly longer top, offering a masculine and clean appearance. Perfect for yr old mens who prefer a short haircut, this style works well for those with active lifestyles.
Use American Crew Fiber for a light hold and matte finish. Keep the scalp healthy with a moisturizing shampoo like Nioxin Scalp Recovery Cleanser.
Mid-Length Waves
Mid-length waves are perfect for men who want to embrace their natural texture while maintaining a professional appearance. This style works well for older mens with wavy or curly hair, adding volume and movement. Ideal for oval and heart-shaped faces, it’s a relaxed yet stylish look.
To care for this style, use a curl-enhancing cream like Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream. Regular trims every 6-8 weeks prevent split ends and maintain the shape.
Faux Hawk Fade
The faux hawk fade combines edgy and professional elements, featuring a subtle mohawk-like strip of longer hair with faded sides. This modern haircut is a great choice for those wanting to stand out while maintaining sophistication.
For styling, use TIGI Bed Head Manipulator to define the hawk and create texture. A regular skin fade trim every three weeks ensures the look stays sharp.
Short Mohawk
The short mohawk brings a daring edge to trendy hairstyles for 40s over, with a subtle crest of longer hair running along the crown and shaved sides. This style suits men with oval or rectangular face shapes.
To style, apply Redken Brews Holding Gel for strong hold and finish with a light hairspray for longevity. Scalp care is essential, so use a moisturizing shampoo like Kiehl’s Nourishing Olive Fruit Oil Shampoo.
Shaggy Layers
Shaggy layers are a carefree, youthful option for men who prefer a relaxed look. This style adds volume and texture, making it a great choice for older mens long hair. It works best for thick, wavy, or curly hair types.
Use a volumizing mousse like Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam to enhance layers and finish with a texture spray. Regular trims keep the layers fresh and prevent overgrowth.
Long Top, Short Sides
The long top, short sides hairstyle is versatile and stylish, offering a dramatic contrast between the lengths. This look is ideal for older mens who want a youthful yet professional appearance.
Use American Crew Forming Cream to style the longer top and a strong-hold gel to slick the sides for a neat finish. A bi-weekly haircut keeps the balance precise.
Bald Fade with Beard
The bald fade with beard is a bold, masculine look that combines shaved sides with a full, groomed beard. This style is perfect for yr old mens who want a polished yet edgy appearance.
Use a quality trimmer like Philips Norelco Multigroom Series 7000 to maintain the fade and beard alignment. Hydrate the scalp with Nioxin Scalp Therapy Conditioner and apply beard oil like Jack Black Beard Oil for shine.
Comb Over Fade
The comb over fade is a refined option that pairs longer top layers combed to one side with a smooth fade. This trendy hairstyle suits men with thinning hair, creating a fuller appearance.
Style with Baxter of California Hard Cream Pomade for a natural hold and shine. A wide-tooth comb will help achieve the sleek combed-over effect.
Natural Curls with a Fade
For men with naturally curly hair, pairing curls with a fade creates a stylish, modern look. This style is perfect for older mens who want to embrace their texture while maintaining a neat appearance.
Use SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie to define curls and a fade trimmer to keep the sides sharp. Avoid heavy products that weigh curls down.
Tapered Afro
The tapered afro is a classic and stylish choice for men with textured hair. It offers a clean look with a gradual tapering from the crown to the sides. This best haircut for 40s over works well for round and oval face shapes.
Use a leave-in conditioner like Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream to keep hair hydrated and a sponge brush for shaping. Regular trims maintain the taper.
Hard Part Hairstyle
The hard part hairstyle features a clean, shaved line that defines a sharp parting, adding a bold and structured element to any haircut. Paired with either a comb-over or slicked-back look, it’s ideal for 40s over mens who value precision and modernity. This cut works best for straight or slightly wavy hair and is suited for oval or square face shapes.
To maintain the defined part, use a strong-hold pomade like Layrite Cement Clay. Regular trims every three weeks are essential to keep the part sharp and fade clean. A lightweight styling spray adds a polished finish.
Business Casual Cut
The business casual cut is perfect for professionals who want a polished yet relaxed look. It features medium-length hair with neat layering, offering a balance between formal and casual. This style works well for older mens with medium to thick hair and is especially flattering for round or rectangular face shapes.
Use Baxter of California Grooming Lotion to keep the layers in place with a natural finish. Regular trims every four weeks help maintain the shape, while a scalp tonic promotes healthy growth.
Short Textured Spiky Look
The short textured spiky look is an energetic, youthful hairstyle that adds movement and volume to short haircuts. The spikes are styled with texture for a playful, modern vibe. It’s a great choice for yr old mens who want to keep their hair manageable yet trendy.
To achieve the spiky effect, use TIGI Bed Head Manipulator Paste for flexible hold and matte texture. A sea salt spray can enhance the definition, while regular trims every three weeks keep the spikes sharp.
Mature Slicked-Back Undercut
The mature slicked-back undercut combines longer slicked-back hair on top with closely cropped sides, creating a bold yet sophisticated look. This best haircut for 40s over mens works well for straight or slightly wavy hair and suits oval and rectangular face shapes.
Use Suavecito Strong Hold Pomade to keep the slicked-back style in place. Blow-dry the top section backward for added volume, and finish with a shine-enhancing spray like Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shine Spray.
Conclusion
Your 40s are the perfect time to embrace trendy hairstyles for men over 40 – 2025 that balance style and practicality. From short haircuts to longer, modern styles, these looks will help you stay confident and stylish. Which one will you try this year? Let us know in the comments below!
