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Men's hairstyles changed considerably throughout the 2010s. The decade moved between polished cuts, deliberately messy textures, retro-inspired styles and increasingly varied fades and undercuts.
Rather than one haircut defining the entire decade, different looks took over at different points. From the tapered cut of 2009 to the disconnected undercut of 2019, here's a look at some of the men's hairstyles that shaped the era.
Men's Hairstyles Through the 2010s
2009: Tapered Cut
The tapered cut combined the neatness of a crew cut with slightly more length around the temples. The gradual difference in length gave the haircut a clean, structured appearance while retaining enough hair around the sides to create definition.
It was a straightforward starting point for a decade that would gradually experiment with more dramatic contrasts between the sides and top.
2010: Slicked-Back Undercut
The slicked-back undercut paired closely cut sides with considerably more length on top.
The contrast between the short sides and fuller top gave the style its distinctive shape. The longer section could be pushed backwards and styled for a polished finish.
2011: Brit Rock Indie Haircut
The Brit Rock indie looks leaned towards deliberately messy styling, with longer bangs swept towards one side and plenty of texture through the rest of the hair.
It had an effortless-looking finish, although getting that "I woke up like this" texture can take rather more effort than it suggests.
2012: Modern Pompadour
The pompadour has never really stayed away for long, and the 2010s gave it a more modern interpretation.
This version often featured a side parting, sleek sides and plenty of volume through the top. Compared with more traditional pompadours, the modern version could be styled in a cleaner, less exaggerated way.
2013: Short Back and Sides
The short back and sides became a dependable men's haircut during the decade.
The top was generally left with enough length for some texture or styling, while the back and sides were kept shorter and neat. It's a versatile foundation that can be adapted to different face shapes, hair textures and personal styles.
2014: Blunt Cut
The blunt cut offered a sharper, more structured appearance.
Rather than relying on lots of styling, the shape itself did much of the work. Depending on the length and finish, it could give men's hair a slightly retro feel while still looking clean and contemporary.
2015: Rockabilly
Rockabilly brought a strong retro influence on men's hair, with styles inspired by classic looks associated with performers such as Elvis Presley and John Travolta.
The hair was generally swept or rolled towards the front and styled with enough hold to maintain its shape. Shorter or slicked-back sides helped emphasise the height and volume on top.
2016: Short Crop
The short crop was the answer for anyone who preferred their haircut without a lot of daily styling.
Keeping the hair close to the head creates a neat, low-fuss finish, while slight texture on top can stop the cut from looking too uniform.
2017: Choppy Fringe
The choppy fringe combined shorter hair with a textured fringe for a deliberately relaxed finish.
The uneven texture made the haircut feel casual without being completely unstructured. It could also be adapted to different lengths depending on how much movement you wanted through the fringe.
2018: Fade Haircut
Fade haircuts had already been around for years, but they continued to evolve throughout the 2010s.
The sides gradually transition from shorter to longer hair, while the top can be styled in numerous ways. In 2018, combining a fade with textured or spiked hair created a particularly popular variation.
For styling inspiration, you can also explore how to style men's hair.
2019: Disconnected Undercut
The disconnected undercut took the contrast between the sides and top even further.
The sides and back are kept significantly shorter, while the longer top is left visually separate rather than gradually blended into the sides. The top can then be pushed back, textured or styled into a more dramatic shape.
The Wider 2010s: Waves, Fades and Textured Styles
The decade wasn't only about pompadours and undercuts.
Men with textured and Afro-textured hair also embraced styles such as 360 waves, fades, line-ups and combinations of short sides with more length on top. Durags and wave caps were also closely associated with maintaining wave patterns.
This broader mix of styles is important when looking back at men's hair in the 2010s. Hair trends developed across different communities, music scenes and subcultures rather than following one universal path.
Which 2010s Hairstyles Still Work Today?
Some 2010s styles never really disappeared — they simply evolved.
Fades remain highly adaptable and can be paired with everything from short crops to longer textured hair.
Pompadours can be softened with less height and more natural texture for a more current finish.
Undercuts can also be adapted into subtler versions, particularly when the contrast between the sides and top isn't as dramatic.
Even the choppy fringe can work today when combined with modern texture and a more relaxed finish.
The easiest way to bring a 2010s haircut into the present is not to copy the original look exactly. Keep the element you like — the fade, fringe, volume or contrast — and adapt the rest to your hair and personal style.
Final Thoughts
Looking back at men's hairstyles from 2009 to 2019 makes one thing clear: trends rarely disappear completely.
The decade moved from tapered cuts and indie fringes to pompadours, crops, fades and disconnected undercuts, with plenty of crossover along the way. Many of those ideas are still around today, just with softer finishes or modern variations.
So, if one of these throwback styles catches your eye, you don't necessarily need to recreate it exactly as it was. Take the part you like and make it work for you.
Shop Men's Hair Styling
Whether you're recreating a classic pompadour, adding texture to a crop or keeping a fade looking sharp, the right styling products can help you achieve the finish you want.
Shop Men's Hair Styling Products at Cosmetize and find products for your next look.
FAQs
What were the most popular men's hairstyles in the 2010s?
There wasn't one hairstyle that defined the entire decade. Popular looks included undercuts, pompadours, short back and sides, crops, fringes and fades, with different styles becoming prominent at different points.
What was the men's hairstyle in 2010?
The original timeline for this article features the slicked-back undercut for 2010, with closely cut sides and longer hair on top.
What men's hairstyles were popular in 2012?
The modern pompadour is the style featured for 2012 in this timeline, characterised by volume on top, a side parting and sleeker sides.
Are 2010s men's hairstyles still popular?
Many are still worn today, particularly fades, crops, textured fringes, pompadours and variations of undercuts. Modern versions are often adapted with softer transitions and more natural texture.
What's the difference between a fade and an undercut?
A fade gradually transitions from shorter to longer hair along the sides and back. An undercut creates a more noticeable contrast between the shorter sides and the longer hair on top.
