South Korean men’s hairstyles have become a global trend and they are known for their stylish, modern and youthful looks. If you want to look just like them, here is a comprehensive guide on how to create the most popular Korean male hairstyles.
Preparation
Tools You’ll Need
Hair Clippers: For creating short, precise cuts and undercuts. Different clipper guard sizes are useful for varying lengths.
Scissors: High – quality haircutting scissors for trimming and adding texture. They should be sharp to make clean cuts.
Comb: A fine – toothed comb for parting and straightening the hair during the cutting process. It helps in creating a neat look.
Hair Dryer: To dry the hair quickly and add volume if required. A dryer with a diffuser attachment can be great for styling curly or wavy hair.
Styling Products: Such as pomade, wax, gel, mousse, or texturizing spray. Each product gives a different finish and hold.
Pomade offers a shiny, medium – hold finish; wax provides a matte, strong – hold texture; gel is good for a sleek, high – hold look; mousse is ideal for adding volume to curly hair; and texturizing spray helps in creating a tousled look.
Hair Preparation
Washing: Wash the hair with a suitable shampoo and conditioner based on your hair type. For example, if you have oily hair, use a clarifying shampoo. If your hair is dry or damaged, a moisturizing conditioner can help. Make sure to rinse thoroughly.
Drying: Gently towel – dry the hair to remove excess moisture. Avoid rubbing vigorously as it can cause tangles and damage.
You can then use the hair dryer on a low to medium heat setting to dry the hair completely or partially, depending on the style you’re aiming for.
Popular Korean Men’s Hairstyles and How to Achieve Them
The Two – Block Cut
Cutting the Sides and Back: Use the hair clippers with an appropriate guard size to cut the hair on the sides and back short.Start from the bottom and work your way up, moving the clippers in an upward direction. For a very clean look, you can go as short as a #1 guard. Make sure the cut is even on both sides.
Length on Top: Decide on the length of the hair on top. It can range from medium – length to relatively long. Use the scissors to cut the top hair to the desired length. For a more textured look, you can cut the hair at an angle or use point – cutting technique (making small, random cuts with the scissors along the ends).
Styling:
Sleek Look: Apply a small amount of pomade or gel to the top hair. Use a comb to smooth the hair back or to the side, creating a clean, sleek appearance.
Messy Look: Rub a bit of wax between your hands and then work it through the top hair. Use your fingers to tousle the hair, creating a messy and casual look. Add a texturizing spray for more volume and texture.
The Undercut
Shaving the Sides and Back: Use the clippers to shave the hair on the sides and back very short, almost down to the skin if you want a bold look. You can leave a little more length if you prefer a less extreme undercut. Make sure to create a clean, defined line between the shaved area and the top hair.
Styling the Top:
Pompadour Style: For a pompadour, take a section of the front top hair and comb it up and back. Apply a strong – hold pomade to create height. Use a comb to shape the hair into a rounded pompadour look. The shaved sides will enhance the boldness of this style.
Quiff Style: To create a quiff, apply a combination of wax and hairspray to the front top hair. Use your fingers to lift and shape the hair slightly forward and up, creating a more relaxed and trendy quiff. The undercut on the sides makes the quiff stand out.
Slicked – Back Style: Apply gel to the top hair and use a comb to slick it back. This gives a sophisticated look. The undercut makes the slicked – back hair look more refined and modern.
The Bowl Cut (Modern Version)
Cutting the Hair: Cut the hair evenly around the head to create the basic bowl shape. You can use the comb to measure the length as you go. For a more modern look, add layers by cutting the hair at different lengths within the bowl shape. The layers can be more prominent towards the front to frame the face.
Styling:
Layered Look: Apply a small amount of styling cream to enhance the layers. Use your fingers to separate and style the hair, giving it a soft and voluminous appearance.
Textured Look: Use a texturizing spray to make the bowl cut more edgy. You can also use scissors to make choppy cuts within the hair to add texture. This gives a unique and fashionable look.
Side – Parted Look: Part the hair to one side using a comb. Apply a bit of wax to hold the part in place and add some definition to the hair. This makes the bowl cut more asymmetrical and stylish.
Curly and Wavy Hairstyles
Enhancing Natural Curls or Waves: If you have natural curls or waves, start by applying a curl – enhancing product like a curl cream or mousse to wet hair. Gently scrunch the hair to encourage the curl pattern. Let the hair air – dry or use a diffuser attachment on the hair dryer on a low heat setting to dry the hair without disturbing the curls.
Creating Curls or Waves: If you don’t have natural curls, you can use a curling iron. For loose, beachy waves, use a larger – barreled curling iron. For tighter curls, use a smaller – barreled one. Take small sections of hair and wrap them around the curling iron for a few seconds, then release. After curling, use a texturizing spray to separate the curls and make them look more natural.
Styling:
Natural Curl Look: Part the curls to one side or in the middle, depending on your preference. Use a small amount of curl – specific wax to define the curls and reduce frizz.
Beachy Wave Look: Tousle the waves with your fingers and apply a texturizing spray. You can also pull some strands forward to frame the face for a more casual look.
Tight Curl Look: Use a strong – hold curl product like a gel to keep the tight curls in place. You can style the curls in an upward direction for a bold look or let them fall naturally for a more voluminous appearance.
The Mullet (Modern Korean Version)
Cutting the Hair: Cut the hair shorter in the front and on the sides, using the clippers or scissors depending on the desired length. For the back hair, leave it longer. The length of the back hair can vary from medium – long to quite long. Add layers to the back hair for more volume and movement.
Styling:
Layered Look: Apply wax to the back hair to enhance the layers. Use your fingers to separate and style the hair, creating a dynamic and edgy look.
Textured Look: Use a texturizing spray to make the mullet more modern. The choppy texture gives it a bold and trendy appearance.
Sleek Look: In the front and on the sides, apply a small amount of gel to smooth the hair. For the back hair, you can use a comb to make it look more flowing and sleek.
Tips for Maintaining Korean Men’s Hairstyles
Regular Trimming
Get your hair trimmed every 4 – 6 weeks to maintain the shape of the style. This helps in keeping the haircut looking fresh and prevents split ends. If you have a style with short sides, like an undercut or two – block cut, the sides may need more frequent trimming.
Nighttime Care
Protecting the Style: If you have styled your hair, especially if it’s a more structured look like a pompadour or slicked – back style, you can use a silk or satin pillowcase. These materials are smoother than cotton and cause less friction, which helps in preserving the style.
Preventing Tangles: For longer or curly hair, you can loosely tie your hair back with a soft hair tie or a scrunchie before going to bed. This will prevent your hair from getting tangled during the night.
Adjusting for Different Occasions
Formal Occasions: For formal events, opt for a more sleek and polished look. Use a stronger – hold product like gel or pomade to keep the hair in place. Make sure the hair is neatly groomed and there are no flyaways.
Casual Occasions: For casual outings, you can go for a more relaxed and messy look. Use wax or a texturizing spray to create a tousled appearance. Let your hair have more volume and movement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, achieving Korean men’s hairstyles requires an understanding of the different trends, proper preparation, the right styling techniques, and regular maintenance. By following these steps, you can rock the latest Korean men’s hairstyles with confidence. Whether you prefer a soft and charming look, a sleek and professional appearance, or an edgy and trendy style, there are options for everyone. Experiment with different styles to find the one that best suits your personality and face shape.
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