Upcoming MEN'S Trends

What is in for the New Year? 2010 sees men's hair styles fall into two distinct categories: school boy and rocker. While the rocker look is certainly a 20th Century creation, the resulting hair style finds its roots distinctly in 19th Century Britain. While some of the runway collection featured something very similar to 80's grunge revival, the majority of us will live out 2010 with a refined, classically inspired haircut.

The Fringe

Continuing on from last year's men's hair trends, the men's fringe remains a major feature in 2010. But, of course, this trend has evolved. While the men's fringe in 2009 was all about close-to-eyebrow length, in 2010 we have different options.

Thankfully, the men's fringe trend in 2010 comes in a variety of lengths, so maximizing your favorite features can be done. While the back and sides will be shorter, the way of personalizing the style is to play with the length of the fringe itself.

And Styling
Whether you take a straightening iron to your hair or enjoy naturally straight hair, the men's fringe trend in 2010 is all about texture. I'm not talking about afro-inducing curls but light, layered detail.

A textured hair style, with longer fringe, is the 2010 incarnation of the 'Caesar cut', named after the hair style Roman dictator, Julius Caesar who is frequently shown wearing his hair in a similar fashion. While cut to bring hair from the temples and crown towards the forehead, the overall effect depends largely on using a matte wax or pomade to create the rugged texture and is quite akin to something sported by men in the Regency era.

The Slick Back

Though he's given his name to an incarnation of the previously mentioned fringe hair trend, actor George Clooney has been an influence of another of 2010's hair style trends for men: the slick back.

In being a part of 2010 hair trends, the slick back drives home one major point: men's hair styles in 2010 are all about the classics. In fact, this style may actually be a little too classic for most men.

The Breakdown:
If you're after the slick back look there's one important thing to first consider: texture. Is your hair wavy or straight - from there on, it's easy.

Guys with straight hair: stick to a longer cut on top.
Guys with wavy hair: go for short hair on top, perhaps a few inches in length depending on the strength of your wave.

For both straight haired and wavy haired men: short on the sides.

And for those who have neither straight nor wavy hair? Consult your stylist(Me!). You're going to have a real time getting the slick back hair style with curly hair, and unless you're willing to dedicate vast amounts of time each morning to your hair you might want to seek a chemical curl relaxer.

And Now Styling:
Looking at it, you already know it's not going to take a lot of effort to style the slick back (provided your hair is suitable, and cut appropriately). Using the right product, if you're after a classic wet look is especially important. But the real trick is to make sure that the side you choose to slick the hair back towards, actually suits your face. Try both ways, and don't forget that your mirror doesn't show your true image.

The other major choice is whether to add a part or not. Clooney wears it with one, but it's up to you.