25 Buzz Cut Ideas That Are Edgy and Wearable

It's time to break out the clippers.

Reviewed by Sky Kim

A buzz cut is more than just a military-standard, close-cropped 'do. Yes, that's right: When we say buzz cut, we're saying you've got options. Lots of them. In fact, plenty of celebs are taking up the shears and stepping out with some pretty inspiring buzz-cut iterations. So much so that we've officially been influenced to ditch the long layers for a confident and edgy style of our own. If you're considering a buzzed style for yourself, we did the homework and spoke to hair specialist Savannah St. Jean and fellow hairstylist Stephen Marinaro for the expert buzz on buzz cuts.

"Buzz cuts are making a comeback, absolutely," says St. Jean. "We are seeing an influx of buzz cuts for both men and women, in the salon and in Hollywood (think everyone from Brad Pitt and Kristen Stewart to Cara Delevingne and Kate Hudson)."

Keep scrolling to learn more about the buzz cut and see our top celeb inspirations when it comes to the shorn style.

Meet Our Expert

? Savannah St. Jean is a a beauty expert and the owner of Savannah Rae Beauty in Miramar Beach, Florida.

? Stephen Marinaro, of TheSalonGuy, is an experienced hairstylist and media personality with over 20 years in the beauty industry.

The Classic Buzz Cut

A buzz cut can be almost any length between a close clipper shave, like here on Michael B. Jordan, to one inch off the head. Most people tend to lump all forms of short, all-over clipper cuts into the buzz cut category, but there are some distinct differences between each type of haircut.

"The beauty of buzz cuts is there are so many ways to customize this cut and make it unique to you," says St. Jean. For a classic buzz cut, the hair is clipped all over the head—when properly done, there should be a bit of a taper on the sides and back.

The Gilded Buzz

If you thought a buzz cut was as boring is it was pragmatic, think again. The short crop is practically a blank canvas for unique embellishments. Take Danai Gurira's gold-flecked 'do for example. It's an absolute showstopper.

The Burr

This is the shortest variation of the buzz cut, and it's probably the easiest to perform at home if you prefer DIY over visiting a stylist. It's also a great cut for those of us who are confident enough to go without the security blanket of longer hair, like Slick Woods. "Short hair evokes power and confidence, and who doesn’t need more of that?" says St. Jean.

The burr is basically a one-length clipper head shave in which the hair is cut uniformly close all over the head using no guard (or a number 1 guard) on the clipper. As with most buzz-cut variations, it looks great tapered down to nothing at the nape of the neck. This haircut is also a great option for those losing their hair, as the shortness will help hide bald spots.

The Number 1 With a Fade

As seen on singer Zayn Malik, this cut goes all the way to the skin, but with a fade cut on the sides and shorter, trimmed hair on top. "Sometimes, if the buzzed length is still too long, it may look like it’s grown out from day one, or you will be back in a week to get it shorter," says Marinaro. "You also don’t want to go too short unless you can pair up the look with a new clothing style or it already suits you."

The Bleached Buzz

Everyone from David Beckham to Kanye West has rocked a bleached buzz cut with ease. It's a look with major personality, but it does require more maintenance, as the roots begin to show within weeks. You'll need to make regular appointments with your stylist to ensure hair stays trimmed and well-bleached.

Tips

Schedule touch-ups every two to three weeks to maintain the bleached buzz style.

The Bright Buzz

Blonde not your thing? Amp up that buzz cut with a bright color instead. The shorter strands make a bold, statement tint much more subtle than ultra long tresses. If we haven't convinced you, perhaps Michaela Coel's firey red buzz will.

The Crew Cut

One of team Byrdie's favorite haircuts, the crew cut (the Ivy League's shorter cousin), is clipper-cut short all over the head, with a distinct taper on the sides and back. On top, the crown is cut shorter than the bangs, with a smooth transition from short to slightly longer between the two areas. This cut can be worn dry, as shown on Kristen Stewart, or styled with a bit of gel or pomade so that the front stands up a bit. Because of the variance in lengths, this is not a chop you should try at home. Maintain the style with a trip to the barber about once every two weeks.

The Buzz With Cutouts

As seen on Lena Waithe, this style is artistic and involves a gradual fade and cutouts for interest. Leaving the cutouts on one side only allows for more of an avant-garde look. For maintenance, you can either grow the style out into more of a classic buzz or continue getting trims every few weeks to maintain the cutouts.

The Brush

The brush cut (which resembles a rounded flattop, as seen here on Chris Evans) is essentially a crew cut with a slightly flat shape on top. For the brush cut, the hair is styled straight up on top, so the hair resembles a brush's bristles. This is a better buzz cut option for people with rounder faces, as the square shape provides a balance against a round face.

The Buzzed Pixie

As seen on actress Jodie Turner-Smith, the buzzed pixie is a shorter version of the classic pixie we've come to see on a host of celebrities. "We are seeing some short all-over buzz cuts all the way up to some really edgy, shattered pixie cuts coming back," says St. Jean.

The Mohawk Buzz

For those who want to inject a bit more personality into their everyday 'do, á la actress Marija Abney, there's always the option to add a bit of punk-rock flair. For a mohawk buzz, ask your stylist to shave the sides all the way to the skin, leaving a wider strip of buzzed hair in the center.

The High and Tight

While the buzz cut is certainly low maintenance, many prefer to have a little more style. "In that case, you can opt for a high and tight, which is a cut with very short sides and back and length left on the top to play with," says St. Jean. "The beauty of this cut is that you have the shortness on the back and sides, just like a buzz cut, but you are left with a longer top to style." As John Cena shows, the look is put-together and stylish.

The Clean-Lined Buzz

Arguably the most artful of the buzzed cuts, the clean-lined buzz allows the barber to get a bit more creative, playing with dimensions and shapes on the head. This angular look usually sees a bold front style, with longer sides, as seen here on Drake.

The Parted Buzz

Similar to a high and tight, this buzzed style (seen here on Tom Hardy) allows for a part in the hair—either soft or hard. "A soft part is where you would part your hair and it leaves a disconnect between the short side and your hair on top," says St. Jean. "A hard part is where the part is cut right down to the scalp in order to accentuate the hard line."

The Number 3

The best way to ask for a buzzed style is to request the style by number. "Ask for the guard number you want as your haircut," Marinaro says. "For example, a number 3 guard all over." This will ensure hair is cut down to 3/8 of an inch, similar to what is pictured on actor Dave Franco.

The Butch

Like the burr, the butch haircut is basically a one-length all over clipper style, pictured here on actor Asia Kate Dillon. Like most buzz cuts, it's a "simple, clean, masculine and powerful style," says Marinaro. For this haircut, the hair is buzzed to a uniform length all over using a number 2 clipper blade (PSA: Learn more about the blade types here). Again, this is a fairly easy haircut to do at home.

With this length, you have to make sure the hair is tapered down neatly in the back, both to prevent it from looking like a home job and because you want it to grow out neatly. This cut works well for athletes, construction workers, or any very active lifestyle or profession. The cut requires no styling and—unlike the burr—the little bit of length allows some cover from the sun, although you should still use sunscreen.

Tips

To maintain this look, simply re-buzz the head about once every week to 10 days.

The Military

Also known as an induction cut, this is your standard, military-grade buzz. But you can add some flair, as seen here on actor Stephan James, who pairs his short cut with a shaved side part. As for how often you'll need to get touched up, Marinaro says buzz cuts do require a bit more effort. "Maintenance is key, as you can expect to get a buzz every two to three weeks, to maintain a fresh look," he says.

The Silver Buzz

Actress Cynthia Erivo's look—which veers more silver than gray and therefore doesn't age her in the slightest—is pure glamour. Because the hair is so short, invest in a hair primer with UV protectors, so both your color and your scalp stay safe.

The Revealing Buzz

Chances are if you've got scalp tattoos, you want to show them off. But if a full shave isn't for you, consider a short buzz instead. David Beckham's closely clipped sides reveal just a hint of the ink underneath.

The Longer Crew Cut

Adding a bit more length to the top of a crew cut, and styling it off to one side, adds a slightly more casual look. Ask your stylist to keep the length less than two inches on the top and tapered for styling purposes. The cut seen here on Matt Damon is mature and stylish (and, better yet, requires little maintenance).

The Illusionist

With this cut, you can actually blend a receding hairline to make it less prominent, à la actor Colin Farrell. For this look, hair is shorn close to the head, so expect to visit the stylist every few weeks—or take on the job yourself. "You can invest in a pair of clippers and do it anytime you wish at home, which may not be as precise as a professional, but you just may eventually become your own barber or stylist," says Marinaro.

The Widow's Peak

For those with a widow's peak, a buzz cut is a surefire way to show it off. Joe Jonas shows us how it's done by foregoing his signature curls for a short and functional buzz.

The Nearly Shaved

Here, producer Sidra Smith proves that a nearly shaved buzz can be sophisticated and feminine. Even better, it requires no styling at all (though you will have to get touch-ups every two weeks to maintain the length). Also important is to invest in sunscreen, as your scalp won't be protected from the elements.

The Longer Buzz

When Kate Hudson shaved off her long blonde locks, she created waves. But while growing it out, she settled on a new style: not quite a pixie but longer than a classic buzz. The style allows her to show off her features and looks as great with an evening gown as it does with jeans and a tee.

The Asymmetric Buzz

If you're apprehensive about going all-in on the buzz cut, consider an asymmetric approach to temper the transition. Halle Berry's short sides are softened with long, bleached locks at the top. The sweeping style beautifully accentuates the facial features without weighing down the look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a buzz cut better for thin hair?

If you have thinning hair, buzzing it might actually make it appear thicker. However, despite common belief, it does not make it grow back thicker.

How long does it take for a buzz cut to grow out?

Hair growth can vary from person to person, but it's fairly standard to see a growth of about half an inch per month.

Will a buzz cut make hair healthier?

Similar to haircuts, buzzing your hair can help to remove any damage from coloring or using heat tools. Besides that, the quality of your hair will be exactly the same.

Up Next: These 20 Beautiful Androgynous Haircuts Will Inspire You

Read the original article on Byrdie.