A client walked in last month with a photo of Javier Pastore from his PSG days and said, “I want this exact look.” Here’s the thing — most of Pastore’s styles are surprisingly achievable if you know what to ask for. His looks range from clean side parts to textured quiffs, and every single one works in a barbershop chair, not just on a football pitch.
Here are 12 of his best styles broken down with the exact lengths, products, and barber instructions you need to walk out looking like El Flaco himself.
Key Takeaways
- Pastore’s signature side part uses 3–4 inches on top with a natural part and water-based pomade for shine
- Most of his styles work best on straight to wavy hair with medium thickness
- Ask your barber for a gradual taper or mid-fade on the sides — Pastore rarely goes fully disconnected
- Switch between pomade (formal shine), matte clay (casual texture), and sea salt spray (natural movement) depending on the look
- Visit your barber every 2–3 weeks to keep any Pastore-inspired cut looking sharp
Who Is Javier Pastore?
Javier Pastore, nicknamed “El Flaco,” is an Argentine midfielder known for his technical brilliance and elegant playing style. Beyond his football skills, Pastore has b
Pastore’s Signature Style Evolution
From his early days in Argentina to becoming a Parisian fashion fixture, Pastore’s hair journey mirrors his career progression. Starting with longer, casual styles in his youth, he gradually refined his look to match the fashion capitals he called home. His evolution shows how athletes can embrace local style influences while maintaining personal identity through consistent quality grooming.
The Classic Pastore Side Part
Pastore’s signature side part features 3-4 inches on top with a natural part positioned slightly off-center. The sides are kept at a medium length with a subtle taper, never too short or disconnected.
This timeless style requires quality pomade for hold and shine, applied to damp hair and combed into place. The key is maintaining natural movement while keeping everything perfectly positioned.
PSG Era Slicked Back Look
During his peak PSG years, Pastore often wore his hair completely slicked back for matches and formal events. This style required 4-5 inches of length, styled with strong-hold gel or pomade for that wet look finish.
The sides were faded from a 2 to 4, creating a subtle taper fade graduation. This look epitomized Parisian chic and worked perfectly under the bright stadium lights.
Textured Quiff Style
Pastore’s modern quiff variation adds height and texture to his classic base. The front section is styled upward and slightly back, creating 2-3 inches of lift.
Achieved with matte clay or texture powder, this style offers a more relaxed alternative to his formal looks. The sides remain clean with a mid-fade, balancing the volume on top perfectly.
Roma Period Shorter Cut
Upon joining Roma, Pastore debuted a more practical shorter style, trimmed to 2-3 inches on top. This Italian-influenced cut featured tighter sides with a low fade starting at the temples.
The reduced length made daily styling quicker while maintaining sophistication through precise cutting lines. Light styling cream was sufficient for this lower-maintenance phase.
Argentina National Team Style
When representing Argentina, Pastore typically sports a patriotic clean cut that’s both practical and professional. The style features even length on top around 3 inches, with a traditional taper on the sides.
This versatile cut can be styled forward for training or slicked for official events. The emphasis is on neat presentation that photographs well in team photos.
Medium Length Swept Back
Pastore’s medium-length variation allows for natural flow and movement. With 4-5 inches throughout the top, the hair is swept back without excessive product, creating a relaxed elegance.
The sides are scissor-cut rather than clipped, maintaining fullness. This style requires sea salt spray for texture and a light hold cream to control without stiffness.
The Disconnected Undercut Phase
During 2016-2017, Pastore experimented with a bold disconnected undercut. The dramatic contrast featured clipper grade 1 on the sides with no blend into the longer top section.
This edgier look required 4-5 inches on top for proper styling versatility. While short-lived, it showed Pastore’s willingness to embrace contemporary trends while maintaining his sophisticated edge.
Casual Messy Top Look
For off-duty appearances, Pastore often rocks a deliberately tousled style. Using texture powder or dry shampoo, the hair is worked into controlled chaos with fingers rather than combs.
The sides remain neat with a fade, creating interesting contrast. This style proves that even messy looks require strategic styling to appear effortlessly cool.
Formal Event Polished Style
At galas and award ceremonies, Pastore elevates his look with mirror-like shine and precision. Every hair is perfectly placed using high-shine pomade and finished with hairspray.
The side part is razor-defined, and the sides are freshly faded. This red-carpet ready style demonstrates how attention to detail transforms a simple cut into elegance.
Summer Training Camp Cut
During pre-season, Pastore opts for a practical cropped style around 1-2 inches on top. This shorter variation helps with heat management while maintaining style through careful shaping.
The sides feature a skin fade for maximum cooling. Despite its simplicity, expert barbering ensures the grow-out phase looks intentional rather than neglected.
Current Mature Professional Look
Pastore’s current style reflects refined maturity with a classic businessman’s cut. The length is conservative at 2-3 inches, styled with a subtle side part and natural finish.
Grey temples are embraced rather than hidden, adding distinguished character. This evolution shows how aging gracefully in style means adapting rather than clinging to youth.
Pastore’s Grooming Routine
Maintaining Pastore-level grooming requires consistent barbershop visits every 2-3 weeks. His routine includes quality shampoo and conditioner for healthy shine, weekly deep conditioning treatments, and careful product selection based on the day’s requirements. The key is investing in professional-grade products and never skipping the basics like proper washing and conditioning.
For a quick reference: the summer training camp cut and Roma shorter cut are your lowest-maintenance options (5 minutes daily styling). The classic side part and Argentina national team style sit in the middle (10 minutes with product). The slicked back, formal polished, and textured quiff demand the most effort (15+ minutes and multiple products). Pick your style based on how much mirror time you’re willing to commit to.
How To Style Like Javier Pastore
Start with a quality cut from an experienced barber — check out the best haircuts for men if you want more options who understands classic men’s styling. Request 3-4 inches on top with enough weight for versatility, and a gradual taper or fade on the sides depending on your preference.
For daily styling, apply product to damp hair, create your part with a comb, then style directionally. Finish with light hairspray for all-day hold without stiffness.
Products For Pastore’s Elegant Looks
Essential products include water-based pomade for shine without grease, matte clay for textured casual looks, sea salt spray for natural movement, and quality shampoo and conditioner. Invest in a proper blow dryer with cool setting for volume and control.
A wide-tooth comb and fine-tooth comb cover all styling needs. Don’t forget heat protectant when using hot tools.
Which Pastore Style Suits Your Face Shape
Not every Pastore look works on every face. I’ve been fitting celebrity-inspired cuts to different face shapes for over two decades, and here’s what actually works.
Oval faces have the most flexibility — the classic side part, slicked back, and textured quiff all work. You’re lucky, so pick whichever matches your lifestyle.
Round faces benefit most from Pastore’s quiff and slicked back styles. The height on top creates the illusion of length and balances out wider cheekbones. Avoid the shorter Roma-period cut, which can make a round face look wider.
Square faces look great with the medium-length swept back or the casual messy top. These styles soften strong jawlines without hiding them. The disconnected undercut also works well here.
Long faces should lean toward the shorter Roma cut or the training camp style. Keeping length modest on top avoids adding more height to an already elongated face. A face shape guide can help you narrow it down further.
Heart-shaped faces pair well with the formal polished style or the classic side part. The side volume balances a narrower chin and keeps proportions looking natural.
FAQs: Javier Pastore Hairstyles
What is Pastore’s most iconic hairstyle?
While Pastore has experimented with various looks, his classic side part with medium-length top from his PSG prime remains most iconic. This style perfectly captured his elegant playing style and Parisian lifestyle, featuring 3-4 inches on top with subtle tapering on the sides.
The combination of traditional barbering with modern product application created a timeless look that influenced many footballers. Achieving this requires starting with quality length and using pomade for that signature shine.
How to ask for Pastore’s side part cut?
Bring reference photos and specify: “Classic side part with 3-4 inches on top, medium taper on the sides starting at a 3 guard.” Key points to mention: natural part line (not hard part), enough length for versatility, and gradual blending rather than disconnected sides. Most barbers understand this classic businessman’s cut, but emphasize you want the football-elegant version with slightly longer length for styling options. Your hair should be straight to wavy with medium thickness.
What hair products does Pastore use for his slicked look?
For Pastore’s signature slicked styles, water-based pomade with high shine is essential. Apply to towel-dried hair for maximum hold and that wet-look finish. Layer with pre-styling mousse for volume if your hair is fine.
The key is using enough product for control without looking greasy – typically a nickel-sized amount for medium-length hair. Finish with hairspray for lasting hold, especially in humid conditions. Quality brands make a significant difference in achieving that professional footballer finish.
Was this article helpful?
Ready to Find Your Perfect Cut?
You’ve read about the styles. Now find the one that fits YOUR face shape, hair type, and lifestyle.
Khamis Maiouf is a professional barber who graduated from Hinckley College in England with a Level 3 qualification in hairdressing. With over 20 years of experience, he is an award-winning barber who has mentored numerous students and styled thousands of clients. A recognised expert featured on StyleCraze (20M+ readers).
Credentials: Level 3 Hairdressing (Hinckley College, UK) • 20+ Years Professional Experience • Featured Expert on StyleCraze • Founder of Book of Barbering