Every few weeks, someone sits in my chair, pulls up a photo of Erling Haaland on their phone, and says “I want that.” The conversation that follows always depends on which Haaland they mean — the loose Viking flow, the braided Champions League look, or the clean man bun he wears to press conferences. Each one requires a completely different approach.
Here are 12 of Haaland’s best haircuts broken down by what makes each one work, what to tell your barber, and whether your hair type can pull it off.
Key Takeaways
- Most Haaland styles require 12–18 months of growth from a short cut — patience during the awkward phase is non-negotiable
- His signature Viking flow works best on straight to slightly wavy hair — coarser textures suit the braided variations better
- Ask your barber for “shoulder-length layers with natural movement” as the foundation for any Haaland look
- Purple shampoo is essential if you’re going platinum blonde — skip it and the color turns brassy within weeks
- Oval and oblong face shapes suit the loose flow best, while round faces look sharper with the slicked-back or top knot styles
Who Is Erling Haaland?
Born in 2000, Erling Haaland burst onto the football scene with record-breaking goal-scoring and equally memorable hairstyles. The Norwegian striker’s
Haaland’s Style Evolution
Haaland’s hair journey began with shorter traditional cuts in his youth career before committing to longer lengths around 2019. The transformation from basic blonde hair to his current flowing styles shows deliberate cultivation of his Viking image.
His willingness to experiment with braids, buns, and various tied styles during matches demonstrates how modern footballers balance performance needs with personal expression. The evolution mirrors his rise from promising talent to global superstar.
How To Ask For Haaland’s Haircuts
Request “shoulder-length layers with natural movement” as the foundation for any Haaland style. Specify you’re growing from a medium length base, aiming for 8-10 inches minimum.
Ask your barber to maintain length while adding subtle layers for movement and removing split ends every 8-10 weeks. Mention you want versatility for tying back. The key is patience during the awkward growing phase—typically 12-18 months from short hair.
The Signature Long Viking Flow
Haaland’s most iconic look features completely loose shoulder-length hair flowing naturally during matches. This style requires minimal daily intervention—just quality shampoo and conditioner with occasional leave-in treatment.
The natural blonde color and slight wave create movement without product. Works best with medium-thick hair density. The Viking flow needs trimming every 6-8 weeks to maintain healthy ends while preserving length.
Borussia Dortmund Blonde Locks
During his Dortmund era (2020-2022), Haaland sported bright blonde medium-length hair typically worn loose or in a simple ponytail. This transitional phase showed his commitment to growing longer hair while maintaining a professional appearance.
The golden blonde tone required regular toning to prevent brassiness. He often wore it swept back with light hold product for press conferences.
Top Knot Training Style
Haaland’s training ground top knot keeps hair completely secured during intense sessions. Achieved by gathering all hair at the crown and creating a tight bun using multiple hair ties.
This practical style prevents distraction while allowing quick release post-training. The placement sits higher than a traditional man bun, keeping neck ventilation optimal. Essential for any long-haired athlete.
Sleek Man Bun Look
For formal events, Haaland opts for a polished low man bun positioned at the occipital bone. Applied pomade or gel creates sleek control from hairline to bun.
This sophisticated variation requires hair at least 8 inches long for secure hold. The style showcases his facial features while maintaining elegance. Perfect for award ceremonies and media appearances.
Half-Up Warrior Style
The half-up style combines practicality with Viking aesthetics by securing only the top section while leaving sides flowing. Haaland uses this for moderate-intensity training or casual appearances.
Created by sectioning hair from temples back and securing at crown level. This style requires 6-8 inches minimum and works especially well with his natural texture.
Champions League Braided Look
For crucial Champions League matches, Haaland has debuted tight cornrow braids keeping hair completely controlled. Usually features 4-6 braids running from hairline to nape, sometimes finished in a small bun.
This style requires professional braiding and lasts 1-2 weeks. The braids prevent any hair interference during headers while creating an intimidating warrior appearance.
Manchester City Arrival Cut
Upon joining Manchester City in 2022, Haaland trimmed his length to collarbone level with fresher layers. This refined version of his long hair showed maturity while maintaining his signature flow.
The cut removed damaged ends from previous bleaching while adding movement through point cutting. Styled with sea salt spray for enhanced texture during matches.
Loose Waves Match Day Style
Haaland enhances his natural texture with defined waves using sea salt spray for certain matches. This beachy texture adds volume and movement without weight.
Applied to damp hair and air-dried or diffused for optimal wave formation. The style creates a more dynamic appearance on camera while remaining practical for 90 minutes of play.
Slicked Back Formal Look
For galas and award ceremonies, Haaland uses strong-hold pomade for complete control. Hair is combed straight back from the hairline, creating a sleek finish that highlights his strong facial structure.
This formal style requires blow-drying with tension for smoothness before product application. The look demonstrates versatility beyond his usual flowing styles.
Natural Texture Flow
Haaland’s off-duty style embraces his hair’s natural slight wave without product intervention. After washing, he allows it to air-dry completely for authentic texture.
Not sure what your face shape is? Our Face Shape Detector figures it out in 4 quick questions.
This low-maintenance approach showcases healthy hair condition through natural shine and movement. The style proves that well-maintained long hair needs minimal styling for impact.
Premier League Podium Style
After victories, Haaland often sports a loose low ponytail that’s both practical and photogenic. Positioned at nape level with face-framing pieces left loose, this relaxed style works for celebrations.
The ponytail sits lower than training styles for a more casual appearance. Uses covered elastic bands to prevent breakage.
Current Platinum Blonde Phase
Haaland embraced platinum blonde toning in 2024 for an even lighter, icy shade — requiring purple shampoo twice weekly and professional toning every 4-6 weeks. By 2025, he surprised fans by returning to his original centre-parting style from his Dortmund days, a shorter and more refined look that showed off his natural color.
In 2026, he’s continued cycling between styles — tight braids during training, loose flow for match days. From a barber’s perspective, this is the real benefit of maintaining healthy long hair: you’re never locked into one style. The key is regular trims and conditioning regardless of which variation you wear that week.
Which Face Shapes Suit Haaland’s Styles
Not every Haaland look works on every face. After two decades of matching cuts to faces, here’s what I recommend based on your face shape:
- Oval faces: You’re in luck — practically any Haaland style works. The loose Viking flow and natural texture look are your strongest options.
- Round faces: Stick with styles that add height and length. The top knot and slicked-back formal look elongate your face and create the structure you need.
- Square faces: The half-up warrior style and braided look complement strong jawlines without competing with angular features.
- Oblong faces: The loose waves and Dortmund blonde locks add volume on the sides, balancing out a longer face shape. Avoid the top knot — it adds more vertical length.
- Heart-shaped faces: The sleek man bun draws attention away from a wider forehead. Keep volume lower and avoid too much height on top.
Not sure about your face shape? Our face shape detector takes 60 seconds and tells you exactly which styles to try.
Hair Type Guide — Can You Pull It Off?
Haaland has naturally straight, fine-to-medium Scandinavian hair. That’s the ideal canvas for most of these styles, but it’s not the only hair type that works:
- Straight hair: Best match. You can recreate almost any Haaland look with the right length and products.
- Wavy hair: The natural texture flow and loose waves look even better with some natural wave. You’ll spend less time styling and get more movement.
- Curly hair: The braided look and top knot work well. The loose Viking flow won’t lay the same way — embrace the texture instead of fighting it.
- Thick hair: Great for the man bun and top knot since you get more volume. The slicked-back look needs stronger hold products and a blow-dry to keep it controlled.
- Fine/thin hair: The natural texture flow can look sparse at longer lengths. The Dortmund blonde phase (shorter, looser) or the slicked-back style are safer options.
The honest truth: if your hair is very short and thinning on top, these styles won’t work without significant length. Talk to your barber about what’s realistic before committing to the growth phase.
Products For Haaland’s Long Hair
Essential products include sulfate-free shampoo, deep conditioner, and heat protectant. For styling, sea salt spray creates texture while lightweight oil prevents frizz. Hair ties should be silk or covered elastic to prevent breakage.
Leave-in conditioner is crucial for match days to protect from sun and sweat. Purple shampoo maintains blonde tones between salon visits. A wide-tooth comb prevents breakage when detangling wet hair.
Maintaining The Viking Flow
Maintenance requires washing 2-3 times weekly maximum to preserve natural oils. Deep conditioning treatments every two weeks repair damage from sun and sweat exposure. Trimming split ends every 6-8 weeks maintains health without sacrificing length.
Sleeping with hair in a loose braid or on silk pillowcases prevents tangling. Pre-match preparation includes applying protective products and securing appropriately for conditions. Post-match care involves gentle cleansing and intensive conditioning.
FAQs: Erling Haaland Hairstyles
How long to grow Haaland’s hairstyle?
Growing Haaland’s signature length requires 12-18 months from a short cut, assuming average growth of half an inch monthly. Starting from medium length (3-4 inches) reduces this to 8-12 months. The awkward phase between months 4-8 is challenging but pushing through is essential.
Regular trims every 8 weeks remove damage without hindering progress. Biotin supplements and scalp massage can potentially accelerate growth. Most men can achieve his shoulder-length style within 18 months with patience and proper care.
What products does Haaland use for his hair?
While Haaland hasn’t publicly detailed his routine, achieving his looks requires professional-grade products for long blonde hair. Essential items include purple shampoo for toning, intensive conditioner for moisture, leave-in treatment for protection, and sea salt spray for texture.
His match-day routine likely includes anti-humidity serum and strong-hold ties. The platinum blonde requires salon-quality toner every month. For his natural texture days, minimal product creates the best effect—just quality basics and air-drying.
How to tie hair like Haaland?
Start by brushing hair smooth and gathering at desired height—crown for training, mid-head for casual, nape for formal. Use a covered elastic band, wrapping twice for secure hold without damage. For his top knot, twist the ponytail before wrapping into a bun, securing with another elastic.
The half-up style requires sectioning from temples back, leaving lower layers loose. For match days, ensure the tie is extra secure with bobby pins if needed. The key is practicing different heights and tensions to find what stays secure during movement while avoiding headaches from excessive tightness.
What is Haaland’s haircut called?
Haaland’s signature long hairstyle is commonly called the “Viking flow” — loose shoulder-length blonde hair with natural movement. When worn tied up, it’s referred to as a man bun or top knot depending on the height. His more recent shorter look is called a centre-parting or curtains style. There’s no single official name because Haaland rotates between multiple looks, but telling your barber “Viking flow with layers” gets the message across.
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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