Every week, at least a few guys sit down in my chair and say the same thing: “I want something with volume — but I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard.” That’s the blowout. It’s the cut that gives you dramatic height on top with clean faded sides, and it works whether you’re heading to the office or out on a Friday night.
After 20+ years behind the chair, I’ve seen this style evolve from a Brooklyn street staple into one of the most requested cuts in barbering. Here are 20 blowout variations I recommend based on your hair type, face shape, and how much time you want to spend styling.
Key Takeaways
- The blowout works with all hair types — straight, wavy, curly, and coily textures all hold volume well with the right products
- Fade height changes the vibe: low taper = professional, mid fade = versatile, high skin fade = bold statement
- You’ll need trims every 2-3 weeks to keep the sides sharp — the top can go longer between visits
- Style at home with a blow dryer pointed upward from underneath, volumizing mousse at the roots, and matte pomade to finish
- The best blowout for your face depends on your shape — round faces benefit from maximum height, while oval faces suit almost every variation
What Is a Blowout Haircut?
A blowout haircut features short, faded sides with longer hair on top that’s styled upward and outward to create volume and height. The s
Classic Blowout Fade
The classic blowout fade represents the quintessential version of this iconic style. It features a mid-level fade that starts around the temple area, creating perfect balance between the closely cropped sides and voluminous top.
The hair on top typically measures 3-4 inches, styled straight upward for maximum height. This timeless variation works exceptionally well with straight to slightly wavy hair textures.
Low Taper Blowout
A low taper blowout offers the perfect compromise for professionals who want style without sacrificing workplace appropriateness. The taper begins just above the ears, maintaining more coverage on the sides while still achieving that signature blowout volume on top. This subtle approach allows you to rock the blowout aesthetic during meetings, then amp it up for weekend activities with stronger styling products.
High Skin Fade Blowout
The high skin fade blowout makes a bold statement with its extreme contrast between bare skin on the sides and maximum volume above. Starting the fade high on the head creates an almost disconnected appearance that emphasizes the top’s height and texture.
This daring variation suits confident individuals who embrace attention and aren’t afraid to stand out. It requires precise barbering skills to execute properly.
Textured Blowout
This modern interpretation incorporates choppy, point-cut layers throughout the top section for enhanced movement and dimension. Rather than uniform length, the textured blowout features varying heights that create natural separation when styled.
The result is a more relaxed, contemporary feel that works particularly well with medium-thick hair. Many barbers recommend this for clients wanting a less structured, more versatile daily style.
Curly Blowout
The curly blowout celebrates natural texture while maintaining the style’s signature shape and proportions. Instead of fighting curls, this variation works with your natural pattern, using specialized cutting techniques to control bulk while preserving movement.
The sides are typically faded shorter to emphasize the curly volume on top. Proper moisture-rich products are essential for defining curls without sacrificing the blowout’s characteristic height and fullness.
Brooklyn Blowout
Born in New York’s trendsetting neighborhoods, the Brooklyn blowout pushes boundaries with extra length and attitude on top. This urban-inspired variation typically features 4-6 inches of hair styled with deliberate messiness and asymmetrical flow.
The sides often incorporate intricate fade patterns or design elements. It’s become the signature look for creative professionals and artists who use their hair as a form of self-expression.
Temple Fade Blowout
A temple fade blowout concentrates the fade specifically around the temple area while maintaining more length everywhere else. This targeted approach creates a unique silhouette that frames the face differently than traditional all-around fades.
The technique works exceptionally well for those with strong facial features or anyone wanting to elongate their face shape. It offers subtle sophistication while maintaining the blowout’s essential character.
Mohawk Blowout
The mohawk blowout merges two iconic styles into one edgy hybrid creation. By keeping a strip of longer hair down the center while fading the sides aggressively, this variation channels punk rock energy through a modern lens.
The central strip is styled upward and slightly forward, creating a mohawk silhouette without the extreme commitment. Perfect for those who want rebellious style with professional flexibility.
Burst Fade Blowout
This distinctive variation features a semicircular fade pattern that radiates outward from behind each ear. The burst fade technique creates a unique visual effect that sets this blowout apart from standard linear fades.
The curved fade lines follow the head’s natural contours, producing a more organic transition between lengths. This sophisticated approach has gained popularity among fashion-forward professionals seeking something beyond conventional.
Messy Blowout
The messy blowout embraces controlled chaos with intentionally tousled styling that looks effortlessly cool. Instead of uniform height, the hair on top is styled in various directions with piece-y separation throughout.
This relaxed interpretation works best with medium-hold products that allow natural movement. It’s ideal for casual settings and suits guys who prefer a more approachable, less polished aesthetic.
Short Blowout
A short blowout maintains the style’s essential elements while keeping things conservative on top. With just 1-2 inches of length to work with, this variation offers a subtle introduction to the blowout world — ideal for anyone exploring short haircuts for men.
The reduced height makes daily styling faster and requires less product, appealing to practical-minded individuals. Despite its shorter profile, skilled styling can still achieve impressive volume and that signature blowout shape.
Long Top Blowout
The long top blowout maximizes drama with 5-7 inches of hair styled skyward for extraordinary height. This bold variation demands attention and confidence to pull off successfully.
The extended length allows for versatile styling options—slicked back for formal events or full volume for maximum impact. Maintenance requires dedication, including regular conditioning treatments and professional-grade styling tools to manage the substantial length.
Side Part Blowout
Incorporating a defined part line adds structure and sophistication to the traditional blowout formula. The side part blowout combines classic barbering techniques with modern volume styling, creating a refined appearance suitable for business settings.
The part can be subtle or emphasized with a razor line, depending on personal preference. This variation particularly flatters rectangular and oval face shapes by adding asymmetrical interest.
Afro Blowout
Specifically designed for afro-textured hair, this variation celebrates natural volume and density while maintaining the blowout’s characteristic shape. The cutting technique respects the hair’s coil pattern while creating the signature faded sides and fuller top.
Special attention goes into moisture retention and proper product selection to maintain health while achieving style. This empowering variation has become a cornerstone of contemporary Black men’s hairstyling.
Spiky Blowout
The spiky blowout features pointed, separated sections on top that create an edgy, punk-inspired finish. Each spike is individually styled using strong-hold gel or wax, requiring precision and patience during the styling process.
Not sure what your face shape is? Our Face Shape Detector figures it out in 4 quick questions.
This attention-grabbing variation works best with straight to slightly wavy hair that can hold defined points. It’s particularly popular among younger men and those in creative industries where bold personal style is celebrated.
Wavy Blowout
Working with natural wave patterns, this variation creates flowing movement within the blowout structure. Instead of fighting waves, the cut and styling technique enhance them, producing a softer, more romantic interpretation of the typically bold style.
The waves add texture and visual interest while maintaining substantial volume. Sea salt sprays and curl-enhancing products help define the wave pattern without weighing down the style’s signature lift.
Undercut Blowout
The undercut blowout combines the disconnected undercut with dramatic blowout styling for maximum contrast. Unlike faded versions, the undercut creates a sharp line between the buzzed sides and longer top, emphasizing the height difference.
This bold approach suits those who appreciate clean lines and geometric precision in their styling. The stark transition makes the voluminous top appear even more dramatic, creating an almost architectural silhouette.
Tapered Blowout
A tapered blowout features a gradual length transition from sides to top, creating a smoother, more blended appearance than harsh fade variations. The taper technique maintains more hair on the sides while still achieving the characteristic blowout shape.
This gentler approach works well for professional environments or those preferring subtle style statements. The seamless blend requires skilled barbering to maintain proper proportions throughout.
Line-Up Blowout
The line-up blowout emphasizes crisp, geometric edges around the hairline for surgical precision. Sharp angles at the temples and a perfectly straight frontal hairline create a frame for the voluminous top.
This detail-oriented variation requires frequent maintenance to keep edges fresh but delivers unmatched polish when properly executed. The clean lines particularly complement angular face shapes and strong jawlines.
Modern Pompadour Blowout
This sophisticated hybrid blends classic pompadour elegance with blowout volume techniques. The hair is styled upward and slightly backward, creating height at the front that gradually slopes toward the crown.
This variation offers more styling versatility than traditional blowouts, easily transitioning from casual to formal settings. The pompadour influence adds a touch of vintage charm while maintaining contemporary edge through the faded sides.
🎬 Blowout Taper | Beginner Barber Tutorial
How to Style Your Blowout at Home
Most guys assume you need a barber to get the blowout look right every morning — you don’t. With the right technique, you can recreate that lifted, voluminous shape in under 10 minutes. Here’s exactly how I teach my clients to do it.
Start with damp hair. Towel-dry until it’s about 80% dry — not soaking wet, not bone dry. Apply a golf ball-sized amount of volumizing mousse to your roots. This is the foundation for height that lasts all day.
Blow-dry upward and back. Use a round brush to lift sections of hair at the root while directing warm air from underneath. Always point the dryer nozzle in the direction you want the hair to fall — upward and slightly backward for that classic blowout silhouette.
Lock it in with product. Once shaped, work a nickel-sized amount of matte pomade or clay through the top for hold and texture. Finish with a light hairspray if you need extra staying power for a long day.
Blowout Maintenance Tips
The blowout is one of those cuts that looks incredible fresh but can fall apart fast if you don’t stay on top of it. Here’s what I tell every client who walks out with one.
Book trims every 2-3 weeks. The faded sides lose their definition fastest — usually by week two. The top can go longer, but keeping the sides tight is what makes a blowout look sharp versus grown out.
Wash every 2-3 days, not daily. Over-washing strips the natural oils your hair needs for volume and texture. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and a lightweight conditioner to keep things clean without flattening your style.
Sleep smart. A silk or satin pillowcase reduces friction and helps maintain your shape overnight. Some of my clients wrap a loose bandana around the top before bed — it sounds old school, but it works.
FAQs: Blowout Haircuts
How long does a blowout haircut last?
A blowout haircut typically maintains its shape for 2-3 weeks before requiring a touch-up. The faded sides grow out first, losing their crisp definition around week two.
The top can last longer between cuts, but most men schedule appointments every 14-21 days to keep the style looking fresh. Daily styling helps maintain the appearance between visits, though nothing replaces professional maintenance for that just-cut perfection.
What face shapes suit blowout haircuts?
Blowout haircuts work exceptionally well with oval and square face shapes, as the added height creates pleasing proportions. Round faces benefit from the vertical volume that elongates features, while rectangular faces should opt for slightly less height to avoid over-elongation.
The key is adjusting the volume and fade placement to complement your specific features. Skilled barbers can customize any blowout variation to flatter individual face shapes.
How much product do I need for a blowout?
Most blowout styles require a moderate to generous amount of product to achieve and maintain proper height. Start with a golf ball-sized amount of mousse for volume, followed by a nickel-sized portion of pomade or gel for hold.
The exact amount depends on hair length, thickness, and desired finish. It’s better to build up gradually than overwhelm your hair initially—you can always add more for extra hold.
Is a blowout the same as a blowout taper?
Not exactly. A blowout refers to the overall style — voluminous hair on top styled upward and back with faded or tapered sides. A blowout taper specifically means the sides are tapered (gradually shortened) rather than skin faded. The taper version is slightly more conservative since it doesn’t go down to bare skin. Both share the same dramatic top volume, but the taper keeps more length on the sides for a softer transition.
Can you get a blowout with curly hair?
Absolutely — curly hair is one of the best textures for a blowout. The natural volume and body in curly hair gives you height that straight hair needs products and a blow dryer to achieve. The key is working with your curl pattern instead of fighting it. A barber who understands curly hair will use specialized cutting techniques to control bulk while preserving the natural movement that makes a curly blowout look effortless.
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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