Justin Bieber Haircuts: Every Era From Side Sweep to Buzz Cut

Every few years, a new wave of clients walks into my shop holding up their phone with a Justin Bieber photo. I’ve been recreating his styles since the original 2009 flip, and what surprises people most is how different each era’s cut actually is — from shaggy teen layers to sharp undercuts to bleached buzz cuts.

Which Bieber Style Works for Your Hair Type

Not every Bieber cut works on every hair type — I’ve had to redirect plenty of clients who wanted the 2009 flip but had thick, curly hair that wouldn’t cooperate.

Straight hair: You can pull off almost any era. The flip, the side-swept bangs, the slicked-back undercut — all of these were designed for Bieber’s naturally straight texture. A lightweight pomade or wax gives you the hold without weight.

Wavy hair: The textured crop and messy quiff eras (2012-2013, 2019+) actually look better with natural wave. Your hair adds the movement that Bieber achieves with product. Embrace it instead of straightening.

Curly hair: Skip the flip entirely. Instead, look at his shorter textured phases — the buzz cut era or the cropped top with faded sides. These work with curl patterns rather than against them.

Thick hair: Bieber has medium-density hair, so thick hair needs thinning at the barber to replicate his styles. Without removing bulk, you’ll get more volume than his look calls for. Ask your barber to use thinning shears on the interior layers.

Who Is Justin Bieber?

Justin Bieber burst onto the scene in 2009 as a YouTube discovery who became a global superstar. His hair journey mirrors his personal evolution from teen sensation to mature artist. Known for bold experimentation, Bieber has tried everything from classic swoops to controversial dreadlocks, making him one of the most influential style icons of his generation.

Justin Bieber’s Hair Evolution Timeline

Bieber’s hair timeline reads like a history of 2010s men’s grooming trends. Starting with the iconic flip in 2009, he progressed through quiffs, undercuts, bleached phases, and even shaved heads. Each transformation coincided with musical eras, personal milestones, or simply creative exploration, proving that hair can be both personal expression and cultural influence.

How To Ask Your Barber For Bieber Styles

When requesting a Bieber cut, specify the era first: “2010 Bieber” means something entirely different than “2022 Bieber.” Bring multiple reference photos showing front, side, and back views. Mention your hair texture—most Bieber styles work best with straight to wavy hair with medium thickness. Be prepared to discuss styling commitment, as many of his looks require daily product use and technique.

2009 Original Bieber Flip

The hairstyle that launched a million copycats featured 4-5 inches of length swept dramatically across the forehead. This cut required strategic layering to create movement without bulk.

The key was keeping sides slightly shorter while maintaining length through the crown. Styled with lightweight mousse and a round brush, finishing with flexible hold hairspray for that signature swoosh.

2010 Classic Side Swept Bangs

The refined version of his original flip featured more controlled side-swept bangs with improved layering technique. This iteration sat flatter against the head, requiring 3-4 inches of length in front.

The style needed blow-drying in the sweep direction, using a paddle brush for smoothness. Light pomade or cream helped control flyaways while maintaining touchable softness.

2011 Shorter Flip Style

Bieber’s matured flip reduced bulk while maintaining the signature sweep. Cut to 2-3 inches on top, this version featured more texture through point cutting.

The sides were taken shorter, creating better proportion for his maturing face. Styling required less product—just texturizing spray and finger styling for a more natural, tousled effect that moved away from helmet-like perfection.

2012 Believe Era Quiff

The Believe album marked Bieber’s transition to edgier styling with a modern quiff featuring height at the front. This required 3-4 inches up front, graduating shorter toward the crown.

Sides were clipper cut to a 3-4 grade. Styling involved blow-drying upward with a round brush, then using matte clay for texture and hold without shine.

2013 Spiked Up Texture

Moving toward punk-inspired looks, Bieber adopted piece-y spiked texture with visible product definition. Hair was cut to 2-3 inches all over with choppy layers for movement.

Strong-hold gel or wax was worked through damp hair, then pieces were twisted and pulled upward. This edgier style required confident application and regular touch-ups throughout the day.

2014 Bleached Blonde Phase

Bieber shocked fans by going platinum blonde, requiring multiple bleaching sessions to achieve without damage. The cut itself was a textured crop, about 2 inches on top with faded sides.

The blonde color demanded purple shampoo twice weekly and deep conditioning treatments. Styling stayed simple—matte paste for texture, letting the color make the statement.

2015 Side Part Undercut

This sophisticated style featured a dramatic undercut with a hard side part. The top maintained 3-4 inches swept to one side, while sides were taken down to a skin fade.

The precise part line was razor-cut for definition. Styling required pomade for shine and control, combed precisely to the side for that classic gentleman’s look.

Purpose Tour Platinum Blonde

For the Purpose Tour, Bieber returned to platinum with a longer, flowier texture. This grown-out style reached 4-5 inches, styled messy and undone.

The blonde was more natural-looking with darker roots showing. Sea salt spray and air-drying created the effortless beachy texture, with occasional straightening for sleeker appearances.

2016 Dreadlocks Controversy

Bieber’s brief dreadlocks phase sparked cultural appropriation debates. The style featured blonde twisted locks achieved through the twist and rip method.

Lasting only weeks before public backlash led to their removal, this remains his most controversial hair choice. The maintenance would have required palm rolling and special products, though he didn’t keep them long enough for full development.

2017 Slicked Back Style

A mature departure from previous styles, Bieber adopted a slicked-back look with 3-4 inches on top combed straight back. Sides were kept shorter but not undercut, creating a softer transition.

High-shine pomade or gel was applied to damp hair, combed back tightly. This polished style suited red carpets and formal events perfectly.

2018 Shaved Head Reset

Bieber surprised everyone by buzzing everything off to a grade 1-2 all over. This dramatic reset allowed damaged hair to grow fresh while making a statement about personal renewal.

The buzz required weekly maintenance to keep consistent length. No styling needed—just quality moisturizer to keep the scalp healthy and prevent dryness.

Wedding Day Classic Cut

For his 2019 wedding, Bieber chose a timeless side part with medium length on top, about 3 inches styled neatly to the side. The cut featured a low fade for clean lines without being too trendy.

Light pomade provided control with natural movement. This romantic, classic choice perfectly suited the elegant occasion.

2020 Quarantine Long Hair

Lockdown saw Bieber growing his hair to shoulder length, embracing natural texture and movement. This required minimal cutting—just trimming split ends every 8-10 weeks.

Styling involved leave-in conditioner and air drying for natural waves. The longer length showcased his hair’s natural brown color returning after years of processing.

Pink Hair Experiment

A brief but bold moment featured pastel pink coloring over blonde. This required pre-lightening then applying semi-permanent pink dye.

The color lasted only weeks, requiring color-depositing conditioner for maintenance. The cut underneath was a simple medium-length style, letting the color be the focus. This playful choice showed Bieber’s continued willingness to experiment.

2021 Peaches Era Shag

The Peaches single brought a modern shag cut with layers throughout for movement and texture. Length varied from 3-4 inches, with piece-y layers cut throughout.

Texturizing spray and scrunching while blow-drying created the perfectly imperfect finish. This style worked with his natural wave pattern, requiring minimal daily effort for maximum impact.

2022 Buzz Cut Phase

Bieber returned to the buzz, this time keeping it at grade 2-3 for slightly more length than 2018. The cut featured a subtle fade around ears and neckline for polish.

Not sure what your face shape is? Our Face Shape Detector figures it out in 4 quick questions.

This low-maintenance phase required bi-weekly barber visits to maintain. The simplicity allowed focus on his music while dealing with health challenges.

Justice Tour Textured Crop

For touring, Bieber adopted a practical textured crop with 2 inches on top, styled messy with matte product. The sides featured a mid-fade for definition without harsh lines.

This versatile cut looked good straight from bed or styled up for performances. Dry shampoo helped maintain volume during long tour stretches.

2023 Grown Out Natural

Bieber embraced his natural growth pattern, letting hair reach 3-4 inches all over without strict styling. This relaxed approach featured his natural brown color and slight wave.

Minimal product—just leave-in conditioner and occasional texture cream—kept things healthy and touchable. Regular trims every 6 weeks prevented split ends while maintaining shape.

Current Messy Medium Length

Today’s Bieber rocks a lived-in medium length around 4 inches, styled with intentional messiness. The cut features long layers for movement, with natural color and texture celebrated.

Sea salt spray and air drying create effortless texture, with fingers used for styling rather than tools. This authentic approach reflects his current life phase.

Bieber Facial Hair Evolution

From baby-faced teen to mustached adult, Bieber’s facial hair journey includes attempted goatees, full beards, and his current signature mustache. The mustache phase particularly gained attention, channeling 70s vibes.

His facial hair grows somewhat patchy, requiring careful grooming and often benefits from beard oil for fullness. The mustache maintenance involves daily trimming and wax for shape.

How To Style Like Justin Bieber

Achieving Bieber-inspired looks requires understanding your hair type first. Most styles need medium-density, straight to wavy hair. Invest in quality products: texturizing spray, matte clay, and heat protectant are essentials.

Learn blow-drying techniques—direction matters for achieving specific styles. Regular barber visits every 3-4 weeks keep the shape fresh. Most importantly, commit to the daily styling routine each look demands.

FAQs: Justin Bieber Hairstyles

What is Justin Bieber’s most iconic hairstyle?

While Bieber has rocked many looks, the 2010 side-swept flip remains most iconic. This style defined the early 2010s and sparked millions of copycats worldwide.

The combination of strategic length and perfect swooping motion created a phenomenon that transcended music into cultural impact. Achieving this look requires 4-5 inches of length, daily blow-drying, and lightweight styling products for movement without weight.

How do I get the Bieber flip?

Bring reference photos and specify: “Long layers, 4-5 inches on top, graduated shorter sides.” Key points to mention: weight removal through the crown, longer fringe area, and blend—not undercut—on sides. Most barbers remember this cut, but photos ensure accuracy.

Your hair should be straight to slightly wavy, and you’ll need patience growing from shorter styles. Daily styling involves blow-drying forward then sweeping across with a round brush.

What products does Justin Bieber use in his hair?

Bieber has mentioned using various professional products throughout different eras. For textured looks, he favors matte clays and sea salt sprays.

Slicked styles require high-hold pomades or gels. During bleached phases, purple shampoo and deep conditioners were essential. Currently, his relaxed approach suggests minimal product use—likely just quality shampoo, conditioner, and occasional texturizing cream for his natural, lived-in style.

What Is the Justin Bieber Haircut Called?

It depends on the era. The 2009-2011 style is called the “Bieber flip” or side-swept fringe. His 2015 look is an undercut with textured top.

The 2020+ styles range from buzz cuts to braided styles. There’s no single “Bieber haircut” — bring a specific photo to your barber.

How Long Does It Take to Grow Hair for the Bieber Flip?

You need at least 4-5 inches on top and 3 inches on the sides, which takes most men 8-12 months from a short cut. During the growing phase, visit your barber every 6 weeks to shape the sides and back so it grows into the right proportions rather than looking unkempt.

Can I Get a Bieber Haircut With Thick Hair?

Yes, but your barber needs to thin the interior layers with thinning shears to reduce bulk. Thick hair adds more volume than Bieber’s naturally medium-density hair, so without thinning, styles like the flip or the side part will look puffier than intended.