5 Cuts to hide a receding hairline

Want to cover up your receding hairline? From a clean-shaven scalp to fuller-looking hair with a clever – and very modern – comb-over, these five cuts have got you covered, says hairstylist Bongani Majola from Tanaz Hair.

Clean-shaven

This is the ultimate in showing a balding look the door. It’s drastic though, and therefore might not be for every man. Bongani warns that you should consider the shape of your head as the look must complement your face, and also whether you’re happy to grow a beard. “A clean shave works best with a full beard to bring a sense of balance to your head,” he explains. 

The buzz cut

A hot look for younger guys (“it’s fashionably military-inspired,” reports Bongani), this is a great wash-and-wear cut. It’s also less severe than a full-on clean-shaven scalp. If you’re ready to rock it, Bongani says the benefits are greater than simply hiding your lack of hair. “It can help make facial features look more defined because by drawing the eye from the hairline down to your brow line, your face immediately appears more chiselled,” he explains. 

The faux hawk

This rocker-inspired look actually uses a receding hairline to its advantage. “By drawing attention to the centre of the hairline (and away from the temples), your receding hairline is of benefit to the faux hawk,” says Bongani. And it doesn’t have to be a huge hawk: “For men who want to wear this cool look for all occasions, I’d go for a short, subtle cut,” he recommends. 

The cool comb-over

Unfortunately, the comb-over has gotten a bad reputation thanks to men who wear it with only a few wispy strands of hair covering their balding scalps. The modern way to own this look is to try it out as soon as you notice your hairline is receding – and keep your hair short. “The comb-over uses a receding hairline as the lowest point in the hair’s natural part line and this gives an artificial sense of weight to your hair,” Bongani explains. 

Short and slick back

If you still can’t stomach the thought of a comb-over, try this sleek-looking alternative. It’s a similar concept to the comb-over in that when done right, it looks neat and is versatile. To ace it, Bongani recommends you keep the cut short. “By doing this, you avoid too much weight at the top of your hair’s sides thereby drawing attention to the hairline,” he says. 
 

IMAGE CREDIT: shutterstock.com