THE JOURNAL

Mr Jon Kortajerena. Photograph by Mr Hunter Abrams/BFA/REX/Shutterstock
Ah, the summer months – longer days, fewer layers and the wonderful moment linen becomes a wardrobe essential once more.
But it’s not just our clothes that we should be changing. With the warmer weather come new grooming opportunities. Consider the new season a time to reflect on all things follicular.
Here, we’ve pulled together some of the sharpest, warm-weather-ready hairstyles from the men who know best. Look through, take your pick and, with the careful assistance of a trusted barber, make your move.

The Cut: The Classic Square Cut
Mr Oscar Isaac

Photograph by Mr Isaiah Trickey/Getty Images
Curly hair and summer? They’re a tricky proposition. Rather than contending with frizz, men with thicker, wavy hair can opt for something short, sharp and functional, as Mr Oscar Isaac has.
“It’s a great, classic haircut, particularly good for a slightly older gentleman,” says Mr Brent Pankhurst, a master barber who operates near Carnaby Street in London. “It suits slightly greying hair. It’s got a bit of Cary Grant and George Clooney about it.”
Ask your barber for a classic square cut, preferably with scissors all over. “Leave it slightly longer at the front,” says Mr Pankhurst. “The most important thing is to make sure the cut is square.”
Happily, styling the cut is nearly effortless. Work a moulding cream through the sides and top in circular motions. If your locks are gently greying, Mr Pankhurst advises adding an extra step. “Silver Fox Shampoo can help take the yellow out of greying hair,” he says.
If, like Mr Isaac, you decide to opt for a beard to complement the style, Mr Pankhurst says that a little styling conditioner can help keep things soft and healthy. And if warm weather and a beard feel a little incongruous, Mr Pankhurst has good news. “A tidy, well-groomed beard is perfect for summer,” he says. “It keeps the pores on the skin unclogged.”

The Cut: The Shadow Fade
Mr Michael B Jordan

Photograph by Mr Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Disney
Sometimes, you simply want to take it all off, and summer is the perfect cue. Mr Michael B Jordan may have pulled off a bolder hairstyle in Black Panther, but his daily driver haircut is as versatile as they come: clean and able to be dressed up and down.
But a short, tapered cut can be deceptively tricky to execute. “This requires clipper work around the sides of the head, and some scissor work on the top,” says Mr Pankhurst. “Make sure you ask the barber for a sharp cut around the hairline. This is usually done with a cut-throat razor.”
While you can simply ask a barber for a classic, tapered haircut with a faded crop, if you wish to capture the exact nuances of Mr Jordan’s style, taking a photo with you might be a safer bet.
Mr Pankhurst says the cut works especially well with Afro-Caribbean hair, but you need to watch out for excessive dryness. “I’d recommend a scalp-care shampoo to nourish your scalp, and styling with a small bit of pomade to give it a little shine,” he says.

The Cut: The Loose Parting
Mr Jon Hamm

Photograph by Mr Tyler Boye/WWD/REX/Shutterstock
Far removed from Mad Men – and a strand-perfect side parting – Mr Jon Hamm demonstrates how to transition to a style that, while still office-ready, maintains an air of breeziness that can go after hours, too. “This suits anyone with mid-length hair, and looks great on thicker hair,” says Mr Pankhurst. He recommends asking your barber to graduate through the sides, cutting the hair at a 45-degree angle so that it sits flatteringly. “This cut doesn’t require much maintenance,” says Mr Pankhurst. He recommends gently towel-drying the hair before combing through some styling conditioner, a clever way to get gel-like hold without the flakiness.

The Cut: The Art Part
Mr Jon Kortajarena

Photograph by Venturelli/Getty Images for Bulgari
Model Mr Jon Kortajarena favours this lengthy style, which keeps the sides neat and tamed, and leaves all else open to expression. The advantage is that it can be as polished or undone as the occasion calls for. “Ask for a scissor-over-comb cut – short back and sides, with a lot of length on top,” says Mr Pankhurst. “There should be a slight disconnection on this to give it some height.” Naturally, a model-worthy cut requires model-worthy styling. Mr Pankhurst recommends a thickening shampoo to add volume, then blow-drying some defining serum through the hair, using a whipping motion to achieve Mr Kortajarena’s follicular heights. “It reminds me a bit of being on the beach and having a little salt water in your hair,” says Mr Pankhurst. “It’s a perfect cut for the summer months.”

The Cut: The Overgrown Buzz
Mr Fang Yin

Photograph by Mr Dominique Charriau/Getty Images
Mr Fang Yin has caught international eyes as a rising star of Chinese film. But he’s also stolen sartorial attention for his sharp tailoring and fresh grooming.
“I really like this haircut at the moment,” says Mr Pankhurst. “It’s a great way to get away from a standard short back and sides.”
This crop is particularly suited to very straight hair. Ask your barber for a textured crop, with an emphasis in over-texturising the top. “Use a moulding cream and really work it into the hairline to give a sharp, textured look,” says Mr Pankhurst.
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