The GQ Hollywood haircut power rankings
Our very own Joe Mills is interviewed for a GQ article on the movers and shavers we're all screenshotting for the barber.
Like films and overpriced quasi-religious yoga sessions, the best male celebrity haircuts in the world tend to come from Hollywood. Makes sense. With so many big names stuffed into one space, it's inevitable that Los Angeles is a smoothie (chia and flax seed, and absolutely NO dairy) of grooming heroes.
For every classic short back and sides (which is a solid cut, by the way, and we won't be taking any further questions on the matter), there's a nice outré bit. Mullets, for one, are back on party boys. (And very famous boys, too.) Hair dye is no longer an outlier. Curls are nurtured, not cut away. Here's our pick of the best male celebrity haircuts: introducing GQ's Hollywood haircut power ranking (and how to get each cut, as told by expert barbers Joe Mills, founder of Woolf, and Tariq Howes).
The article covers the current (and past) hairstyles of the following Hollywood celebrities
Paul Mescal - Mini Mullet
“Paul's mini mullet has been making waves all awards season,” says Mills. "You need a little length at the back and the top needs to be around three inches long and texturised.
“The key is the sides, as this is what creates the shape on this cut, so lightly clipper cut. Style with a texture spray to add texture (Bumble and Bumble Full Potential Booster Spray is good). Apply four to five pumps then using your hair dryer and your fingers, style the top forward and to the side and finish with Bumble and Bumble Sumotech Paste.”Timothée Chalamet - Curls
“For Timothy's style look you will need to already have medium to thick curly or wavy hair with some length all around and at least five inches on top,” Mills says.“Apply five or six pumps of a sea salt spray (Alott Sea Salt Spray is a good one) and using a diffuser on your hair dryer, dry your hair on a low speed and low heat to encourage your curl. Using your fingers style the front up and back.”
Will Sharpe - Mullet-ish
“This is a soft textured mid-length crop which works best with hair with a slight wave,” says Mills. “To style, use Kevin Murphy's Killer Curls on damp hair. Using a diffuser hair dryer slowly dry your hair on low heat and once it's nearly dry apply a small amount of Bumble Bumble Semisumo and style.”Kit Connor - short back and sides, push-back quiff
“Connor has the classic short back and sides with length on top with a slight side part," says Mills. “You want the top around four to five inches maximum in length and the sides and back lightly tapered down."To style use Oway Seasalt Spray on clean damp hair and use a hair dryer and vent brush to blow dry your hair back from your face. This will help you to find your natural parting. Once dry you need a little paste to help hold the shape – try Barber Barber Beach Comber Paste.”
Oscar Isaac - embrace the grey chopped in short back and sider
“Oscar’s soft textured natural quiff needs a little length around the back and sides with a little more on top,” Mills advises. “You need wavy, thick hair for this look."On clean and damp hair apply some Bumble and Bumble Curl Mousse and, using a hair dryer with a diffuser, dry the top of your hair up off of your face and then bring the sides slightly forward. Once dry, it shouldn't need any more product as this style has a far more natural finish.”
Taeyong - curtains with colour
“'90s-inspired curtains work well on straight hair and you need around four to five inches of length on the top,” Mills says. “On clean, damp hair apply some Kevin Murphy anti-gravity spray and, using a hair dryer and vent, brush blow dry your hair back off of your face. Once dry apply a small amount of Oway Water Resin and style.”Austin Butler - ‘50s inspired quiff
“Austin's signature '50s-inspired quiff needs a little length around the back and sides to give it that pushed-back look. You also need a few inches on top to create the height and quiff,” says Mills.“On clean and damp hair, apply Barber Barber 6 Inches Hair Mousse and using a hair dryer and vent brush blow dry your hair up and back from your face. Once dry, apply some pomade to give it the shine and hold you need.”
Jason Momoa - man mane
“You need to have grown your hair out so it's long for this look – it works really well with thicker and slightly wavy hair types,” Mills says. “Make sure you invest in a decent shampoo and conditioner (Kevin Murphy Hydrate Me Wash and Rinse) to keep your locks looking on point. Pull your hair back into a mid ponytail and secure it with a hair band that isn't too tight.”Omar Apollo - natural curls
“You need thick and curly hair for Omar's look, which has been cut shorter around the back and sides and to leave around four inches on top," says Mills. “Apply some Kevin Murphy Motion Lotion to encourage clean curls. Then, use a hair dryer and diffuser on low heat and low speed to gently dry the top of the hair to encourage the curl. Don't brush or comb it as this will make it frizzy. Once dry, gently pat a small amount of the Motion Lotion onto your hair to add shine.”
Read the full ‘The GQ Hollywood haircut power rankings’ article on GQ Magazine
The article was written by Zak Maoui and Murray Clark