How to Get a Buzz Cut & 32 Styles to See Before Shaving Your Head
When less is more.
A buzz cut is a style of short hairstyle in which the hair is typically shaved with clippers. There are different types of buzz cuts, including burr cuts, brush cuts and induction cut styles.
Not only do buzz cut hairstyles look effortlessly cool, they’re seriously easy to maintain, too. And by easy, we literally mean zero effort required. Better still, the buzz cut style suits a whole variety of face shapes and looks especially great on guys with a strong jawline. And guess what? Whatever your hair texture – whether afro, wavy, or straight – you’ll be able to rock a buzz cut with ease.
This low-maintenance style requires next to no styling, so we can totally see the appeal. But if you need a little more convincing before reaching for the clippers, just keep scrolling.
How to Give Yourself a Buzz Cut
Step 1: Shave hair from front to back.
To begin your buzz cut, start by shaving your hair from the front to the back. An extra hand can help ensure that your back is even during this step.
Step 2: Shave side to side.
After shaving from front to back, it’s time to work on the sides. Glide your clippers from side to side to ensure you’ll get a clean and even buzz cut.
Step 3: Follow your head shape.
Go back in with your clippers and follow the shape of your head. This step is important as you want your buzz cut to be even all around.
Step 4: Apply some hair cream to the scalp to smooth things out.
And you’re good to go!
32 Buzz Cut Styles to Try
You’d think that choosing a buzz cut would be pretty straightforward. After, all you’re just shaving your head, right? However, your face shape, hair thickness and hairline are all things that should be taken into consideration when choosing how short you’d like to go.
To help give you some inspiration, we’ve put together some of our favourite buzz cut inspiration photos below.
1. Classic Buzz
Self-conscious about thinning hair or a receding hairline? You might not know this, but a buzz cut is actually the perfect way to draw attention away from this.
2. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
By keeping your hair length short all over, there won’t be a noticeable difference in your hair thickness, so no one will suspect a thing.
3. Induction Buzz Cut
If you’re after a style that means you can get up and go in the mornings, a truly foolproof style is a buzz cut.
4. Burr Buzz Cut
A buzz cut dries naturally in no time at all and is short enough that you can pass on the styling products.
Editor’s tip: Low maintenance doesn’t mean dirty – don’t forget to keep your hair clean and healthy with TRESemmé Replenish & Cleanse 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner.
5. Jake Gyllenhaal
It’s a must-have, no-fuss look if you’re someone who likes to press that snooze button more than a few times.
6. Zac Efron
Currently sporting a short cut but looking for a way to liven it up a bit? Try a buzz cut! Short and simple, but no less dramatic, if it’s good enough for Zac, it’s good enough for you!
7. Brush Cut
While buzz cuts are often worn as the shortest hair length, that’s not always the case. While some buzz cuts are created with a #0 clipper guard for a super close shave, you can still pull off this style with a #1, #2, or even #3 clipper attachment length.
8. Robert Pattinson
If you’re not sure how short you want to go, we recommend starting with a longer buzz cut (like Rob Pattinson’s) to test the waters – then you can opt for a more cropped length later if you like it (which you will).
9. Buzz with a Beard
Rocking a beard? If you are, you’ll be pleased to hear that beards and buzz cuts make for the perfect partnership!
10. Tom Hardy
Pair your beard and buzz together by keeping your sideburns and ‘stache stubbly, to give a graduated look like Tom Hardy’s.
11. Extreme Buzz Cut
Opt for a super short length and all of the attention will be kept on your facial features.
12. Kanye West
Looking for a style that allows you to show off your creative side? Experimenting with fun designs, like Kanye West, means that you’ll always have a style that’s unique to you and one that allows you to play around with different patterns whenever you feel like a change!
13. Buzz with Skin Fade
Incorporating a fade is a great way to hold on to a bit more length up top, with soft graduation at the sides.
14. Jayden Smith
Jayden Smith is proof that afro-textured hair is the perfect candidate for this style.
15. Adam Levine
Blessed with a chiselled jawline? A) We’re jealous and B) you’re in luck, because buzz cuts look especially great on those with carved-out cheekbones.
16. Butch Cut
Prefer to keep a little length, but still rock a zero-styling haircut? Then this slightly longer version of a buzz cut is the way to go.
17. Joe Jonas
Fans of singer Joe Jonas will know that he’s come a long way since his floppy-haired boyband days.
From sweeping side fringes, faded cuts – and even a stint with bright blonde hair – we didn’t think there were any hairstyles left that Joe hadn’t tried. But then he revealed his most major mane transformation yet, by completely shaving off his famous tresses into a super short buzz cut!
18. Nick Jonas
Don’t worry guys, you’re not seeing double! It seems the Jonas brothers are keeping the buzz cut hair trend in the family, with Joe’s younger brother and fellow musician Nick Jonas also going for the chop.
We love the way he’s let his facial hair grow out too for a cool, disheveled vibe, that gives an on-trend edge to the overall look!
19. Blue Buzz Cut
Don’t let the length deceive you, a buzz cut can still allow for plenty of creative styling – take this blue ‘do for example!
20. Jamie Dornan
Jamie Dornan sported short, tousled locks for his role as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades film series, but IRL he’s been rocking this dapper buzz cut look.
21. Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber took his daring buzz cut one step further, bleaching it bright platinum blonde.
22. Olivier Rousteing
French fashion designer and Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing has impeccable style and his hair is no exception. He debuted a newly shaved head during fashion month, confirming that the buzz cut is firmly fashion-pack approved.
23. Matt Damon
This cut is short enough to look super-sharp and will see you looking stylish through any occasion, from a black-tie event to drinks at your local.
24. Idris Elba
As one of the Brit power players across the pond, it’s no surprise that Idris Elba also went for one of the most powerful-looking styles around – the buzzcut.
Discerning gents take note, this is the style to go for if you want to look like some kind of MI5 agent. And who doesn’t!?
25. Wentworth Miller
Ever since the hit TV show Prison Break, hit the screens, Wentworth Miller has stayed true to his signature buzz cut look. After all, if ain’t broke don’t fix it, we say!
Sporting a slightly greyer version of the cut, we think he still rocks this style, with a small amount of rough facial hair balancing out the look.
26. James McAvoy
So there’s short hair and then there’s James McAvoy short hair. For fellas that are well and truly done with any kind of hairstyling, why not try out the super short buzz cut?
The best part is, if you don’t like it, it will grow into a longer version of a buzzcut soon enough – and we know that’s always a winner!
27. Aaron Paul
The best thing about super short hairstyles is that all the attention will be on your face. To help bring out your features, opt for a buzz cut with a grade 2 or 3 clipper all over and you’ll have no-hassle ‘do in an instant.
28. Channing Tatum
Having played enough military men in his time, we think it’s safe to say that Channing Tatum knows how to rock a good buzz cut. The style suits his uber-manly style and his action-man persona!
29. Zayn Malik
This former boyband star has ditched his perfectly styled locks and gone for a very grown-up image overhaul, involving a sleek buzzcut. He’s almost unrecognisable with his new look, but we think that he really suits it!
30. Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman with a buzzcut and handlebar moustache.
For the fellas who want to make a serious style statement, follow in the footsteps of Hugh Jackman and team your ultra-short buzzcut with a handlebar moustache and a trimmed goatee. This is a bold way to go, but it’s guaranteed to get you attention.
31. Justin Timberlake
He’s long ditched the matching outfits and bleached blonde locks, but what Justin stays true to is his short buzzcut. Team with a bit of facial hair and we think you’ll have yourself a sharp and rugged look right there.
32. Brooklyn Beckham
We know that the Beckhams are winning major style points at the moment, but it’s Brooklyn Beckham who is making real waves when it comes to being a trendsetter.
Like his famous father, he’s been known to wear the most stylish outfits, teamed with the most on-trend cuts of course!
