The faux hawk haircut strikes the perfect balance between bold style and everyday versatility, making it one of the most sought-after men’s hairstyles. Unlike its rebellious cousin the mohawk, the faux hawk offers sophisticated styling options that complement any face shape and hair texture.
From Hollywood celebrities to fashion-forward professionals, the faux hawk (also called “fohawk”) has evolved into numerous variations that transition seamlessly between office environments and weekend outings.
Explore these 30 stylish faux hawk haircuts that blend the perfect balance of edgy and sophisticated.
1. Short Faux Hawk Haircuts
Did you know that the Mohawk draws its name after the Native American tribe the members of which sported a terrifying hairstyle meant to scare enemies?
From the Mohawk donned by the punk generation to the faux hawk of today, there’s only a small step. Yet a great style gap separates the two. This short faux style is perfectly suited for a night out and for a business meeting too.
2. Faux Hawk High Top
Longer sides, high messy top and a blown-back front make a style statement for the style-forward gent. Try this hairstyle for a slightly edgy look during a formal meeting or a night out with the guys.
3. Deep Side Part Hawk Haircuts
If you sport a long top like this, then this is the hairstyle for you. You’ll have to invest some time and hair products to achieve the look, but it’s easily done.
Comb the hair up, use hairspray to fix it and add some styling hair wax to the tips for a perfectly defined finish. Note that the top is combed towards the forehead and not upwards.
4. Faux-Hawk Fade Haircuts
A taper fade as this gent is sporting is ideal to draw attention to the careful styling of the hair top. Side-swept, this adds some serious cool factor to the entire style. Notice that the top is sheared shorter towards the back to follow the natural hairline with ease.
5. Faux Fader
A successful modern take on the 90s rap culture featuring a high fade and short curly top. This faux hawn fader is super easy to maintain.
6. Jensen Ackles’s Hallmark
He’s adored by women worldwide. Yet, in addition to the bad boy meets good boy attitude and looks, Jensen’s hairstyle has also drawn him some serious credits. This time, he’s sporting a short-side cut with a slightly longer top styled simply.
7. Faux Hawk Haircuts for Kids
The great thing about faux hawk hairstyles is that everyone can wear them. We love the style this kid is sporting. Faded sides and a spiked top that is fun and cool.
Such hairstyles are easy to pull off even for adults. In fact, it’s probably one of the styles that can be adopted by those who wish to ease into it and step it up gradually.
8. The Fringed Faux Hawk Haircuts
A sleek hairstyle suitable for any occasion. The longer sides are swept to the front, revealing the textured haircut. The top is styled in a seemingly effortless messy do.
It may look like it only takes you five minutes to go through the routine. Trust us, you need to put some effort in arranging each hair in its place.
9. Men Faux Hawk
This faux hawk haircut is simple and manly. For a hairstyle which won a reputation for being rebellious and outlandish, it looks pretty toned down here.
10. How to Style a Faux Hawk: Zayn Malik
If you follow trend alerts, you know Zayn Malik is another adept of this coveted men hairstyle. Thus, if you’re out of ideas on how to style your faux Mohawk, take a cue from Zayn.
He’s got plenty of ideas. Here’s one of them: a faux hawk taper complemented with a long top styled in a messy upwards fashion.
11. The Girl Faux
Did you think this sometimes outlandish hairstyle is reserved just for the style-forward gents? Think again. This is a lovely example of how a faux Mohawk can be worn with attitude by the ladies as well.
However, this is really a faux style, as the hair is simply upswept and secured in place with tons of pins. It’s ideal to try if you don’t want to renounce your mid-length cut but want an edgy hairstyle for a while.
12. Curly Faux Hawk Haircuts
A clean-cut faux style with a lovely curly mane on top. Get ready to invest some time in securing those curls in a tight top to reveal the perfectly shaved side.
13. Curly Top Faux Hawk Haircuts for Men
Men can sport a curly faux hawk too. Just look at this gent wearing his curls slightly shorter on the sides and longer on top. An ideal look for both formal and casual environments.
14. Messy Curls Faux Hawk for Men
This hairstyle respects all the rules of a faux hawk with the exception of the shaved sides and back. While the hair is a little longer here, it’s still shortened towards the back and longer in the front, while the top is a mess of hair strands. The styling possibilities for this cut are endless.
15. Brad Pitt Hairstyle
Hollywood darling Brad Pitt adopted this hairstyle for a while too and he rocked it (not that we expected anything less). Side-swept hair top and short sides – a perfect look for the red carpet and for your next outing.
16. Side Part Faux Fader
A sleek swept back long top can’t hide the bad boy attitude that comes with this hairstyle. The faded sides are perfectly lined by the razor defined parting lines. The fade isn’t too deep, which may require special care depending on how fast your hair grows.
17. Taper Fade and Side Swept Long Top
This gent has earned quite some style credits for donning a perfect modern take on the faux Mohawk. The taper fade transitions swiftly in a perfectly styled top swept to the side.
18. Punk Hairstyles for Men
The Mohawk was the emblem hairstyle of the punk generation. This is a different approach to the rebellious haircut from which it only keeps the upswept spikes.
19. Short Sides, Long Top Faux Hawk Haircuts
Search for some archive photos of 50s Havana and you’ll find men enjoying the high life who donned similarly sleek hairstyles.
This vintage look with a modern twist is achieved by having both the sides and the top of the faux hawk longer than usual. Feeling nostalgic? Try this hairstyle for men on for size.
20. Faux Hawk Haircuts with a Twist
Here is a way of adding avant-garde elements to any style that rears its head in the fashion world. Take a cue from this brilliant styling idea for a men’s faux hawk.
21. Blown Back Faux
The cut and style are flawless. The taper fade side features an extra style element: the razor-defined clear line that runs all the way to the back. The messy blown back top is relaxed and cool.
22. Bun Hawk
Faux hawks and beards go well together, particularly when you’ve got thick wealthy hair like this gent. A style that we’ve spotted increasingly often on the streets and in all the cool places. The greatest things about this cut are that it doesn’t require any styling to look great at any time.
23. Structured Cut Faux Hawk Hairstyles
This hairstyle may be more difficult to pull off. Nonetheless, you must admit it’s worthy of admiration. The structure of the sides is perfectly complemented by the feathered top arranged in a messy style.
24. The David Beckham
We’re not sure if David Beckham is the gentleman who coined the hairstyle known as a faux Mohawk, but we can tell you for sure that he’s a reference point when it comes to it.
He’s sported every faux hawk style there is. From shorter ones to longer ones, to sleek and formal styles, and more outlandish ones, he’s embraced them all.
25. David Beckham Hairstyle
David Beckham deserves an entire gallery for the faux hawk hairstyles he has worn over the years. Hairstyles emulating his, like this one, deserve a gallery as well.
26. Jensen Ackles’ Short Side Hawk
Here is another example of how Jensen rocks a short side faux hawk. If you were to choose faux hawk vs. Mohawk, would you go for the latter or for Jensen’s hairstyle? We may be partial, but Jensen’s style is our definite winner.
27. Spiky Style Faux Hawk Haircuts
You can style a longer hawk in perfectly upstanding spikes reminiscent of the 90s more pop takes on the mohawks.
28. Faux Hawk Hairstyles for Men: Messy Do
If you sport longer hair as this gentleman does, don’t shy away from creating a messy do amounting to a faux hawk with a twist.
29. Office Style Hawk
The sides are swept to the front, the back is smooth and the feathered top adds an edgy note to this blazer-ready hairstyle that’s perfect for the office.
30. Side Faux Hawk Haircuts
This hairstyle inches close to an undercut faux hawk, yet it’s another instance of a modern take on a vintage style.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I style a faux hawk without cutting my hair?
You can create a temporary faux hawk without a haircut by using styling products and techniques. Start with clean, slightly damp hair and apply a strong-hold gel or pomade. Use a blow dryer with a concentrator attachment to direct hair toward the center while using your fingers or a comb to create height. Finish with hairspray for lasting hold. This non-commitment approach works best if you already have longer hair on top and shorter sides.
What’s the difference between a mohawk and a faux hawk?
The main difference is that a traditional mohawk features completely shaved sides with a strip of longer hair running down the center of the head. A faux hawk maintains hair on the sides (though typically shorter) while styling the longer top hair to create a ridge or crest down the middle. The faux hawk is more versatile, workplace-friendly, and can be styled differently day-to-day.
Which face shapes look best with a faux hawk?
Faux hawks are remarkably versatile and can complement most face shapes with the right styling. They particularly flatter oval, square, and diamond face shapes by adding height and drawing attention upward. For round faces, opt for a faux hawk with more angular sides to create definition. Those with longer faces should choose a style with more volume on the sides to balance proportions.
What products work best for holding a faux hawk in place?
For shorter faux hawks, a matte clay or fiber paste provides natural-looking hold without excessive shine. Medium-length styles benefit from a combination of mousse for volume at the roots followed by a medium-hold pomade or gel for definition. Longer or textured faux hawks often require a strong-hold gel or spray applied to damp hair before blow-drying, finished with a texturizing spray. For all-day hold regardless of length, finish with a flexible-hold hairspray.
How often do I need to get my faux hawk trimmed?
To maintain the distinct shape of a faux hawk, you should get a trim every 3-4 weeks, especially if you have a fade or very short sides that grow out quickly. The top can go longer between cuts, depending on your desired length and how fast your hair grows. Maintaining the contrast between the sides and top is key to keeping the faux hawk look sharp.
Ready to Transform Your Style?
There are so many ways in which today’s gents can rock a faux hawk that it would be a pity to not try these hairstyles for size.
Whether you prefer a textured crop with minimal styling or a dramatic high-volume look, the faux hawk offers the perfect balance of edge and sophistication. Talk to your barber about which variation would best suit your features and lifestyle.
Ready to elevate your style with one of these modern faux hawk variations?
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Sarah T.
“I never thought I could achieve JLo-inspired waves with my fine hair, but these step-by-step instructions made it possible!”
Used: Olaplex No.6 + Oribe Texturizing Spray
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