38 undercut hairstyles to keep you feeling cool (quite literally) (2024)

FAQs

Does an undercut keep you cool? ›

Undercut haircuts give you the best of both worlds—a classic style when hair is down and one that's edgier when you're ready to flaunt it. Also, if you have thick hair or live in a hot climate, it's an easy way to help keep cool.

An undercut is a hairstyle in which the hair in the middle of the head is kept long while the sides and the back of the head (or both areas) are shaved low.

We love it when a haircut celebrates your personal style, or can do some of the heavy lifting when it comes to styling, and since the undercut can do both it's definitely earned its spot amongst current trends.

The major benefit of an undercut is that there's less hair to deal with. Sure, you get a sweet look, but you don't have to opt for a ton of layers of hair to find it. The benefit here? Less hair = less weight.

Go for #1 (3mm) or #2 (6mm) size of hair clipper depending on how short you want it. Be sure not to trim any of the hair on your top section or parting. If you're doing a connected undercut, you'll want to switch to a clipper that's two sizes longer. Blend around the surface of the head.

In most cases, an undercut is done to the section of hair just above the nape of the neck, so the rest of the hair falls over it. With mid-length to long hair, that means the cut section is only visible when you pull your hair up.

A rule of thumb is that the undercut should be at least 1.5 threads long and the diameter should be at least 0.015 in (0.38 mm) smaller than the minor diameter of the thread. Strictly speaking the relief simply needs to be equal or slightly smaller than the minor diameter of the thread.

Undercut is most commonly caused by improper welding technique and not adhering to welding parameters. Undercut is almost inevitable when a welder is welding too hot, too fast, and with an incorrectly sized electrode.

The goal in growing out an undercut is to get the hair to be the same length throughout. Since the layers of hair closest to the nape of the neck are cut shorter than the rest, it can take a few months to up to one year for the cut to fully grow out, depending on the hair's natural hair growth cycle and texture.

Any face shape can pull off an undercut, but the length of the remaining hair will be important in the same way it is for any cut.

How do you tell if you would look good with an undercut? ›

Face shape: Which type of undercut to choose depends greatly on your face shape. A slick back or short haircut balances nicely with a longer face shape. In contrast, an undercut pompadour or quiff slightly cropped sides compliments a rounder face better.

Historical Origins

It wasn't until the punk rock movement of the 1970s that shaved sides became edgy and rebellious. Musicians like the Ramones and Blondie sported undercuts signaling a break from gender norms. Over time, the undercut pushed further into the mainstream while retaining its nonconformist edge.

So what's the maintenance like for an undercut? It is recommended that you come in every two weeks for a touch-up. Two weeks is just about the time when the hair is grown out enough and the design isn't very easily distinguishable. Of course, as with all hairstyles, upkeep depends on hair type and texture.

The undercut haircut, characterized by its distinctive shorter sides and longer top, is a versatile and popular choice in men's hairstyling. It is a marker of innovation and style, with each variation reflecting the hairstyle's adaptability and fashion-forward nature.

In a nutshell

Our head and body hair, or lack of it, does have a small role in how you maintain your body temperature. But overall, your hairstyle does not influence whether you feel warm or cool.