Dec 9, 2025 | Hairstyles by Face Shape
As our clients come to our First & Mane in search of a different look, one of the first things we examine is their face shape. Face shape is the basis for a perfect haircut. Have you observed that you have a face which is longer in proportions to your width, with a rounded lower jaw and a high forehead? Then you have an oblong-shaped face.
Such faces are very common, but they demand a special handling in order not to accentuate, but rather to highlight your facial beauty. If you’re looking for expert advice, be sure to consult our barber shop near Scottsdale, AZ, for personalized recommendations.
Our objective with an oblong face is all about balance. We do not want to make our face look longer. Rather, we want to widen it and make it fuller on both sides with a short top length. Thus, an oval face will be formed, and our most flattering feature will come into prominence. Here is how this can be achieved for an oblong face with short, medium, and long hair.
Short Haircuts for an Oblong-Shaped Face
If you’re searching for oblong face shape hairstyles for a male, understanding your unique features can help you choose a flattering cut.
Several of our clients think that short hair is the safest option, but you have to be very careful not to go too short on the sides. A high fade can make an oval face appear narrower than before. To avoid this, you can go for a hairstyle that retains some length on the sides.
The Caesar style is a great option for this face shape. The short, cut-horizontally hairstyle will help to soften a high forehead by creating an immediate shortening effect on the face. A textured crop is another great option for this face shape. Like a Caesar style, this haircut will bring hair forward to cover the forehead, but with a textured look. This will help to create the needed volume on the sides and top without lengthening the face.
Medium Hairstyles for Oblong Faces
If you’re researching medium hairstyles for an oblong face shape as a male, many options provide great versatility and style. Here are some tips you can follow when styling your hair if you have an elongated face. One of our favorite styling tips is a side part, so keep this in mind.
A slicked-back look can work well too, provided it is not styled up too high. Our advice would be to keep it flat or slightly angled to one side. The trick in this style is to make sure you are using a product with a matte finish to keep attention focused on the shape rather than on the product you are using. Try not to hide your natural wave if you have this in your hair. Wavy texture will give you volume on the sides, which is exactly what you need to balance out your face length.
Long Hairstyles for Oblong Faces
If you’re interested in exploring long men’s hairstyles for oblong face shape, letting your hair grow is a good idea, but this takes time and a good cut. With an oval face, a straight cut hair style is not a good idea because this will pull your face downward. A shoulder-length style with layers is good.
Layers bring movement and width to your face in the regions of your cheekbones and jawline. When you wear your hair up, do not pull it back into a high top knot. This will simply accentuate your stature. A low bun or ponytail can be worn at the base of your neck and will look far more flattering on you.
Hairstyles to Avoid
As far as styles go, there are a few that we always recommend our clients avoid with an oval face. The first, and most important, is height. A pompadour, a hawk, or any haircut that puts your hair up straight will make your face appear longer.
We recommend not using very short sides with a lot of length on top. Such a split highlights leanness with a vertical line. A middle part on very long hair will frame your face with a curtain-like effect, again calling attention to length rather than to width.
Selecting an Appropriate Cut for Yourself
When searching for the best haircuts for an oblong-faced male, consider both your lifestyle and maintenance preferences.
A good haircut is a combination of your personal style and the skill of your barber. Although this advice serves you well, your personal style and hair type matter immensely. When you go to a barbershop in the future, come talk to First & Mane about your worries. We can modify these traditional haircuts to accommodate your facial structure. A good haircut not only alters your appearance but also boosts your confidence when you step out into the world!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Dec 2, 2025 | Style Trends
As it becomes colder, and the days get shorter, we begin to notice a transition taking place. There are fewer guys asking for ultra-short buzz cuts and high fades, making room for guys who want something a bit more substantial. It only makes sense. Just as you start wearing more heavy knits with your wardrobe, so too should your grooming.
If you’re searching for the right place for winter grooming, our Scottsdale, AZ, barber shop can help you find a look that suits the season. A new season calls for a new strategy, and winter presents its own set of problems for your hair – and it requires a strategy if you want it to look sharp.
We’ve watched men go through this transition during many a winter at First & Mane. We know that the men’s hairstyles for winter are very different to those in the heights of summer!
Climate
Prior to taking your seat and ordering your usual while waiting, there are some factors about your environment that you should be aware of. Dry air will be your greatest enemy in these months, especially when choosing men hairstyles for winter that keep your hair healthy and strong. The low temperatures outside, as well as the air conditioning on inside, are perfect for draining your hair and scalp of any amount of hydration.
Secondly, there is also an enormous consideration we encourage our clients to ponder as regards headwear. You will no doubt be wearing beanies, hats, and hoods to keep warm. Should your haircut feature perfectly proportionate volume and defy all odds with regards to gravity, then a wool hat could completely ruin it within seconds. The end result of hat hair is a nightmare, and it would be an intelligent haircut if it still looked good with your beanie removed.
If you’re aiming for winter hairstyles for men that survive hat season, a bit more length about your ears and neck will make a world of difference for insulation from a chilly wind.
Avoid These Styles
As a general rule, we would recommend not getting it too short during the depths of winter. That sharp skin fade that works so well with a summer tan can leave your scalp exposed to the elements, which not only feels uncomfortable but can start to make your skin look dry and flaky. If you find yourself getting a bit chilly, it’s a much better idea to leave a bit of length on the sides – making it easier to maintain a winter hairstyle for men that keeps you both stylish and warm.
We also recommend staying away from high maintenance hairstyles that call for heavy and stiff materials. Pompadours and slick-backs that employ strong gel and heavy pomade are not compatible with winter hats. Once it’s applied, it will be crushed once you put your hat on because it’s hard, and once it dries, you will be unable to restyle it without having to wash your hair.
Best Styles to Consider During Cold Weather
This is a great season to incorporate texture and more relaxed styling. We love seeing more texture with these winter cuts and lengths. To achieve a look that’s a bit more relaxed and meant to be piecey and messy, we recommend blow-drying it with a matte clay or a sea salt spray so that it stays a bit damp and then roughing it up with your hands.
If you’re searching for the best winter hairstyles for men, think effortless movement and flexibility. Just be warned that a gust of wind will mess it up and a hat will flatten it, but a quick ruffle with your hands, and it’s revived.
A classic side parting is also a great alternative for the businessman. It will be flexible enough for a neat and clean look at work, but tough enough to survive the daily commute. We will be happy to maintain a tapered look on the sides with scissors as opposed to clippers. A softer, more relaxed look will result that will grow out well. We recommend that you let your curly and wavy hair grow out a bit. It will weigh down your frizzy hair and look great beneath your winter hat.
Stay Sharp This Season
Winter doesn’t have to be a season during which you have to choose between staying warm and staying fashionable. It’s all about selecting a cut that goes with the season instead of fighting it. As winter draws near, all you have to do is learn about transitioning your current cut into a winter cut.
At First & Mane, we are always here to assist you with any information you may need. The next time you stop by, let’s discuss ways on how you can transition your current look into a winter look!
Read Our Other Blog: What is a Hot Towel Shave?
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Nov 29, 2025 | Men’s Haircuts
At our barbershop in Scottsdale, we’ve been asked a lot of questions about trends and styles. As part of our comprehensive barbershop services, one of the most common queries we get is: what is a layered haircut for men? This is actually a very common type of haircutting technique that a lot of guys have heard of but don’t completely understand. This type of haircut is one of the most flexible that you will come across, as it is designed to offer a lot of texture and volume. Today, we offer a closer look at a layered haircut!
What is a Layered Haircut?
A layered haircut is a process of cutting hair at varying lengths to give an impression of volume and texture. Rather than a single length of hair, we cut shorter layers over longer layers. This immediately lightens longer hair by taking its weight off. For a guy with thin hair, layering brings volume and fullness to your hair, thus giving a much fuller look. This is a basic process we undertake to tailor a look that specifically suits your type of hair as well as your face shape.
Why Choose a Layered Haircut?
Layering offers several benefits. First, it offers texture and motion. This is because a layered hairstyle will not go flat. All layers will be moving separately so that it creates a well-styled look without necessarily spending a lot of time in front of the mirror. Layered haircuts for men are a good option because they offer a well-styled look without much effort.
Another major advantage of a layered haircut is its versatility. Layered haircuts are suitable for all types of hair – whether it is straight or curly. In particular, a layered haircut will control unmanageable hair or add texture to thick locks. Additionally, it will add volume to thin hair. This highly flexible style allows us to choose a layered haircut that fits your desired fashion, whether it is messy or elegant.
Types of Layered Hairstyles for Men
Layered haircuts designed for men have varied designs. One of our favorites is known as the Short Layered Cut. This is a great option if you’re after a clean, easy-to-manage haircut. We generally keep everything short, aside from a bit of length on top to add texture.
For those that prefer a slightly longer look, the Medium Layered Cut is a good option when it comes to stylistic versatility. This type of haircut allows for a greater degree of motion and can either be slicked back, side parted, or sport a quiff look. This is a nice compromise that is at once timeless and fresh.
Finally, the Long Layered Cut is best suited for men with long hair, as it will add shape to it while reducing bulk. We can make a flowing and textured hairstyle by layering it. This will prevent it from looking heavy because of its long length.
How to Ask for a Layered Cut
When you go to your barber, it’s crucial that you communicate well. Rather than saying you want ‘layers’, it’s helpful to be more descriptive. We ask that you bring a picture of a hair cut that you would like to see. Let us know how much of your hair you would like to keep, as well as your desired finish. You can use descriptions such as ‘textured’, ‘choppy’, or ‘soft layers to explain a hairstyle that you would like. Asking specifically for layers in a haircut for men ensures your barber understands the look you’re going for.
Let’s Find Your Perfect Style
Layered haircuts are an excellent means of adding texture and personality to your haircut. This is a timeless means of styling your hair that is limitless in its capabilities. Perhaps you have been thinking of making a positive change in your appearance, and you desire a fresh new haircut that is fashionable and easy to maintain. In that case, we have just the thing for you at our salon in Scottsdale!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Nov 24, 2025 | Men’s Haircuts
Military cuts have always been a means of expressing military standards of discipline and masculinity. This type of haircut was originally intended for use in military institutions as a means of ensuring military hygiene standards. In Scottsdale, we get a lot of guys coming in for military cuts because of their clean and easy-to-maintain look. If you’re looking for a sharp Scottsdale men’s haircut, the military cut is still a striking option. Below are a number of military cuts that you could try at First & Mane!
The High and Tight
The High & Tight is perhaps one of the most famous men’s military haircut styles ever. It consists of a very short or shaved section of hair around and at the back of the head, with a slightly longer section of hair on top that is still quite short. This particular aspect of a High & Tight is all about how high up the fade of hair is cut. This particular cut is one of the most convenient ones, as it is well-suited for a physically active individual because it will keep your hair off your neck and out of your ears.
The Buzz Cut
When it comes to low-maintenance haircut options, it is hard to beat the Buzz Cut. This cut entails cutting all of your hair uniformly short all over your head, using just one length of a guard. This is one haircut that needs no styling whatsoever. It is just a matter of washing your hair, and you are ready to go. This type of haircut is suitable for most types of hair, as well as those with striking facial features who want classic military haircut styles for men.
The Crew Cut
This is a classic cut that is a bit longer than a buzz cut. This is because it is cut so that it is tapered close all over, with longer hair on top that is long enough to be styled. In most cases, this hair is longest at the front and gets progressively shorter as it reaches up to the crown of the head. This can either be combed back, brushed to one side, or a messy look that is textured by using a bit of product. This is a good cut that fits all types of heads.
The Regulation Cut
The Regulation Cut is a more conservative and traditional military cut. This type of cut has a longer top that is neatly parted and combed to one side, while keeping the sides and back clean and short. Essentially, this is a classic side part haircut with a military cut’s structured look. This haircut radiates a clean and professionally put-together look, making it an awesome cut to wear to work.
In order to maintain such a haircut, one will need a good-quality comb and a light-hold styling cream or gel. For those who appreciate timeless military style haircuts for men, the Regulation Cut never goes out of style.
Choosing Your Style
Each of these military-inspired cuts offers a unique look, ranging from the dramatic look of a High and Tight haircut to a traditional Regulation Cut. In selecting a cut that is well-suited to your needs, you will need to take a number of factors into consideration. At First & Mane, we are always happy to assist you in selecting a cut that will meet your needs!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Nov 17, 2025 | Fade Haircuts
In need of a new-cut trend that is at once timeless and fresh? Our barbershop in Scottsdale has seen a spate of clients clamoring for a popular new trend in cuts – and it happens to be that fade cuts are at the forefront. Looking for inspiration for fade haircut styles? We have plenty to show you.
Whether you’re a novice at fades or just looking to mix it up from your current look, we’re here at First & Mane to take you through everything you need to know about this popular haircut, including how to choose the different type of fade haircuts that will suit you best.
What is a Fade Haircut?
A fade cut is a type of haircut that progressively changes from longer hair to shorter hair from top to sides and back. Note that a fade is a progression or a transition in this context. Unlike a normal taper cut, a fade cut uses a smooth transition that begins at different points around your head.
Common Variants of Fade Haircuts
Low Fade
This is a low fade that starts above the ear region and goes around back. This is a subtle, professional cut that is specifically designed for those guys that want a clean look without making too bold of a statement.
Mid Fade
This type of fade starts an inch above the ear, creating a higher contrast than a low fade, though it is quite flexible. This is our most popular cut because it is a balance of both traditional and modern designs.
High Fade
A high fade is a haircut that begins at the top of your head with a significant contrast between your top and sides, as your top is longer than your sides. This is one of the best styles for those with thick hair or those looking to make a statement.
Skin Fade
This is also known as a bald fade. In a bald fade, hair is cut all the way down to the skin at its shortest part. A striking effect is created because of a transition from skin to long hair and is one of the different types of fades you might try.
Choosing the Right Fade for Your Hairstyle
When our clients come to our chair, we take a few important points in consideration before performing a fade cut. Your face shape is an important factor. For instance, round-faced guys will look great in a higher fade, while longer guys will easily rock a lower fade.
Your lifestyle is also a factor. When you have a conservative job setting, a low or mid fade is perhaps your best option. Others with more freedom in their work environment could go for a high fade or a skin fade.
Texture of hair also impacts which fade will work well. Curly or coarse hair is naturally full of volume and works well with a high fade, while straight hair allows a harmonious mix of a fade of any type.
Maintaining Your Fade
This is how it is with fades, though: you have to maintain them. Most fades will look grown out after a couple of weeks. That’s why we usually see our clients with a fade about every two weeks.
In between your visits, you need to keep your hair clean and well-moisturized. You will use a good shampoo and conditioner based on your type of hair. If you have a skin fade, you will apply a light lotion to your faded spots to prevent irritation.
Ready for Your Next Cut?
Fade haircuts are popular because they offer a mix of traditional barber-cutting skills and current fashion trends. Whether it is a low and tidy fade or a radical skin fade, you will get a well-crafted haircut that has been developed through years of barbering experience.
Come visit our shop in Scottsdale, and we will work together to identify a fade that suits you based on your look, facial features, and lifestyle. If you have more questions, feel free to contact our barbers at First & Mane – you’re welcome to come with some inspiration in terms of pictures!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
