Nov 3, 2025 | Men’s Haircuts, Style Guides
We have seen an increasing trend of short haircuts in our older clients in Scottsdale, and it is easy to see why. In fact, if you’re looking for a haircut in Scottsdale, you’ll notice how these cuts present a subtle yet impeccable fusion of elegance and functionality that is suitable for a modern man’s busy schedule. Whether you want a new look or an easy-to-maintain one, short haircuts present you with a wonderful opportunity.
We have also seen that a lot of guys feel hesitant about a shorter cut after 50, thinking that this might take away their distinguished look. But short haircut styles for older men are actually likely to accentuate your best features while making you look polished and confident.
Why Short Haircuts Are So Effective for Older Men
There are several attractive reasons why haircut styles for older men are highly suitable when they’re kept short. First and foremost is easy styling, in that you will spend less time in front of the mirror in the morning, as well as less time in salons for hair cuts. This is one factor that some clients greatly appreciate.
In addition to being convenient, short styles also have a youthful effect because they accentuate your facial features as opposed to any thinning or balding hair. We have seen numerous clients leave our shop at First & Mane looking several years younger after we have done a well-cut short haircut on them.
Classic Designs that Remain in Vogue through the Years
The Crew Cut
This military-inspired cut is one of our most sought-after options when it comes to men’s haircut styles for older men, and it’s easy to see why. We usually keep about an inch of hair on top while simultaneously shortening the sides and back. This crew cut is also a great option for men with a receding hairline because it offers a clean-cut look that appears as though it’s meant to be that way.
Side Part
Perceived as a highly sophisticated businesslike look, a side part is an excellent combination of longer hair at the top and cropped sides. Typically, we section out a clear part with a comb and set it in place with a light pomade. This particular cut is generally considered universal as it will work well regardless of face or hair type.
The Buzz Cut
For those that prefer a low-maintenance cut, a buzz cut is a powerful statement with less effort. We usually buzz a #3 or #4 guard for a well-proportioned cut that is neither too harsh nor too long. This cut is most flattering to a man that has robust facial features or one that is undergoing substantial thinning of his hair.
Modern Fashion Trends for a Modern Gentleman
The Textured Crop
This is a more contemporary take that uses subtle layers to add texture and motion. We cut it shorter around the sides while longer at the top and use texturizing techniques by point-cutting. Then we use a matte paste to give it a natural, undone look.
The Fade
Among our older demographic, fades have become incredibly popular as they provide a clean, fresh look. We start by seamlessly blending the hair from longer around the top to shorter around the sides and back. This is accomplished by ensuring that we get the right height of the fade, usually a mid-fade for an age-appropriate look.
The Modern Quiff
A more refined version of a pompadour is a quiff. This hairstyle has shorter sides with longer hair brushed back. It also needs less styling. You only have to run your hand through your damp hair with a small amount of styling cream in it.
Finding Your Perfect Short Hairstyle
Short haircuts are a great chance for older guys to give their look a new twist, while also making it simpler to maintain. It’s all about choosing a style that suits you; after all, the best short haircuts for older men are those that complement your face type, hair type, and preferences as well. We always recommend trying out different cuts until you feel satisfied with your look.
Keep in mind that nothing beats a haircut that makes you feel confident and at ease in your own skin. So go ahead and bring up your worries and preferences with your barber at First & Mane – your stylist is waiting to assist you in creating a look that complements your natural beauty and integrates smoothly with your lifestyle!
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.
Sep 30, 2025 | Men’s Grooming Tips
Whether you are making a bold color change or just fixing up your roots, booking in your hair color and haircut appointments can make all the difference in your final result. This age-old dilemma haunts women just as much as men when attempting a balance between a new color and a sharp cut. Should I dye my hair before or after a haircut? This is one of the most common questions clients ask their stylists.
The order you choose depends on several factors, including your desired outcome, hair condition, and the type of transformation you’re seeking. Understanding the pros and cons of each approach will help you make the best decision for your hair goals. Here are some essential barber shop tips to assist in making an informed choice – contact First & Mane if you have any questions or need help!
Understanding the Hair Coloring Process
Hair dyeing involves chemical processes that can temporarily alter your hair’s texture and manageability. Professional colorists use various techniques, from single-process colors to complex highlighting methods, each affecting how your hair behaves during and after the service.
The coloring process opens up your hair cuticles so color molecules can enter into the hair shaft. That chemical alteration can cause newly colored hair to feel a different texture when you cut it, so timing is key when scheduling a haircut. Many clients wonder about whether to dye hair before or after a haircut for optimal results.
Dyeing Your Hair Before a Haircut
Advantages for Both Women and Men
Getting your hair colored initially allows your stylist a full canvas upon which to create. Your stylist is able to gauge how color works with the direction of hair’s natural movement and make strategic cutting decisions based upon those insights. This is a particularly effective plan when you are transitioning dramatically in color because your stylist can ensure an arrangement works in concert with a totally different hue.
For women with lengthy hair thinking about drastic cuts, pre-coloring allows you to experience your new color at its full length before shorter styles are a last decision. Exact cuts are an option for men when color makes a dramatic effect on their hair’s inherent texture.
Possible Drawbacks
New color makes hair slippery and more difficult to cut accurately. Newly colored hair is sometimes found by stylists not to fall so naturally, making it difficult for stylists to gauge what it is going to look like once it falls. Cutting fresh color hair can also result in minimal color bleed issues, especially when cutting brightly or semi-permanently colored hair. Some stylists weigh the risks of whether they should dye hair before or after a cutting when considering vibrant color transformations.
Dyeing Your Hair After a Haircut
Advantages for Women and Men
Some professional stylists would rather cut first prior to coloring because it is easier for them to manipulate your hair’s texture and fall. This is also a more accurate method for cutting hair for detailed styles such as women’s layered haircuts or men’s fade haircuts.
Cutting first also implies you’re only cutting hair you’re going to retain, which may prove cheaper for full hair color treatments. On maintenance visits, this just makes more fiscal sense since you’re revising color as well as cut. In fact, many experts discuss the option to cut hair before or after coloring when aiming to minimize color waste and cost.
Things to Keep in Mind
The main disadvantage is that your stylist must visualize how the final color will look with the cut. This requires more experience and expertise, particularly for complex color combinations. If you’re uncertain about your color choice, seeing it on your full head of hair before cutting might provide more confidence in your decision.
Choosing the Correct Option for Your Hair
Timing is best in your individual circumstance. When you’re making a dramatic color change or a first-time use for a shade, pre-dyeing with a cut allows you full effect before making a shorter-length commitment. When you’re doing a routine upkeep or dealing with a seasoned colorist familiar with your likes, cutting first could produce more accurate results.
You may want to bring it up with your stylist, as they understand what hair you have and can recommend what you should do for a specific effect. Stylists generally have preferences based on their experience and what service you are requesting.
Remember, both techniques can yield wonderful results when performed by trained professionals knowledgeable in how combinations of color and cutting techniques best make you appear. Book an appointment at First & Mane to discuss your hairstyling plans today!
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.
Sep 16, 2025 | Fade Haircuts
The fade haircut has gained a most desirable status in barbershops throughout the world. From corporate boardrooms to basketball arenas, its crisp, clean cut blends hair lengths in a harmonious merge for nearly any occasion. But where did the fade haircut originate? This signature style has an intriguing backstory that brings together tradition, culture, and modern innovation.
Tracing its story uncovers the history of the fade haircut, revealing how practicality for the US Military, waves in cultural popularity, and innovation came together to create a haircut we see all the time at First and Mane. Whether you consider attempting a fade for the first time or wondering about its origins, you’ll be surprised at how much you find its story compelling.
Ancient Origins
While our contemporary fade is a modern creation, there were comparable methods thousands of years ago. Men had their hair tapered during ancient Egyptian and Roman times, though using considerably less advanced methods than those used today. Egyptian paintings show men whose hair had been buzzed closely and tapered shorter towards the neckline, while Roman soldiers had clean tapered looks for both practicality and consistency.
These early styles didn’t use the term “fades,” but they established the general premise: gradually cutting hair shorter from longer creates a clean-defined appearance. Understanding how the fade haircut originated offers insight into its enduring influence.
1940s Military Style
As a style, our version of the fade haircut started in World War II. US Army standards at the time mandated soldiers wear short, tidy haircuts which would not obstruct helmets or equipment. Barbers in the armed forces created effective styles by cutting hair quickly, within regulation, while still cutting a sharp image.
The military’s “high and tight” look had very short sides which tapered gradually up into shorter hair on top. As a practical haircut style, it prioritized speed and uniformity but also set the standard for what would one day become today’s fade. Military personnel returning from combat brought their haircut styles with them upon their arrival at home, consequently introducing civilian barbers to armed forces cutting styles and helping spark the ongoing evolution of fades.
1980s Hip-Hop Culture
The fade enjoyed its highest moment in cultural significance in the 1980s hip-hop explosion. Big Daddy Kane, Grace Jones, and members of pioneering hip-hop groups brought several forms of fades into mass popularity when a military cut became a strong form of self-identification.
Hip-hop culture elevated the fade from a simple practical cut to an art form. Barbers in urban communities began experimenting with different fade heights, creating high fades, mid fades, and low fades. The precision required for these cuts turned barbering into a respected craft, with skilled barbers gaining recognition for their ability to create perfect blends.
This is also when creative variations such as the “Gumby” fade and other sculpture styles were introduced in an effort to experiment further with conventional barbering. Who invented the fade haircut? Its roots span many communities and cultures, shaped by collective influence rather than a single innovator.
1990s and Beyond
The 1990s brought the fade into mainstream popularity across all demographics. Professional athletes, actors, and musicians adopted various fade styles, making the cut acceptable in corporate environments and formal settings.
Technological advancements in clipper construction at this time made it possible for barbers to produce even more exacting fades. Several guard lengths and better blades made possible the even transitions found in quality fades today. The look continued to develop with such trends as the skin fade, in which hair fades gradually into complete bareness at the skin, and in the burst fade, which traces the curve of the ear.
Social media and barbering communities have further accelerated the fade’s evolution, with new variations appearing regularly and spreading globally within days.
The Fade’s Durable Legacy
The fade haircut’s journey from military necessity to cultural phenomenon demonstrates how functional design can become timeless style. Its popularity stems from versatility – the fade works with virtually any hair type and complements both casual and formal looks.
Whether you are attracted to its fresh look, minimal upkeep, or strong cultural heritage, the fade embodies more than a haircut. It is a haircut that crosses boundaries between generations, cultures, and settings, while retaining its essential essence: a sublime combination between practicality and elegance.
For anyone inspired to experience this iconic style firsthand, be sure to visit our shop in Old Town Scottsdale, AZ, for a professional fade and a taste of authentic barbering tradition.
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.
Sep 2, 2025 | Men’s Haircuts, Style Guides
Freckles are an iconic trait that can add to your general look when accompanied by a proper haircut. Instead of covering this inherent trait up, it’s all about picking a style which goes in unison with your freckled skin as well as face shape. Proper styles can accentuate your best points while developing a balanced look that is full of confidence – think of haircuts that enhance freckles rather than hide them.
Your haircut should not only flatter your freckles but also the shape of your face. Although freckles are typically indicative of a young-looking, smiling face, there are haircuts which can make this more so or introduce a level of elegance and maturity. What haircut best suits a person with freckles? The answer depends on balancing your face structure and embracing your natural features, so join First and Mane for this detailed guide.
Understanding Your Face Shape
Before selecting a haircut, identify your face shape by measuring the width of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, then comparing these to your face length.
- Oval faces are perfectly proportioned, with a forehead width that is only a tad greater than chin width. Versatile in shape, it is easy to try out a variety of haircuts.
- Round faces have similar width and length values, with softer corners. We are looking for height along with an illusion of length, while minimizing width at either side.
- Square faces feature strong jawlines and commensurable width values for cheekbones, forehead, and jaw. These faces are treated best with haircuts that soften sharp features.
- Heart faces are broader at the temples and at the forehead, which taper to a sharp-pointed chin. To achieve an ideal cut, you should balance the wider upper side with a thinner bottom.
Best Haircut Suggestions Based on Face Shape
For Oval Faces
Men with oval faces and freckles are the most versatile. A standard side part is incredibly effective, framing around the eyes while accentuating freckles in the cheeks. A textured quiff also suits this face type, generating bulk without engulfing your inherent features. These styles are often recommended by top-rated barbers for men’s haircuts.
For Round Faces
Choose flattering hairstyles for freckles that contribute a vertical height. A haircut with an undercut with longer hair on top makes the face appear longer while maintaining tidy sides. Another wonderful option is a pompadour haircut because the swept-back style makes you appear longer in the face while drawing attention upwards towards the freckled cheek areas.
For Square Faces
Soften strong jawlines with cuts that add movement and texture. A messy, tousled style works well, as the casual texture contrasts nicely with sharp facial angles. Avoid overly structured cuts that might emphasize the squareness of your face.
For Heart-Shaped Faces
Balance wider foreheads with cuts that add volume at the jawline. A side-swept fringe can minimize forehead width while drawing attention to freckles across the nose and cheeks. Medium-length styles that curl slightly at the ends also work well for this face shape.
Styling Tips for Success
Take hair texture into consideration when applying these haircuts. Thin hair does best with shorter hairstyles that are more voluminous, while full hair is able to sustain longer haircuts without appearing too much.
Maintenance is based on style complexity. Simple styles like buzz cuts or crew cuts require minimal daily styling but require trimming frequently. Complex styles like pompadours involve daily styling but longer intervals between visits to salons.
Color considerations are also involved. If you have large freckles, hair colors drawing attention are best avoided. Natural colors or soft highlights are usually more effective than dramatic color variations.
Finding Your Personal Style
The best haircut for people with freckles is truly a question of individual features, lifestyle, and preferences. Do not think twice about visiting a qualified barber at First and Mane, who can study your face structure and acquaint you with styles which suit your inherent features.
Play around with techniques until you settle on a cut that makes you feel most comfortable. Your freckles are a treasure that, when combined with a suitable haircut, can produce a recognizable and unforgettable look!
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.
Aug 8, 2025 | Hairstyles by Face Shape
Choosing a hairstyle can radically change how your face appears. When you are a man with a round face, you are looking for balance so you can add length and definition without emphasizing width. Knowing which cuts are suitable for your natural face shape – and which you can live without – can make you look totally fabulous. For the do’s and don’ts for hairstyles for round faces, a little knowledge goes a long way. Allow First and Mane to dig into this topic in more detail!
The Golden Rules: What Works for Round Faces
Increase Height with Volume
Vertical lines are your best-kept secret. Pompadours, quiffs, or textured crops take the gaze upwards so that your face is longer and more angled. Your secret is creating volume at the crown while keeping a general shape in check, which adds up to haircuts that slim round faces.
Choose Asymmetrical Styles
Side-swept bangs, deep side parts, and angular haircuts eliminate the rounded effect of oval faces. Asymmetrical features such as these add some visual stimulation and make it so that your hairstyle doesn’t end up a direct replica of your face shape. Remember modern variations like textural side parts or swept-back styles with some element of asymmetry. For those seeking the ideal haircut for a round face male, these choices are both classic and on-trend.
Keep the Sides Short
Shorter sides provide a sharp contrast with longer hair on top, in effect drawing attention upwards to vertical instead of horizontal lines. Fades, tapers, and undercuts are especially effective since they narrow the look of your face while accentuating bulk above. Most flattering haircuts for round faces are based upon this styling technique. If you need help choosing, consult a local barber shop near the Scottsdale area, such as First and Mane, for expert recommendations.
Add Texture
Smooth, sleek styles can sometimes emphasize roundness. Instead, embrace texture through layering, strategic cutting, or styling products. Textured hair creates dimension and visual complexity, which naturally flatters rounder face shapes by adding definition and movement.
What Not To Do: Characteristic Stylistic Errors
Skip the Blunt Cuts
Straight-across haircuts with sharp horizontal lines are only going to make your face appear wider. Hairstyles to avoid for round faces include bowl haircuts, blunt fringes, and geometric haircuts in most instances, as they bounce up and highlight rounded faces.
Preferred Minimum Side Volume
Whereas a certain amount of side texture is fine, bulk at ear level is not a good thing inasmuch as it makes your face look wider. Flared side haircuts or triangular silhouette-type haircuts will act against naturally occurring proportion. Side bulk should remain low and restricted.
Don’t Go Too Short in General
Buzz cuts and extremely short hair eliminate the possibility for vertical lines and definition. Lacking length in which to work, you can’t achieve the height and texture which inherently soften upturned faces. Keep some length on top for styling options.
Steer Clear of Center Parts
Center parts form complete symmetry, which may accentuate the circularness in oval faces. Side parts should not be too deep or swept as such styles are not at all flattering since it forms complete symmetry around the head, which does not create definition in any regard.
Establishing Your Personal Style
The ultimate haircut harmoniously balances features naturally with a statement about your personal style. Begin with these principles and consult a competent barber at First and Mane familiar with face shapes. We can modify our approach according to your own proportions, lifestyle, and hair texture.
Remember that any hairstyle looks best when you are confident about it. Choose styles which make you feel you and comfortable, while following simple guidelines for round faces.
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.
