What Are the Best Buzz Cuts for a Receding Hairline?

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Master hair stylist Frankie Sanderson explains why the buzz cut is great for receding hairlines, plus other flattering styles

Co-authored by Frankie Sanderson and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: November 19, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Is a buzz cut good for a receding hairline?
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• Types of Buzz Cuts
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• Choosing the Right Buzz Cut
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• Other Haircuts for Receding Hairlines
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• Video
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• Tips

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If you’ve got a receding hairline, you might be asking yourself the question, “To buzz or not to buzz?” Although parting with the hair you’ve got can feel like a big change, choosing a shorter cut might be exactly what you need to feel more confident. If you’re on the fence, keep reading to learn if a buzz cut is the best choice for you, with expert insights from professional barbers and hairstylists.

Buzz Haircut for a Receding Hairline

Master hair stylist Frankie Sanderson says a buzz cut is a good option if you have a receding hairline, as it helps your hair look fuller. Plus, it takes the focus away from the hairline and lets your features shine. Additionally, buzz cuts are low-maintenance and work on almost every face shape.

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Section 1 of 4:

Is a buzz cut good for a receding hairline?

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   Yes, a buzz cut can help reduce the appearance of a receding hairline. Men with receding or uneven hairlines often get a buzz cut because it can disguise a hairline that’s beginning to inch back. Sanderson says they are especially great for those with thinning or fine hair, as they help the hair look fuller. Plus, he notes that buzz cuts bring out the cheekbones and jawline.

   • Additionally, Sanderson says buzz cuts are easy to keep clean and hydrated. The style is fuss-free and low-maintenance—all you have to do is get it trimmed regularly, depending on how fast your hair grows.
   • Sanderson also notes that buzz cuts are helpful if you’re currently receiving hair treatments.
   • A buzz cut is considered a stylish and minimalist chic haircut that looks good on almost everyone and exudes confidence.
   • When should you avoid a buzzcut if you have a receding hairline? Avoid buzz cuts if you have serious balding, scalp issues, or an irregularly shaped head. Getting a buzz cut can further highlight any of these issues, so shaving off all of the hair is often recommended instead.
   • Having longer hair can actually make a receding hairline stand out more, since there is a clearer divide between where hair should be and where it isn’t.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Frankie Sanderson is a master hair stylist and founder of TheStudeo, a styling business that specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image.

   Tiffany Carnevale-Russo is a licensed cosmetologist with over 19 years of experience. She specializes in haircuts and hairstyling for men.

   Arthur Sebastian is a professional hair stylist and owner of Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon. He has over 30 years of experience.

   Igor Sadurskii is a traditional barber. Known for his expertise in classic and modern men’s haircuts, he is very passionate about the art and craft of barbering.

   Courtney Foster is a certified hair loss practitioner and licensed cosmetologist. She runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC, and has been featured on The Today Show.
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Section 2 of 4:

Best Buzz Cuts for a Receding Hairline

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   Induction Cut An induction cut is a short crop of uniform length all over. It gets its name from the military, which buzzes the hair of its recruits when they’re inducted. Use a #0.5 or #1 guard to create a clean and polished induction cut. This cut can help minimize the look of a receding hairline as long as there isn’t any significant balding.
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   Buzz Cut Fade According to Sanderson, the buzz cut is one of the best styles for a receding hairline. It’s achieved by using electric clippers to trim the hair down to a short length all over. A fade helps blend the longer hair up top with shorter hair on the back and sides. A buzz cut fade is a great choice for those who want shape and sharpness with relatively little upkeep. Professional Hair Stylist Arthur Sebastian shares that this is a really popular cut nowadays. According to him, a lot of clients will leave the top of their head at a #2, which he describes as a “shorter medium length.”

   • Then, Sebastian says he “fades down to a zero,” adding that everyone loves that “tapered look.”
   • A buzz cut fade offers versatility while keeping the hair fairly short, which can help conceal a receding hairline as well as thinning hair.
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   Buzz Cut with a Taper Fade A taper fade is a more gradual type of fade, moving from a skin fade at the bottom and sides to a longer length on top. The length gradually increases, creating a sharp style that looks good in both professional and social settings. Taper fades work well on people with thick or curly hair, as the tapered edges can make the overall look appear neater and more elevated.

   • Ask for a #3 or #4 up top and a #1 at the sides. Then, lower it to a #0 as the hair narrows down to the neck.
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   High and Tight Sanderson agrees that the high and tight is great for receding hairlines. Just like it sounds, a high and tight haircut refers to a short, cropped style that strikes a balance between more hair up top and less on the sides and back. While technically a fade and not a buzz cut, this is another military-inspired cut that offers a strong, masculine look and less maintenance. Ask for a #2 on top and a #0 on the sides. Opt to shave the sides for an ultra-polished aesthetic.
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   Brush Cut This cut features a short top and tapered or faded edges for a structured, no-nonsense look. Traditional Barber Igor Sadurskii shares that a “low fade” or “shaved sides” can add some real “personalization” to this kind of haircut. Ask for it by getting a #1 up top and a #0.5 or #0 beginning just below the temples. Celebrities like Brad Pitt and David Beckham have been known to rock a brush cut.
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   Burr Cut Similar to an induction cut, a burr cut offers a fuller look while maintaining uniformity. According to Sadurskii, choosing how much length to keep “depends on your life, what kind of job you have, and your personality.” Ask your barber to use a #1 or #2 clipper guard all over for an even, stylish result. Plan to go in for trims every 2-4 weeks.
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Choose the Right Buzz Cut For You

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   Opt for a longer style if you have thick or curly hair, and a shorter cut for thin hair. Thick, curly hair hides problem areas better than fine, straight hair. If you have thicker hair, you can opt for a #3 or #4 guard while still disguising your receding hairline. If you have thinner hair, a closer crop starting at #1 or #2 is probably best. If you’re not sure how short you should go, start at a #3-#4 and eventually try going lower if you feel comfortable.

   • Hair Stylist Tiffany Carnevale-Russo explains that a higher guard number means more hair will be left behind, while a lower buzz number indicates less hair. For example, a #3 is a medium-long length, a #1 is a really cropped length, and a #0 is basically just skin.
   • Buzz cuts don’t have to be boring! Ask your barber to fade your sides for a bit more sharpness and shape, or to line up your beard just right to balance your face.
   • If you have a specific idea in mind but aren’t sure how to ask for it, Carnevale-Russo recommends that you bring your barber pictures. “They explain more than you trying to verbalize what it is you're looking for,” she says.
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   Pick a buzz cut that suits your face shape. One major benefit of getting a buzz cut is that it can be tailored to suit almost every face shape. First, determine your face shape. For example, if your face is longer than it is wide, with a narrow forehead and cheekbones, you may have an oblong or rectangular-shaped face. A classic buzz cut would work well in this case, as it doesn’t add extra height and accentuates your facial features. Here are some other important tidbits to know:

   • A square-shaped face is defined by a strong jaw and a broad forehead. A high and tight is a good option for a square-shaped face.
   • A round face is shorter than it is long, with full cheeks and a curved jaw. A buzz cut fade would work well, adding length and balance to this face shape.
   • Both a diamond and a triangle-shaped face are characterized by pointed chins. A diamond shape has more focus on high cheekbones, while a triangle face shape typically has a more angular jaw. A high fade with a bit of length on top would look good on either face shape.
   • A heart-shaped face features a wide forehead, high cheekbones, and a pointed chin. A classic buzz cut would complement this shape. To balance wider cheekbones, add a bit more length on top and keep the sides short.
   • An oval face is longer than it is wide but still very balanced in appearance. Oval face shapes are the most versatile, so try anything from an induction cut to a longer, textured crop with faded sides. You can’t go wrong!
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   Consider facial hair and your overall aesthetic. Buzz cuts offer an edgy, masculine, and sharp look, which is important to consider before you take the leap (or the buzz). If you tend to go for longer or preppier styles, a buzz cut may push you out of your comfort zone. If you get a buzz cut and start feeling a little too exposed, consider growing out some stubble or even a short beard.

   • Facial hair can help balance the contrast of a buzz cut while highlighting your handsome facial features.
   • Sported by the likes of Tom Hardy and Drake, a very short buzz with a long beard is a popular way to style this ‘do.
   • A high and tight with a short, manicured beard is favored by celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Zayn Malik.
   • Sadurskii offers some advice on keeping your beard well-groomed: “You have to use products, like a [beard oil] or balm, to keep it soft and looking good.”
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Section 4 of 4:

Other Haircuts for Receding Hairlines

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   Crew Cut Sanderson agrees that the crew cut is a great style for receding hairlines. This classic cut is short on the sides and the bottom while maintaining a little more length on top. This cut works well at hiding receding hairlines because there are lots of different ways to style it, depending on where your hair is thinning most. The tapering at the sides hides thinning at the temples, while the length on top distracts from the hairline. Celebrities like Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Gosling are longtime fans of the crew cut.
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   Textured Crop According to Sanderson, this hairstyle is perfect for those with a receding hairline. The trendy ‘do offers coverage and style, featuring a longer front with short and/or faded sides. This look works best on people who still have a good amount of hair around the crown, especially if their hair texture is thick or curly. Getting a low fade adds dimension and highlights the fullness on top.

   • Other popular cropped styles, like the Caesar cut and French crop, work great for receding hairlines, says Sanderson.
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   Side Part This hairstyle is ideal for those who are experiencing hair thinning on one side of their head. Ask your barber to create a highly defined side part with a razor or do it yourself at home with a comb. Then, arrange the hair so it covers any bald spots or thinner areas. This ‘do works well on every hair type.

   • Sadurskii says, “For thin hair, a side part is one of the best haircuts because you can pick the length that works the best for you.”
   • He explains that you can go for “a skin fade to blend the bottom of the sides and keep it a little longer.” Or, “comb over to keep the length that is going to cover those thinning spots.”
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   Slick Back This elegant and iconic style is characterized by a long, brushed back top and shorter sides. Similar to a comb over, comb the longer strands on the top of your head back to hide problem areas. The shorter, faded sides help the longer locks blend in, minimizing the appearance of a receding hairline.

   • Looking for more styles? According to Sanderson, the quiff and faux hawk are other great hairstyles for receding hairlines.
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   Clean-shaven head If you’re tired of trying to hide your receding hairline, shaving your head could be the way to go! Lots of celebrities have opted for this sharp and masculine look, like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Vin Diesel, and Jason Statham. Achieve this by first trimming the longer parts of your hair. Then, lather your head with shaving gel and use a razor to shave gently, following the natural growth pattern of your hair.
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Tips

• To prevent further hair loss, prioritize your health. Certified Hair Loss Practitioner Courtney Foster explains that while male pattern hair loss is hereditary, there are still ways to keep the hair you have.

  • She recommends that you maintain moisture, eat a healthy diet with lots of leafy greens, and nourish the scalp with sulfate-free products and an omega-3 supplement.
  • She encourages you to avoid harsh chemicals, like sulfates and parabens, along with excessive pulling, heat, and overexposure to the sun.
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• To stimulate hair growth, Foster suggests applying essential oils coupled with scalp massages. She says that rosemary oil, black seed oil, and almond oil are some of the best.

  • Foster advises that you go to the dermatologist to figure out the cause of your hair loss and come up with a plan.
  • Other options may include steroid shots, topical steroid creams like Rogaine or Minoxidil, or laser light therapy.
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