11 Long Hairstyles for Men

Long hair on men only works when it is cut and kept with intent. Below-shoulder length can look polished, relaxed, or rugged, but it needs shaping and a plan for the front and the weight. These 11 long hairstyles for men cover the versions that actually hold up at real length, from straight hair worn loose to buns, ponytails, and braids.

Every style below states the look, who it suits, the length it needs, and its maintenance level, plus the exact words to use at the salon. If you are still growing your hair out, start with the loose styles and move to the tied styles once the length reaches the shoulders. Unsure which shapes suit your face? Our face shape guide can help you check before you book.

Quick picks — the shortlist

• Long straight, all one length — the cleanest starting point if your hair is naturally straight.
• Long curly hair — the fullest option, with the shape doing most of the work.
• The classic man bun — the most practical tied style for work, workouts, and hot days.
• Long braids — the longest-lasting tied style, and the best way to protect very long hair.

11 long hairstyles for men

1. Long straight, all one length

Worn loose with a clean, even perimeter, this is long hair at its simplest: straight strands falling past the shoulders with no visible layers breaking the outline. It suits straight, fine to medium hair and oval, oblong, and heart faces, because the unbroken length draws the eye downward. The length is about 14-16 inches (36-41 cm) from the crown to the ends. Maintenance is low to medium: the cut itself is simple, but the ends need regular dusting to stay even. Ask for: long straight hair kept all one length, past the shoulders, with a clean perimeter and no layers.

2. Long wavy hair, worn loose

Soft, natural waves give below-shoulder hair movement without any styling effort, with the waves opening up the sides so the hair does not hang like a curtain. It suits naturally wavy hair of medium thickness and most face shapes, especially square faces that benefit from softer edges. The length is about 12-14 inches (30-35 cm), long enough for the waves to form fully. Maintenance is low: it is made to air-dry with a little leave-in conditioner. Ask for: long wavy hair with the ends shaped lightly so the waves can move, keeping the length past the shoulders.

3. Long curly hair, full and rounded

Curls are left long and shaped into a rounded silhouette, so the volume sits around the head instead of collapsing at the sides. It suits naturally curly and coily hair and oval, round, and heart faces, because the fullness balances a longer or narrower face. The length is about 12-14 inches (30-35 cm) when stretched, which springs up shorter once dry. Maintenance is medium: curls need moisture and careful detangling, but the shape forgives missed trims. Ask for: long curly hair cut dry, shaped round, keeping the length past the shoulders.

4. Extra-long straight hair

This is the commitment version: straight hair grown well past the shoulders, worn loose and center- or side-parted, with the sheer length as the statement. It suits straight, thick hair and oval and oblong faces, which can carry the extra weight. The length is about 18-20 inches (46-51 cm) from the crown, reaching well below the shoulder blades. Maintenance is medium to high, because very long ends tangle and split more easily. Ask for: extra-long straight hair, kept all one length, with only the very ends tidied.

5. Long layered waves

Long layers are cut through the lower half of wavy hair, removing weight so the waves stack and swing instead of sitting heavy on the shoulders. It suits wavy hair of medium to thick density and round and square faces, because the layers keep the sides from widening the face. The length is about 13-15 inches (33-38 cm), with the shortest layers starting below the chin. Maintenance is low to medium: the layers grow out softly between cuts. Ask for: long layered waves with layers through the bottom half, keeping the overall length past the shoulders.

6. Center-part long hair

A clean center part splits long, straight-to-wavy hair evenly down the middle, giving a symmetrical frame that looks deliberate rather than just grown out. It suits straight to slightly wavy hair and oval, heart, and diamond faces, because the balanced parting flatters symmetrical features. The length is about 12-14 inches (30-35 cm), reaching the shoulders and just past them so it can be tied back. Maintenance is low: the part does the styling work and the cut needs only occasional tidying. Ask for: long hair with a center part, kept past the shoulders, with the front pieces left long enough to tuck behind the ears.

7. The classic man bun

All of the hair is gathered and twisted into a single bun at the back of the head, keeping long hair completely off the face and neck. It suits straight, wavy, and curly hair that is long enough to gather, and it works on most face shapes because the pulled-back front opens up the features. The length is about 12-14 inches (30-35 cm), the minimum for a secure bun without loose pieces falling out. Maintenance is low: the style itself takes a minute, though the hair underneath still needs washing and conditioning. Ask for: long hair kept even enough to gather into a man bun, with the bun sitting at the back of the head.

8. The high top knot

The hair is pulled up and knotted high on the crown, a bolder, more compact version of the man bun that shows off the jawline and any beard. It suits thick, straight to wavy hair and oval, square, and round faces, because the height on top lengthens the profile. The length is about 13-15 inches (33-38 cm), enough to reach the crown and knot securely. Maintenance is low to medium: the knot is quick, but the pulled-up style shows regrowth and flyaways sooner. Ask for: long hair that can be gathered into a high top knot on the crown, keeping the sides smooth.

9. The low bun

The hair is gathered low at the nape into a relaxed bun, the most understated tied style here and the easiest to wear with smarter clothes. It suits straight and wavy hair of fine to medium thickness and longer faces, because the low placement does not add height on top. The length is about 12-14 inches (30-35 cm), just enough to twist and pin at the nape. Maintenance is low: it takes a minute to put up and needs no heat styling. Ask for: long hair gathered into a low bun at the nape, with a few soft pieces left loose at the front if you like.

10. The long ponytail

All of the hair is pulled back into a single ponytail that hangs down the back, the most practical way to keep very long hair out of the way while still showing its length. It suits straight, wavy, and curly hair and most face shapes, especially oval and heart faces that suit a pulled-back front. The length is about 13-15 inches (33-38 cm), so the tail itself falls well past the shoulders. Maintenance is low: tie it up and go, but use a soft tie and vary the position so the hair does not break in one spot. Ask for: long hair kept all one length so it pulls cleanly into a ponytail past the shoulders.

11. Long braids

The hair is braided into long, defined plaits that fall past the shoulders, keeping very long hair protected, tidy, and out of the face. It suits thick, curly, coily, and straight hair that holds a braid, and most face shapes, because the braids frame rather than widen the face. The length is about 16-18 inches (41-46 cm), giving braids that hang well below the shoulders. Maintenance is medium: braiding takes time up front, but the style then lasts for days with little daily work. Ask for: long hair braided into full-length braids past the shoulders, with the scalp sections kept neat and comfortable.

How to choose the right long hairstyle

Start with your natural texture, not the photo. Straight hair holds the clean, all-one-length styles best, while wavy and curly hair already has the movement those cuts try to create, so layered and rounded shapes suit it with less styling. If your hair is fine, keep the perimeter full and avoid heavy layering; if it is thick, layers and tied styles remove weight and keep it manageable.

Next, think about how you actually live in your hair. If you work out, work outdoors, or simply hate hair in your face, choose a length and style that ties back cleanly — a bun, a ponytail, or braids — rather than a loose style you will end up tying badly every day. If you wear a beard, keep the balance in mind too: a full beard with very long loose hair can overwhelm the face, while a tied style lets both show. Our beard fade styles guide shows how to keep the beard and the haircut working together.

Finally, be honest about upkeep. Very long hair needs conditioning, gentle detangling, and trims to keep the ends healthy, even if the style looks effortless. If that routine does not appeal, start at just past shoulder length rather than growing to extra-long length and cutting it all off in frustration.

What to ask your stylist

Use one sentence that covers the length, the texture, and how you will wear it. For example: “I would like my hair kept past the shoulders, about 14 inches (35 cm) long, with light layers through the bottom half, and it needs to tie back into a bun without pieces falling out.” Tell your stylist whether you part your hair in the center or to the side, and whether you ever wear it tied. Always show front and back reference photos: with long hair, the back view shows the length and perimeter most clearly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does men’s hair need to be to tie it back?

Most men need about 12 inches (30 cm) of hair to tie it back securely, with a little more for a bun that holds all day. Shorter hair can go into a small ponytail, but loose pieces will fall out, especially around the ears and the nape. If tying it back matters to you, tell your stylist before the cut so no layer is cut too short to reach the tie.

How often should long hair for men be trimmed?

A light trim every eight to twelve weeks is enough for most long styles, because the goal is healthy ends rather than a precise shape. Tangling, split ends, or a thin perimeter mean you should book sooner. Tell your stylist to dust only the ends if you are still growing your hair out.

Is long hair high maintenance for men?

The daily styling can be very low — wash, condition, and tie it back — but the care routine is more involved than a short cut. Long hair needs conditioner, gentle detangling from the ends upward, and protection from heat and rough towel-drying. The lowest-effort styles here are the loose wavy cut, the man bun, and the low bun.

Can men with thinning hair grow it long?

It depends on where the thinning is. Long hair can cover a thinning crown from some angles, but it can also make thinning more obvious by pulling weight down and exposing the scalp. If your hairline is receding or the crown is thinning, ask your stylist whether length will help or highlight it before growing it out.

Long hair for men rewards patience: grow it with a plan, keep the ends healthy, and choose a style you will actually wear day to day. Shortlist two or three styles here, save clear front and back photos, and let your stylist adjust the final length to your texture on the day.

Keep exploring

• Long Hairstyles — the women’s long-hair collection, for layering and length ideas that translate well.
• Quiff Hairstyles for Men — height on top with shorter sides, if you want volume without the length.
• Pompadour Hairstyles for Men — the classic swept-back style for straight to wavy hair.
• Wavy Perm Ideas for Men — how to add lasting wave to straight hair that will not hold a bend on its own.