14 Ugly Haircuts You Should Never Try

It is widely believed that one’s appearance is greatly influenced by their choice of clothing. However, it is equally valid to acknowledge that a man’s haircut also contributes significantly to their overall image.

Nowadays, your hairstyle carries equal significance to your clothing and footwear choices. Whether you flaunt lengthy tresses or sport the trendiest celebrity hairdo, your haircut serves as a means of self-expression. Consequently, it is essential to opt for a cut that not only enhances your appearance but also complements your facial structure and aligns with current trends. Unattractive haircuts can significantly impact your overall image. However, what exactly distinguishes a bad hairstyle as unappealing?

The suitability of cuts and hairstyles varies greatly among individuals, as certain faces can only pull off specific looks. While long hair may not be flattering, short hair can be a better choice. Even if you desire a trendy celebrity style, it may not always suit you, and your barber will likely advise you accordingly. However, there are certain haircuts that universally appear unappealing. To avoid a regrettable hairstyle, it is advisable to steer clear of the following worst haircuts.

1. The Comb Over

Sometimes, it’s important to accept reality. If you’re experiencing hair loss on the top of your head, it’s unlikely that your hair will miraculously grow back soon. In such a situation, you have two options to consider. You can opt for a hair transplant or choose to shave your thinning hair and sport a buzz cut. It is highly advised against attempting a comb over, as it tends to create an unfavorable appearance reminiscent of 70s con artists (think of Christian Bale as Irving Rosenfeld in American Hustle) or even worse, Donald Trump. Embracing your baldness and opting to shave your head is a better course of action. Interestingly, scientific research suggests that women find bald men more attractive. Therefore, it’s worth giving it a try.

2. The Rat Tail

If you desire to be immediately associated with the ghetto, the ideal haircut for you would be a rat tail. This hairstyle essentially consists of short hair with elongated strands at the nape of your neck, trailing down your back. The appearance is further exacerbated when the rat tail is braided or permed. The rat tail was a dreadful trend that gained popularity in the 80s. Although it faded away in the 90s, it has recently experienced a minor revival, for reasons we fail to comprehend. Needless to say, if your goal is to attract a romantic partner, this is definitely not the haircut you should opt for.

3. The Short Man Bun

The man bun trend had a brief period of popularity a few years ago, but it has since faded into obscurity. Although not necessarily awful, it did give rise to various man bun variations that are quite unattractive. One of these unfortunate styles is the short man bun, which entails shaved sides and a small bun on top. This haircut appears messy and does not complement any attire or event. It’s best to avoid it altogether.

4. The Perm

While often associated with women, perms have been embraced by many men throughout the years. While it adds thickness and curls to women’s hair, making them stand out, the opposite effect occurs for men. The curly hair on top appears like small coils or, as seen on Justin Timberlake, resembles instant noodles. This hairstyle is generally considered unflattering and does not enhance one’s appearance, making it advisable to steer clear of it.

5. The Ronaldo

During the 2002 soccer World Cup, the renowned Brazilian player Ronaldo sported an exceptionally unattractive haircut. Known as “the Ronaldo,” this dreadful hairstyle entailed shaving off all hair except for a triangular tuft at the front of the head. Surprisingly, Ronaldo maintained this hairstyle throughout the entire tournament, where he not only achieved the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals but also led his team to World Cup victory.

Sports Joe reported that Ronaldo admitted to ESPN Brazil that he purposely got a bad haircut in order to divert attention away from his injury. He explained that his groin was hurting and he was only functioning at 60% capacity, so he decided to shave his head. Surprisingly, his plan worked as everyone’s focus shifted from his injury to his new hairstyle. It’s hard to argue with the effectiveness of his tactic.

6. The Middle Part

This statement might spark some debate, but it is advised that individuals with long hair steer clear of the middle part. While it may have been trendy three decades ago, it no longer meets the current standards. Especially for those with straight hair, it is even less flattering. It is recommended to opt for a side part or simply pushing the hair back and allowing it to fall naturally.

7. Dreadlocks

This might come as a surprise to some, but I personally find dreadlocks to have a messy and unattractive appearance. If someone chooses to wear them as a way to celebrate their culture, that is acceptable. However, it becomes problematic when individuals from different backgrounds, particularly white cisgender men, decide to adopt dreadlocks. Although there is an ongoing discussion about cultural appropriation, I also believe that dreadlocks generally do not suit Caucasian men well, especially when they are thick and resemble a tangled mess on their heads. Personally, I would prefer not to have them.

8. The Bowl Cut

The bowl cut, for reasons unknown, persists as a favored hairstyle for men. This trend has transcended time, being worn by monks in the 17th century, The Beatles, and even Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber. The reason behind its popularity remains a mystery, considering its unappealing appearance. True to its name, this haircut gives the impression of a bowl placed on the head and haphazardly trimmed around. Despite thinking you resemble the iconic John Lennon of the 60s, chances are you more closely resemble Moe from the Three Stooges.

9. Frosted Tips

If you were a teenager in the late 90s/early 2000s and claim you never had tips, you’d be deceiving yourself. Among the numerous haircuts from that period that failed to withstand the test of time, this particular one stands out. It consists of a short back and sides, coupled with short spiked strands on the crown, often bleached blonde. We can attribute the popularity of this hairstyle to boy bands. Interestingly, Guy Fieri has been confidently showcasing frosted tips for more than twenty years now, all while amassing wealth, suggesting that perhaps there are some mystical powers associated with this dreadful haircut.

10. The Boris Johnson

The ex-UK Prime Minister possesses an incredibly unconventional hairstyle, ranking alongside Trump in terms of its sheer eccentricity. Despite having a voluminous head of hair, he appears clueless about how to style it. His perpetual disheveled appearance gives the impression of just waking up, and his habit of constantly tousling his hair only exacerbates the situation. While untidy hair can sometimes exude a sense of attractiveness and edginess, it simply doesn’t work for a middle-aged man with artificially blond hair lacking any semblance of shape. It is a hairstyle that should serve as a cautionary tale, one that nobody should attempt to imitate.

11. High and Tight Crew Cut

This particular hairstyle is highly popular among gym enthusiasts and gained attention after being worn by rapper Macklemore. It involves keeping the sides and back of the hair trimmed very short, while the top is left slightly longer, allowing it to be styled back or to the side. However, it should be noted that when the hair is wavy, it can resemble an uncircumcised penis, resulting in a poor haircut choice that is best avoided. Surprisingly, despite this drawback, the style remains quite popular and is even favored by many women, although the reasons for this preference are unclear.

12. Cornrows

Cornrows are a culturally significant African hairstyle, therefore it is advised that individuals who do not have African heritage or are not renowned rappers refrain from adopting this style. It is widely considered unappealing to see white men sporting cornrows, hence it is strongly recommended to avoid even considering this choice. To further emphasize this point, one can recall the example of Kevin Federline, Britney Spears’ former spouse, who once sported cornrows. If this alone does not dissuade you from attempting this hairstyle, it suggests a lack of understanding and appreciation for cultural appropriateness.

13. Military Box Cut

To avoid a box-like appearance for your face, it’s best to steer clear of this military-inspired haircut commonly seen on older military men. This style involves shaving the sides and back of your head almost completely, while leaving about one to two inches of hair styled into a box or flat top shape. Opting for a simple buzz cut would be a wiser choice, sparing you from any potential embarrassment or ridicule regarding your hairstyle.

14. Skullet

The revival of mullets has undoubtedly brought joy to many people in the South. Despite being an unattractive hairstyle that should be avoided, its widespread popularity makes it difficult to express strong criticism. However, the same leniency does not apply to the skullet. This dreadful style combines a mullet with a buzz cut, resulting in arguably the most horrendous haircut ever. It takes a great deal of confidence to sport this look, but even then, one might still come across as somewhat foolish.