There are two ways to approach a large forehead. The first is to cover part of it: textured fringes, French crops, Caesar cuts, curtain bangs and mullets with long front layers all bring hair forward and shorten the visible brow area. The second is to embrace it with structure and height, as a flat top, pompadour, blowout fade or neat side-part comb-over do, drawing the eye upward so the forehead becomes part of a balanced, confident silhouette.
This gallery includes both approaches, plus options for men whose hairline is starting to recede, where a high fade or buzz cut reduces the contrast between thinning temples and fuller hair elsewhere. Thick hair can handle choppy, layered crops that remove bulk; fine or thinning hair usually looks fuller with short faded sides and a textured top. Beards are also worth considering, since facial hair adds weight to the lower face and evens out the proportions.
Remember that a fringe falling straight down will reveal cowlicks and a receding hairline more than a textured, piecey one.
1. Temple Fade Haircut
Vasiliy Bodnar, a barber at the Hustle, encourages clients to choose what they genuinely like rather than copying others. This temple fade on wavy hair can be adapted to your face and head shape so it balances your features while showing personal style.
Inspiration: @vbodnarr
2. Slightly Wavy Mullet
A slightly wavy medium-length mullet, whether natural or permed, gives the coverage a larger forehead needs without losing style. The curls at the front fall loosely over the brow, and it is wise to discuss the shape with your stylist first.
Inspiration: @alyssakooc_hair
3. Line-Up Choppy Crop
A choppy French crop with a line-up and burst fade creates visual interest that makes the forehead look smaller. Longer hair on top with faded sides is also a smart choice for men with thinner hair, as it boosts the impression of density.
Inspiration: @masoudrabiee13
4. Textured Fringe Hairstyle
Layered texture on top and a short fringe pull attention away from the forehead for a balanced result. Fringe cuts are also very current, so this is a stylish option as well as a practical one.
Inspiration: @julia_edwardsandco
5. Ivy League Haircut
The Ivy League haircut is a slightly longer cousin of the crew cut with a refined, sophisticated feel. Its neat, structured shape, with a little length at the front, helps keep facial proportions in balance.
Inspiration: @eastonhair
6. Skin Fade Haircut
Award-winning barber Dean Gleeson highlights the importance of controlling the angle of the fade while keeping the blend smooth. The result is a precise high skin fade crop that sits perfectly with a full beard.
Inspiration: @dean_gleeson_
7. Fishbone Braids
Fishbone cornrows paired with a temple fade, created by Esther Martinez, offer a fashionable look that suits many outfits. The braided pattern draws the eye across the head rather than to the forehead. Moisturise the scalp between washes to keep the braids neat.
Inspiration: @esthersbraids
8. Flat Top Cut
Rather than hiding the forehead, a flat top makes it a confident feature by adding height and structure. This timeless cut works best on straight, thick hair that can stand up and hold a crisp, level top.
Inspiration: @barbercar_
9. Brush Up Fringe Hairstyle
Medium-length hair is brushed up into a side-swept fringe over a temple fade. Lift the roots with a brush or comb, tousle the strands with your fingers, then set the shape with a product suited to your hair type.
Inspiration: @jelena_vukovic_
10. Textured Crop with Blunt Bangs
A short textured crop with blunt bangs and shaved sides is the focal point of this sharp look. It suits most face shapes but is especially flattering for men with oval faces. Keep the blunt bangs trimmed every few weeks to maintain the clean line.
Inspiration: @leticiayez
11. Crew Cut
This crew cut leaves a longer, rounded section at the front with softly tapered sides and back. The shape creates a pleasing silhouette and gives a little coverage at the hairline without needing any styling.
Inspiration: @michelle.k.harrison
12. Long Top Short Sides Haircut
A longer, messy top over a taper fade breaks up the line of the forehead so it seems less prominent. The short, neat sides keep the overall cut well groomed, and a moustache adds balance to the lower face.
Inspiration: @nevilleromanzammit
13. Spiky Hairstyle
An icy blonde choppy crop with a top fade creates a dynamic style that flatters round faces. The platinum colour also exaggerates texture and makes the hair look fuller and more voluminous. Use a purple shampoo to keep the platinum free from yellow tones.
Inspiration: @top_shelf.cuts
14. Mullet with a Fringe
Long, layered bangs on a medium-length mullet cover the upper part of the face, balancing proportions and framing the features. The mullet adds texture and movement, giving the look extra boldness. A light cream adds definition to the fringe and the longer back.
Inspiration: @donebydayvhud
15. Fade Haircut
A short cut with a high fade switches easily between office and social settings. The gradual fade also makes a receding hairline less noticeable, giving a clean, well-kept appearance. Ask for the fade to start high so the temples blend with the shorter sides.
Inspiration: @rottenbarber
16. Curtain Cut with Taper Fade
A long taper fade combined with curtain bangs was built using a mix of trimming, razor cutting and careful sectioning. The curtain fringe was shaped specifically to balance the client’s forehead. Blow-dry the fringe with a centre part to help the curtains fall evenly on both sides.
Inspiration: @seb_martell
17. Textured Fringe Cut
A short, layered cut with a textured fringe looks neat but still leaves room to style. Accurate layering removes extra bulk, so it is especially good for men with thick hair. A little matte paste lets you switch between a neat and a messier finish.
Inspiration: @caliberhairstudio
18. Short Layered Cut
Short, messy, textured hair gives a youthful, tousled finish that softens the features, and a beard adds balance. Texturising spray or mousse helps create the relaxed, effortless look. Keep the beard trimmed to a similar length as the sides so the proportions stay balanced.
Inspiration: @leticiayez
19. Pompadour Hairstyle
Brushing the hair upward into a pompadour creates volume that becomes the main focus of the style. British barber Kyle Rowland’s version shows how height can complement and enhance the facial features. Use a blow-dryer and round brush to build the lift before applying pomade.
Inspiration: @bk_barber_
20. Spiky High Fade
Short, straight hair gains texture with a popular spiky high fade. Use gel to form the spikes and finish with hairspray so the shape lasts all day. Keep the spikes short and evenly spaced so the look stays modern rather than dated.
Inspiration: @gentiluomobarbershop
21. Curly Mullet
Markus Salm’s curly mullet features short contour areas, a structured top and a fringe that covers a prominent forehead. Cool blonde mixed with warm tones and a shadow root adds depth and blends smoothly into the shaved sides.
Inspiration: @official_markus_salm
22. Buzz Cut
A buzz cut with a line-up and gradual fade around the sides and back can be very flattering. The skin fade creates a horizontal visual effect that balances the overall proportions of the face. It is also the lowest-maintenance option here.
Inspiration: @dean_gleeson_
23. Taper Fade for Thick Hair
A disconnected high fade on thick hair helps reduce the visibility of a wide or tall forehead. Experiment with the length on top to personalise the cut and suit your hair density. A matte clay adds texture without highlighting the scalp.
Inspiration: @bk_barber_
24. Zero Fade with a Beard
A zero fade with a short buzzed top and full beard is very low maintenance and suits many face types. Ask for the sides and back shaved for a seamless gradient into the short top.
Inspiration: @barbercar_
25. Choppy Crop Top Fade
Short curls on top with a choppy crop and clean faded sides offer trend-led style and plenty of flexibility. Define the curls with a cream to accentuate the haircut’s shape. Refresh the fade every few weeks so the curls on top remain the focus.
Inspiration: @eastonhair
26. French Crop with Skin Fade
A French crop with a skin fade adapts well to different face shapes. Bleaching the top a bright blonde creates a striking contrast with a natural dark beard. Use a toner and purple shampoo to keep the blonde top bright and free from brassiness.
Inspiration: @vbodnarr
27. Blowout Fade
A blowout fade adds volume on top while keeping the sides tight and clean. Drawing the eye upward balances the face and creates a proportional look without emphasising any single feature. A round brush and blow-dryer are essential to create the lifted shape each morning.
Inspiration: @top_shelf.cuts
28. Short Curly Caesar Cut
A short curly Caesar with a mid fade combines evenly cut hair on top and a cropped fringe that partly covers the forehead. It is a practical, stylish choice with very little upkeep. Keep the fringe slightly longer if you want more coverage.
Inspiration: @seecarlcut
29. Cornrow Braids
Freestyle cornrows gathered into a man bun with shaved sides make a unique statement. The pattern leads the eye back and over the head, and it is a great option for those wanting something distinctive.
Inspiration: @marquinhos_afrohair
30. Side Part Comb Over
A side-parted quiff with a low fade shifts focus to the overall grooming rather than the forehead. It looks particularly neat and elegant on men who wear glasses. Ask for a soft side part rather than a shaved one for a more classic finish.
Inspiration: @rottenbarber
Cuts that soften a high brow
- Textured or choppy fringe: breaks up the forehead area without a heavy, solid line.
- French crop and Caesar: short, forward-styled tops that partially cover the brow and are very easy to maintain.
- Curtain bangs: frame the face and cover the outer corners of the forehead.
- Mullets with long front layers: give coverage plus volume through the back.
When to show your forehead instead
If your hairline is strong and even, height-focused styles such as a pompadour, quiff or flat top can make the forehead look intentional rather than large. Keep the sides tight with a fade so the head does not appear wider, and add volume at the front by blow-drying upward before applying pomade. A short beard or stubble balances these taller styles by adding visual weight to the jaw. For receding temples, avoid slicked-back looks that expose the corners; a short textured crop or high fade disguises recession far better.