David Beckham has spent decades treating his hair as part of his public image, and almost every men’s cut you can think of has passed through his barber’s chair at some point. This gallery gathers twenty of those looks: an extra-short crewcut paired with matching stubble, edgy crops with shaved temples and a shaved triangle at the front, a short mohawk, bleached outgrown lengths, a razored cut with sun-kissed balayage, a headband phase and, of course, the cornrows that people still talk about.
What makes his cuts so instructive is the face underneath them. Beckham has a square jaw and strong cheekbones, so short sides and height on top suit him particularly well. If your face is rounder or longer, borrow the elements rather than the exact proportions: keep some weight at the temples to avoid narrowing a long face, or add more lift to give a round face extra length.
Think about effort, too. The crewcuts and tapers are almost wash-and-go, while the quiffs and pompadours need a blow-dryer and product every morning.
1. Haircut with Extra Short Sides and Elongated Top
Taken at the launch of his H&M bodywear range, this look pairs very short sides and nape with noticeably longer hair on top. The length is brushed back with lift at the roots, giving a soft pompadour effect. A blow-dryer and a light hold product are all you need to copy it.
2. Extra Short Crewcut
An ultra-short crewcut is usually suggested for thick hair, yet Beckham shows it works as a clean, minimal option for almost anyone. Matching neatly groomed facial hair completes the look, and the overall finish is tidy enough for formal events as well as everyday wear.
3. David Beckham Hair – Short and Edgy, with Cool Undershaves
For anyone bored with a plain crewcut, this edgy crop adds shaved temples plus an unusual shaved triangle above the forehead. The detail is small but daring, giving a very short cut a creative edge. Expect to visit the barber often to keep the lines sharp.
4. A Master of Transformation
A sharp taper that keeps weight in the corners underlines Beckham’s square face, while a graphic beard shape reinforces the angles. His almost horizontal hairline and signature backswept top make a strong impression. It is a great example of how a cut can correct or emphasise head shape.
5. Short Edgy Haircut with Temple Shaves
Shaved temples play up Beckham’s wide cheekbones and strong jawline, which is why he returns to them so often. On top the hair is razored and a little longer, tapering down from the crown to the nape. A single highlighted patch shows how subtle colour can suit men.
6. Cool Mohawk
Mohawks are an uncommon choice, but Beckham wears this one with precision. His straight hair is carefully textured so the strip along the centre looks sharp and jagged, while the sides stay neat. The result manages to feel both provocative and polished.
7. Ultra Short Haircut with Two Shaved Parallels
Two parallel lines shaved into an ultra-short cut give it a subtle design detail. Instead of an elaborate pattern, Beckham keeps things minimal, which fits the clean, pared-back approach popular in menswear. Shaved designs grow out quickly, so plan on regular touch-ups.
8. More Crewcut Ideas
Low maintenance is high on most men’s wish lists, and a crewcut delivers exactly that. Here the hair and the beard are kept at a similar length, a contemporary way of wearing a classic buzz. If this shape flatters your head, it is one of the easiest cuts to live with.
9. David Beckham Haircut That Suits Most Men
Without any extremes, this cut suits men who avoid very short styles. The hair is left slightly longer on top and at the temples, which gives room to switch between a sleek, formal finish and a tousled casual look. It makes a reliable base cut for most face shapes.
10. “Outgrown” and Bleached Hair
Bleached hair tends to look its best on slightly grown-out lengths, as Beckham demonstrates. Even so, the edges and ends are carefully trimmed, so it reads as a deliberate cut rather than overdue hair. Leaving the roots natural or darker keeps the colour easier to maintain.
11. Medium Haircut and Disheveled Hairstyle
Tousled and a little undone, this short-to-medium style trades corporate neatness for a relaxed, fashionable feel. It suits younger men and creative types, and works on straight or wavy hair. Straight textures like Beckham’s benefit from sea salt spray scrunched in for grip.
12. Short-To-Medium Haircut with an Angled Quiff
Point-cut ends and a steeply angled quiff give longer short hair a sharp, lifted outline. Soft highlights mimic the effect of sun-faded hair, brightening the face without looking obviously coloured. Style the front upward and back with a blow-dryer and a matte product.
13. Elongated Razored Haircut with Sun-Kissed Touches
Leaving extra length at the nape is another way to wear a slightly longer cut. Razoring the ends creates a soft, broken edge that suits messy styling, and balayage adds natural-looking, sun-kissed pieces. The look is relaxed but still clearly shaped.
14. Haircut with Outgrown Temples and Nape
Blunt-cut temples and nape stay neat without any styling, while the top and quiff are point cut for extra volume. That combination makes it easy to experiment with longer hairstyles that have lift at the roots, as in the photo. A good pick for men who enjoy changing their look.
15. Headbands in Men’s Hairstyles
Growing a short cut into medium length involves an awkward stage when the hair looks untidy but is not yet long enough. Beckham’s solution is a slim, minimal headband that keeps the lengths off the face. It is a practical trick for getting through the transition comfortably.
16. Cornrows
Beckham’s cornrows caused a sensation when he first debuted them, with reports of young men rushing to salons to copy the braids. They are still remembered and often mentioned among his most controversial looks. Whatever your opinion, the style shows how willing he has always been to take risks.
17. Tapered Haircut Styled Elegantly
Polished enough for a wedding, this classic taper keeps the top hair longer and cut straight. A root-boosting product gives it lift before it is styled neatly into place. It is a popular choice for grooms who want something smart that photographs well.
18. Effortless Slicked Back Men’s Hairstyle
A short slicked-back style adapts easily to different occasions. For formal events, comb the hair back with a semi-matte product; for casual days, add more texture and definition. Notice that Beckham always keeps some lift at the roots, so the hair never looks flat.
19. David Beckham Hairstyle with Pompadour Bangs
Pompadours remain a popular request, and this version saves time by keeping everything short except the quiff. Only the front section needs styling, so a volume-boosting product and a quick blow-dry are enough. It is a neat, efficient take on a classic shape.
20. Pompadour with Extra Voluminous Top
A very voluminous top turns this short pompadour into a statement. It may look a little eccentric on paper, yet it suits Beckham because the proportions match his face. The real lesson is to choose styles that flatter you rather than simply following a trend.
Asking for a Beckham-style cut at the barbershop
Bring a photo, but also describe the details. Tell your barber how short you want the sides (a clipper guard number helps), whether the back should be tapered or blunt, and how much length to leave on top. For his longer styles, request point-cut or razored ends so the hair has texture instead of a heavy, blocky line.
Recreating his styling at home
- Quiffs and pompadours: blow-dry damp hair upward and back with a round or vent brush, then finish with a matte clay or pomade.
- Slicked-back looks: a semi-matte cream keeps the hair in place without the wet shine of gel, which reads more modern.
- Messy medium lengths: sea salt spray scrunched into damp straight hair adds the grip and movement Beckham’s tousled styles rely on.
- Very short crops: the cut does the work, so book clean-ups every two to three weeks and keep beard length in proportion to the hair.