Curly mop top 2012′s key men’s hairstyles and haircuts

Not tight enough to be an afro and with the mop top a hairstyle more akin to the Brit-rock than anything else, it’s hard to give this hairstyle a name that connotes exactly what it is. So, despite the naff sound to it, please forgive us: we’re labelling this evolution of one of last year’s men’s hair trends the curly mop top.

Long, curly hairstyle from Umit Benan’s spring / summer 2012 look book

This is the curly kind of hairstyle that you’d wear to an indie gig or to a Bohemian festival. Scrap that. This is the curly hairstyle that you’d wear with bucket loads of confidence. But it’s not just confidence that’s required, but also the ability to style what is one of the trickiest hairstyles for 2012. The challenge here is to maintain the out-of-control curls, so it doesn’t look like you’ve just spent 18-months on a deserted island. Nailing the 1970s revival vibe, Gucci perfected the look on their spring 2011 catwalk choosing to concentrate on the front and offer the hairstyle with both short and long curly hair.

Who is it for

• This curly men’s hairstyle works best for those with natural curls and plenty of length. As with all curly hair in 2012, we don’t recommend that anyone endures a treatment to make their hair curly.

How it’ll be cut

• When at the hairdresser, ask for a blunt cut without compromising the length; you’re aiming to get a clear shape. It works better if the cut is uniformed and hair has the same length throughout.

How to style it

• Before styling, ensure your hair is clean. An oily scalp won’t give you perfect results.
• Use a curl cream or sea salt spray to create texture in the hair. But remember to always apply these before running a hair dryer through the hair.
• Attach a diffuser to the hairdryer for best results. It won’t distort the curls.
• Once hair is dry, use a product that sticks on without ruining the texture or becoming too greasy. We recommend fibre wax, as that has a spiderweb like texture. Massage the product in the hair, concentrating in the scalp area.
• For additional curls, invest in a small curling iron. Or go the natural way and twist the hair around your fingers. Do the latter when hair is semi-wet.