Surfer curls turn everyday waves into something you’d spot on a beach at golden hour. This style works with your natural curl pattern instead of fighting it. You don’t need hours of prep or a drawer full of products. Surfer curls thrive on a little mess and a lot of texture. Salt spray, air-drying, and a light touch are really all it takes.
What makes surfer curls stand out is the low-maintenance payoff. You wake up, scrunch in some product, and go. No flat iron, no blowout, no stress about humidity ruining your morning. Surfer curls actually get better with a bit of frizz and unpredictability. That’s the whole point. This look says you spent the day outside, not in front of a mirror. And honestly, that’s a much better story to tell.
Men’s Surfer Hairstyles
Surfer hair has moved far past the water and into everyday street style, mixing sun-bleached texture with an unbothered, lived-in finish. Below are the most popular cuts and colors men are wearing right now, along with tips on who each one suits best.
Brushed Back Flow
Hair swept away from the forehead in one smooth motion gives this cut a polished front while letting length flow loosely through the crown and sides for an easy, wind-caught finish.
Oval and square faces with medium to thick, straight or wavy strands suit it best. A light cream or pomade adds hold. Maintenance stays low, and it works for casual days or dressed-up evenings alike.
Crew Cut
Short on the sides and slightly longer on top, the crew cut keeps things clean and low-fuss while still nodding to surf culture through its slightly tousled, unrefined top texture.
Round and oval faces benefit most, especially with fine to medium hair. A pea-sized amount of matte paste is enough. Upkeep is minimal, making it perfect for gym sessions, work, or lazy weekends.
Tousled Shag
Choppy layers and disconnected ends give the shag its rebellious, just-rolled-out-of-bed charm, borrowing heavily from seventies surf style while feeling completely current on today’s streets.
Heart and oval face shapes pair well with thick, wavy, or curly hair types. Texturizing spray or sea salt mist brings out the shape. Trims every six to eight weeks keep the layers sharp.
Messy Bun
Longer strands gathered loosely at the crown or nape create a relaxed, practical style that keeps hair off the face without sacrificing the natural, undone surfer aesthetic underneath.
Any face shape can pull this off if hair reaches shoulder length or beyond, particularly wavy or curly textures. A small hair tie and light texturizing paste help. Great for workouts, travel, or humid days.
Messy, Short Hair
Cropped close but left purposefully rumpled, this style trades sleek lines for playful, uneven texture that looks effortless while still reading as intentional and current.
Square and diamond faces with fine to medium straight or wavy hair suit it well. A matte clay worked in with fingertips creates separation. Barely any upkeep is needed beyond a quick monthly trim.
Long, Curly Hair
Left to grow past the ears and shoulders, natural curls take center stage here, forming loose spirals that catch light and move freely with every step.
Oval and long face shapes flatter curly, coarse hair the most. Curl cream and a diffuser preserve definition without frizz. Occasional trims maintain shape, and the look suits festivals, beach trips, or casual gatherings.
Beachy Waves
Loose, irregular waves mimic the texture left behind after a swim in the ocean, giving hair natural movement and volume without looking overly styled or stiff.
Round, oval, and heart faces work nicely with wavy or slightly curly medium-length hair. Sea salt spray enhances the pattern. Styling takes minutes, making it a favorite for casual outings and warm-weather events.
Dreadlocks
Twisted and matted sections of hair form thick, rope-like strands that carry deep roots in surf and beach communities, offering a bold, textured statement look.
Most face shapes accommodate dreadlocks, particularly with coarse or curly hair. Specialized locking gel and periodic retwisting maintain form. Maintenance runs moderate to high, and the style suits both relaxed days and standout occasions.
Short Curls
Tight, close-cropped curls hug the scalp and create natural texture without added length, offering a low-effort style that still carries plenty of personality.
Oval, square, and round faces suit fine to coarse curly hair types well. Curl-defining cream keeps ringlets bouncy. Very little daily styling is required, and the cut transitions easily from office settings to weekends.
Long, Straight Hair
Grown out well past the shoulders with a sleek, straight finish, this style contrasts with typical surfer texture while still capturing an easygoing, sun-touched attitude.
Oval and heart faces with fine to medium straight hair benefit most. A lightweight leave-in conditioner prevents dryness. Trims every couple of months keep ends healthy, suiting both laid-back days and semi-formal outings.
Comb Over Taper Fade
Longer hair on top gets combed neatly to one side while the sides taper down gradually, blending sharp barbershop precision with relaxed surf-inspired movement up top.
Square, oval, and heart faces pair well with straight to wavy medium hair. Pomade or wax defines the comb. Fades need refreshing every three to four weeks, fitting office wear and casual settings equally.
Blonde Medium Curtains
Parted through the middle and falling naturally on either side, curtains gain a sun-kissed lift here through warm blonde tones that echo hours spent outdoors.
Oval and heart faces flatter medium-length straight or wavy hair best. Lightweight styling cream keeps strands separated. Colour touch-ups every six to eight weeks maintain vibrancy, working well for casual and social occasions.
Faux Hawk Fade
A raised strip of textured hair runs from front to back while the sides fade close, merging edgy structure with the loose, wind-blown feel of surf styling.
Angular and oval faces with medium-thick straight or wavy hair suit it best. Strong-hold paste sculpts the center. Regular fade upkeep every three weeks keeps it sharp for nights out or everyday wear.
Short, Loose Curls
Soft, relaxed curls sit close to the head without tight definition, giving a natural, unforced texture that looks like it happened on its own.
Round and oval faces work well with fine to medium curly hair. A light curl cream avoids weighing strands down. Minimal daily styling is needed, making this ideal for work, errands, or casual meetups.
Buzz Cut
Trimmed uniformly close across the entire head, the buzz cut strips styling down to nothing while still carrying a rugged, sun-worn surf sensibility through its simplicity.
Nearly every face shape and hair type suits this cut, especially fine or thinning hair. No product is typically needed. Maintenance is quick with clippers every two weeks, fitting active lifestyles and hot climates.
Slick Back
Hair combed straight back off the face creates a sleek, defined silhouette that trades tousled texture for a sharper, more deliberate surfer-meets-city look.
Oval, square, and diamond faces suit medium to long straight or wavy hair. A strong-hold gel or pomade locks the shape. Daily restyling is needed, making it better suited to nights out or events.
Long Flowing Blonde Hair
Left to grow well past the shoulders, this style leans into natural or lightened blonde tones that flow freely and catch the sun with every movement.
Oval and heart faces flatter straight to wavy fine or medium hair most. Hydrating oils prevent breakage from lightening. Upkeep includes regular trims and colour maintenance, suiting festivals, travel, and relaxed social settings.
Crew Cut Fade
Combining the tidy crew cut top with a gradually fading side and back, this cut balances neat structure with the subtle texture surf styles are known for.
Round, oval, and square faces pair well with fine to medium straight or wavy hair. Light matte paste adds texture on top. Fades require refreshing every three weeks, working for both work and leisure.
Long Comb Over
Extended length on top sweeps to one side in a longer, looser take on the classic comb over, softened by natural waves for a relaxed finish.
Oval and square faces with wavy or straight medium-thick hair suit this well. A light styling cream, not heavy gel, keeps it natural. Occasional trims maintain shape, fitting casual and semi-formal occasions alike.
Thick Wavy Fringe
A heavy fringe of waves falls forward over the forehead, adding volume and movement to the front while framing the face with natural texture.
Oval, heart, and square faces flatter thick, wavy, or curly hair best. Texturizing spray lifts the roots and defines waves. Regular trims keep the fringe from flattening, suiting casual and creative environments equally.
Middle Part
Hair divides evenly down the center and falls naturally on both sides, offering a symmetrical, relaxed style with roots stretching back through decades of surf culture.
Oval and square faces suit straight to wavy medium-length hair particularly well. A light-hold cream keeps the part loose rather than rigid. Low maintenance overall, it works for daily wear and casual gatherings.
Brush Forward with Undercut
Shorter sides shave down into an undercut while the top brushes forward, creating textured fringe contrast against the closely cropped base beneath it.
Square, oval, and round faces pair well with medium straight or wavy hair. Matte clay pushed forward defines texture. Undercuts need trimming every three to four weeks, suiting both casual and smart-casual settings.
Wavy Textured Crop
Short through the sides and slightly longer on top, this crop leans into natural wave pattern rather than fighting it, keeping texture visible and unstructured.
Round, oval, and square faces flatter fine to medium wavy hair most. Texturizing paste adds grip without shine. Trims every four to six weeks maintain the shape, ideal for everyday and office wear.
Modern Quiff
Volume builds at the front and lifts upward and back, giving a contemporary edge to surf-inspired texture through added height and defined structure on top.
Oval, square, and diamond faces suit medium to thick straight or wavy hair. Strong-hold paste with a blow dry builds lift. Daily styling is needed, fitting work settings, dates, and evening occasions well.
Messy Combed Over Hair
Loosely combed to one side without precision, this style keeps a relaxed, unfinished quality that reads as effortless rather than deliberately arranged.
Oval and heart faces with straight to wavy medium hair suit it best. A light wax rakes through for separation. Minimal upkeep is required, making it suitable for casual days and low-key outings.
Short Messy Waves
Close-cropped hair carries natural wave texture that’s left deliberately undone, giving a rugged, low-maintenance finish full of movement despite its shorter length.
Round, square, and oval faces flatter fine to medium wavy hair well. Sea salt spray or texturizing cream enhances the pattern. Very little daily effort is needed, suiting active routines and casual environments.
Long Wavy Hair
Grown out well beyond the collar, natural or enhanced waves flow with volume and movement, delivering one of the most recognizable surfer silhouettes overall.
Oval and heart faces suit medium to thick wavy hair particularly well. Leave-in conditioner and salt spray keep waves defined without dryness. Regular trims prevent split ends, fitting relaxed and semi-formal settings alike.
Sun-Kissed Highlights
Subtle streaks of lighter tone woven through natural hair color mimic the gradual lightening effect of sun exposure, adding dimension without a full bleach job.
Any face shape or hair type can carry this coloring technique. Colour-safe shampoo helps preserve tone. Touch-ups every eight to twelve weeks maintain the effect, suiting both everyday wear and social occasions.
What Is The Surfer Haircut?
The surfer haircut describes a family of styles rather than one fixed cut, unified by natural texture, sun-lightened tones, and a relaxed, low-effort finish inspired by time spent in and around the ocean.
Rather than following strict rules, it borrows loosely from beach culture, prioritizing movement and lived-in texture over precise lines. Waves, curls, and tousled layers all fall comfortably under its umbrella.
Also Read: Burst Fade Long Hair: 25 Styles Every Man Needs to Try in 2026
What Length of Hair Works Best for Surfer Haircut?
Medium lengths tend to work best, generally falling somewhere between the ears and the shoulders, since this range shows off natural wave and curl pattern while remaining easy to manage day to day.
That said, shorter crops and longer flowing styles both carry the look successfully. What matters more than exact length is texture, movement, and a finish that avoids looking overly polished or structured.
How To Style Surfer Hair?
Start with Damp Hair
Towel-dry hair until it’s damp rather than soaking wet, since this gives styling products something to grip while leaving enough moisture for natural texture to form properly as it dries.
Apply Sea Salt Spray
Mist a sea salt spray evenly through damp lengths, focusing on the mid-shaft and ends. This roughens the hair’s texture slightly, helping waves and curls hold their shape once dry.
Scrunch and Tousle
Cup sections of hair in your palms and scrunch upward toward the scalp. This encourages natural wave or curl pattern to form while adding lift and volume throughout.
Air Dry or Diffuse
Letting hair air dry preserves the most natural texture, though a diffuser attachment on low heat speeds things up while still protecting curl and wave definition from going flat.
Add Texture with Your Fingers
Once mostly dry, rake fingers through hair to separate strands and break up any uniformity. This step creates the deliberately undone, piece-y look central to surfer styling.
Finish with Light Hold Product
A small amount of matte paste, cream, or wax worked through the ends locks texture in place without adding shine or stiffness, keeping the finished look soft and natural.
The Evolution of the Surfer Hairstyles
Surfer hair traces back to 1960s and ’70s beach culture, when long days in salt water and sun naturally bleached and roughened hair, creating a texture that became inseparable from surfing itself.
Through the following decades the look drifted in and out of mainstream fashion, echoed in skate and grunge scenes before resurfacing in 2000s surf-brand marketing and celebrity styling.
Final Thoughts
This guide to Men’s Surfer Hairstyles shows there’s no single way to wear the look. Surfer curls work for curly hair. Straight hair works too. Short cuts, long cuts, buzzed sides, loose waves. All fit under one relaxed style.
If you want low effort and natural texture, surfer curls are a great place to start. Ask your barber for surfer curls next time. Try one style. See how it feels. The surfer look is easy to wear and even easier to love.
FAQs
What are surfer curls?
Surfer curls are loose, tousled curls that look like they’ve been shaped by wind and saltwater, giving hair that relaxed, just-came-from-the-beach kind of texture.
How do you get surfer curls without heat?
Just scrunch damp hair with sea salt spray, let it air-dry naturally, then tousle it with your fingers once dry for that effortless, wavy beach look.
Do surfer curls work on short hair?
Yes, surfer curls actually look great on short hair too. You just scrunch in some texturizing product and let those natural waves form near the ends.
How long do surfer curls last?
With the right salt spray or texturizing product, surfer curls usually hold all day. Humid weather can even make them look more natural and defined.
Can straight hair get surfer curls?
Definitely. Use a sea salt spray, braid damp hair overnight, or scrunch with a curl cream, then air-dry for soft, natural-looking surfer curls by morning.
Serena Luna, the voice behind JournalHair. I share the latest hairstyle ideas, haircut trends, and easy hair inspiration to help you find your perfect look every day.
