Thick hair does not make a faux hawk harder. It makes it heavier, which is a different problem. Thick hair holds a faux hawk better than almost any other texture — it just needs the right length on top and a barber who won’t over-thin it. Here are 11 ways to wear a medium faux hawk if you’re a teen dealing with a full head of hair and a dress code that won’t allow anything too wild.
1. Classic Medium Faux Hawk
The classic version keeps things simple. Sides get trimmed to about a half inch, and the top stays around 3 to 4 inches — enough length to style upward without going flat by afternoon. No gel required by lunch, though most guys use a little anyway.
Q: How often does this need a trim to keep the shape?
A: Every 4 to 5 weeks. Thick hair grows fast at the crown, and once the top starts flopping instead of standing up, the whole look reads more bedhead than faux hawk.
This is the version many barbers recommend for a first faux hawk. It’s forgiving if the styling isn’t perfect, and it grows out into a longer crop instead of an awkward in-between stage.
2. Medium Faux Hawk with Skin Fade
Skin fade sides turn the classic shape sharper. The fade starts high, near the temple, and fades to nothing at the skin — no shadow, no stubble line left behind. On thick hair, the contrast does most of the work without much product.
Q: Is a skin fade too much for a 15-year-old?
A: Not really. Many barbers can do a softer version — fade starting a little lower, less contrast — that still reads as neat for school instead of edgy.
Upkeep is the real trade-off. A skin fade grows out fast, noticeably within 2 weeks, so this isn’t the pick for anyone who only gets to the barber once a month.
3. Medium Faux Hawk with Taper Fade
A taper fade is the lower-maintenance sibling of the skin fade. Instead of fading to bare skin, it tapers down to short hair around the ears and neckline, leaving a little coverage behind. No harsh line where scalp meets hair, either.
Q: Does taper or skin fade last longer between cuts?
A: Taper, by a decent margin. You can usually stretch it to 5 or 6 weeks before the shape looks uneven, versus about 3 weeks for a skin fade.
If regular barber visits aren’t happening, this is the more realistic option. Same faux hawk silhouette, less commitment to keeping it sharp.
4. Textured Medium Faux Hawk
This version leans into the natural texture instead of fighting it. The barber point-cuts the top to break up thickness and add movement, so the style looks intentionally undone rather than combed flat.
Q: What product actually works for this texture?
A: A matte clay or texture paste, not gel. Gel makes thick hair look wet and heavy. Clay separates the strands and holds without the shine.
The honest downside is styling time. Getting the messy look to read as intentional, not just messy, takes practice — figure on 5 or 6 tries before it clicks.
5. Medium Faux Hawk with Hard Part
A hard part is a shaved line separating the top section from the fade or taper below it. Small detail, bigger payoff — it sharpens the whole cut.
Q: Does a hard part need to be redone every haircut?
A: Yes. It grows out within about a week and starts looking like a scar instead of a style choice. Most guys get it refreshed at every trim.
Skip this one if low maintenance is the goal. It looks sharp fresh out of the chair, but it’s the first part of the cut that needs attention.
6. Medium Faux Hawk with Undercut Sides
The undercut version drops the sides and back down short — shorter than a standard fade, closer to a buzz — while keeping the same medium length on top.
Q: Is this the same as a skin fade?
A: No. A skin fade blends gradually into the skin. An undercut is one consistent short length with a harder line where it meets the longer top.
Thick hair on top balances the short sides well here — enough volume that the cut never looks unfinished.
7. Spiky Medium Faux Hawk
This is the faux hawk most people picture first: top styled into defined spikes instead of a soft, brushed-up shape. It needs a strong-hold wax, not a cream, or the spikes fall by midafternoon.
Q: How long does the spiked style actually hold at school?
A: With the right wax, about 6 to 8 hours before a touch-up is needed. Humidity cuts that down fast — gym class or a hot bus ride can flatten it early.
This one’s more work than the others on this list, plain and simple. Great for a weekend or an event, less realistic for every single school day.
8. Medium Faux Hawk with Curly Top
Curly hair on top changes the shape of a faux hawk without changing the basic idea — length concentrated at the crown, shorter on the sides. The curls add height on their own.
Q: Do curls make the sides harder to fade evenly?
A: A little. Curly hair coils as it’s cut, so an experienced barber checks the fade wet and dry before finishing. Rushing it leads to a patchy line.
This version needs the least daily effort on this list. Some guys just towel-dry and walk out the door, and the curls handle the rest.
9. Medium Faux Hawk with Line-Up Design
A line-up adds a sharp, straight edge along the hairline and temples, usually finished with a straight razor after the main cut is done. Small detail, but it changes how crisp the whole thing reads.
Q: Is a line-up something a barber does automatically?
A: Not always — ask for it specifically. Some shops include it in a standard cut, others charge a few extra dollars for the razor work.
Skip this if the hairline isn’t fully grown in yet. A line-up on patchy growth draws attention to the gaps instead of hiding them.
10. Medium Faux Hawk with Low Fade
A low fade keeps most of the length on the sides, with the fade starting just above the ear instead of higher up. It’s the most conservative fade option here.
Q: Why pick a low fade over a high one?
A: Dress code, mostly. A lot of schools are stricter about high, sharp fades than low ones, so this version tends to fly under the radar.
It’s also the easiest fade to grow out evenly, since there’s less contrast between lengths to begin with.
11. Medium Faux Hawk with High Fade
The high fade is the opposite call. It starts well above the ear, sometimes close to the temple, leaving a bigger gap between the short sides and the medium top. Boldest option on this list.
Q: Does a high fade suit every face shape?
A: Mostly, though round faces tend to benefit the most. The height and contrast add length the face doesn’t have on its own.
The trade-off is upkeep. A high fade needs a trim every 2 to 3 weeks, or the line between lengths starts to blur into an awkward in-between stage.
