Men’s tips on style

Gone are the days of the bowl cut and assimilating to other ethnic hairstyles. When it comes to great hair, Asian men have some of the most versatile sets of locks around. Thanks in large part to its characteristically thick, ultra-straight texture, Asian hair lends itself to today’s most stylish haircuts, even setting the trend in some cases.

If you’re of Asian descent, you should know that your hair is very porous, so it can absorb more moisture and hold different styles. If you’re not happy with your hair, then you’re not tapping into its full potential. So, to put you on the fast track to a new modern look that suits who you are, here’s a list of six super-sharp haircuts that will really play to your advantage.

The total shave

Asian guys (or any guys, really) with a bald head make a bold statement. Whether you need to do it or not, taking it all off the top shows you’re a man of true grit and determination; you exude confidence and class. Being bald looks so tough, Mark Dacascos dons it for his role as the Chairman on Iron Chef America; it allows him to be both smooth as steel and tough as nails. If you want to set that tone, then make the decision to go bald; it’s the perfect look for the take-charge guy who wants to come across as sharp, confident and sophisticated. Bald-headed men command respect and a style all their own. What makes this look even better is the fact that a lot of chicks dig it.

What it says about you: You’re on top of your game, you know who you are and you’re not afraid to show it

Textured short

Traditionally, short hair can be a bore, but adding texture makes it classically cool. Due to their simplicity, textured short haircuts are spot-on for guys who like to walk one step beyond conservative. Sporting this ‘do makes it abundantly clear that you have a crisp, professional image to maintain. You know what it means to be in style without going overboard. Textured short hair looks timeless and sophisticated. No one proves this point more than Lost’s Daniel Dae Kim; his well-maintained coif affirms his cosmopolitan, erudite disposition toward style. Kim’s not trying to push the envelope anymore than he has to because he doesn’t need to; his stylish, grown-up haircut says it all for him. And for the consummate professional, you should let this haircut do the same for you.

What it says about you: Steeped in traditional, classic style, you have a mature approach to fashion that translates into an air of confidence, class and simplicity

Azored shag

We do learn from the past, and the razored shag proves it. Though no one’s had one in years, consider this hairstyle a modern twist on the outdated bowl cut. But just because it’s based on an old-school style, doesn’t mean it’s lame. Actually, this haircut speaks irreverence. Just look at Jason Tobin. He carries the uneven edges and tapered-down crop like a true badass. Inherent in the razored shag is cool demeanor and edgy sophistication; it’s urban, daring and borderline defiant. While the cut’s definitely a suave look for younger guys, it also works for more audacious professionals who maintain a dapper wardrobe.

What it says about you: Self-assured and somewhat defiant, you know what it means to push the envelope, yet you stay slightly grounded in tradition.