UrbanUpdate

Ewan McGregor’s new haircut is basically an undercut on steroids. It’s long and wavy on top, and buzzed down to nothing on the bottom. It is the Fight Club version of an undercut—no bullshit, 100% scrappy, and a little bit scary. Benjamin Mohapi, owner of the Benjamin salon in Los Angeles, was the guy behind the McGregor’s chop. He told us he had two famous undercuts in mind when he had the Scottish actor in his chair: David Lynch and Forest Gump.

Photos: Getty Images, Everett Collection

While we feel McGregor’s cut is maybe a bit extreme for the average, office-bound man, Mohapi’s got some sound advice that any undercut-curious guy could use.

Look at the Variables

Mohapi points out that not every hair texture can take the undercut. “If you have curly, frizzy or coarse hair,” he says, “then the disconnected hair can end up fanning on the ends. You need the hair to flop.” So basically, your hair needs to be naturally straight or wavy and of medium-ish thickness.

Know Your Alternatives

If the undercut isn’t right for your hair texture or just feels too out-there for you, consider a high fade. “With an undercut, the top is not connected to the buzzed section but with a high fade, it is.” The effect is slightly less extreme (but still cool) and easier for different hair textures to achieve.

Invest in Your Hair

Mohapi advises to resist the urge to cheap out on both the salon you go to, and the products you use to style your new cut. “Knowing how high to take the undercut, and how long to keep it on top, is really about reading what you have in front of you.”, he says, “There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why you need to go to a really good hair dresser.”

Mohapi’s go-to styling product is Sachajuan’s Hair Paste, which he feels is well worth the $31 bucks. It’ll give you that strong-but-flexible hold you need to look nicely groomed but not overly preened.

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