Zayn Malik Is a Grooming Idol (No, Seriously)
Zayn Malik is crazy stylish. He's a fashion icon—there's no question about it. But his greatest asset is his versatility above the shoulders. He's got super-natural grooming techniques. And he's constantly reinventing his look. One month, he’s a floppy haired blond with a 5 o’clock shadow, and the next he’s got a shaved head and bushy beard. He's an icon because he is takes grooming risks. He's running with the baton that Brad Pitt and David Beckham used to carry. And he's outdoing his contemporaries like Kanye, Bieber, and Leto.
He's constantly upping his game and bringing new looks to the table. He rotates hair color so much so that he steals headlines from his girlfriend, a supermodel you may have heard of (cough, Gigi, cough).
Not everyone is blessed with such thick hair and perfectly shaped scruff. Even Zayn’s eyebrows are on point. Are we getting carried away with all this Zayn-worshipping? Yes, we are. And we're embracing it.
Let's review all the insanely well executed grooming looks Malik has pulled off:
The all-time greatest Malik look is this grown out, wavy number with a full beard.
Brian Killian/WireImage
Here he’s got less texture in his hair, and a 5-o’clock shadow. Notice the slightly-there soul patch—basically no one else can make that work.
David Crotty
He shaved the sides here and combed the hair against his part, paired with a few days’ stubble.
2016 Raymond Hall
Here’s a similar length, worn down in its natural direction.
2016 Bauer-Griffin
The soul patch is back, and his hair is more grown out on the sides.
2016 Dominique CharriauMost Popular
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This shaggy, scruffy look suits the Rolling Stones tee and tattoo sleeves.
2016 James Devaney
Here he’s got shorter hair up top with faded sides blending neatly into a fuller beard.
2016 Getty Images
He’s not afraid to buzz it all down, though.
2016 Kevin MazurMost Popular
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Another one of our favorites: A perfectly balanced undercut, with enough beard to complement the gradient up top.
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Not many guys would look this badass with pink tips. Try it at your own risk.
2016 Michael Tran
The blonde tips suit him better, especially with the fuller beard.
Most Popular
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He tried the whole silver thing, too. Not our favorite, but we applaud any risks taken.
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This buzzed, bleach look, on the other hand: executed to perfection.
2015 Dominique Charriau
He even invents new haircuts…
https://www.gq.com/story/zayn-malik-fade-haircut-american-music-awards
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Singer Zayn Malik accepts New Artist of the Year onstage during the 2016 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)Getty ImagesMost Popular
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Your move, Harry Styles.
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Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQZayn MalikGroomingHairCelebrities