To Buzz or To Shave? How to Choose Your Next Badass Look

Noticing some thinning up top and debating whether to rock a buzz cut or just shave it all off?

If so, you’ve landed in the perfect spot!

Let’s get one thing straight right out of the gate: if your hair is falling out, take a deep breath. It’s completely natural! Millions of guys are in the exact same boat.

Don’t get me wrong, I know losing your hair is a tough pill to swallow, especially if it starts happening when you’re young.

But gentlemen, we can still look absolutely fantastic!

The classic debate lives on: both the shaved head and the buzz cut are phenomenal choices for guys dealing with hair loss. However, figuring out which path to take can feel like a massive decision.

Whether you go for a buzz or a clean shave, both look excellent on men with a receding hairline or thinning patches. Buzz cuts offer a ton of variety, and depending on your clipper guards, you can keep it super tight or leave a little length. On the flip side, shaving your head means taking everything off completely.

Don’t stress, though! We put this guide together to break down both options so you can figure out exactly which one fits you best.

Let’s dive in!

What Is A Buzz Cut: Best Buzz Cut Styles

Back in the day, a buzz cut used to mean shaving your whole head by using clippers. But today, we have graduated to an entirely new set of buzz cut hairstyles.

Since no face shape and head type are exactly alike, it is better to know about the different buzz cuts.

When you are thinking about going for a buzz cut, it is highly recommended to take your face type and head type into consideration.

The allure of a buzz cut is that it needs minimal upkeep. If you compare a buzz cut with other hairstyles, you will realize that it is exceptionally easy to maintain this look.

The only thing that you will have to do is cut your hair more often. Shorter hair always grows faster; that’s why you need to keep cutting it to keep the look intact.

If you choose shorter buzz cut styles, then you will have to cut your hair more often. It is as simple as that.

Since we are talking about buzz cuts, let’s find out about the different types of buzz cut styles you can go for.

• Buzz Cut No Guard – Zero Buzz Cut
• Induction Buzz Cut – The Traditional Buzz Cut
• Burr Buzz Cut – Uniform Without Shading
• Knuckle Buzz Cut
• Taper Buzz Cut
• Crew Cut
• Brush Cut

Buzz Cut No Guard – Zero Buzz Cut

Jamie Foxx is one of the celebrities who has been seen flaunting his zero buzz cut look from time to time. This is a style where you will use only clippers and no guard.

Induction Buzz Cut – The Traditional Buzz Cut If you have seen David Beckham with extremely short hair, that’s his induction buzz cut look. This is the traditional buzz cut. It won’t be as short as a zero buzz cut, but it won’t be long either.

Read Also: Buzz Cut Number 3

Burr Buzz Cut – Uniform Without Shading The Burr buzz cut will have a uniform look throughout the head. It won’t have any taper or fading. Chris Evans is a celebrity who tried the burr buzz cut. You will have to utilize a number one or two guard to achieve this look.

Knuckle Buzz Cut A slightly longer version of the burr buzz cut becomes a knuckle buzz cut. Your scalp will look bald in a burr buzz cut, while in a knuckle buzz cut, it won’t. You will just have to trim the top of your hair with a number 4 to 5 guard.

Taper Buzz Cut A celebrity that we see rocking the taper buzz cut style is Zac Efron. This cut will have one length all around with shorter length hair around the neckline and sideburns.

Crew Cut The crew cut is arguably one of the most preferred buzz cut styles. You can get this look by using the number six guard. Your hair will be longer than the rest of the buzz cuts.

Brush Cut Another popular buzz cut among men who want to have a buzz cut style but longer hair is the brush cut. It is quite similar to a crew cut.

Shaving Your Head For The First Time Is A Shock

Shaving your head is a bold move. If you don’t have a physique like Jason Statham, then probably shaving your head right away won’t be an ideal choice.

Read Also: Jason Statham Style And Haircut

Even though a shaved head does make you look fierce, one needs to know whether the style will suit them or not until they actually do it and give it some time.

The first time you see yourself without hair in the mirror, you will literally say ”No way”.

A shaved head is definitely an option for men who are balding fast. But the shift from all your hair to no hair at all can be a bit surprising.

Also, a shaved head is a drastic step to take.

Hence, if this is your first time, why not start with a buzz cut? Try a crew cut or brush cut in the beginning, then shift to a buzz cut no guard. If you think that you can carry the buzz cut no guard look, then you can try shaving your head.

A buzz cut with no guard is the closest look to actually having a shaved head. Hence, rather than giving yourself and everyone else the shock of their lives, why not transition yourself gradually?

Read Also: How Long Does A Buzz Cut Last?

Buzz Cut or Shaved Head: How To Choose

There are millions of men all over the world who are going bald. Like it or not, genetics, age, and many other factors dictate why you may be losing your hair.

Indeed, hair loss supplements are available in the market, but many of these supplements do no good. You might see some changes temporarily, but without spending money on expensive hair transplant surgeries, there seems to be no permanent way out.

In fact, Minoxidil continues to be one of the most popular and accessible solutions as of now. Most dermatologists know it and will suggest you start using Minoxidil, but I will tell you the truth.

Minoxidil does work. But, first of all, you have to use it for at least 6 months to start seeing noticeable results, and secondly, when you stop using it, the new hair falls out.

That’s a huge drawback of Minoxidil for me, despite the fact that millions of people use it.

If you wanna check out Minoxidil, feel free to look it up on Amazon.

Now, the two real styling choices that you have are either a buzz cut or a shaved head. The choice you go for will mainly depend on how severe your balding issue is, your personal taste, and which style you simply prefer the most.

If you are struggling to choose between a buzz cut and a shaved head, here’s a guide that will help you.

How Severe is Your Balding Issue?

Before anything else, the first thing you need to think about is how severely you are losing hair.

If you have hair only on the sides and the back, but no hair on top, then rather than going for a buzz cut style, we would recommend going completely bald, no matter what shape your head is.

However, if hair thinning is the main issue and not complete balding, you can think about going for a buzz cut. Try a number zero buzz cut or, more safely, a number one buzz cut, and see whether you can pull it off. If you are planning for a shaved head, make the move gradually.

Time to Consider Your Head Shape

See, if you are already going bald on top and only left with hair on the sides and back, then a shaved head will be an ideal choice for you, no matter what head shape you have.

However, if it is the initial stage and you want to try some hair supplements or want to go for hair transplant surgeries, give yourself a chance and take a close look at how your head looks.

The crux is to know whether a buzz cut or a shaved head will suit you better. You might look better with a buzz cut instead of a shaved head.

No matter what kind of hair problem you are going through, try going for buzz cut styles that are shorter in length first.

For us, the rule is almost always: get yourself a buzz cut (short or long), and if you don’t like it, then ok, shave all your hair off. Cause you can’t do the opposite!

If you shave your head, you can’t immediately turn it into a buzz cut. Hair grows fast, though. The next week you will be just fine.

Even if you are thinking of going totally bald, buzz cuts that are extremely short in length will give you a good enough idea of whether a clean-shaved scalp will suit you or not.

What About Maintenance?

Here comes another essential factor to consider. When it comes to maintenance, believe it or not, a shaved head requires more maintenance than buzz cuts.

Shaving your head means being careful each time you shave, and with a shaved head, you will start seeing stubble very soon.

Not that a buzz cut number zero, number 1, number 2, or number 3 won’t require any maintenance, but you will still have a bit of hair in these styles, unlike a clean shaved head.

Read Also: Number 2 Buzz Cut Haircut

A shaved head means showing your scalp skin, which means even short stubble will be immediately noticeable. Hence, think about the amount of time you are willing to invest in maintaining the look you are going for.

Also, a shaved head needs sunscreen because not having hair means you are directly exposed to the sun.

Pro Tip: No matter which style you go for, ensure that you listen to your heart. Think about the style that you want to try, and go for it. We know that you need to consider your head shape, maintenance, and more; however, your personal taste matters most.

We would never want you to skip a style just because it might require more maintenance. Try it once, and then see whether you would like to stick with it or not. Plus, once in a while, changing your hairstyle can give you a massive confidence boost as well.

Let’s move on.

Does A Buzz Cut Hide Baldness?

Of course! Men with a receding hairline will look great with a buzz cut. Not everyone likes the thought of shaving their head entirely just because they see a receding hairline.

However, you must keep in mind that if you are bald on the top and only have hair towards the sides and back, then a shaved head will be a much better option.

Visible hair only on the sides is a huge No. It makes you look much older than you really are.

Also, a bald guy or a guy with a short buzz cut and a nice physique is usually an amazing combination.

Let us give you an example. If I mention the David Beckham buzz cut, you will immediately think David Beckham looks good even with blonde hair! And you would be correct.

But, think about it. Is, let’s say, ”The Rock” the most traditionally handsome guy out there?

Despite the fact that I am a huge fan of ”The Rock”, I guarantee he is not the prettiest guy out there. But his style and haircut are amazing and it is the absolute best for him!

If he was a nearly bald guy with hair only on the sides, he would look terrible and old.

But now he looks terrific, especially for his age!

Right?

Who Are The Most Attractive? Men With Buzz Cuts or Bald Men?

Now, the 1 million dollar question! Who is more attractive?! A guy with a shaved head or a guy with a buzz cut?!

This one is a tough question to answer. We have seen people looking dashingly handsome with both buzz cuts and shaved heads.

We feel that a bald look is fiercer; it gives off a “no messing around” vibe. Tall men and men with a good physique look amazing when they go bald.

Take Dwayne Johnson again, for example. He is one who has tried both the buzz cut and the shaved head. And we have to admit that he had never looked cooler until he completely shaved his head!

Another actor that looks incredible with a shaved head is Jason Statham. In fact, Statham is either bald or sporting a very short buzz cut.

His action-packed movies and personalities in those films truly do justice to his bald look. And how can we forget the Fast and Furious actor Mr. Vin Diesel!

Now, let’s move onto buzz cuts. Many celebrities have embraced buzz cut styles.

These celebrities have a good amount of hair on their scalp, and nope, they are not balding. Some celebrities that look better with buzz cuts are Brad Pitt, Adam Levine, Chris Evans, Ryan Gosling, Nick Jonas, and David Beckham.

It’s hard to imagine them in a totally bald look. The common features of all of these celebrities are their slim and athletic physiques.

Women do like both styles, provided you can support your style and show your personality. I would, however, admit that being bald is even more badass and shows you have got the guts to do it.

Read Also: Number 4 Buzz Cut

So, both buzz cuts and bald men look attractive considering what kind of physique and what personality they have.

Makes sense?

Can I Go Bald With A Beard Trimmer?

It, depends. If you want to try a clean shaved head without visiting any hairstylist, you can use a high-quality trimmer to try the bald look at home.

Read Also: Bald With A Beard: Is It Good For You?

But, here is the catch. If you have a really cheap, weak trimmer, it can be tricky. A weak and low-quality trimmer can cut your hair unevenly. Some areas might have some hairs while others do not.

To solve this problem, you will need an electric shaver, which is the closest thing there is to shaving with manual razors.

When you try to shave your head, you will need a beard trimmer or, preferably, proper hair clippers to take the length down first.

But even then, you will definitely need either an electric shaver or a manual razor to get rid of the stubborn stubble.

(This is the best electric shaver that we use daily.)

All in all, a high-quality beard trimmer can help you go bald and make the after-trimming shaving much easier.

Best 3 Hair Clippers

#Best On The Market – Panasonic Professional Hair Clipper (ER-GB80 K / ER-GP82 / ER-DGP84 series)

The Panasonic Professional Hair Clipper line (like the legendary ER-GP80 K and its newer upgrades, the GP82 and DGP84) comes with 45-degree cutting angles, a powerful linear motor, and it is very light and easy to handle. It also allows you to change the blades very easily. Having tested dozens and dozens of trimmers and hair clippers, this product line is amazingly good, but also pricey.

If you want to invest in a tool that will probably last you forever, this is the best on the market.

Pros

• Its battery lasts incredibly long on a single charge.
• It cuts very precisely.
• Good for both personal and professional use.
• Light and easy to use.
• Amazing Design.

Cons

• Price.

Check On Amazon

#Runner-Up – BaBylissPRO Barberology MetalFX Series

This one is also an outstanding trimmer. Having said that, it is also my personal favorite. This is a very successful product that both professionals and amateur men use daily.

More specifically, it has a nice battery that lasts for at least 2 hours, amazing grip, brilliant design, and a highly powerful motor. It is cord/cordless and has an exposed T-blade with 360-degree views and high torque. It helps you cut your hair with outstanding detail.

Of course, as with everything good in life, you get what you pay for, and this product is not an exception. But, imagine being able to cut your hair at home forever without the need to visit the barber again?

How much money would you save?

Pros

• Professional-grade trimmer.
• Very easy to use.
• Portable.
• Very precise.
• Highly durable.

Cons

• Expensive.

Check On Amazon

#Best (Semi) Budget Option – Wahl Professional 5-Star Detailer with Adjustable T-Blade

The Wahl Professional 5-Star Detailer with Adjustable T-Blade will cut your hair precisely. It comes with multiple blades, and it is light and easy to use. However, it can’t cut quite as smoothly as the first option. It also has a good motor but arguably slightly weaker than Panasonic’s linear motors. Overall, this is a great tool for everyday use without requiring a massive investment.

It’s a quality product. Even better than Andis for those of you that are a bit knowledgeable in the barbering space.

Pros

• A true value-for-money hair clipper.
• Amazingly designed and lightweight.
• Versatile.
• Quiet.

Cons

• The battery is not as great as the premium models.
• It doesn’t have many guards (but of course, it includes all you need; I just wouldn’t suggest this limitation to a professional barber).

Check On Amazon

Keep in mind that all of these products are professional and extremely good products. We would never recommend any products that don’t serve you well and that we haven’t already tested. We would also never recommend a $10 crap product just to make you buy. (Unless there is actually something good at that price range!)

No, thanks. We don’t want to lose your trust.

Conclusion

Whether you opt for the buzz cut or the completely shaved head, both styles look phenomenal when worn with confidence.

Hair loss is a normal part of life for men, and embracing it is the best way to take control of your appearance. Hopefully, this guide gave you the clarity you needed to pick your next style.

Today we covered every angle of the great hair debate. It’s a question millions of guys struggle with, and there is no single “right” answer. We laid out the pros, the cons, and the subtle differences between the two looks.

My final piece of advice?

If you’ve always had hair, start with a buzz cut. Live with it for a bit before you take a razor to your scalp. Going from thinning hair straight to shiny skin is a massive transition, so ease into it.

Read Also: Should Bald Men Use Shampoos?

Play it smart and test the waters.

But hey, that’s just my perspective—you are the master of your own look!

Drop a comment and let me know what you think, or hit me with any questions you might have. I’m always happy to help out.

Ready to make a move and reclaim your confidence? Go get it done!

Until next time, Stay safe,

Tasos