Most guys aren't really concerned with different hairstyles as such.

When men ask me what they should say when they sit in the barber's chair, nine times out of 10 they just want to know how to get it short on the sides and long on the top — that classic cut that's popular these days.

But sometimes, confusion creeps in, and you don’t know what to say to avoid other, more drastic haircuts that also involve having your hair cut short on the sides and long on the top. After all, you don't want to look like Macklemore or a mushroom.

The solution is simple: add the word blended to your vocabulary. That will signal to your barber that you want the hair on the top to blend seamlessly into the hair on the sides, gradually getting shorter as it goes down.

This is called a natural or blended transition. Most barbers will do this automatically, but if you want to be sure you know what you're getting, it never hurts to ask. Note that this is not the same as a fade — a fade is where the hair on the side is not all the same length, but gets longer gradually as you go from bottom to top.

From there, you just need to specify exactly how long you want it on both the top and sides. Use figures like inches if you're specifying scissors, or clipper blade guard numbers if you're looking for a buzz. If you're unsure how long, you can always ask for longer to see what it looks like, and then go shorter if you'd prefer.

SEE ALSO: If you're going to let your beard grow out, here's the most important thing to remember

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NOW WATCH: These will be the most popular hairstyles in 2017

Every guy who starts losing his hair has to make a choice: do I attempt to disguise it, or do I shave it all off and own the look? 

Either way, here's what you can't do: try and do a comb-over.

Comb-overs, as anyone who has eyes would tell you, don't actually hide anything. The long strands actually do the opposite, highlighting the bald head underneath.

The way a comb-over works is that you try and "teach" your hair, which naturally wants to grown down, to grow across your head instead.

This makes the strings of hair look wiry and limp. It usually moves the parting of the hair to a section lower on your head, so that more hair can be used as cover. This has the effect of making not only the balding spot look larger, but your head larger as well.

Basically, it's not a good look.

What else can men do to avoid the comb? We've recommended some haircuts that balding men can use to lessen the effects of balding without shaving it off, but a shaved or close-cropped buzz cut can also work very well provided you have the scalp for it.

Or, you could always just rock the power doughnut and own the hair pattern nature has given you, à la Larry David.

SEE ALSO: Here's how you should dress when you're losing your hair

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NOW WATCH: The most controversial men’s hairstyle of 2015

Kurt Stenn has studied hair for 30 years and lectured extensively on the biology of the hair follicle. In his recent book "Hair: A Human History," he dives into the biology, evolution, and cultural history of the subject. 

We asked him whether hair really grows back stronger and thicker after you shave it. 

Produced by Grace Raver. Camera by Darren Weaver.

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SEE ALSO: This video shows how laser hair removal works — and it’s slightly terrifying

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Aging doesn't have to do you in. Sure, wrinkles might abound and wayfaring follicles may begin to sprout in places you never thought they would, but that's what retinol and waxing are for, respectively.

Plus, if you cut out all those bad habits that will prematurely age you, then you’ve got a good shot of making it as long as possible with a good portion of your looks in tact.

Which leaves us with one final end to tie up: how exactly should you cut your mane once everything’s gone salt and pepper? Because surely grey hair plays by a different set of rules, right? To help clear that up for you, here are 6 styles perfectly suited for guys with grey hair.

SEE ALSO: This is the best way to get the haircut you want

The Classic Side-Part

As Seen On: Jeff Goldblum

A classic chop, regardless of whether your hair is dark as night or white as new-fallen snow, the side-part can work for any guy, regardless of age. Look at Goldblum here; even with his slightly receding slate grey hairline, this bad boy looks great. (Both the man and his mane, we mean.)

The Short Chop

As Seen On: Daniel Day-Lewis

Just because you're older, doesn't mean you can't have a little fun — especially if your locks are thinning. In fact, for guys whose once-thick hair has now started to scatter, adding a touch of playful choppy texture to a shorter cut can actually make a mane look fuller. DDL goes all in on that idea, here, and as you can very well see, it suits the hell out of him.

The Close Buzz

As Seen On: Barack Obama

If you're looking for a truly versatile, sharp as hell cut that's perfectly suited for any occasion, but has still a bit of an edge, then look no further than the buzzcut. Seriously. It's not only incredibly easy to maintain, but, if you're not entirely comfortable with your new grey strands, it'll visually minimize them. Our Commander in Chief knows that. Now you do, too.

Every man has, at one point or another, sat down in the barber's chair and been asked, "What'll it be today?"

We have a recommendation: instead of just saying "the same as last time" or "the usual," take into account your face shape for a brand-new hair style. Some styles look better or worse based on your face shape, and this infographic — based on the one our friends at Men's Hairstyles Today put together — will help you pick the best.

See what popular haircut you should really be getting, based on the shape of your face.

SEE ALSO: The best watches at every price point

DON'T FORGET: Follow Business Insider's lifestyle page on Facebook!

Oblong: face is longer than it is wide

Short haircuts are best for an oblong or rectangular face.

Be careful with a bushy beard, however, as that could make your face look even bigger.

Oval: narrow, with no sharp edges

Luckily, most hairstyles will look good with an oval face shape.

A word of caution: avoid bangs or fringes that could cover your forehead and make your head appear even rounder than it already is.

Diamond: strong jaw and angular cheek bones

The best-case scenario here is to pair a beard with a fringed haircut like a faux hawk or textured crop.

Every guy who starts losing his hair eventually must make a choice: do you attempt to disguise it, fight it, or shave it all off and own the look? 

Either way, here's what you should never do: a combover.

Combovers, as anyone who has eyes would tell you, don't actually hide anything. The long strands actually do the opposite, highlighting the bald head underneath.

The way a combover theoretically works is that you try to "teach" your hair, which naturally wants to grown down, to grow across your head instead to cover the bald spot.

This makes the strings of hair look wiry and limp. It usually moves the parting of the hair to a section lower on your head, so that more hair can be used as cover. This has the effect of making not only the balding spot look larger, but your head larger as well.

Basically, it's really not a good look.

What else can men do to avoid the combover? We've recommended some haircuts that balding men can use to lessen the effects of balding without shaving it off, but a shaved or close-cropped buzz cut can also work very well provided you have the scalp for it.

SEE ALSO: Here's how you should dress when you're losing your hair

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NOW WATCH: How often guys should wash their hair

The INSIDER Summary:

• Actress and singer Selena Gomez made news when she showed off an edgy new hairstyle on Instagram.
• Recently, fans were surprised to find out the cropped cut was actually a wig.

Selena Gomez recently made headlines for swapping her wavy locks for a short new ‘do, but it looks like the joke’s on us. The "13 Reasons Why" executive producer hosted an event on Thursday, and while she was there, she revealed some surprising hair revelations…

Turns out the singer never made the bob. It was a wig!!

“It was so funny. I was trying on different stuff and I posted a picture [because] I liked the image. Evidently, people thought I cut my hair real short, but it’s still the same… it’s a little chop,” Gomez revealed to Extra. Chop or no chop, girlfriend looks gorgeous.

Meanwhile, her outfit was quite attention-grabbing as well (she even matched the blue carpet!). The getup was comprised of a cropped, off-the-shoulder button-down and chic wide-leg pants to match. She added a pair of sky blue patent leather Christian Louboutin pumps to finish it off. Modern as the getup may have looked, it also had roots in classic ’90s nostalgia, as stylist Chris Classen revealed on his Instagram page.

Giving us a closer glimpse of Gomez’s top, as well as some insight to its inspo, the celeb stylist “clued” us in to which iconic teen movie was the inspo behind the look. He captioned the pic: “#AsIf • #cluelessvibes • @brockcollection.”

We totally get the "Clueless" vibes: Cher Horowitz would surely approve of Gomez’s checkered style, given her penchant for matching yellow checked plaid and all.

What do you think of her coordinated look? Are you into it? Tweet us @BritandCo!

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NOW WATCH: This stylist will give you the best haircut in London

The "fire-haircut" is an unusual technique which uses fire to cut a customer's hair. 

The technique is being carried out a barber shop in New Delhi, India. The customer is first covered in a flammable powder which is then set on fire with a lighter.

The barber styles it with two combs while the hair is alight. He claims this haircut technique is not dangerous, and that 15 customers come in each day specifically for it.

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Situation: You've got a wedding, gala, or other similar event coming up on Friday, and it's the beginning of the week. You look in the mirror and see that your hair is dangerously overgrown.

You must make an appointment for a haircut this week. But what day should you choose to look the best for your event?

If you answered "the day before"— sorry, but you're wrong.

Tuesday or Wednesday would actually be your best bet, as it turns out most professionals would recommend a buffer of one or two days,according to Max Berlinger writing for The New York Times.

This lets the cut "settle" and ensures your hair looks less freshly shorn for your big event.

This also allows enough time for any corrections to be made before the big event, if the event really is of that much importance that your hair must be perfect.

Nick Wooster, who is widely regarded as one of the most important men's style icons of today, even told the Times, "Some barbers say the only difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is three days."

This matters more the shorter the haircut is, and with scissor cuts it matters a little less. Don't let this affect your choice to get the haircut that would be best for you, however.

SEE ALSO: Here's how and when men should roll up their shirtsleeves

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NOW WATCH: This haircut is making the internet very upset

The INSIDER Summary:

• Switching hairstyles for the summer is a great way to liven up your entire look.
• INSIDER spoke with celebrity hair guru Larry Sims — whose clients include Victoria Beckham and Zendaya  — about which summer hairstyles will reign supreme in 2017. 
• Messy hair, choppy haircuts, twists, and braids will be among the hottest trends.

Doing something different with your hair for the summer is always a good idea.

An update to your hairstyle at the cusp of warmer weather can keep you cool or prevent heat damage from increased sun exposure. It's an easy way to refresh your look, too.

INSIDER recently spoke with celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims— the hair guru behind Victoria Beckham's infamous bob whose clients also include Zendaya, Gabrielle Union, and Kerry Washington — and asked him which summer styles we can expect to see the most this year. Scroll down to find out what he had to say.

1. Tousled hair will be wildly popular.

"Messy, bed-head hair" replaces beach waves as the number one trend, according to Sims. "People really aren't doing polished hair anymore," he told INSIDER. Stars like actress Julianne Hough, singer Ciara, and supermodel Karlie Kloss have all ditched their silky smooth strands in recent years and totally rocked it.

2. Short haircuts are going to be everywhere.

Sims predicted that "razor-textured bobs" with uneven layers will be a big hit. Don't be afraid to go short — actresses Drew Barrymore and Gabrielle Union, as well as Victoria Beckham, have all proved long hair isn't necessary. 

3. Twists and braids will replace the need for styling tools.

No-heat styles such as twists and braids are bound to become even more popular. Singer Rita Ora decorated hers with hair accessories, while actresses Blake Lively and Bella Thorne's styles commanded attention on their own.

4. Likewise, long-lasting protective styles are a definite must.

Braided extensions such as two-strand twists and box braids don't require daily maintenance or manipulation, making them ideal for those with natural hair. Singers and actresses Solange, Brandy, and Zoe Kravitz frequently wear them.

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NOW WATCH: The internet is obsessed with this 5-year-old with amazing hair

The INSIDER Summary:

• Kylie Jenner is rocking a new, much shorter hairstyle.
• It's not clear whether she had her real hair cut into a bob. 
• Some people think Kylie's new style is a wig.
• Either way, it looks fabulous.

Kylie Jenner switches up her look so often that it can be hard to tell whether she is rocking hair extensions, a wig, or her real hair.

Now, the reality TV star has reportedly cut her hair into a bob, according to Cosmopolitan. The story included this Snapchat video posted on Instagram that shows her having her hair chopped:

She appeared to have much shorter hair than her signature long hairstyle:

Her hair was chopped by celebrity stylist Jonathan Colombini. He shared this "after" photo of Kylie's new style on Instagram:

Just a couple of days before that appointment, she was rocking a significantly longer look:

Kylie's new bob looks great, and can be seen in some of her recent Instagram photos: 

It's not entirely clear if Kylie actually had her real hair cut, though.

A social media user commenting on the video of her haircut wondered the same thing: "Why did she cut it when she couldve just taking the extensions out since her real hair is short anyway?" Teen Vogue suspects that Kylie was wearing a wig when she had her "hair" cut.

This Snapchat from May 5 shows Kylie's natural hair looking even shorter than her new bob.

While we probably won't solve the mystery over whether Kylie had her hair chopped or not any time soon, we wouldn't be surprised to see another dramatically different hairstyle in her next Instagram.

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NOW WATCH: There's a 'third' Jenner kid in the Kardashian clan that no one's ever heard of

Many believe the distinct colors of the barber poles are due to patriotism. But the truth is much more disturbing. Long ago, barbers used to do more than just cut hair. They performed surgical procedures like bloodletting. The striped poles are a legacy of their practice of bloodletting.

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Situation: You've got a wedding, gala, or other similar event coming up on Friday, and it's the beginning of the week. You look in the mirror and see that your hair is dangerously overgrown.

You must make an appointment for a haircut this week. What day should you choose to look the best for your event?

If you answered "the day before"— sorry, but you're wrong.

Tuesday or Wednesday would actually be your best bet, as it turns out most professionals would recommend a buffer of one or two days,according to Max Berlinger of The New York Times.

This lets the cut "settle" and ensures your hair looks less freshly shorn for your big event.

This also allows enough time for any corrections to be made before the big event, if the event really is of that much importance that your hair must be perfect.

Nick Wooster, who is widely regarded as one of the most important men's style icons of today, even told The Times, "Some barbers say the only difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is three days."

This matters more the shorter the haircut is, and with scissor cuts it matters a little less. Don't let this affect your choice to get the haircut that would be best for you, however.

SEE ALSO: This is the only solution for balding men to get full heads of hair again

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This haircut is making the internet very upset

• Angelina Jolie made a slight change to her hair that has completely transformed her look.
• Her hair is now just below her shoulders and more voluminous than ever.
• It adds a sophisticated and modern touch to her already glamorous hair.

When we think of glamorous movie stars, Angelina Jolie is one of the first names that comes to mind. While that's mostly because of her work in films like "A Mighty Heart" and "Maleficent," her always shiny and flowing locks are definitely part of her movie-star appeal.

Although she experimented with different looks earlier in her career, Jolie hasn't made any drastic changes to her hair in the last few years. Instead, her luxurious long, dark hair has become a signature part of her style.

While her latest hairstyle — which we first spotted on Refinery29— is not a dramatic change, it still manages to give her a totally new look.

The actress showed up to the premiere of "Faces Places" on October 11 with a few inches trimmed off and a layered look that adds just the right amount of volume. Her new below-the-shoulder length hair looked just as gorgeous as ever on the red carpet.

Though Jolie's hairstyle change isn't as adventurous as the looks some other celebrities like Kate Hudson have experimented with lately, it adds a sophisticated touch. It may not be the oh-so-trendy lob or a buzzcut, but it looks just as modern and transformative.

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NOW WATCH: Angelina Jolie has a 21-year-old lookalike

Every man has, at one point or another, sat down in the barber's chair and been asked, "What'll it be today?"

We have a recommendation: instead of just saying "the same as last time" or "the usual," take into account your face shape for a brand-new hairstyle. Some styles look better or worse based on your face shape, and this infographic — based on the one our friends at Men's Hairstyles Today put together — will help you pick the best.

See what popular haircut you should really be getting, based on the shape of your face.

SEE ALSO: The best watches at every price point

DON'T FORGET: Follow Business Insider's lifestyle page on Facebook!

Oblong: face is longer than it is wide

Short haircuts are best for an oblong or rectangular face.

Be careful with a bushy beard, however, as that could make your face look even bigger.

Oval: narrow, with no sharp edges

Luckily, most hairstyles will look good with an oval face shape.

A word of caution: avoid bangs or fringes that could cover your forehead and make your head appear even rounder than it already is.

Diamond: strong jaw and angular cheek bones

The best-case scenario here is to pair a beard with a fringed haircut like a faux hawk or textured crop.

• Kourtney Kardashian has cut her hair into a lob.
• She posted an Instagram photo to show off her new look on Friday.
• The reality TV star's new style, which she wore in tousled waves, makes her look effortlessly chic.

For years, we've seen Kourtney Kardashian wear her long hair either poker-straight or in loose beachy waves.

But now, Kardashian has traded in her flowing locks for a chic lob that falls just beneath her shoulders.

The "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" star showed off her new look on Instagram, where she posted this mirror selfie on Friday.

The 38-year-old mom of three captioned her photo: "Don’t worry, i ordered a new phone case last night." Of course, her new hairstyle took all attention away from the Kimoji phone case she was holding. Kardashian's shorter hair length, styled in tousled waves, makes her look effortlessly chic.

Although it wasn't immediately clear if the reality TV star had cut her hair, or merely wasn't wearing hair extensions, celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimmons reposted Kardashian's photo and used the hashtag "#hairXandrew" to put his mark on the masterpiece.

Kardashian may have been inspired to cut her hair after wearing a shorter hairstyle for Halloween, when she dressed up with her boyfriend, Younes Bendjima, as Bonnie and Clyde. However, unlike the color of her cropped wig — and her sister Kim— she hasn't gone blonde.

With her latest hairdo, and her official relationship with boxer and model Bendjima, it seems there's a whole new Kourtney Kardashian. And we are here for it.

Want more? Read all of our Kardashians coverage here.

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