From the Peaky Blinders slick-back to the Bane buzz, here's exactly what to ask your barber for each look.
The textured scissor cut
Robyn Mulgrew, senior barber at Ruffians, describes this as the slick-back's more relaxed relative. "It's a classic textured scissor cut with a low, natural finish," she says. "It's kept soft around the ears and nape, with the sides relatively full and enough length to sweep it back." The cut avoids harsh fades or sharp lines, creating a shape that appears naturally grown and suits oval, square, and round faces.
When visiting your barber, Mulgrew advises keeping instructions straightforward: "Don't overcomplicate it, or you'll confuse each other. Use these key words: textured scissor cut with a low natural taper, swept-back top, styled to give a soft, lived-in finish." Bring a reference photo of Hardy to ensure clarity.
For styling, Mulgrew recommends prepping with Ruffians Beach Salt Spray, then blow-drying while sweeping hair back and up. "Keep the sides flatter so it still looks smart, then finish with our Matt Clay or Beach Fix for some texture." The result resembles swept-back beach hair adapted for everyday wear.
The soft buzz
Maxwell Oakley, co-founder of Supply 91, describes this as "pretty close to a buzz cut, approximately a grade three on top and a grade two on the sides, with a very subtle taper around the edges." He cautions that this exposes everything: "It's quite an exposing haircut, so it works particularly well on someone with a strong hairline." Square and oval faces with strong jawlines suit it best, though Oakley notes that confidence matters most: "If you wear something with enough confidence, you can pull anything off."
Request clippers rather than scissors, with a grade three on top and grade two on the sides, plus a subtle taper through the edges. Oakley suggests mentioning to "lightly break into the fringe with the clippers to keep the front looking natural and textured." Precision demands an experienced barber.
Styling requires minimal effort. "Avoid anything wet or greasy, as that can make the hair look sparse," says Oakley. "Keep things matte to bring out the natural texture, with just a little bit of hold." A small amount of paste worked through the hair completes the look.
The disheveled crop
Brent Pankhurst, whose career spans over three decades from Vidal Sassoon training to his Mayfair shop at Thom Sweeney, calls this "disheveled elegance." He explains: "It has a relaxed, slightly rugged feel, but the foundation is a strong, carefully considered shape." The cut suits most faces when proportions are tailored individually. "For gentlemen approaching their forties and beyond, I often prefer a little more length through the sides for a softer, less harsh finish," Pankhurst adds.
The temple area proves crucial: "The most important thing with this haircut—and, for me, every man's haircut—is to cut a square shape through the temple area." Ask for scissors throughout, with scissor-over-comb on the back and sides, which "gives the haircut better structure and helps it hold its shape as it grows." The top needs texturing for movement; thicker hair requires more texturing to reduce bulk.
Apply styling conditioner to damp hair, blow-dry using fingers, then finish with a nickel-sized amount of molding cream. "Spread it evenly between your palms, then work it vigorously through the hair for that rugged, disheveled finish," Pankhurst instructs.
The textured slick-back
Chris Merrick, head barber at Murdock Soho, presents this as the slick-back stripped of Wall Street intensity. "This is a textured slick-back or flow cut," he says. "Keeping it relaxed rather than tightly slicked allows the natural movement and texture to come through." The effect suggests hair recently pushed back by hand rather than rigidly set. "It works particularly well on oval, square and rounder face shapes; styling the hair back opens up the face and highlights the cheekbones, while some height on top can help elongate a rounder face."
Request "a textured slick-back or flow cut, with the sides slightly shorter than the top but enough length throughout to push the hair back." Merrick emphasizes retaining movement and avoiding traditional short back and sides.
After showering, towel dry until slightly damp, then apply sea salt spray. "Blow-dry while using your fingers to guide the hair backwards and encourage natural movement," says Merrick. Complete with a small amount of Murdock Matt Mud for strong hold with matte finish.
The tousled textured crop
Guray Kesman, founder of Kesman Grooming, characterizes this as deliberate bedhead. "This is a classic textured cut with a messy, tousled finish," he says, "and it's got that effortlessly undone look that Tom Hardy wears so well." The fringe softens the forehead, making it suitable for oval, square, and longer faces, working best on straight to slightly wavy hair with some thickness.
Ask for "a scissor-cut textured crop, keeping the sides and back shorter but avoiding a harsh skin fade." Kesman specifies wanting "a good amount of length and movement through the top, with the fringe left slightly longer." The crucial element is texture rather than uniform cutting, creating that "relaxed, lived-in finish."
Work lightweight styling cream or matte paste through slightly damp hair, then rough-dry while directing the fringe forwards and slightly to one side. "Use your fingers to separate a few pieces," Kesman advises. "You don't want it looking too polished or overly styled; a little movement is what makes this cut work."
The curtains
Jay Hecker, master barber at Truefitt & Hill—the world's oldest barbershop—traces this revival through Hollywood history. "To me, Tom Hardy's curtains were something of an homage to Jonny Depp," he says. "We've seen this look before—it was everywhere when Brad Pitt broke through with Thelma & Louise and when David Beckham wore it in the '90s—and you can trace it right back to old Hollywood's Robert Mitchum." Because hair tucks behind ears, "face shape isn't too much of a factor," and it particularly accentuates cheekbones.
Request "layers at the back to take out any weight, and keep most of the length on top so you can tuck it behind your ears." A center part completes the style. Those growing from shorter cuts should inform their barber for staged shaping, always bringing visual references.
"Apply a cream like our C.A.R. cream or Circassian Cream to towel-dried hair," says Hecker. "Then use a diffuser on your hairdryer on medium to low speed and heat for that textured finish." The C.A.R. Cream dates to the early 1900s, originally formulated for Royal Automobile Club members driving open-top cars.