There are hundreds (and hundreds) of styles that look great on fat bodies and fat faces. We’ve talked about the best jeans for big thighs and the best suspenders for fat dudes but what about styles that don’t change so easily, like your hair.
Are there certain hairstyles that work better or worse for fat guys? More specifically, what about the classic buzz cut- should fat guys get buzz cuts?
In general, the buzz cut can work for fatter or rounder faces but adding a slight fade is a usually better option. Working a fade into your buzz cut will break up the roundness of a fatter face and provide some balance. Beards can also help fat guys pull off a buzz cut.
Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know about buzz cuts and fat guys.
Types of Buzz Cuts
The word buzz cut can mean different things to different people so let’s make sure we’re on the same page with what a buzz cut is before we go any further.
When we say buzz cut we’re talking about two things.
Traditional Buzz Cuts
First, there’s the pure and simple buzz cut that uses one clipper setting across the entire head. There’s no texture, no fade, and no contours- just really short hair.
That sounds simple enough, and it is, but there can also be a lot of variation between even the simplest buzz cuts depending on what clipper guard you use.
Clipper guards are typically referred to by a number. The lower the number the shorter the cut. A number 1 will leave you looking like you’re about to ship off to boot camp and a number 5 will leave enough length to give you more of a burr look instead of a classic buzz cut.
Hybrid Buzz Cuts
If you’re an absolute purist, then you’d probably say that there’s no such thing as a hybrid buzz cut.
But it’s a good thing we’re not purists here!
So we’re going to introduce the idea of a hybrid buzz cut which is a haircut that still uses only clippers but allows for different guard settings throughout.
Nothing fancy, just a fade on the sides. The hair is still very short but there’s also just a little bit of texture to it.
Again, some folks may not call this buzz cut but it’s close enough that the average dude probably isn’t making a huge distinction.
Is This Every Kind of Buzz Cut?
Heck no!
But I’m trying to help fat guys get great hair, not teach a class on becoming a barber. You don’t need to know all the terminology just the basics so you can speak the language to whoever is cutting your hair.
And if you’re trying to cut your own hair then…stop.
Even a buzz cut will turn out way better if you trust a professional to get the job done right. I promise it’s not as easy as it looks.
Do Buzz Cuts Make You Look Fat?
That’s the big question right, will getting a buzz cut make your face look fatter?
Well, it’s certainly possible but it’s also not a guarantee.
Buzz cuts don’t give any extra shape or texture to the head. That means buzz cuts will usually accentuate an already round face and cause fatter, rounder faces to look even rounder. However, this won’t be true of every big or fat guy and the natural shape of your face will play a big part in how well you pull off a buzz cut.
In other words, being fat isn’t the only factor you should consider here. If you’re a big guy with a naturally round face then a buzz cut will double down on your already round head.
But if you’re a fat guy with a longer face, the impact may not be as significant.
While you can’t change the shape of your head, there are a few things you can do to offset a rounder face.
Fades Work Better For Fat Dudes
I’m a big fan of even a light fade for fat guys and it can truly make a world of difference.
Yes, the buzz cut is easy and some guys want to take the DIY route but it’s worth heading up to your local barber and getting a professional fade done.
Adding a fade will break up the roundness of a fat face and give the head a more pleasing shape. You certainly don’t need to go over the top with it and a little fade goes a long way.
The great thing about working in a fade is that you can still go just as short as you would with a buzz cut without having to worry about a fat face looking rounder.
Beards Work, Too
Committed to the classic buzz cut and not interested in adding a fade?
Growing a beard can be another way to prevent looking like a giant baby (no offense, I’m right there with you) while rocking the buzz cut.
Without any length or texture on the top of the head, the face looks rounder. A beard can help manage this by elongating the face at the bottom. You don’t need to grow a ZZ Top style beard to pull this off, just a little something to break up the roundness that comes with a fatter face.
It’s also worth noting that I’m talking about a full beard here and not a goatee or type of facial hair. While a goatee or mustache can help round faces look less baby-ish, they don’t help much with elongating the face which is what we’re going for to counterbalance a buzz cut.
Will A Buzz Cut Make Me Look Older?
It’s rare to see someone look older after a buzz cut and in most cases, it will make you look younger. Buzz cuts will even out thin hair and hide patches of gray while usually make the face look rounder- all changes that will make a man look younger.
Of course, that’s not the case 100% of the time and the exact effect will depend on the individual so let’s take a closer look at this from the perspective of a fat guy.
Buzz Cuts Hide Thin Hair
If you go with a buzz cut using the number 1 clipper guard you’re going to end up with very short hair. While that much is obvious, what might not be so obvious is just how beneficial that can be to hiding thin spots.
After all, thin hair is relative, at least for the most part. So if you’re entire head is full of short hair, that balding spot on the top of your head isn’t going to be as noticeable.
However, there are diminishing returns here and if you’re dealing with bald spots by using some clever comb-over techniques then a buzz cut can have the opposite effect and highlight these areas.
Gray Hairs Gone
Unfortuatnely, gray hairs don’t play by the same rules as other hair and it’s common to see them shooting out to the sides. With a tight buzz cut or fade, these gray hairs don’t have room to grow and are much less noticeable.
Rounder Faces Look Younger
Now, this is where fat guys have to be careful.
Rounder, fatter faces typically look younger. As we age, our face loses some of its natural fatness but as a bigger guy, you’re going to have a rounder face well past your youth. That’s working for you when it comes to looking younger but a buzz cut without a fade or a beard can make you look like a giant baby.
If you’re in your 20’s or early 30’s this can be really noticeable but if you’re a little older with natural wear to your face already it probably isn’t as big of a deal.
So be careful with this area and if you’re a young man already, make sure that you don’t end up looking too young after a buzz cut.
Closing Thoughts
At the end of the day, buzz cuts make a great option for fat guys but there are still a few things to consider.
Most importantly, you need to make that an already round face doesn’t get too round. Adding in a simple fade or a beard can help manage a fatter rounder face and most guys will like the difference these simple additions can make.
What do you think? Are you going to go for a buzz cut?