A flow haircut, or bro flow, is medium-to-long men's hair grown out and swept back off the face so it flows behind the ears and toward the neck. Here's what sets it apart, who it suits, how to ask your barber for it and how to style it.
Flow haircut at a glance
- Top: 5 to 8 inches
- Sides and back: Grown out, tucked behind the ears
- Maintenance: Low to medium
- Trim every: 8 to 12 weeks, just to tidy the ends
What makes it different
It's relaxed and athletic; it's also known as hockey hair. It takes patience to grow, usually six months or more from a short cut.
Who it suits
Oval, square and heart-shaped faces, and wavy or thick hair, which holds the swept-back shape. Very fine, straight hair tends to fall forward.
Not sure about your face shape? Find it with the free face shape detector, or read our guide to men's face shapes.
How to ask your barber for a flow haircut
- While growing it out, ask only for a tidy-up: clean the neckline and trim split ends.
- Ask for light layers to remove bulk at the sides.
- Say you're growing a flow so nothing gets cut short.
- Bring a photo. Barbers use these names differently, and a picture removes the guesswork.
How to style it
Towel dry, apply a light cream or sea salt spray and push the hair back with your fingers. Tuck it behind your ears and let it dry naturally.
Variations
- Short flow: just long enough to tuck behind the ears.
- Wavy flow: the classic look.
- Flow with a taper: tidied at the neckline.
Try it before you cut
A haircut takes weeks to grow out. Upload a selfie to the AI hairstyle changer and see the flow haircut on your own face, next to up to three other styles.
Related haircuts
FAQ
What is a flow haircut?
A flow haircut, or bro flow, is medium-to-long men's hair grown out and swept back off the face so it flows behind the ears and toward the neck.
Who suits a flow haircut?
Oval, square and heart-shaped faces, and wavy or thick hair, which holds the swept-back shape. Very fine, straight hair tends to fall forward.
How often does it need a trim?
About every 8 to 12 weeks, just to tidy the ends.
