How to Get Ryan Reynolds's Hairstyle (Even If You're Not a Rich Celebrity)

Hear us out: Ryan Reynolds’s hair is like Jennifer Aniston’s in the mid-1990s. It has become a celebrity in and of itself. So it’s unsurprising that many guys ask their hairstylists for the Ryan Reynolds haircut. 

“The Ryan Reynolds haircut is a modern classic—polished, masculine, and effortlessly cool,” says Christian Parla, master stylist and cofounder of That’s It Salon in Miami Shores, FL.

A big part of the reason for the popularity of Ryan Reynolds’s hair is that the short yet shaggy style is approachable and gives off an “I woke up like this” energy, Parla explains, “while secretly being well-crafted.” In other words, the Ryan Reynolds haircut is the male swagger equivalent of a "natural" look that actually required an hour and several products to achieve.

Some men may be too embarrassed to directly ask for “The Ryan.” Instead, they tiptoe around the haircut vaguely without accurately describing (or getting) the style they want.

To avoid this mistake, Parla shares precisely what to ask for when emulating Ryan Reynolds’s haircut and how to style and maintain it so that it works for you—and so you don’t look like a low-rent Van Wilder. And once you get "The Ryan" grooming routine down, we promise, it actually won't take all that much effort.

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What to Ask for to Get Ryan Reynolds’s Hairstyle

Ryan Reynolds’s hair is essentially a longer crew cut, often called a gentlemen’s cut, a classic men’s cut, or an “Ivy League” style. But if you don’t want to get into the weeds, ask your stylist for “a soft fade or taper around the sides, blended into two to three inches on top with a little layering for movement,” Parla says. “It’s all about keeping it sharp without feeling overdone.”

It’s important to get a scissors cut on top, whereas for the sides you can get away with using clippers with a #3 attachment or higher, depending on how tapered you want it to look. Either way, don’t be afraid to show your barber a picture of Reynolds, Parla advises, however you think this may come across (your barber is a professional; he's not judging). 

We are far from the days of needing to hand over a crumpled, cutout picture of a celebrity from a magazine like it’s a note from your mom. Save a photo of exactly what you’re looking for to your phone and flash it to your hairstylist like an insurance policy.

Related: Ryan Reynolds's Multimillion-Dollar Net Worth as Wrexham Grows

Who Should Get Ryan Reynolds’s Hairstyle

According to Parla, Ryan Reynolds’s hairstyle is most flattering for oval, square, and heart-shaped faces because the structure of the cut enhances sharp jawlines and cheekbones. Beyond face shape and bone structure, here are a few things to remember.

Hair Type

Straight-to-wavy hair types with medium thickness are ideal for achieving the Ryan Reynolds haircut because that lends itself to the “perfectly imperfect vibe” of the style. These hair types lend themselves to a softer texture, which makes this hairstyle stand out.

Texture

Softer textures are going to be optimal for this hairstyle. However, if you have curly, fine, or thinning hair, don’t rule out the possibility of having Ryan Reynolds hair. You just need a trusted barber who can make adjustments like getting subtle layers to maximize volume (without going full combover). Or, as Parla puts it, “a good stylist will tailor it to your features, so trust them to make the cut work for you.”

Length

Since Ryan Reynolds’s haircut requires two to three inches on top to nail the look, it is best suited for guys with more than that to work with. If you have less hair to work with, Reynolds’s military-style high fade from 2016 may be a better fit. And is still a golden hair flex.

How to Style a Ryan Reynolds Haircut

Parla recommends keeping your routine simple to style a Ryan Reynolds haircut. First, towel dry your hair while working in a lightweight product like UNITE Styling Cream, which adds texture while elevating this effortless but controlled cut. The idea is that you want your hair to move and not be too rigid but also to have structure.

For special occasions (or just extra styling points), use some American Crew Pomade for hold and shine. Finish with a spritz of IGK Good Behavior Spray for sleek, frizz-free hair that will last until your handsome head hits the pillow.

UNITE Hair Smooth & Shine Styling Cream

American Crew Men's Hair Pomade

IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray

How to Maintain Ryan Reynolds's Hairstyle

As far as maintaining your Ryan Reynolds haircut goes, Parla advises against overthinking it. Once your barber has done his job, wash it every other day with Roze + Quartz Serene Shampoo and Calm Conditioner. If your hair tends to be fine or oily, reduce conditioning to only once a week.

Length is crucial when it comes to keeping up your Ryan Reynolds hair. That is why Parla stresses the importance of getting it trimmed every three to four weeks to keep it looking sharp and clean. “The fade grows out fast, and this look thrives on precision," he says.

Roze + Quartz Serene Shampoo

Roze + Quartz Calm Conditioner

Tom Ford Eyeglasses TF 5178 BLACK 001 TF5178

Limitations of a Ryan Reynolds Haircut

A quality cut can give you more confidence, but it's obviously not going to transform you into an A-list celebrity with a bonkers multimillion-dollar net worth who happens to be married to Blake Lively. Sorry. That is just too much dream. “Even with the perfect haircut, you’re not suddenly going to become Ryan Reynolds,” Parla acknowledges.

That said, you can use the actor's approachability as a jumping-off point to take better care of yourself. “Maybe add some clean stubble, invest in some fitted shirts, or rock bold frames that complement your face,” Parla adds. Reynolds has been known to wear these Tom Ford glasses. Whether you’re splurging on a new set of specs or just growing a five-o’-clock shadow, paying more attention to grooming, accessorizing, and other details will elevate this style from “just a haircut.”

It’s not just a haircut. It’s The Ryan.

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