Zayn Malik's Changing Hairstyles

He can rock them all.

Zayn Malik/Michael Tran/Getty Images
01
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Zayn Malik Shaves His Head

Zayn Malik Shaved Head
Photo © Karwai Tang | Getty Images.

I'm not sure what sent teenage girls into more of a frenzy -- when Zayn Malik announced he was leaving iconic boy band One Direction or when he shaved off his trademark locks. I tend to think it's the latter.  I respect a dude that's not afraid to change things up from time to time and Mr. Malik certainly isn't afraid of change.  In this piece, we'll take a look at some of Zayn's style changes over the years.

02
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Zayn Malik Buzzcut

Zayn Malik Shaved Head
Photo © Karwai Tang | Getty Images.

While I'm not a huge fan of the execution of this style (there is an obvious line of demarcation on on the sides which almost looks like he buzzed it at home), I do love the concept.  Zayn's head is buzzed with a number two blade on top and faded to the skin on the sides and back.  This is the ultimate wash-and-go hairstyle and it looks great on him.  The beard adds a more mature, rugged appearance. 

03
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Zayn Malik Long Hair

Zayn Malik Long Hair
Photo © Karwai Tang | Getty Images.

Perhaps his recent decision to grow out his hair had something to do with his now buzzed head.  Longer hair is much more difficult to maintain than a buzzcut.  I'll admit I kinda hate this style on him -- it gives him a cheesy soap opera star look.  I think buzzing it off was certainly the right decision.

04
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Zayn Malik's Long, Slicked Back Style

Zayn Malik Long Slicked Back Hairstyle
Photo © Pascal Le Segretain | Getty Images.

Another of Zayn's looks I'm not real fond of -- this long, slicked back style, again, makes him look like a cheesy soap star.  With the hair pulled back, it frames his face in the same manner a buzzcut would, in that it conforms to the shape of his head.   

05
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Zayn Malik Short, Texturized Haircut

Zayn Malik Short, Texturized Haircut
Photo © Kevin Mazur | Getty Images.

Zayn Malik's short, texturized haircut with the scruffy beard gives him rugged edge.  This may be my favorite haircut on Zayn in that, combined with the beard, it frames his face extremely well.  It also makes him look more mature than the average squeaky-clean boy band member. This style could also be worn combed neatly with a bit of pomade for a more formal look.

06
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Zayn Malik's Street Style

Zayn Malik Street Hair
Photo © Christopher Polk | Getty Images.

Some people may think I'm nuts, but I really like this haircut on Zayn -- I call this type of look "street style" because it looks like he did it at home with a pair of clippers.  The sides are clipped aggressively short, which the back is left slightly longer and the hair line is natural.  The top looks almost as if he pulled up pieces and whacked them off with a pair of kitchen shears.  That's not a bad thing.  I like the contrast and texture in this cut and he's certainly in the right field to pull it off. 

07
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Zayn Malik Short, Textured Style

Zayn Malik Short Textured Haircut
Photo © Kevin Mazur | Getty Images.

Another style I like on Zayn as it frames his face perfectly.  The sides and back are cut aggressively short with shears while the top is left about two inches long and texturized.  A bit of pomade adds shine and separation.   This is definitely a cool, low-maintenance haircut.

08
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Zayn Malik Pompadour with Skin Fade

Zayn Malik Pompadour with Skin Fade
Photo © Olivia Salazar | Getty Images.

In spite of the fact that there could be better blending on the sides, I love this haircut on Zayn.  My favorite styles are those that combine traditional barbering (in this case, the clipper faded sides) with modern style (the long, loose pompadour).  This style is masculine, yet very trendy.  It can be worn loose, as he does here, or combed neatly with some pomade for a more formal look.  

09
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Zayn Malik's Blond Streak

Zayn Malik Front Highlights
Photo © Al Pereira | Getty Images.

 This is one of the first styles on Zayn that caught my eye.  It's fun.  For this cut, the hair is scissor cut short on the sides and back and left about three inches long on top (which works well with his hair's texture). A section of the front has been bleached blond to add a fun touch to haircut that was already trendy to begin with.

10
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Zayn Malik's Long Pompadour

Zayn Malik Long Pompadour
Photo © Jon Furniss | Getty Images.
Zayn was a bit early on the pompadour craze and this cut works very well on him -- he's got a great head of hair and this style showcases that in a fun way.  For variety, he could also wear this style down and swept to the side.