Matthew McConaughey’s long hair is a medium-length wavy cut with 5–7 inches on top and 2–3 inches on the sides, layered to add movement without losing volume.
It only works on hair that already has a wave or curl, since straight hair will not hold the shape without looking combed flat.
The whole look depends on scissor-cut layers and a soft taper at the neck, never clippers all over.
Medium-Length Wavy Layers
Medium-length wavy layers work because the cut leaves the hair alone. Keep the top at 5–7 inches so the waves have room to form, and ask for long layers throughout to pull out weight without losing volume.
Sides and back stay 2–3 inches, cut with scissors rather than clippers, finished with a soft tapered neckline.
This suits medium-to-thick hair with natural waves or soft curls.
Straight hair makes it hard, because the whole look depends on movement. You can get close, but I’d expect a smooth, combed version instead of the floppy surfer shape.
Short Back and Sides With Volume on Top
Keep the sides and back short and the top long enough to curl: that is the whole look, and it is the version I would pick for an office or a suit.
Clippers handle the perimeter, starting at a #2 at the base of the neck and graduating to a #3 toward the hairline.
The top stays at 4–5 inches, cut with scissors and tapered toward the back of the head, which leaves enough weight for movement and lift.
A medium-length square cut done with scissors on wet hair is the same idea at a longer setting.
Wavy or curly hair does the most work here, since the curl adds volume that straight hair would need product to fake. Finish with a little blending and trimming around the ears.
What to Ask Your Barber
Bring a photo and use these directions for the longer, wavy cut:
- Keep the top at 5–7 inches so the waves have room to form on their own.
- Ask for long layers, five to six inches, kept square so they remove weight without losing volume.
- Have the sides and back cut with scissors only, no clippers, leaving 2–3 inches.
- Request a soft, tapered neckline that looks clean without turning sharp.
- Ask for texturizing to cut bulk and add movement.
For the shorter version, the clippers do the work:
- Start the back and sides at a #2 at the base of the neck, then blend up to a #3.
- Leave 4–5 inches on top, tapered toward the back, so there is enough length to style.
- Finish with blending and trimming around the ears.
How to Style the Beach Wave Look
- Grow it first. Plan on 3–4 months of growth before you start this cut, so the layers have enough length to wave.
- Wash, then towel off so hair is damp, not dripping. Mist on sea salt spray to bring out your natural wave pattern.
- Work in a pea-sized amount of Styling Funk, or a matte styling cream, warmed in your palms.
- Dry on medium heat with a diffuser, which keeps the waves from blowing flat.
- Scrunch when hair is about 80% dry, then stop fussing with it.
- Finish with the coldest dryer setting to set the shape, then a light-hold hairspray.
Trim every 4–8 weeks. Closer to 4 keeps the layers sharp; 8 is fine if you like it shaggier.
How to Style the Short Sides Cut
- Start with damp hair and work a pea-sized amount of Styling Funk through it with your fingers, mid-length to ends first.
- Blow-dry on low heat. Medium heat works for the first pass if you stop early: dry until the hair is about half dry, then let it air dry.
- Once hair is roughly 80% dry, begin shaping it by hand instead of with a brush.
- Mist in sea salt spray for hold and volume. I would pick spray over clay on top, since it keeps the waves looking loose.
- Finish with Matte Lava Clay on the sides only, rubbed between your palms and pushed back. Clay belongs on the sides, spray on top, and that split keeps the shorter sides neat without weighing down the waves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask my barber for Matthew McConaughey’s long hair?
Ask for 5–7 inches on top with long layers to keep the volume, 2–3 inches on the sides and back cut with scissors instead of clippers, a soft tapered neckline, and texturizing to add movement.
Bring a photo so your barber can see the wave pattern and overall shape. The layers do most of the work by removing weight without flattening the waves.
How do I style my hair like Matthew McConaughey?
Start with damp hair and mist on sea salt spray, then work a pea-sized amount of matte styling cream through it.
Dry with a diffuser on medium heat and scrunch the waves when your hair is about 80% dry, then stop touching it. Finish with a cold blast from the dryer and light-hold hairspray to set the shape.
What is Matthew McConaughey’s hairstyle called?
The longer version is a medium-length wavy layered cut, and the shorter one is short back and sides with volume on top.
Both rely on natural wave or curl to create texture and movement, so the name matters less than the proportions and how the layers are cut.
Did Matthew McConaughey perm his hair?
No, his waves come from his natural hair texture.
The cut is designed for medium-to-thick hair with existing waves or soft curls, and the styling routine uses sea salt spray and a diffuser to bring out that texture rather than creating it artificially.
