The Bro Flow: Growing Swept-Back Hair That Sits Behind the Ears
The bro flow is medium-length hair, usually somewhere between 10 and 18 cm on top, that is swept back off the forehead and sits naturally behind the ears, with the ends curling out slightly at the nape. Getting there from a short cut usually takes six to nine months, and the secret is not avoiding the barber but visiting less often with a different brief: keep the length, shape the sides and back so they grow down rather than out, and remove weight where it puffs. Once it reaches the ears, a little leave-in product and a few weeks of training it back are what make it “flow” rather than fall forward.
What makes a flow different from just long hair
The flow has a specific shape. The top and front are long enough to push back from the forehead without product, the sides are long enough to tuck behind the ears, and the back sits around the collar with a slight outward flick. It is relaxed rather than polished. Unlike a slicked-back style, it is meant to move. The name comes from North American ice hockey and lacrosse, where players grew it to spill out from under a helmet, which tells you something about the intended look: a bit undone, never greasy.
If you want something more structured and shorter, a slicked-back cut gives you the backward direction without the length.
Who it suits
- Hair type: straight to wavy hair of medium to thick density is ideal. Wavy hair is arguably best because the bend gives the ends a natural flick. Very fine hair can look flat and separate; very curly hair tends to grow up and out before it grows back.
- Face shape: oval and square faces suit it easily. Hair pushed back exposes the forehead, so if yours is tall, a little volume at the front or a slight side parting helps.
- Hairline: a full hairline helps, because the style shows it off. With a receding hairline, a flow can still work, but a looser parting is often more flattering than pushing everything straight back.
The growing timeline
Hair grows at roughly a centimetre a month, though it varies from person to person. Starting from a short back and sides, here is a realistic path:
| Stage | Roughly when | What to ask your barber |
|---|---|---|
| Sides fill in | Months 1 to 3 | Leave the top alone. Tidy the neckline and around the ears only. Do not take the sides back down. |
| The awkward phase | Months 3 to 5 | Remove bulk above the ears so the sides lie flatter. Shape the back so it does not form a shelf. |
| Ear length | Months 5 to 7 | Light layering on top for movement. Trim the ends only enough to keep them healthy. |
| The flow | Months 6 to 9 and beyond | Maintenance trims every eight to ten weeks, mostly dusting the ends and refining the shape behind the ears. |
Our guide to growing your hair out without the awkward stage goes deeper into the middle months.
What a barber actually does at each visit
The biggest mistake men make when growing a flow is staying away from the barber altogether. The top grows at the same rate as the sides, but the sides grow outward from the head first, so you get the “helmet” look around month three. A good barber prevents that.
Every visit at Highgate Cuts starts with an assessment, where the barber looks at your hair and what you are aiming for and makes recommendations. For a flow, expect them to:
- Thin out weight above the ears with scissors or thinning shears so hair lies closer to the head.
- Point-cut the ends to soften any hard line.
- Shape the back so it falls towards the collar rather than sticking out.
- Leave the length you have been working for.
Tell the barber clearly that you are growing it out. Saying “just a tidy” invites a trim that costs you a month. Have a look at the Highgate Cuts barber services to see what fits.
Training the hair to go back
Hair that has been pushed forward for years will want to keep falling forward. You can retrain it:
- Towel dry gently and comb or finger it straight back while damp.
- Apply a light leave-in cream or a little sea salt spray for grip.
- Blow dry back on a medium setting, directing the air from front to back. This is the step that sets direction.
- Tuck the sides behind your ears while the hair is still warm, and let it cool in place.
- Repeat for two to three weeks; the hair gradually begins to fall back on its own.
Our piece on whether men should blow dry explains technique without heat damage.
Products that suit a flow
- Leave-in conditioner or styling cream: controls frizz and adds a little weight. The base of most flow routines.
- Sea salt spray: for fine or straight hair that needs texture and grip.
- Light matte paste: a small amount for hold on a windy day.
- Avoid: high-shine pomades and heavy gels, which flatten the hair and make it look wet and stuck down.
Keeping it healthy
Medium-length hair shows damage more than short hair. Shampoo two or three times a week rather than daily unless your scalp is oily, condition every time, and avoid scrubbing with a towel. Regular, small trims of the ends keep split ends at bay without losing visible length. In damp London weather, a cream with some frizz control is worth having on hand.
If you notice unusual shedding while growing it out, that is worth mentioning to your GP; the NHS page on hair loss explains common causes.
Questions we get asked
How long does hair need to be for a bro flow?
Generally long enough on the sides to tuck behind your ears and long enough at the back to reach the collar. On top that is usually 10 cm or more.
Can I grow a flow with thick hair?
Yes, and it often looks great, but you will need weight removed regularly or the sides puff out. That is a job for a barber with thinning shears and scissors.
Is the flow office-appropriate?
Kept clean, healthy and deliberately shaped, it reads as relaxed but considered. Neglected, it reads as a missed haircut. The shaping is what makes the difference.
How often should I get it trimmed?
Every six to eight weeks while growing, then every eight to ten weeks once you have reached the length you want. Book through our barbers in Highgate page.
Book with The Highgate House
Ready for a proper cut? Email us at [email protected] with the service and the day that suits you, and we will come back to you with times.
Visit The Highgate House · The barbers
The Highgate House, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6.
