Retro Comb Over Mad Men Jon Hamm Haircut Tutorial

by JATAI Academy, 06 Feb 2026

If you've ever watched Mad Men featuring Jon Hamm as Don Draper, you would know he had an iconic hairstyle that reflected the haircuts of the time period. He had a classic men haircut that was short and clean cut with a side part.

Classic hairstyles will always be popular and so in this tutorial we focus on his haircut from the show. It's a versatile cut that works with any face shape and uses minimal products (if any). Follow along with the video and transcript below.

Jon Hamm Haircut Tutorial:

Welcome back to Jatai Academy. I'm Russell Mayes, Director of Content. Today we're going to be doing a study on a masculine comb over. Now, most of the comb overs that you see today are going to be really tight skin fades with the top longer, parted on one side, really extreme and combed over.

We're going to do a more Mad Men style where it's a little bit more conservative, a little bit more retro, but still just as cool. So, let's get started.

Cutting the Sides

So, we're going to start here with a side parting. And I'm usually going to separate the top from the bottom around the center of the recession. Since we're going with a kind of comb over look, I'm going to take a little bit higher. So, I'm going to the top of the recession, straight back to the quarter part, down into the nape.

I'm using my Jatai Tokyo Scissors. This is the 6-in variety. And I like a long pointy scissor whenever I'm doing shorter type of work like this. So, I'm taking a diagonal section back and I'm cutting it parallel to the parting. I'm going to take a little bit shorter right there at the front.

Just a little scissor over comb to get my length nice and clean there in front of the ear. And now I'm going to walk my guide from the first section all the way back. And what I mean by walking my guide is I take the first section as my guide and then I add the second section into the first section. The third section I can remove the first section. So it's just the second and third section.

Here I'm working on the third and fourth section. So the guide is moving with each section that I go. And I remove the previously cut guide for that section. So this allows me to cut everything fairly similar in length from the front all the way into the back. And I just have to be methodical about this and take all my sections and partings at about the same width.

If I do one section thicker and one section thinner, I'm going to end up with inconsistencies in my length, meaning that it's going to get more length as I go to the back if I take inconsistent section sizes. And it's going to make my layering kind of lumpy.

So, here we're going from the top of the parting down into the nape and I'm just following the same parting size or section that I took from the very front. It's the same angle. That angle right around the front of the hairline is the same angle right behind the ear. So, that hairline is very similar. And this allows me to keep everything very symmetrical and nice and smooth and also be able to match it on the opposite side.

I'll work all the way back into the middle section and cross over just a little bit right here onto the left side from the right side. So then after I finish this section, I'll go through and do the exact same thing on the opposite side.

Now, it's important that I take sections very, very similar on both sides so that I have a symmetry in my parting and symmetry on the top separating from the bottom. So, here I'm making sure I got everything the same on both sides. And I'll cut the right side exactly the same way that I cut the left side.

Cutting the Back

Here, I just want to take it and taper it in a little bit tighter just at the hairline. Now, when I first cut this, I'm trying to cut it as short as I can at the nape, but it's only going to allow me to cut it as short as my fingers are thick.

So, here, going back in and doing a little scissor over comb just at the hairline, and then blending that up and out will get it a little bit tighter and cleaner at the hairline. Now, I'm just starting here close at the hairline, cutting it really short, and then blending it up and out.

As I get to the top of this section, I'm not really cutting that much hair, but I keep going through the motions so that I can keep my scissor over comb rhythm going.

I find that when I have a rhythm doing my scissor over comb, even if I'm not cutting hair, if I just keep going through the rhythm and the motions of it, it will allow me to get a much cleaner result, and I don't have to go through and clean it up so many times.

Fine-Tuning the Sides

Now here, just starting out crude and then fine-tuning my shape by more scissor strokes gets me cleaner and cleaner and cleaner. And just being patient as I'm going through and doing this. Right there. Good. Now, we're going to clean it up a little bit over the ears here. That's looking pretty good. I like that.

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There we go. Making sure I don't cut his ear. The poor boy there. I can't have that. And that's looking pretty good. Now, I'm not trying to get this super clean. I'm just trying to get a cleanish shape because I can go through and clean it up more when it's dry.

Graduating the Back

Now, I'll take a center section just so it shows me where the head shape is and I can separate the front of the head from the back of the head. Now I'm going to go through and take a parallel parting.

Like instead of a pie section that most of the time you're taking here in the back, I'm taking more of a candy bar section where it's just parallel. It's not pivoting like a pie triangular shape. It's just parallel.

I'll hold that straight back and then follow whatever the line of graduation that I had underneath and I'll follow that same kind of length angle as I go up towards the crown.

Once I got that cut and I've got everything blended like I want, I will take a parallel section to the right. So, I have the center part and my first section to the right that are both parallel. I'll hold it into the center of both of those two sections and follow the previously cut guide as I'm cutting from shorter at the occipital bone, longer as I get up towards the crown.

Now I'll remove the first section and take my third section right here as I'm walking my guide over from the center. So there we have second and third section. Hold it to the center of both of those two sections. Pulling it straight back and then cutting any length that hangs over my previously cut guide.

That's looking pretty good. Now I'll take and remove my second section. So I have my third section as my guide. The next section I'll pull straight back. I'm not rounding it out across the head. I'm just pulling everything straight back to make sure it blends in the back. And that's going to leave me a little bit more length right there as I get closer to the ear.

And you'll see it right here. Right there. You can see that little bit of length right there. That's going to allow me a little bit more length as I get into the sides. But we're going to go through and do the other side exactly the same way we did in the back.

Razoring the Right Side and Top

Now we're working on the sides. I'll take a parallel section using my Feather Plier Razor. And this is no guard. No guard razor gives me a lot more control and I can get a cleaner cut because I don't have the guard stopping me from getting as clean as I would like to or need to.

Here I'm using the guide length that I had at the back of the head and working that into the side. So, I have my parallel section that I took that was parallel to the first section on the side that we took. And I'm combing everything kind of down at a graduated angle using that guide length in the back as I work forward.

Now, here I'm trying to determine what's the best length for this side here as I'm working through because I want enough length that it can kind of slick back and provide me with enough to slick back and really give that full look, but I don't want so much length there that it starts to flop forward like an undercut would.

So, I'm trying to balance between how much length is right and how much is too much. And I'll cut a little bit and comb it. And cut a little bit and comb it. Once I feel I got that right length, then I'll continue working up towards the center of the head, taking parallel sections.

Here's my next parallel section. I have my guide length from underneath that I feel like is the right length. And I'll work that from front to back. Just taking even strokes on my razor so I have a consistent kind of razor stroke and a consistent amount of texture that's going through and thinning the hair and cutting it at the same time.

Once we've got everything cut there, I'll continue to work this length all the way up into the center of the head. There we go. That's looking pretty good. I like that length.

Now, if I feel that that length on top is becoming too thick, I'll take a broader razor stroke or I can go through and channel cut it a little bit or I can fillet internally a little bit more texture to remove weight. But since this is a fuller type of haircut, it has more weight to it. I'm going to go through and take very little each time so I don't over thin it.

Razoring the Left Side

Now, we're going to go through and cut the left side and I'm going to comb everything back and find out where the hair wants to kind of part on its own. And then I'm going to take that parting and I'm going pretty far over.

This side I'm going to completely cut different. I'm not looking to comb everything back. A typical comb over is combed over on one side. One side's going to be really short and blended in. This is the side that's going to be blended in.

So, instead of taking a horizontal section, I'm taking a vertical section like the first section that I was taking on the side of the head, and I'm combing everything straight out and blending it through into the length that I cut underneath.

And I'm just going to take parallel sections as I work all the way back here. You can see the angle of the section that I'm taking. And I'm just going to cut everything straight up and down that same length to make sure it blends together on this side because one side gets combed over and back.

The other side just gets combed straight down. This is the side that gets combed straight down. So, I don't want any kind of overhang here. I don't want any kind of undercut on the shorter side. So, I just take my time and go through and blend this through and make sure everything blends perfectly.

And I'll take parallel sections as I work all the way into the back of the head. And it's important to keep your sections very very similar in size and also in thickness. Now, if the hair gets a little thick, I may take a thinner section. If it gets a little bit thinner, I may take a larger section. But I want to try to maintain as much consistency as possible.

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Here we're just continuing the same sectioning all the way back until I run out of hair. That's looking pretty good. Being careful to not go through and get too exaggerated and excited with my razor so I don't cut myself. Perfect. That's looking pretty good, the last section here. And everything's blending through quite well.

Clipper Over Comb

Now, we're going to go through and blow everything dry. And just blowing everything dry as neutral as possible on the side. So, if I have anything that sticks out, I can go ahead and fix that.

After everything's dry, I'm going to take my clippers and right there at the nape, I want to fit that in a little bit tighter. So, I'm taking my clipper and doing a little clipper over comb. Just getting it real clean and tight right there at the nape. Doing the same kind of methodology I was doing with my scissor over comb. But with the clipper on dry hair, I can see exactly how much hair I want to take off. I can see the exact result as I do it.

If I'm doing scissor over comb on wet hair, it's a little bit hidden because the hair is wet and it hides things. But on dry hair, you can see the exact result you get. So, I like to use clippers more on dry hair than I do on wet hair. They cut better on dry hair as well.

Final Look

So, here's our end result. And I think we're looking pretty good. I think we've got a nice little taper going on without it being a skin fade, which is so typical of this type of haircut. And not everybody can wear a skin fade. Someone's got a funky head, you can't do that on them. So, a little bit longer is good.

So, this is a study on how to do it longer and keep the essence of the shape with a little bit more length. And I find that most of my younger clientele that's coming in is over the fade. They don't want it skinned anymore. They want a little bit of hair. So, this is a perfect transition of someone that is growing a fade out.

You can still keep it really clean and groomed around the edges, but still start to grow some hair out. So, I think this is not only a great style in and of itself, but also an excellent transition style when you're going from really short to really long. And I think this looks pretty good.

Please check out the Jatai Academy or our shop. There's all kinds of fantastic information on there that will make you a better hair stylist and barber. Leave us a comment below if you have a question. And thank you so much for watching. We'll see you next time.

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14 Back to School Haircut Inspiration Ideas for Kids

by JATAI, 23 Aug 2023

When it comes to kid's hair, sometimes it's easy just to cut their hair at home if it's a simple trim. But sometimes having a professional do the work is necessary and maybe a fun splurge or even a back-to-school look. Without being over the top, here are some cute inspirational cuts for kids that set the tone for a fun, fresh look for the kiddos. Girls @halcyonsalonshelby What's more classic than some curls. This cutie looks ready for her first day back to school with her hair color and beautiful curls on point. It's not too short but not super long either. This is a great look for any little girl. @impactbeauty_byshay A simple bob is always in style. Sometimes a little girl just doesn't want to fuss with long hair. With a one length pretty bob that's curled at the end, this little girl is rockin' it. It's low maintenance, can be styled in various ways and shows off her youthful, feminine energy. @topnotchbeautycorner Adorable, trendy and cute. This little girl has got it going on in a stylish, fun way. The small details like the gold crown trinkets and gold coil around the braid make any little girl look and feel like a princess. @definitionssalonspa Say yes to the curtain bang. Simple curtain bangs that frame the face add some style and depth to long straight hair. Part the hair down the middle for curtain bangs or style them for a side swept bang with a side part to change it up. The curtain bang is versatile! @hairby_angelina_ine This little girl is beyond her years with this asymmetrical bob that is to die for. And with straight one length bangs, her look is sassy and fun. It's sure to catch a lot of adoring attention...from the parents. @balayagemary A heavy chunky bang is always super cute on little girls. They can somehow pull it off much better than adults. Why is that? Combine it with some waves and you've got a feminine, sweet look. It's easy to maintain and very versatile. @holykale.hair Is she growing up too fast? This little girl looks like she has an adult haircut. With a cute French bob, highlights and slight wave, she's letting everyone know she's the queen of trending hair. Maybe not easy to maintain, but it sure is cute! Boys @luiselbarber Doesn't he look sweet? This gentleman's...or should we say gentleboy's haircut is clean, classic and tidy. It's short on the sides with a little length on top and combed to the side. This little man is ready for school. @salonsuccess This little guy is just cool. While it's temporary, a little hair art shows off his creative side. This kid has great hair so having his hair very short on the sides but longer on top makes his look more edgy and stylish. It's a bit higher maintenance, but it's fun! @machitong Can we say mullet? It's not for every little boy, but they sure look cute with one, much cuter than adult males. This kind of cut looks best when the hair is naturally a bit textured. He's pulls it off well. @xv.josh How cute is this little boy? That smile is adorable and the precise and clean lines of his haircut are on point. The extra design at the top just set this hairstyle off. A bit high maintenance, but it's mainly just the outlining that needs regular attention. @hairbiz.withizz Scroll through all the images and you'll see this haircut is more than it seems. At first it looks like a pompadour, but when you look at the back, it's a whole other story. This look works well on a boy with a great head of hair. It's edgy, relatively easy to maintain and stylish. @a1errthing This little boy looks so happy and he should be! This haircut fits him perfectly. It's clean and stylish at the same time. He definitely looks school ready with his perfectly razored outlined hairline and simple hair design in the back. @hairbyscheila For a more tidy, classy look, try a side hard part. It's easy for any barber to create with a razor and it gives an extra pop to any boy's hairstyle. Comb the top of the hair to the opposite direction of the part and use a little product. He's ready to go!

The Evolution of Hairstyles Throughout the Decades

by JATAI, 16 Aug 2023

Hairstyles have always been a significant aspect of human culture, reflecting the trends, values, and social norms of different eras. Let's explore the history and evolution of hairstyles over the decades: 1920s The Roaring Twenties introduced a major shift in women's hairstyles. The iconic bob haircut became popular, characterized by short, straight hair that was often worn with a side parting. This style symbolized women's liberation and a break from traditional gender roles. 1930s The 1930s saw a transition from the boyish bob to more feminine and glamorous looks. Soft waves and curls were fashionable, and women often used hot rollers or pin curls to achieve the desired effect. The Hollywood influence played a significant role in popularizing these glamorous hairstyles. The most popular look was the Hollywood wave which has continued to be a popular look in the 2020s. 1940s The World War II era influenced hairstyles as practicality and functionality became essential. Victory rolls were popular among women, involving rolling and pinning sections of hair to create a prominent wave at the front. Shorter, cropped hairstyles were also prevalent due to the practicality of working women. The victory roll is a popular hairstyles for pinup girls of today. 1950s The 1950s embraced femininity and elegance. Women's hairstyles often featured voluminous curls, poodle cuts, and the iconic bouffant. The advent of hair spray helped maintain these elaborate styles. Men's hair was often slicked back or styled into a pompadour. 1960s The 1960s brought about a revolution in hairstyles, influenced by the counterculture movements and the rise of British pop culture. Women started to experiment with shorter haircuts like the pixie cut and the mod bob. The beehive hairstyle, popularized by icons like Audrey Hepburn, was also a notable trend. 1970s The 1970s showcased diverse hairstyles influenced by the hippie movement and disco culture. Women embraced long, flowing hair, often with center parts. The Afro hairstyle gained popularity among African-Americans as a symbol of pride and identity. Men's hairstyles became more relaxed, with longer hair, shaggy cuts and facial hair. 1980s The 1980s were characterized by bold and dramatic hairstyles. Big hair was in, with women teasing their hair to achieve volume and using copious amounts of hairspray. Perms, mullets, and feathered hairstyles were all the rage. Men also sported voluminous hairstyles, including the famous "mullet" style. 1990s The 1990s witnessed a more casual and grunge-inspired approach to hairstyles. The "Rachel" haircut, popularized by Jennifer Aniston's character on the TV show "Friends," became incredibly trendy. Short, pixie cuts also gained popularity among women. Men's hairstyles ranged from long, unkempt looks to shorter, textured styles. 2000s The turn of the millennium brought a mix of hairstyles. Straight, sleek hair became fashionable, often achieved through the use of straightening irons. Emo and scene subcultures popularized asymmetrical cuts, choppy layers, and bold colors. Men's hairstyles varied from buzz cuts to spiky hair. 2010s The 2010s embraced a diverse range of hairstyles. The ombre trend gained popularity, with hair transitioning from dark to light colors. Buns, braids, and top knots became go-to styles for women. Men's hairstyles incorporated undercuts, fades, and more intricate beard grooming. 2020s And finally, we reach the modern day hairstyles. The 2020s have seen a diverse range of popular hair trends. These trends reflect a blend of past styles with contemporary influences and individual expression. These types of cuts and looks have all been popularized so far. Natural Textures There has been a growing emphasis on embracing natural hair textures and celebrating diversity. People with curly and wavy hair have been encouraged to let their natural textures shine, leading to the popularity of hairstyles like the curly afro, twist-outs, and braid-outs. Bob and Lob Haircuts The bob and lob (long bob) haircuts have remained popular in the 2020s. These versatile styles can be customized to suit different face shapes and hair textures. The blunt bob, textured bob, and asymmetrical lob have been particularly trendy. Pixie Cuts Short pixie cuts have made a comeback in the 2020s, offering a bold and chic look. This style allows for low-maintenance haircare routines and can be customized with different textures and lengths to suit individual preferences. Curtain Bangs Curtain bangs, also known as Bardot bangs or '70s bangs, have gained popularity. This style features long, face-framing bangs that are parted in the middle, creating a soft and romantic look. Curtain bangs can be paired with various hairstyles, from long waves to updos. Shag Haircuts The shag haircut, inspired by the '70s, has been a popular choice in the 2020s. This layered cut adds texture and movement to the hair, often with feathered or choppy ends and best achieved with a razor. The modern shag offers a versatile and effortlessly cool aesthetic. Balayage and Face-Framing Highlights Balayage, a technique that creates soft, natural-looking highlights, has continued to be a sought-after trend in the 2020s. Face-framing highlights, where lighter tones are strategically placed around the face, have also gained popularity as they can brighten and accentuate facial features. Sustainable and Low-Maintenance Styles With increasing environmental awareness and thanks to the pandemic, sustainable and low-maintenance hairstyles have become popular. Effortless, air-dried looks, minimalist haircuts, and styles that require minimal product usage have gained traction. This trend aligns with the desire for a more eco-friendly and time-efficient approach to haircare. Throughout the generations, hairstyles have changed dramatically. Every generation has been characterized by different looks and styles. As people continue to express their creativity with their hair, as new products are developed and as social and political climates change, these all influence how we decide to express ourselves through our personal styles. While some trends have lasted for decades, others have come and gone. Who knows what the rest of the 2020s or 2030s will bring. Whatever it is, we're sure it's going to be memorable.

Bobs, Bobs and More Bobs: The Trend of 2023

by JATAI, 24 May 2023

It seems 2023 is starting off with some fun looks. After a couple years of shagadelic haircuts and mullety styles, the trending looks are taking a more classic approach these days. While shags and mullets may have had their run, the bob is turning out to take centerfold. The great thing about a bob is that it's so versatile. There are many ways to cut and style a bob to match a personality or persona. Bobs can be long or short, blunt or textured, curled or straight with or without bangs. The creative possibilities are endless! Let's look at 10 popular bob styles that get the most love. The Graduated Bob The graduated bob is a type of bob with stacked layers in the back with longer strands in the front. The back of the hair tends to be more curved instead of a hard angle. It is it a difficult haircut to achieve but it looks great when done right. It's a very common and popular short haircut. It can be achieved by using scissors or a razor. A-Line Bob Alternatively, the A-Line haircut refers to the perimeter of the haircut. It is the same as a graduated bob in that the hair is shorter in the back and longer in the front. However, it does not have the stacking of layers in the back. And the front is usually more pointed than a graduated bob. Asymmetrical Bob This type of bob's distinct characteristic is that one side in front is longer than the other. It can have layers or no layers and it can be stacked or not stacked in the back. There are different renditions of an asymmetrical bob, but it's usually a style for someone who wants a little edge to their bob style. French Bob The French bob is a classic bob hairstyle characterized by very short hair, either at the chin line or above. Sometimes it's paired with short bangs too. Think of the movie Amelie and you'll know what this looks like. It usually has lots of layers and texture for a choppy look. For the extra texture, a razor works well. Italian Bob Similar to a French Bob, the Italian bob is slightly longer, usually grazing the chin or below but above the shoulders. It's sophisticated and elegant and has a blunt straight edge. The Italian bob carries weight at the bottom with a lot of volume. It can be achieved by using scissors or a razor...or both at the same time. Lob Lob stands for 'long bob' so the hair generally skims the shoulders or goes slightly past it. This is a popular look in modern times as it gives a happy medium between having short and long hair. When curled it can look shorter and resemble a traditional bob, but when straightened it can look more like medium length hair. Straight Bob A classic, simple no frills bob is the straight bob. With no layers, no texture, no curls or stacking, this look is very basic. It can be cut with bangs if desired, but the general look is one of sleek sophistication. The look is completely symmetrical and lays flat against the head. It can look quite sultry and sexy if done right. Layered Bob This style is also known as a textured bob. Simply stated, this type of bob has more body and movement to give volume. While the straight bob has no layers or volume, the layered bob is all about the extra lift. The extra texture is often achieved by using a razor. Curly Bob With even more texture is the curly bob. The curly bob is full of bounce and volume. It could be layered but it doesn't have to be. This bob is fun and full of life and energy. The curls could be natural or intentionally made with a curling iron or curling tool. The curls can be tight and small or big and loose. There are so many ways a curly bob can look! Modern Bob The modern bob is so 2023. It's what has been trending for bobs in the last few years. And it's THIS bob. While it won't last forever, it is the 'it' style as of late. The modern bob is characterized as casual, cool, soft and feminine. It usually has a slight curl in there and a little volume. It's a simple yet stylish bob that's attractive and eye catching. It's no wonder the modern bob has become so popular. So that's it! 10 bob hairstyles for 2023. Although most of these bobs have been around for many many years, it just goes to show how classic the bob really is. It will never go out of style and there will always be new innovative ways to cut and style a bob. Here's to short hair in 2023. Hair Trends, Women

Women

Retro Comb Over Mad Men Jon Hamm Haircut Tutorial