Gentlemen, let’s be honest. Not many of you were born with the luscious locks of a film star who only needs to run his fingers through his mane in the morning for swathes of passing women to swoon over his messy, sexy mop of hair. Most of you need to put in a bit of work in the bathroom each morning before you can go out into the world. We will talk you through how to style your hair and what to use so that you can create a flawless men’s hairstyle and get as close to those luscious locks as possible!
With the rise in popularity of barbers and men’s hairdressers, ever more sophisticated men’s hairstyles are appearing, for which you need more than just a comb. To style and tweak your hair you now need to reach for agel, paste or wax for your hair. What’s the difference between them, and what about hair clay? After reading this article, you’ll have a clear picture of which products to use to get your hair perfect. And if you are a fan of a simple military look, we’ll give you some tips at the end on how to do a men’s buzz cut in the comfort of your own home.
A firm hold and wet-look gel
There are many styling products which can give you perfect results. Using hair gel as a universal way of achieving hold for any haircut possible is a thing of the past. We now know that for certain hair types or styles, wax, paste or clay is a better choice. From the wide range of products out there, choose the ones which are designed for men. They often have a stylish design and nice male fragrance.
For thick hair which needs the volume taking out of it, it’s best to go for hair gel, which will give your hairstyle hold and deliver a shine and wet look. Gel is also great for styling short hair into your desired look. As soon as the gel sets, nothing and no-one can make it budge. You can’t adjust it further during the day but at least you know that nothing can disturb it or get it tangled.
If you have fine hair it’s not as suitable because it weighs it down and your hair can look limp. When applying it, it’s also important to pay attention to how much you’re using – the concrete look and porcupine hairstyle have long gone out of fashion.
Tip! How should you use hair gel? Apply a small amount of gel onto damp or wet hair and sculpt it into your desired style with your hands or a comb. If you have a crew cut or fade which is shorter at the sides, brush your hair from your crown towards your forehead (along the sides up to your ears) and push the ends of your hair up and back over your forehead.
Wax, paste or clay for natural hold
Similar to gel, we have modelling hair gum, which has a thicker consistency and milky colour and gives hair a matt look. Unlike with gel, you hair remains voluminous and pliable and can be restyled at any time during the day. Rub a good amount into dry or wet hair and style away. Allow damp hair to dry naturally.
A small amount of hair modelling paste will allow you to achieve perfect definition and shape for your style for a long time. Your hair will stay flexible, as with hair gum, and won’t be lacking in volume or a natural matt look. It’s great for both short and longer hair, delivering natural hold.
With clay you can also forget about slicked-back hair – it gives your hair a lightness and volume. You’ll create a stylish mess in no time, emphasising the texture of your hair, and fix it in your desired style. And if you stop liking it during the day, you can restyle your hair whenever you wish. Clay has a similar structure and quality to wax, which, as a result, keeps your hair flexible all day. You can change your look whenever you want, as needed. Hair clay also contains natural clay and mineral substances which nourish your hair. This also makes it suitable for very sensitive skin.
If you want your hair to sit more softly and naturally, then a great option would be hair wax or pomade. Unlike gel, wax doesn’t produce a wet look, glued-together strands and a loss of volume. You can choose a product to deliver greater shine or a matt look. During the day, wax doesn’t dry out and so you can restyle your hair. For easier application and a natural look, these days you can also get styling wax in a spray, which you simply spray onto dry hair and then style it into its final form.
If you like trying new things and prefer a natural look, you could try a salt spray for hair. They give your hair a beach look anywhere, as if you’ve just got back from the seaside. It’s perfect for a quick summer style.
Brush or comb?
If your hair is more than a centimetre long, you’ll probably need a brush or comb to style it. Or both. A comb is a classic, ideal for short men’s hairstyles. It has one set of teeth of varying thicknesses and makes combing and tidying up your hair or beard extremely easy. A brush comes in useful for longer or wavy hair which can quickly become messy. They comb gently, without pulling or causing mechanical damage. If you’re the proud owner of a thick, long mane, then a brush will definitely come in handy when styling your hair at home.
For the solider!
A simple yet well-loved men’s haircut for a laid-back guy who would rather be spending his time on something other than doing his hair. A buzz cut or ‘army cut’ is a short style which is still very popular with men to this day.
If you have a quality hair or beard trimmer at home, you can manage a buzz cut in the comfort of your own bathroom. If you dare not try it yourself, ask your partner, mum or neighbour for help. Set the trimmer to the desired hair length and shave your entire head to the same length. Whether you choose a real close shave or leave a couple of centimetres, you really can’t go wrong.
A buzz cut men’s hairstyle suits men with an oval face shape or with prominent cheekbones. But its universal look suits almost any man.
Take a look at all our products for the perfect hairstyle
