Words by Tyson Grant, owner and director stylist at Forbici Knightsbridge
Good hair care doesn’t just apply to the fairer sex, contrary to the adverts that bombard us daily, as hairdressing, styling, and colouring are very much applicable to men too. Gone are the days when male toiletries only included a solitary shampoo, shaving products and deodorant, these days, the modern man is taking a keen interest in his hair, and rightfully so, considering the crowning glory symbolises masculinity, health, and one’s personality.
Follow the tips below to make sure your head of hair is looking groomed, polished, and healthy always.
Get into a good haircare routine
The first golden rule of good haircare is to make sure you have a routine in place. Visit your hairdresser or barber every four weeks to maintain your hairstyle, keeping the shape and style, and pay attention to the shampoo and conditioner you’re using to ensure it’s right for your scalp and hair. If you are unsure of your hair type, your hairdresser can determine that for you and recommend the hair products you will benefit from. Individuals working in hair salons are trained and experienced to help you nurture your hair to ensure it will grow healthily and look more appealing.
An expert hair stylist will use the right products to keep your hair soft, silky, and moisturised. Certain hairstyles require specific styling products to achieve the look, these can range from a leave-in conditioner for sleek ends, hair clay or wax for shorter styles or even boost powder to make finer hair look thicker. If in doubt, ask your hairdresser and get them to recommend a routine which is right for you.
Get yourself a good hairdresser
Whether you’re after a cut, colour, or restyle, make sure you choose the right salon and stylist opting for someone who has great scissor skills as opposed to just using a clipper. Finding a stylist who knows how to use scissors properly to cut your hair into a shape will give you the right finish, taking into account your hair growth patterns, which is especially important for shorter hairstyles. There is no point trying to have a style that doesn’t suit your hair type, head, or face shape.
A skilled hairdresser will be able to guide you to the most flattering style that brings out the best in your hair. Unlike barber shops, hair salons do more than just cut your hair, they will also use and recommend treatment products suitable for your hair type and address current hair problems. This is a service we pride ourselves on at Forbici London (forbicilondon.com), working collaboratively with clients so that they get the most from a haircut which is truly and expertly tailored to them.
Pick the right products
So, you’ve got the style sussed thanks to your ace hairdresser, now you need to make sure you use the correct products for your hair type and style. Make sure you use a quality shampoo, as washing your hair with cheap shampoo is like washing your car with hand soap. Shampoos formulated with lots of harsh ingredients, usually found in cheaper products, can strip away too many of those natural oils that protect and hydrate your hair. When it’s time to wash your hair, use a gentle formula that is sulphate-free and has natural ingredients, instead.
The style and type of hair you have will also determine which styling products to use. With such a myriad of products out there it can be mind boggling and, again, a good hairdresser will make recommendations to you to keep your hair in the best shape. As a general rule of thumb though:
- Pomade is a great option for all hair types and can be used by men with thin and thick hair if you want a highly manicured look. It would work great on short to medium classic styles such as side partings, combovers, and quiffs.
- Wax on dry hair will add more texture and create a more casual look. If you need more hold or are going for a style that requires your hair to have a little more structural integrity, another product will likely be a better fit.
- Men with short, medium, and long hairstyles can use a good sea salt spray. For short hairstyles, it’s best used in combination with another product, like a styling balm (it gives a nice flexible finish that doesn’t try too hard or too crunch). For longer hairstyles, it really helps add a little control and natural flow while helping to enhance your hair’s waves.
Don’t wash your hair every day
You might think you’re getting extra clean by washing your hair every day, but you could actually be doing more harm than good. If you’re over-shampooing, you’re stripping away oils from your scalp and those natural oils are the best thing to hydrate your scalp. Even someone with a short buzz-cut shouldn’t shampoo every day, but it’s especially important the longer your hair is. Three to four times a week is best for most guys.
Also condition your hair
Washing your hair without conditioning afterwards can cause serious damage. Conditioners replenish moisture and essential oils that even sulphate-free shampoos may get rid of. If you have short, buzzed hair, you should always use conditioner after shampooing to keep hair healthy, but it’s especially important for longer hair. A general rule of thumb is, the longer the hair, the more conditioner you need. Don’t focus as much on the roots; make sure you’re lathering the full length of your hair with conditioner and focusing on the ends, which tend to get dry more easily.
Embrace colouring
Aside from improving how your hair looks, hair colouring can also improve the thickness, strength, and moisture of your hair. High-quality hair colouring products can also protect your manly locks from environmental hazards such as excessive heat from the sun and outdoor pollution. A good hair salon will only use the best products to achieve your desired hair colour without compromising your safety, or the health of your hair.
Visiting a hair salon regularly also ensures that you will continue to enjoy vibrantly coloured hair for the longest time possible. The stylists in hair salons will use high-end products to ensure that the colour of your hair will last for months and will even recommend the correct shampoos and conditioners to use, so you can continue caring for your coloured hair, even when you’re at home.
Don’t use two-in-one products
As tempting as it might be to use an all singing, all dancing multi-use product to save time, such as a two-in-one shampoo/conditioner, they’re not good for your hair. Shampoo is meant to cleanse, and conditioner is meant to moisturise, so two-in-one products are counterproductive because you’re only getting the benefit of one. They’re harsher on the hair and lean more towards the cleansing side, without giving you enough conditioning.
