Once upon a time, longer hair was a rarity for men, but these days the ‘man bun’ is a key statement look and can look great with a sharp, expensive suit. While in the past, flowing locks may have meant scraggy, unkempt styles, now it’s all about looking well-groomed, and the sartorial male is paying more attention to his haircare than ever before.
Growing your hair out can often be a long and tedious process, and for many men, it never quite reaches the desired length. But, with a strong routine and daily care and attention, it is possible to achieve long and healthy hair.
Here are our top tips for growing your hair out to give you your choice of some of the most sophisticated long hairstyles for men – and they don’t involve steering clear of your barber for the foreseeable future.
Get regular trims
It may sound counter-intuitive, but getting your hair trimmed regularly in one of the most important steps you can take towards growing a long and healthy mane of hair. Your ends will naturally split over time, so it’s important to trim them away to keep hair healthy and prevent any breakage.
Unless you’re looking to achieve the mullet look – which is unlikely – start with shorter back and sides with a little extra length on top – wait until you’ve achieved some length before opting to go one length all over.
Treat gently
Growing a healthy mane of hair requires regular care, so don’t just leave it and hope for the best. Wash and condition it regularly – but avoid doing so daily, as over-washed hair can become dry, brittle and weak. Avoid putting conditioner on the roots, but treat the ends a couple of times a week, paying more attention to the ends as your hair gets longer.
To dry, pat gently with a towel to soak up any moisture. Avoid aggressive towel drying like the plague, as this can cause breakage and stop your hair from growing, and – if you can – let your hair dry naturally, as this prevents unnecessary heat damage.
Have a realistic goal
Before you even begin the process of growing out your hair, it’s important to have a goal in mind. Have a think about what it is that you are trying to achieve, and be realistic – if your hair is curly, for example, then this may limit you somewhat in terms of style.
Make sure the look you choose is suitable for your face shape, too, and keep an image on hand to show your barber each time you visit to ensure that you are both on the same page.
Change up your products
Pomades, waxes and pastes are all designed for short hair, so as your hair begins to increase in length, it’s time to look to more suitable products. Grooming creams, serums and leave-in conditioners can all help you to tame your longer mane – they’re designed for medium-length to longer locks, so they won’t weigh yours down. Even so, be sure to apply sparingly to avoid a greasy or over-styled look.
Be patient
Growing your hair out takes time, so don’t be put off when it doesn’t happen overnight. It can be tempting to give in at points, particularly when your hair is at an awkward length and becomes difficult style – but keep in mind the suave and sophisticated look you will eventually achieve, and this should keep you going. Talk with your stylist, who can help you to select some helpful products and styling options along the way – and embrace the men’s headband or hairband, opting for a man bun or ponytail to keep hair out of your face. Be careful not to tie your hair up too tightly, however, as this can again cause breakage and hinder your progress.
Armed with a few simple tools, you can not only make life easier as you grow out your hair, but keep it looking its best, too.
Image at the very top of the article credit: Tom Chapman
