Men’s SS13 Colour Trend: Orange
Men’s Guide To Business-Casual – The Summer Edition
Paying Attention To The Details
“What Are We Doing For You Today?”
When you visit a hairdressers, do you dread the question: “What are we doing for you today?”. For some people, it can be one of the hardest questions in the world to answer accurately.
Not only can it feel quite intimidating when you are sat in the chair and your stylist is waiting expectantly, you’re also probably thinking “you’re the hairdresser, you tell me”. However, it is extremely important that you have a decent idea of what you really want, before you step foot in the salon.
Today’s article looks to help you pinpoint your next hairstyle.
Finding Inspiration
Let’s say you are bored with your current hairstyle – where do you find inspiration for a new one?
We only have to look around us to see the latest hair trends – glossy magazines, celebrities, sports stars and popular culture can be huge influences on what we personally desire from our own hair and clothes. Not only that, dedicated online resources (like FashionBeans’ very own hairstyles gallery) collate excellent examples of modern cuts, which you should consider saving to show your stylist.
I often find that customers feel awkward bringing pictures to a consultation but I personally find it an enormous help. What better way to show your stylist how you want your hair to look than to actually show them an image of the finished style?
Even if the image is not exactly how you want it or the model’s hair is not the same texture/density as yours, it’s great to have that image as a starting off point – you can then collaborate with your stylist in order to mould it to your individual specification and needs.
Before You Make The Leap
There are several influential factors that need to be seriously considered before you choose your new hairstyle:
- Maintenance - How often will you need to get your hair cut to keep on top of the style?
- Time - How much time are you willing to spend styling your hair?
- Products/Budget - Are you willing to style your hair with hair products? Leading on from this, are you prepared to invest good money in purchasing the exact products you need to recreate the look at home to the same standard?
- Equipment - Are you open to using a hairdryer or maybe straighteners to keep the style looking its best?
- Personal Style - What kind of clothes do you wear and how would you describe your personal style? There is probably no point opting for an edgy, rockabilly-inspired slicked-back undercut if you like to dress timeless and refined at all times.
- Job - Is your haircut smart/practical enough for work?
This may seem like quite a big list but work your way through it and figure out where you draw the line. Be realistic as it will be easier to make decisions and guide your stylist if you are honest about your answers.
Once you have considered all the factors above, you can then start to really think about how you want your hair to be styled. This can be quite hard, especially if you’re only used to having a simple short back and sides.
Bear in mind that you may need to grow your hair for a while in order to have enough length to get the desired shape, although this is no excuse to walk around with a mound of un-styled hair on your head. You will still need to go and see your stylist to get it tidied up, but you may leave it slightly longer between cuts in order to allow for more growth. This part requires patience, so don’t give up.
Pinpointing Your Ideal Hairstyle
It can be hard to come up with a vivid image of the type of hairstyle you would like, especially if you are considering the style as a whole. I always try to break the haircut down into sections, which makes it easier to get your head around:
- Start With The Sides - Would you like to see your scalp or would you like some movement in the hair? Do you like it tidy or untidy over the ears?
- The Back - Would you like it to be the same length as the sides or longer? Do you like the hair to be cut into the neck or left unkempt?
- The Top - How will you wear it? Flat, unkempt or spiky?
- The Front - Will you want it longer or shorter than the sides? Do you prefer the hair to be on or off your face? Alternatively, you could sweep the hair to the side.
Your Stylist
Of course, your stylist should always be there to help, guide and advise you on what will suit you and your face shape, as well as detailing what’s currently ‘in’.
I personally feel I have a great relationship with all of my clients and love trying new styles with them. One thing I have never been able to wrap my head around is if someone has been visiting the same stylist for an extended period of time and then opts for a new salon and a new stylist just because they wanted to try a ‘new look’.
I would like to think most stylists out there don’t just give the “same again” service – it is a huge part of our job to inspire clients, so give them a chance to help and make them aware during your consultation that you are considering a change.
On the flip side, if your current stylist is not willing to entertain the idea of a new hairstyle or proactively tries to put you off every single idea you come up with, it might be time to try a new one.
Men’s Hairstyle Inspiration
Hooka’s Most Requested Haircuts
For better or worse, the most requested hairstyles we get asked to recreate in the Hooka salons are: TOWIE men, One Direction, David Beckham and Gary Barlow. Some recent examples can be found below:
FashionBeans Hairstyles Gallery: Top Cuts
Below you will find the twelve most popular cuts from the FashionBeans hairstyles gallery over the past thirty days. Remember there are hundreds more listed in our dedicated gallery, which is updated weekly.
So whether you have short, mid-length, long, curly or afro hair, or just fancy stealing the style of your favourite celebrity, make sure you check it out regularly:
Final Word
Many clients come to the salon for the first time and find it hard to decide what style they would like. Those that don’t have any idea of what they want are generally the clients that you don’t see coming back – but this is down to the individual not having a clear idea of what they want and expecting the stylist to be a mind reader.
This is why I personally feel that it’s so important to consider exactly what you are trying to achieve BEFORE going to the salon. It’s imperative that you come away proud of how your hair looks and know that it reflects your personality and personal style perfectly.
I also find that doing an initial consultation with a new client can sometimes make them feel uncomfortable. But as a stylist I need to find out a lot about them – lifestyle, time constraints, budget and even their personal style – in order for them to walk out feeling confident. Just be honest and practical with your answers and you can’t go wrong, nobody is judging your responses.
Hopefully this article has opened your eyes to possibilities and options available to you when you fancy a change of style. Although some guys know exactly what they want, others need a lot of guidance to reach their desired look. The most important piece of advice I can give you is: remember that even if you don’t know exactly what you want, you ALWAYS know what you don’t want.
Be clear with your stylist and make sure the next time you walk out the salon your cut presents you and your personality in its best possible light.
If any of you are considering a change of hairstyle or simply need some advice, let me know in the comments section below.
Dealing With Men’s Thick, Wavy Or Unruly Hair
Men’s Hair Trends For Spring/Summer 2013
Hairstyle Trend: Men’s Long Hair
Men’s Hairstyle Trend – The 2012 Indie Cut
Back To Top
Great article, but (and I might be missing it here) what I really need are tips on how to achieve a certain hairstyle – what product I should be using, how I should apply it, how much time it’ll take each morning, and most importantly, whether it’d be suitable/possible for my hair type. As someone with thick, curly hair I keep it short to try and keep it under control and it’s easy to just sweep it back without styling it and say “that’ll do” each morning! I particularly like a lot of the “Top Cuts” styles in the middle and right-hand columns, but I have doubts that they’d be possible given my hair type. Some advice on this would be very helpful. At 31, a lifetime of atrocious hairstyles is something I’d like to forget and the best way to achieve that would be to get stylish and on-trend!
I’m in the same boat as you, have thing hair that goes wavy as appose to curly but becomes unmanagable and scruffy pretty quickly. I’ve had a grade 2 since November last year and its fine for the moment but i would like to have a hair “style’ at least once in my life.
Hi,
I have been sporting a quiff for sometime now and feel like having a change. My hair is naturally curly but thin and I’m also starting to lose hair at my crown. Before I have to shave it all off, I want to try something new. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks
If your hair is naturally thin and curl and thinning on top I would recommend maybe going for a short style, this would stop the top from looking too thin for you. You could also try growing the back and sides a little bit longer to create movement.
Great article Dion, I’ve always wanted to get a fresh new haircut but I just don’t really know what would fit me hair. I have really dry, thick, wavy hair and I was thinking of getting a quiff, do you think I could do it with hair like mine or is there another style that would suit me better?
When your hair is thick and wavy a quiff would be a great style. I would suggest taking the length shortish from the crown towards the front and leaving more length before you get to the front hairline. This will prevent the hair from pushing the front down and it should keep its shape better for you. I would recommend keeping the back and sides shorter to avoid the hair all looking the same length.
Hi Dion. I have a question about styling a quiff. I just decided to get a medium length cut (maybe a touch shorter than the upper left pic in the last gallery) and am trying to style it just right. I’d like something similar to the pic I mentioned but maybe just a little less volume. I bought the American Crew Ultramatte that was suggested in another article but I am not getting quite enough volume – my hair flattens out after drying. I am letting it air dry and not using other styling products – should I start blowdrying and/or using something else? I have medium thickness hair that is almost completely straight. I can get it about where I want it when running my fingers through after it’s dry but then it flattens back out. Any suggestions? Thanks for the great articles!
I’m sure Dion will be able to leave a better response, but I have very straight hair too so I thought it might help you to hear from someone else who is sporting a quiff style. My main piece of advice would be to definitely blowdry your hair, there’s absolutely no way I’d be able to get the volume and lift needed for a quiff without blowdrying it.
Put the Ultramatte in and then blowdry your hair, using either a round brush or a vented brush (I personally use a round brush as I find it gives me more control). You should be able to use the brush to give you hair a bit of movement and help direct the airflow from the hairdryer. I then usually finish off with a bit of styling product (currently Hairbond Moulder), and if it’s particularly windy out I’ll sometimes put in some hairspray to keep it in place. Hope that helps!
For you to get the maximum hold from the Ultramatte you really need to blowdry the hair. The difference this will make is HUGE. It will hold and support as much volume as you would like, once the hair is dry you can use products to enhance or reduce the volume. Try working the Ultramatte into the roots, alternatively you could try a volumising mousse which would be great too. I think you will be sorted once you invest in a hairdryer. It will take you seconds to do!
Hi there,
Not to criticise because I love the post, but what about us guys who are receding from whichever point on our scalps? The thing is, most of the photos used are always of impeccably good looking chaps (which I understand completely,) but they always seem to have a deliciously full head of hair. I can’t take one of those photos into my barber; he’ll laugh me out of there.
I believe the general advice is shave it off when it gets to the point it’s noticeable. Head stubble > bald patches.
I understand it must be difficult. Depending at what stage you are with you hairline/hairloss it’s difficult to suggest a particular style. I would always suggest getting the stylist to leave length on top to hide the hairline. The hair could then be swept up or across the face. Try not to have the hair cut too texturised. Keep it thick and don’t pull it down too much onto the face as it will make the style look wispier.
I have several short questions regarding hair styling.
I currently have fine, fairly straight, short-medium length hair and am having trouble finding products that hold up my hair. I have tried several generic matte waxes, but none create the lift and hold that I want.
My first question is regarding powders. I read that powders create a denser hair mass that is capable of creating a better hold. However, from my understanding you apply hair powder to dry hair, correct? If so, should I then apply something like hairbond moulder after the powder to create texture?
Secondly, what is the difference between a regular hair spray and a salt spray? Do you think hairspray can work well for people with shorter hair? The reason is I was thinking of applying a products like hairbond moulder for lift and texture, and then spraying it to hold it in place for the day.
Your thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Keep up the great articles!
For maximum hold and support even on fine hair I would suggest using a salt spray before drying.
A salt spray is pretty much what it says on the bottle. It creates a “beachy” look with loads of texture to the hair. I would ALWAYS use a hairdryer to get all the moisture from the hair before applying a dust. I always see a dust as a support. It bulks the hair and leaves it a lot more pliable. Using a styling product afterwards will smooth out or enhance the style and will allow the hair to stay in place a lot better. For ultimate hold you can then apply a hairspray, try using an aerosol one instead of a pump one as the pump ones can be slightly wetter which isn’t ideal for fine hair. Hairspray is good for any hair type. It will hold the hair in place. Try to spray above the head rather than directly onto the hair, that will prevent the hair from getting to crispy or wet looking.
I got my new haircut the day before this article came out after considering most of the factors you mentioned. All in all im very pleased with the results and im turning heads again! Yay!
Aside from my gloating the reason i came back to this article was to recommend that EVERYONE should get a hairdryer. Its so useful and its one of the things that logically all men should have, since were always trying to find quicker ways of doing things, and its a machine. I understand that it may seem feminine to some; blowing your hair around and touching it up as you look in the mirror ect. but really it just makes sense and its useful for so many hairstyles.
Secondly id like to stress the importance of quality hair styling product: As someone with thick black wavy hair it can be difficult (especially when dry) to style my hair. I used to use VO5 extreme style clay to style my hair and although i could hold my hair in place it was too heavy and couldn’t move.
The day I got my haircut before i left i asked what product the stylist used, they showed me the clay ‘Redken rough hold clay’ (or something like that).
So anyway i bought it, £11.50 yes expensive especially when compared to my previous £4 product but the difference: I only use a smear as compared with a thumbnail, the hold is light enough for wind to ruffle the hair but not enough to deform the style. Perfect, I would even go as far to say that buying quality products has SAVED me money.
WELL SAID! A hairdryer and decent styling products make such a difference. Ask your stylist what they have used on your hair and TRUST them. It will save you SO much money in the end as you won’t need to go to the supermarket and guess which product will work on your hair. Getting your hair styled in the salon will show you exactly the hold and finish you will get. Ask if you can touch/hold/feel/smell the product they are recommending, ask how much of it you should use and how to apply. Simple.
A word on the quiff – many people underestimate how much effort it needs to keep it looking good. A half assed attempt does not look good. Forget celebs, they have 2 hour sessions every morning with their personal stylist. I had it for a while but found it was too much effort and decided to ditch it for a rough and ready look of choppy spiky type hair with short sides (a bit like the centre top picture in the ‘top styles’ lookbook above but a little shorter at front). It takes me 5 minutes to do but I’ve never had so many compliments which surprised me. I’m 31 but people say i look about 25 which is kind of what i and many others hitting 30 are looking for. The popular side parting theme lately in my view adds many years to a lot of people in their 20s or 30s because its a classic cut. Sometimes it can be best to keep it simple. As for the hairdryer mentioned above – absolutely correct, it adds volume to hair and makes it easier to style no matter what type of hair. In short, go for hair you know you’ll definitely be able to maintain and keep it looking good.
Hey Dion, thanks for the tips–I just have a few questions. I want to get a haircut similar to the top left in the first set of pictures or the bottom middle in the second set, but I have fine, super straight hair. Do you think I would be able to pull either of them off and if yes then how? If not, any suggestions? I have an oval face. Thanks again!
Choosing a haircut like the ones you have mentioned can be suitable for most people. You really must take into consideration any hair growth patterns around your hairline and how much time you will have to spend on your hair. Having straight hair wouldn’t be a problem as long as you would blow dry the hair in place.
Thank you for this useful article. It was right timing because I’m planning to visit my stylist tomorrow. If I tell you my concern briefly. I have a very good hair stylist who is willing to do changes for my hair as and when I require. But the only problem is that whatever the hairstyle that I get doesn’t look anything like the one that I got after a couple of days. The problem could also be from my side where I don’t know how to exactly fix it. Right now I have something similar to the first one in the third row of the top cuts. Give me your suggestions and recommendations!
Hi, I think when you visit your stylist you really could do with asking for hints and tips on how to style your hair and what products to use. It sounds to me that you are trying different styles but aren’t shown exactly how to manage the new haircut.
I think you are correct. I have tried different styles, but I have not been trained on how to fix it on my own. Thank you so much for your valued feedback. I will make this point to my stylist next time when I go there.
You always seem to have a huge gallery of fantastic hair styles! However never any that seem to reflect my hair type or head shape. I have a round to oval head, so keeping it very short on the sides doesn’t always work. My hair is very thick and super fine, so I always have to put loads of product in it when I’m styling. Any advice?
If your hair is super fine and very thick then you need to work a product through the hair before blow drying, try using something like American Crew Ultramatte which will help reduce the volume. When using a hairdryer I would suggest using a low speed with high heat to avoid your hair getting any bigger.
As for choosing a hairstyle, you are better off speaking to a stylist but I do always suggest to take the sides shorter with rounder faces to slim the face down, if this doesn’t work then keep more length around the top of the ears but take it tighter around the curve of the head, this elongates the face.
here in Souh Africa hairstylist dont have the ability to cut great hairstyles. if u want a better or great hairstyle you have to go to the mallz. i like drake’s hairstyle.
Hey, ive had a normal short back and sides and left the top a little bit longer look for too many years now. Trouble is i have a cows lick at the front on the left and i cant really do much with it. I have naturally curly hair and its also quite thick, so my barber tells me, ive tried to grow it but it annoys me and looks way too scruffy all the time… help me!!
So far the best article on how to achieve your desire hair style.
Howdy,
My hair is VERY straight, and a good amount past my shoulders.
I’m not sure how to ask for long cuts from my stylist.
Currently, I am putting my hair in some sort of bundle, and covering it with a beanie.
I would be open to any length haircut, but long still suits me, anywhere from a couple inches to the length I am at now.
How do I best tell a stylist what I want? Especially in regards to a long cut.
My hair is really dark, ridiculously straight and can get quite thick. I love the short back and sides and would love to have a style similar to an quiff or something like Zayn Malik or anything that’s vaguely volumised. But I have two problems with my hair type- on the sides it grows out rather than down which can result in it looking awful. I also have a less than ideal hairline so I always need that little bit of hair on the corners to cover it up. I had a quiff for a while always thinking it would grow long enough to style but it just never curled or had any kink to it and looked silly. Now I have short hair cut too short on the sides so waiting for it to grow but the top I can just never find a style that suits me! Help!
I have a straight thick hair but I have a dilemma in finding the best cut for my hair because of my oval face without a strong jaw line. what hairstyle would you recommend to compensate that?
Hope you can help!
I have an oval/oblong shaped face with a fairly large nose and quite big eyes… and for me I’ve got the “sweep the fringe to the side” flat hairstyle right now. I’m really looking for something different, and my hair is kind of medium-long type (haha) and I’m really looking for a new style. My hair is quite thick but also has no real volume and when I try to style it with product it often just droops back down. I’m really looking for something more with my fringe so any help would be great :)
Hip Hop, Hair fashion for white blond guy.
Hope for answers :)
I am a breakdancer and hiphop-dancer, want a hairstyle who show this style. I only knowing about afro-american hiphop hairstyles and have no clue about any styles for a blond guy!. :/ I have blond half long hair right now but are bored about it.. Can you find some pictures for me, would be nice :) any help would be great :)
Hi, Dion
Great article. I was wondering if you could suggest a new hair style for me. I like it short and crisp, more on the lines of will smith and army cuts but my trial and err method ended once disastrously . 5’10 , Lean and more of a rugged personality, I’d be very grateful if you suggest a new hair style with the sides trimmed and a possible picture too.
cheers