How to Style your Hair (Mens)

Three Parts:
Is your hairstyle boring or have you grown tired of the same old look? Are you ready to try a new style, but don't know where to begin? Whether you're vying for a new haircut, or are simply trying to mix things up a bit, there are all sorts of techniques and products you can try out. Keep your facial shape, your hair, and your styling needs in mind and you'll find a great hairstyle!

Part 1 of 3: Everyday Styles

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1. Consider your situation. If you are choosing a new everyday style, it’s best to keep details about your life in mind. Consider the needs of your workplace, how much time you have to style your hair, and how much effort you are willing to put in to your daily look.

• Regardless of the hairstyle you choose, it should work with your personality. You'll need to be comfortable with your new style, so don't pick a style that doesn't match your own personal tastes. If your stylist recommends a hairstyle that you don't feel comfortable with, politely tell them how you feel and find something else.
  

2. Get a new haircut. It helps if you can go to a stylist that you're already familiar with, but if you need to find a new stylist, ask friends or coworkers for recommendations. Take photos of hairstyles you like and ask the stylist if the look would work with your facial shape.

• Remember what kind of a cut you get, so that you can remind the stylist at future appointments or ask for something slightly different. If you like the cut, be sure to tip well.
• You should also ask your stylist for maintenance and styling tips. They'll be able to point you in the right direction for what products to use and how often to get trims.
  

3. Part your hair. When you're deciding where to place your part, think about your face shape and your natural part. If you have a round face, don't part your hair in the middle - it will emphasize the roundness. If you have a sharp jaw and high cheekbones, a part that's far to one side will highlight these qualities. In general, a part that's a few inches off-center works well for most people. Experiment to see what you like best.

• You can use your fingers or a comb to part your hair. Keep in mind that finger-combing will result in a wavier, more natural look, while using a fine-toothed comb will make your hairstyle more sleek and structured.
  

4. Comb your hair. Unless you're spiking your hair out in every possible direction, you'll notice that most hairstyles have one primary direction in which the hair is combed. You can comb it forward, back, up, to the side, or straight down. Experiment with a few different ways and see what works best for you.

• Note that most men only style and comb the top portion of their hair, unless their hair is on the long side of medium or longer. The back and sides of most men's haircuts are short enough that they don't require much day-to-day styling.
  

5. Select hair products. Unfortunately, most of us need more than water and a comb to style our hair. Start off with less expensive brands while you're experimenting with different types of products. When you find something you like (such as hair clay), then you can try to find the right brand for you. Here are a few possible products you can purchase, as well as the sort of look they'll help you achieve:

• Serums or creams. These can help you tame fly-aways or de-frizz curls without making your hair stiff and immovable.
• Mousse. Use hair mousse to add volume and shine to your hair, with minimal hold. For best results, apply to wet hair and allow your hair to dry.
• Gel. Unlike pomade, gel contains alcohol that dries out hair and makes for a stiffer hold. For the strongest hold, apply gel to wet hair.
• Pomade, hair wax, or hair clay. Use these products to mold your hair into difficult-to-achieve shapes, such as pompadours or curls (for naturally straight hair). Be aware that it can take several washes to remove these products, so apply them lightly. A pea-sized amount should be plenty if you have short, medium or thin hair. Use pomade or hair wax for a shiny, wet look; use hair clay for a matte, natural tone.
• Hair glue. Ever wonder how some people get their mohawks to stand straight up? They're probably using some variation of hair glue, which provides the strongest possible hold. Be wary of product build-up, however, and wash your hair thoroughly between applications.
  

6. Apply the appropriate styling products and set with hairspray (optional). Depending on the product and hairstyle, you may want to apply the styling product before you comb your hair. If you're worried about your hair drooping or losing its structure throughout the day, mist it with hairspray as soon as you're finished styling. You can choose a product with light or strong hold (just remember that "strong hold" means "more alcohol," which can make your hair look more brittle).

• Be sure to keep the hairspray at least six inches away from your hair when spraying it. Avoid spraying too much or your hair might clump together and look hard.
• Hair wax is also a simple way to set your hairstyle. Just rub a little bit of wax between your fingers until it softens and then pinch it between strands of hair to work it in.

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