This year are started a section for the "Follically Challenged".  There are so many conversations and articles on the topic and I want make sure you are getting good information. 
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This month I have another article for you about

 8 Early Signs of Male Pattern Baldness

​If you’re a man and losing your hair, you are probably not feeling your best. You want to curb your hair loss before it really gets out of control.

You want to avoid going bald. You want to keep an eye out to see if you are going bald so you can know if and when to take action.

So how do you know that you might be going bald? What causes baldness and is there anything you can do to avoid it?

We’ve put together this guide on the early signs of male pattern baldness.

1. Hereditary
Hereditary influences is the most common reason for hair loss. You should ask if anyone in your family was bald if you don’t know already.

Beware, however, this reason comes with many myths. The most popular is that the ‘baldness gene’ comes from the mother’s side of the family. 

The fact is that bot much research has not been done in this area and it is still a relatively new field of discovery. You should meticulously analyze if baldness has been common on both sides of your family before you worry about whether or not you might lose your hair.

2. Receding Hairline
If you notice that your hairline is receding, this is a sign that you might go bald. This starts with your hair thinning at your temples as well as your forehead.

A receding hairline means that your hair will thin and then fall out. You are left with a horseshoe aesthetic on your head. A receding hairline can also lead to baldness, though not necessarily. If you are experiencing a receding hairline, you can speak to a doctor on whether they think this will lead to baldness.

3. Your Crown
You should also keep an eye on the crown of your head. You can also lose hair on your crown. If you do, this can lead to eventual baldness.

You want to check if there is any thinning at the crown of your head as soon as possible. You can ask your doctor if they feel this will lead to baldness.

4. Curly Hair
Having curly hair, believe it or not, can lead to baldness — if your hair is naturally straight. If you find that you see curly hair near your hairline, this can lead to you losing your hair.

You might see curly hair appear once your hair on your crown begins to thin. If this happens, then you should seek solutions to prevent balding as it is now much more likely to happen.

5. Aging
As you age, the chances of going bald increases. Once you go past the age of 50, you can expect your hair to thin. This doesn’t mean that you will go bald, but the likelihood increases.

You want to make sure that you eat healthily, have a healthy lifestyle, and try to avoid using damaging hair products if you want to avoid baldness at a later age. Hair thinning is natural and inevitable, but this doesn’t have to mean that you will lose your hair altogether.

6. Wide Parting
If you notice that your hair has wide partings, this can lead to balding. When you comb or part your hair, take a close inspection at the parting. If you find that the parting is wider than normal, then you want to start focusing on regrowing your hair.

When you see a wide parting, you should also pay attention if your hair is thinning. If both occur, then this increases the likelihood of balding.

7. You Have Dandruff
If you have dandruff, this can cause more serious issues in the future. Most men see dandruff as an inconvenience that will one day disappear. But if you have dandruff for long enough, it can lead to baldness.

Dandruff means that there is a lack of hydration and oil production in your scalp. It leads to poor scalp health which, in turn, can lead to baldness. If you do experience dandruff, you want to take the steps to fight against it. You want to invest in an anti-dandruff shampoo, for example.

If the problem persists, you should speak to your doctor about how you can deal with dandruff. Even if this never leads to baldness, you want to make sure your scalp is as healthy as possible so that you never increase the risk of balding.

8. Sensitivity and Pain
Do you ever feel a sensitivity or a vicious pain on your head? When the weather is hot or cold, do you feel an unbearable pain at the top of your head? This might lead to balding.

This happens when your hair is thinning. When your hair is thinning, it cannot serve as adequate protection for your head. As a result, the pain and sensitivity continues to increase when you go out in hot or cold weather.
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If you notice this sensitivity and/or pain, then it might mean that your hair is thinning. If you find that it is, then you need to take action. One simple precaution is to cover your head when you go out so that you can prolong your hair and scalp health.

As a heads up, if you do find out you are experiencing the possibility of going bad, we want you to find a way to stop this. To start, You can check out these helpful vitamins to combat your baldness.

Alopecia, or hair loss can affect your scalp as well as body hair. It can be temporary or permanent. This can result due to hereditary reasons, medical conditions or ailments, or aging.

Look After Your Hair

Now that you know the early signs of male pattern baldness, you are better prepared to prevent and treat balding. Make sure to share this guide with other men who are worried about balding.

From Fashionably Male

Autumn hates your face. It hates your skin and your beard. Autumn is Winter’s hype man, intent on wreaking havoc so that all Winter has to do is come in and finish you off. 

It’s a shame really because Autumn as a season is cool, with all its greens and browns and musky smells. But there’s no reasoning with it. All you can do is protect your skin and facial hair and show it that you’re not phased. 

We’ve got six of the finest Autumn Beard Care tips to help you do just that. 

1.Wash your face regularly

We talk about washing your beard a lot on this blog. It’s the number one step in our five-step process. What we don’t talk much about is washing your face. Partly because by washing your beard you are washing your face and, well, washing your face in the morning and evening is as natural as brushing your teeth. 

But we’re mentioning washing your face now. Because the skin that’s not covered by hair deserves the same five-star treatment as your mane — i.e. more than a splash of water. 

When Autumn comes for your face, depending on how much sebum oil your body produces, it’s either going to make your skin more oily or dry it out. Which means you’re either going to have to replenish and cleanse or just cleanse. Whichever it is, you need to give your face and beard a good scrub. 

We’ll start with the cleansing. 

Rather than using beard wash, which is what we normally recommend for cleaning your beard, opt for a natural soap — as in a good old fashioned bar of soap — that can be lathered in your hands and used to attack your face as one. Natural soap is designed to gently rid your face and skin of excess oil and clean away any grime and dirt without drying out of your face.    
 
When using soap, it’s important that you get the water temperature spot on. As tempting as it is on a cold day, avoid splashing hot water on your face. It’ll only strip the skin of the natural oils the soap is trying to protect, causing brittle hair and irritated skin. Instead, get the water running lukewarm. Not too cold to shock you, but not warm enough to upset your face or beard. 

Once you’ve washed your face, it’s time to replenish and get some always needed hydration to your face. 

2. Moisturise 

The combination of cold weather and spending time indoors around heaters will dry out your skin and beard. To prevent that from happening, you need to go all-in on the moisturiser. 

Have separate natural moisturisers — one for your skin and one for your beard — and apply them daily before you leave the house, throughout the day whenever your skin or beard starts to feel dry, itchy or irritable, and before you go to bed in the evening.  

For your skin, most reputable moisturisers will do the job.

For your beard, you have a few options:

• Beard balm, formulated to tame and control unruly hair as well as hydrating it
• Beard butter, formulated to protect, soften and condition facial hair
• Beard oil, formulated to protect, hydrate and condition facial hair

You don’t have to choose just one of these options. An Autumn beard Care routine will benefit from all three. Each will also work to get moisture to the skin beneath your mane. 

That said, if you’re going to have one as a sidekick when you’re out and about, make beard oil your go-to. 

3. Oil up

To keep your beard healthy and maintain strong growth, keep a natural beard oil with your keys and phone. 

Beard oil can be applied after washing, eating, going to the toilet, whenever. Your beard can never have enough of the stuff. It provides a barrier against the bite of the Autumn wind and gives your facial hair the nutrients it needs to thrive. 

A 50ml bottle will easily see you through Autumn. A 100ml bottle will get you through winter too.

4. Change up the scents

While we’re talking about beard products, we should mention scents. You don’t have to pick scented beard oil, balm or butter. If you prefer to go au naturel, that’s cool. But if you’re a fan of a fragrant beard, you might want to choose an Autumn-y scent — something that fits in with the musky, woody smells of the season. 

We recommend classic cedarwood and sandalwood.

5. Keep your beard in check

If you’re exposing your beard to the elements every day it’s going to get somewhat unruly. As mentioned, beard balm will help keep hair under control, but you’ll still need to keep the length tidy. This requires some trimming. 

By ‘trimming’, we don’t mean taking a pair of clippers to your beard. You can leave the heavy-duty stuff to your barber. All you need to do is keep it in check between visits to the cutting chair. 

Here’s how to keep your beard neat:

• Shave any rogue hairs above your natural beard line. Don’t touch your beard line, just the hairs on your cheeks and around your sideburns. 
• Trim away hairs below the natural line of your beard as it curves from ear to ear. Don’t touch anything above that natural line and don’t clean shave your neck, it won’t do your beard or jawline any favours. 
• Trim away any stray hairs you find after washing and brushing. Focus only on the hairs that don’t fall in line. Anything else and you might find yourself in a full landscaping job, trying to match one side with the other. 

For an in-depth guide on trimming and the tools you need, check out our post on how to trim your beard like a boss.

6. Keep a comb handy

There’s nothing like wind and cold weather for getting your beard in a tangled mess. If you’re going to be oiling your mane regularly, you need to be combing it too. So add a comb to the list of things you don’t leave home without. 

Comb your beard after washing and applying beard oil, and whenever the hair looks or feels tangled. If your beard is close to your face, you might want to opt for a bristle brush rather than a comb. But whichever you go for, make sure it’s always close to hand. 

Follow these autumn beard care steps and your beard will survive anything that Autumn can throw at you and then some.

These grooming tips come to you from across the pond, MoBro's UK

Carrot oil is a popular hair treatment that comes in several forms and can be applied in multiple ways. It’s said to be nourishing for hair, though this claim is anecdotal. Users report that it makes hair softer, accelerates growth, protects the hair from damage, and more. Carrot oil comes in various forms:

• essential oil derived from carrot seeds
• oil derived from the roots of the carrot
• numerous store-bought products and treatments

Carrot oil contains high levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, and beta carotene, which are essential nutrients for hair health.

What are the benefits?

Based on anecdotal evidence, carrot oil can help hair to grow faster and thicker. People who are looking to keep their hair long and avoid split ends may find that carrot oil helps. Conditioning the hair with carrot oil is also said to improve its texture, making it shinier, smoother, and softer to the touch.

Others who use carrot oil say it helps to prevent hair loss by making the roots stronger at the scalp. Its vitamins could have a protective effect from outdoor damage, shielding it from the harshest UV rays and environmental pollution. By boosting blood circulation to the scalp, carrot oil could also serve to keep your hair healthier from root to tip.

Proponents of carrot oil say it is gentle and healing. Because of its mildly sweet fragrance, it can also be combined with other essential oils of your choice for a customized rinse or treatment.

One recent study shows that carrot oil has antibacterial properties against a variety of bacteria and fungus. People experiencing dandruff and dry scalp may find relief from their symptoms when they treat their hair periodically with carrot oil. Using naturally occurring oils on your scalp, particularly if it’s dry, can stimulate the production of your own body’s oil, or sebum.

What are the risks?
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There aren’t many studies on the risks and benefits of carrot oil. Because of the anecdotal nature of reported risks, it’s best to consult your doctor before you begin using carrot oil.

As with any topical product or supplement, carrot oil carries the risk of allergic reaction. Before applying carrot oil to your hair, do a patch test on a small amount of skin, such as an area on the inside of your arm or the back of your neck. Always dilute carrot oil with a carrier oil like grapeseed or coconut oil before applying it to your skin. Leave it on for at least 24 hours to observe whether you react to it. If there’s no reaction, you should be fine to proceed with applying a hair treatment. If you do experience an allergic reaction, stop use immediately and contact your doctor.

While carrot oil doesn’t appear to turn dark-pigmented hair orange, overuse could cause the skin of the scalp to turn orange. Using carrot oil too often on blonde or other light-colored hair may carry the same risk. Some people use carrot juice as a natural hair dye.

In folk medicine, carrot oil has traditionally been used both externally and internally. The biggest health risk carrot oil poses is the possibility of psychoactive effects due to a small amount of a component called myristicin. Any psychoactive effects would only be experienced if you consumed carrot oil internally in high amounts.

Researchers who studied the effects of myristicin in nutmeg found the ingredient to be low in toxicity to humans. They cited that high amounts of the toxin — 6 or 7 milligrams — could intoxicate a human. But because of the small amounts present in carrot oil, you’d have to consume a very large amount in order to become intoxicated. Still, the topic warrants further research.

The carotol component of carrot oil has been shown in one study to be moderately toxic to cells in the body, depending on its source. While specific risks aren’t outlined, people in search of gentle, safe, nontoxic treatments may want to consider alternative options for their hair care needs.

Using too much carrot oil internally can cause nausea and vomiting. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should never take carrot oil internally. Additionally, people experiencing asthma or epilepsy should avoid taking it.

How to use carrot oil for hair

You can treat your hair with carrot oil at least twice per week. You can purchase a premade hair treatment, or you can create your own mix and apply at home.

You can make your own hair mask, rinse, or deep conditioner with carrot essential oil. For a simple oil application, dilute 3–4 drops of carrot essential oil in 2–4 tablespoons of coconut oil (or other carrier oil like grapeseed). Work it through your hair with your fingers, massaging it into your scalp. Then, comb it through, cover it with a plastic cap, and leave it in for an hour or two before shampooing it out.

You can also create a rinse using 3–4 drops of carrot oil in a mix of 2 cups water and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. After you shampoo your hair, shake this mixture and rinse your hair once more with the carrot oil rinse. Leave in for 5 minutes before rinsing it again.

Many store-bought carrot oil applications are designed to be left in between washes; they come in oil, serum, and cream forms. It’s the carrot essential oil that needs to be diluted. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for prepared products with carrot oil.

Does it work?

According to anecdotal results, carrot oil:

• restores moisture to hair and scalp
• tames frizz
• softens and smooths texture
• helps hair grow more quickly
• protects hair from damage

Some users with fine or thin hair say it adds body. For many users, results appear to be immediate — or begin to appear after the first application or two.
Based on anecdotal evidence and the available studies, carrot oil may be beneficial for periodic to frequent use on the hair and scalp.

From Healthline

Treating Your Hair With Carrots

There are different methods by which you can treat your hair using carrots. The three most well-known methods are mentioned below.

But before you decide to start the treatment, make sure that you store carrots at home so that you can repeat the treatment regularly.

1. Pre-Shampoo Treatment

If you are bored of oiling your hair on a daily basis and not getting results, you should try out this pre-shampoo treatment. You will require up to two carrots depending on the length of your hair.

• Cut the carrots into small pieces and then mix the pieces with honey, olive oil, essential oil, and coconut oil.
• Once the ingredients are blended well, heat the mixture for a maximum of three minutes.
• Next, blend the mixture with curd. You need to make sure the mixture blends well; it should appear similar to a smoothie.
• Now, apply the mixture to your hair roots and then work your way up to the tips.
• Let the mixture stay on your hair for at least 25 minutes. Then, using a good shampoo, rinse out the mixture thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Doing this twice a week will provide you with amazing results including increased hair growth and shine.

2. Carrot Oil

Making carrot oil is the second method you can try for healthier hair. For this, you’ll need some grated carrots. You can use any standard grater for this.

• Grate a couple of carrots, depending on how much oil you want. Don’t go overboard on your first try.
• Once you grate the carrots, keep them in a sterilized jar. Add olive oil, castor oil, or coconut oil.
• Now, keep the mixture away from light for seven days.
• When the oil changes its color and becomes orange, you can compost the carrots and keep the oil in a new clean container.
• Keep the oil applied for around thirty minutes for effective results before rinsing it off.

The carrot oil treatment not only strengthens the roots but also makes the hair healthier. Moreover, it’ll also help prevent hair breakage and split ends.

3. Carrot Hair Mask

This is another efficient method which boosts hair growth. For making such a hair mask, you’ll need a carrot and a peeled banana.

• Cut both of them into pieces and mix them with olive oil.
• Now using curd and a blender, blend the mixture thoroughly until it becomes a paste. Take care that the paste is not extra thick otherwise you will have difficulty when it comes to washing it out.
• Apply this mask all over your hair at let it stay for half an hour.
• Once the time is up, use a regular shampoo to wash it off.

The carrots present in the mask will stimulate your hair growth and prevents breakage while the banana will make the hair silky and smooth.

From The Health Science Journal

4. Carrot Honey for your Hair

Contrary to what many people imagine when hearing the name of this ingredient, it is not formed by the double honey + carrot. Despite this, it remains very simple to prepare. Are you curious to know how carrot honey is made? Then check out the step by step below!

You will need:

• 1 carrot cut into slices
• sugar
• 1 glass container

Preparation method: as soon as you finish cutting the carrot slices, separate a “tall” glass container. That's because the next step is to alternate a layer of carrots and a layer of sugar until the carrots run out. That done, cover the pot and leave it stored for 24 hours. After that time, your carrot honey will be ready - but, remember: it needs to be stored in the refrigerator!

How to use carrot honey in your hair

After preparing the “magic” mixture, it is time to apply it to the strands. First of all, it is worth mentioning that it is important to always check the quality of the carrot honey, so always check if it is not damaged, especially if it has been some time since you prepared the recipe.

How to do it: to hydrate with carrot honey, your hair must be clean and damp. You will not use all the honey at once, so put just one tablespoon of the mixture in another container and also add the Original SOS Pump Hydration Mask or another of your choice and mix well. Apply the lock to lock the hair and let it act for 20 minutes. Then rinse and finish as usual.

From SalonLine BR
you will need Google Translator for this site

L ockdown seems a distant memory (or a looming threat, depending upon how you look at it). But one thing remains: that newfound length, borne of a barberless few months and something you quite happened to like, actually. As we ventured out into this grave new world, the amount of men with long hairstyles had seemingly quadrupled in number, short back and sides no longer the standard issue. What's more, there are plenty of reasons to keep this Momoa head of waves.

Because, most importantly, you've done the hard bit. Men with long hairstyles have proven that they've got the genetic luck to grow such hair in the first place, but also that they've got the dedication and patience to stick to a stringent maintenance plan. Having long hair is no cake walk. Once those hurdles are cleared, though, there are so many benefits to growing your current style out. Longer hair is versatile. It also packs that unique strain of loucheness no other cut can offer. An effortless sweepback, no matter how just-out-of-bed it may appear, will always look like it's had a little bit of effort involved. Long hair is the ultimate in laidback. You're a cool guy. You let nature take its course. And no, we won't immediately assume you live in Newquay.

Joe Mills, founder of barber Joe and Co in London, says there’s never been a better time to consider a longer hairstyle – especially given the new tier-based lockdown system imposed by the government. In just 48 hours, all barbers could be closed for the foreseeable. Makes sense then to get ahead.

“It’s really diverse at the moment with longer hair,” says Mills. “You’ve got guys with hair flowing down past their shoulders through to guys with Seventies Bowie-style cuts with short fringes.” Like any trend, “hairstyles are circular”, and the current maxim is a pushback to military-grade war-hero cuts that appear on everything from the runways of Milan to Sheesh bar and grill in Chigwell. That means its time for a change. “People first started moving towards a softer, Stone Roses-style look, and it went from there,” says Mills. “You always have a phase where everyone’s having sharp, short haircuts, then people buck the trend and it starts to filter through.”

If you want to join them, there's no time like the present. Here's everything you need to know about the best long hairstyles for men.

“The thing with long hair is that it’s an attitude as much as it is a look,” says Maxwell Oakley, barber at Ruffians Shoreditch. “If you’ve got the confidence to break out of the pack, then you’re halfway there.” That being said, all the chutzpah of a Met Gala Jared Leto won’t help if you’re without the right starter ingredients.

“Realistically you need medium to thick hair to grow it long,” says Mills. “It’s better if it’s got a slight wave in it too, so that it doesn’t just hang. Straighter hair is OK, curly hair can work really well as the locks drop out when hair grows. But, if your hair is too fine then it’ll just look wispy.”

As well as hair type, you’ll also need to take your face shape into consideration. “An oval or square jaw will pretty much work with most haircuts. If you’ve got a particularly round face, you have to be mindful your hair doesn't accentuate that. Anything mid-length can tend to look a bit Lego-head.”

Can I make my hair grow faster?

Growing your hair out is a serious commitment: you can’t ghost out when the going gets tough. There will be tricky patches, and times when you want to just give up and shave your hair off. Try to persevere.

“Understand that there are a lot of stops on the journey, and some will seem to last longer than others,” says Oakley. He recommends talking to your barber about your long-term goals (and showing them references), so that they can give you a roadmap of how to get there.

In terms of shortcuts, there are, unfortunately, none. As far as miracle products such as caffeine shampoo go, "there's just not enough science," Mills says. “If you want decent hair, skin and nails, just make sure you're eating a balanced diet and if you're out drinking, make sure you rehydrate.” He adds that zinc and collagen are said to be beneficial for hair quality, so multivitamins and supplements could be an option. But really, this is a waiting game.

How do you maintain long hair?

As your hair moves south, it’s important to invest in a quality shampoo and conditioner to keep it strong and glossy. This means separate bottles (no two-in-ones) and not just resorting to your significant other’s wash of choice. Mills recommends using Triumph & Disaster, or Kevin Murphy’s Hydrate.Me range, both of which are sulphate and paraben-free and contain hydrating oils and extracts.

"If your hair is in fairly decent nick, you only need to condition your hair every other wash,” he says. “If you've got finer hair, you can also use a sea salt spray which coats the hair, making it look thicker.”

While shearing off dead ends is important for maintaining a glossy mane, getting a trim doesn’t make your hair grow any faster, contrary to popular belief.

“People say you need to come in every four to six weeks to get the dead ends cut off, but you’re cutting off what you’ve just grown,” says Mills. “If your hair is really thick and getting out of control, you might want to have it reshaped, but it’s not like the short back and sides mentality: you don’t need to come in every few weeks.”
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The other major psychological shift, Mills says, “is getting your head around the fact that you won’t look quite as clean-cut as you once did.” This doesn’t mean resigning yourself to looking scruffy, rather that additional effort is required.

“It helps if you’re clean around the edges – the back of your neck and your sideburns if you have them. If you’ve got a beard, make sure it’s blended in. Aside from that, you’ve got to just put up with it.”

How to grow out Afro hair

Afro hair is more brittle than caucasian and Asian hair, meaning you’ll need to use a deep moisturising treatment more often as it grows. You’ll also need to wash it less (once a week at most) to maintain your natural oils, ideally, again, using a sulphate and paraben-free shampoo.

“One thing to remember is that afro hair is longer than it appears,” says Mark Maciver, owner of SliderCuts. “It tends to be quite curly which can disguise the true length as it's growing, so you have to be patient. If you pull a strand, you'll see how long it really is.

“It's also very important that you don't cover your hair too much by wearing caps, hats or wraps,” he adds. “Just like your body, hair needs sunlight and oxygen to keep it healthy and constantly covering it doesn't let it get this which can result in your hair not growing or becoming damaged.”

Longer Afro Style

What to ask for: Tell your barber that you're growing your hair out, and they'll advise a trim and products designed to enhance curls

Who it suits: Guys who are able to easily grow two to three inches of hair

What it is: A traditional Black hairstyle that results from natural growth and progression, and it's usually styled into a rounded shape using a comb.

Dating back to the civil rights movement of the Sixties, Aaryn Lynch, a producer behind Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum 2013 afro comb exhibition, named the afro "a symbol of rebellion, pride and empowerment" in an interview to the BBC.
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Due to its voluminous nature, you'll need a little more maintenance too as breakages can frequently occur. Use a wide-toothed comb to style, avoid excessive heat from hairdryers and straighteners and swerve chemical-based relaxers and hair dyes with a full shampoo wash needed every seven to ten days.

Longer On Top

What to ask for: A classic scissor taper with square layers on top

Who it suits: Everyone

What it is: Bradley Cooper’s current ‘do would be a solid end goal in itself, but Oakley says it’s also a strong transitional option for anyone who’s starting to grow their hair out.

“The great thing about this cut is it can be adapted for pretty much any hair type,” he says. “The key feature is the taper. This can be cut with a little graduation, or if you have the length on top the angles can be made more extreme. If your hair is very thick it is better to not go too tight.”
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Rub a little serum or hair cream (Ruffians does a very good one) through to give the hair a slight hold. If you’re looking for something slicker, use a matte clay or pomade through the length and ends.

Longer Quiff

What to ask for: Slightly feathered layers, longer on top

Who it suits: Heart-shaped faces, thick hair

What it is: With more length on the sides and slightly feathered layers, Patrick Dempsey’s soft quiff is where we start to take a real departure from clipper cuts. “His stylist has point-cut the ends to soften them,” says Oakley. “The soft feathering on means that the hair isn’t so bulky, making it much easier to style as you gain length.”

Oakley says that this style is particularly good for men with heart-shaped faces as the narrow shape around ears and slight flare at the back “gives the appearance of more balance”.
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“Use salt spray on wet hair before drying to take the shine off. For a little more volume and hold sprinkle in some hair powder, or for a softer look with a demi shine rub some styling paste through the hair while slightly damp.”

Naped Tidiness

What to ask for: A round layer throughout

Who it suits: Square and oval faces

What it is: The point at which your hair starts falling down instead of growing out in all directions is also when your hair starts to feel purposeful and powerful. Not unlike, say, a Jedi master. This is also the point where you can go for something deceptively simple, like Adam Driver’s one-length all-over style.

As Oakley explains: “It may look like this cut is shorter at the back but this is merely an illusion. The hair mimics the lines of your head; the weight on top is actually pushing the lengths at the back to follow the head shape.”
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If you’re aiming for even more length, Oakley recommends you ask your barber to reduce some of the weight from the top while allowing the base length to get longer and heavier. At home, smooth some styling cream into freshly washed and conditioned hair, running your fingers through it as it dries naturally.

Mid-Length Longer hair

What to ask for: Mid length layers, slightly longer on the top and shorter on the sides

Who it suits: Medium to thick hair, square and oval faces

What it is: Your reward for about a year’s hard work and perseverance – that’s how long it’ll take you to get Keanu Reeves’ grown-up surfer look. but the good news is it’s relatively low-maintenance from here on out.

“You need four to five inches of length, with the sides slightly shorter than the back,” says Mills. “If your hair is thicker then ask your stylist to take some weight out to give it some movement, and so that it doesn’t sit flat to your head.”
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To style, use a small amount of mousse on damp hair and either blow dry or leave to dry naturally. Then, use a styling cream to finish.

The Chalamet

What to ask for: A classic layer cut blended at the sides

Who it suits: Thick wavy or curly hair

What it is: A classic Timothée Chalamet, which Mills says is the ideal starting point for guys who are just starting to embrace longer curls.

The explosion of ceramic hair straighteners around the turn of the millennium convinced us all that curls were something which needed taming. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. Mills recommends that you start by growing the top at first, keeping the back and sides at “an inch to two-and-a-half inches and blended in as much as possible in a classic layer cut.”
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“The top is probably three times longer than the sides, with the curls pulling the length back in, but if you’re growing it out ask your barber to leave as much as possible,” he explains. “You can then grow the back and sides gradually.” To add sheen and tame any frizz, use a touch of styling cream.

Medium Curls

What to ask for: A round layer throughout

Who it suits: Medium to thick hair, square or oval face

What it is: Where you’ll be a few months in, when your curls start to elongate and fall down around your face. As Oakley points out, this cut is “pretty much identical in length and in shape to Adam Driver’s” – a round layer throughout with some of the weight removed from the top where necessary.

To get Kit Harington’s casual swept-back style, use conditioner and hair cream after washing. Leave it dry naturally, being careful not to touch it while your curls set.
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“When it is completely dry it might look very shiny and a touch crispy,” Oakley continues. “To get rid of that Eighties DeBarge look, rub some Ruffians Matt Clay into the hands and run it through the hair.” This will break up any crunchiness while adding hold.

Longer And Messier

What to ask for: A universal layer with more length at the front

Who it suits: Medium to thick wavy hair

What it is: Easy maintenance with tonnes of texture.

Dev Patel is cold, hard proof of the magic of grooming (see: his unbelievable glow-up from awkward TV sixth-former to Oscar-nominated heartthrob). If his tousled, textured mop looks effortless, that’s because once you’ve got the required length, it mostly is.

“This is what we call a universal layer,” Mills explains. “It’s about the same length all over – four to five inches on top and three to five inches on the sides, but with more length towards the front.”

The key to this style is movement. “If you've got very thick hair you’ll want some of the weight taken out of it, making sure sure it’s soft around the edges with the back cut into.”
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Once you’ve got the cut sorted, all you need is a touch of curl-enhancing cream before air drying. Mills recommends Kevin Murphy’s Motion Lotion, though Patel has admitted he uses facial

Short Braids

What to ask for: Box braids

Who it suits: Those with suitable scalps

What it is: A protective style that looks slick

Braids and cornrows are great for protecting afro hair during the colder months, when biting winds wick moisture out of the hair, but they’ve also made a style comeback in recent years thanks to the likes of A$AP Rocky and the late Nipsey Hussle.

Mark Maciver says: “The first thing to consider is if you have any scalp conditions, such as a tender scalp or alopecia, as a style like plaits could actually cause more damage to your hair”.

“Booking a consultation with a hairdresser will help to identify this. They’ll also be able to advise whether your hair is capable of achieving the style.” If your scalp can handle the tension, ask your stylist for simple box braids all over.

Shannon Currie, who works with Maciver at SliderCuts, says: “Your hair needs to be at least three inches long to achieve a neat plait without the use of elastic bands, and at least six inches long to achieve the A$AP Rocky style.” Wear a durag to bed and keep your scalp moisturised with a coconut or avocado oil-based product.
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A word of warning: braids on white guys are definitely not fly. If David Beckham couldn’t pull it off, neither can you.

Jesus Waves

What to ask for: A layered cut, straight across the back

Who it suits: Wavy hair

What it is: Sleek with serious length

This is what you get when you bide your time, follow a dedicated hair maintenance regime, and maybe throw in a few prayers to the hair gods every now and then.
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“It’s a great haircut,” says Mills. “It’s cut straight across the back and then through the front it's got some layers to give it that softer textured feel. It’s very sleek, very groomed.”

Mills adds that this is a style that works for any length of hair once it’s past the shoulders, and suits all hair types from fine to thick. To get Jared Leto’s signature Seventies folk singer look, use a pomade to define your natural waves. You can air dry, but Mills recommends going for a full blow-out when you want to seriously impress.

Long And Natural

What to ask for: One length all over

Who it suits: Thick hair with a strong wave or curl

What it is: The holy grail of long hair.

Jason Momoa’s hair is the stuff of legend: sun-kissed and shoulder-length with stronger waves than the ones that toppled Atlantis.
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“I’ve worked with Jason and I know his hairdresser, it’s super low-maintenance,” says Mills. “This is just a classic one-length haircut, all of the hair is the same length.” It goes without saying that this is a style which requires thick hair, preferably with a strong curl. “Then, all you need to use is just a bit of conditioner, towel dry it and whack some grooming cream in there.”

​Hello,

As you are aware COVID-19 cases are on the rise.  With the increased number of cases, San Francisco is expected to move to California’s most restrictive purple tier next week, placing the city under new overnight curfew. The curfew, which will require nonessential work and gatherings to stop between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., would go into effect two days after the move to purple.

Under this Purple Tier there are a few businesses that are allowed to remain open, with modifications. Personal care services, including hair and nail salons will remain open indoors, unless County Healthcare officials decide otherwise.

The Salon industry lobbied very hard this summer for this Purple Tier allowance.  Our industry has always maintained a very high level of health and safety for our clients (that's you) and we have stepped up our cleaning and sanitizing practices even more during these unprecedented times.  I want you to know I am taking every precaution I can to protect you from exposure while you are in the salon.  I do understand, though, that each one of us needs to decide for ourselves what our comfort levels are when we leave our homes.

Again, I wanted to let you know, for now anyway, I am still open and taking appointments.

Have a safe and thankful Thanksgiving.

Take Care and Stay Healthy,
- Brian ✂️ 


California’s reopening: Where each county stands in new color system (updated November 20, 2020)
https://projects.sfchronicle.com/2020/coronavirus-map/california-reopening/?utm_campaign=premiumsfgate_breakingnews_20201120&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email