​Slick back hair has done the rounds as the finishing touch of a corporate uniform. It’s simple, clean, and says you’re here to get shit done.

You might associate it with alpha male corporate warriors and sleazy sales guys in purple suits, but slick back hair can be the perfect antidote to a stale haircut that leaves you wanting something with a bit more punch.

Slick back hair projects a mature, business-first quality, and is sufficiently timeless that it won’t be consigned to the trash heap of out-of-fashion looks anytime soon. There’s room for this beyond the office, too. By playing with different products to suit the environment, you can also adapt it for weekend adventures when the suit and tie stays in the wardrobe.

This guide will give you a follicular roadmap to achieving a no-grease, no-sleaze slick back. You’ll discover whether your hair is up to the job, what products to use, and inspiring examples of the style to digest. Then, you can go back to watching Wall Street and studying stockbroking 101.

Is Your Hair Right For The Job?

Slick back hair is ubiquitous in western culture like bad dancing and guys called James, but that’s not to say it works for everyone. The texture, density, and growing pattern of your hair can make a huge difference in determining if you can pull the style off.

For starters, you probably know already that straight hair lends itself to a slicked back style. Straight hair follows a simple pattern, which is crucial for the overall shape of the cut. Hair growth direction is important, too. For some guys, hair naturally grows forward, making it resistant to the comb-and-pomade two punch routine.

If this sounds like you, then you need to think about getting cosy with a blow dryer and investing a bit more time in ‘training’ its shape. This won’t change the natural growing pattern, but it will make it slightly more co-operative to your styling attempts.

Thick hair can be an obstacle to getting this style right. A slicked back haircut generally necessitates low to medium density hair. Anything thicker, and you’ll find it’s difficult to both slick the hair back and maintain its shape. If you’ve found that your hair doesn’t stay in place, or requires handfuls of product, then ask the barber to use thinning shears. This alleviates some of the density in your hair, making it easier to pull back with a comb. Think of it as an inconvenient blessing. It’s better to have thick hair than none at all.

For curly haired gents, you might need to tap out early. It’s unlikely you’ll achieve Draper-esque slick style without investing your house mortgage in Olympic-pool quantities of pomade. That’s not to say the show can’t go on – you will just need to adapt the style to one that suits curly hair. These styles are messy off duty looks; think curly variations of David Beckham’s or a textured quiff.

Slick Back Hair Products

You’ve been to the local salon, and the product shelf seems to go on forever. There’s endless options for product out there – clay, paste, cream, pomade, gel, wax – and you might be feeling a bit of an information overload from all the choice. You’ll have the most success, however, if you keep it simple and stick to a pomade or clay – depending on the image you want to project.

Pomade is a definitive classic. It offers old-school, vintage appeal and is also a lifesaver for windy days. Pomade can subdue unruly hair, and keep everything where you need it for sustained periods of time, due to its weight. On the other hand, too much pomade – particularly high-shine, oil based products – can lead you into Wall Street bank shark territory.

Oil based pomades don’t wash out easily, either. As a result, water-based products are the best compromise for sufficient hold that won’t overstay its welcome after a solid washing. You will also find that pomade lends itself to a more formal, buttoned-up look that looks out of place in a casual environment.

So if you want to incorporate a schmick 1950’s corporate look, pomade is the man for the job. Remember, less is more with pomade – start with a little bit, evenly through the hair, and work your way up. Handfuls of product are for lounge lizards and clueless teenagers.

Clay is a more contemporary, versatile option. Clays come in a variety of options: heavy-duty concrete stuff for thick and unruly hair, or featherweight creams for something similar-but-not-quite pomade. Unlike oil or alcohol based products, clays are usually made with natural minerals (no nasty stuff). This adds texture and volume to your hair, which is ideal for casual effortlessness.

You will need to test a few different options to find which clay suits you – thick hair needs extreme hold clays, while thin, straight hair is usually happy with a lightweight option. Clays are the natural option for the guy who doesn’t spend too much time in the corporate rat race, and doesn’t feel at home with shiny hair.

No matter how desperate you find yourself, gel should stay on the shelf. Favoured by adolescents and early 2000’s revivalists, gel is usually alcohol-based, which will dehydrate your hair. Plus, it’s flammable. It’s unlikely that you will impress the girl at the bar if your head goes up in red-hot sparks.

For a finishing touch, remember that hairspray can lock your hair into place. But please, use it sparingly. Most hairsprays add a glossy finish (too much of which will make your hair look like a helmet). They’re also about as flammable as a remix of Stayin Alive. A spray or two at key points, and nothing more.

Tools & Equipment

The Undercut
Arguably the most popular short hairstyle of the last five years. Thanks to Boardwalk Empire and just about every other show with a stylish leading man, the undercut has done the rounds among the young and trying-to-stay-young as the haircut of the moment.

To achieve this, you will need to spend a chunk of time growing out the front with a tapered crown. Maintain blended sides and a medium fade, until you can slick the top over to the back of your head. Otherwise, the cut will look tropical-fruit disproportionate.  Afterwards, it’s a case of choosing a low or high fade. We recommend sitting somewhere in the middle.

A super low fade can lead you into 80’s finance territory, while a high fade can unfortunately exaggerate the shape of your head. That being said, the undercut is doing the rounds for a reason. It’s as versatile as.

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You can slick it back with pomade, or use clays for a more natural approach. Works well for the 9-5 and off duty fun. Straight, medium-density hair is the ticket here, but it can work with curly hair if you’re not chasing the Jimmy Darmody look.
 
This article first appeared on D'MARGE

A spokesperson for L’Oreal says that we might be seeing make-up counters at department stores devoted to men in the next five years.

The UK managing director for L’Oreal, Vismay Sharma, told the Telegraph that the “selfie generation” isn’t so worried about gender taboos and might want to use make-up.

“Today you have a very small proportion of men who want to use makeup products but that proportion is growing and it will continue to grow. I think it’s just awareness – two things are happening, men know they can use make up, and they know what it does when you use it.”

Several other brands, like ASOS, have come out with a line of products directed at men, and designer Tom Ford has a collection of male beauty products that includes a concealer set.

This trend actually contradicts Sharma’s argument that “the taboos are going.” Men can already purchase and use make-up, so if they need the word “male” slapped onto the same product to get them to use it, then they are still insecure in their masculinity. What will have changed – if more than a small percentage of men use these products – are the contours of what men are allowed to do.

Moreover, makeup tutorials for men (and I’m guessing they’re aimed at straight men) focus on a “natural” and “subtle” look, which means that the point is to look like they’re not wearing make-up. If it’s no longer taboo for men we wear makeup, then why not put out ads with men wearing noticeable make-up and bold colors?

But if men want to use makeup but need to be reassured that it’s masculine, then cosmetic companies will be ready to make money by selling households the same product twice with different packaging.

This article appeared on Bilerico Report

How To Grow Out Your Hair Without Looking Like You’ve Given Up On Life
First things first, there’s something we need to make very clear. As you’ve probably seen with many a male celebrity, there is a world of difference between simply deciding not to cut your hair one day, and growing your hair out with actual effort.

And yes, you can tell the difference between the two. There are a few things you can do to make sure you don’t fall into the former category though, starting with…

Get As Many Opinions As Possible
Before you decide to go full-Fabio, do a serious evaluation as to whether the product of your spent time and effort is actually gonna look good or not. Take a look in the mirror, use a snapchat filter, ask your family, ask your Mrs, ask your mates, ask anyone how they reckon you’d look with long hair.

Also, don’t be afraid to cut it back if you don’t think it’s going to go as well as you thought. There’s no shame in trying, but we can’t all be Chris Hemsworth.

Match Your Style To Your Features
There’s a few things that can determine just how good your mane is likely to look, and they all rest on your face. Having thicker hair in certain places (for instance a heavier top and thinner sides, or vice versa), can help accentuate or balance the features of your mug, meaning it’s important to get everything proportioned correctly.

If you have large features (big nose, big lips etc.) or a rounder face, go for bigger, larger, more textured styles to soften them. Early Mick Jagger is a good example. If you have smaller features and a thinner face, a thinner, longer style is probably more suitable. Think Zlatan or Jared Leto.

Adjust Your Style As It Grows
Of course, before you reach a glorious mane you’re going to go through months of awkward lengths, styles and unruliness that’ll make you question whether or not you want to continue.

The answer to this issue is twofold. One, make sure you’re giving your hair the best chance to grow healthily by eating a decent diet and using conditioning products as it grows. Two. Don’t be afraid to get a little product involved to keep things looking presentable.

It’ll take time for your hair to reach a long enough length to weigh itself down and look properly natural, so you may have to compromise for a while.

Once It’s Grown, Let Your Barber Take the Reigns
If you’ve grown your hair out right, it should need as little maintenance as possible to make it look good. If you want to blow dry it, go for it, but lay off on the styling products, unless of course you’re trying out for a Motley Crue tribute act.

The hallmark of a grown-out hairstyle that works is that it should look good sitting naturally. If it doesn’t, then let your barber fix it or consider a change of style altogether.

That being said, take care of your hair. Short hair might let you get away with being a little more relaxed on the shampoo and conditioner, but as any girl will tell you, long hair won’t afford you that luxury.

Always Keep It In Check
Keeping your hair healthy often boils down to making sure you’re touching it as little as possible, but depending on how long you decide to go, you’re gonna have to figure out ways to make sure it’s not going everywhere when you’re playing sport, doing manual labour or even just walking in a windy day.

The key here is to experiment with what suits you. Take as much inspiration as you’d like when it comes to buns, ponytails, headbands, bandannas or whatever, as long as you’re avoiding the top knot.
 
This article first appeared on D’MARGE

Summer is upon us! A time when your hair needs to look it’s very best and a season to let go of the perfect, sleek hairdos and embrace that loose, natural look.

But have you ever thought about the effects the sun has on your hair and scalp? Just as the sun damages your skin, it can damage your hair and scalp, too.

SO now it’s time to learn how to protect your hair from the heat, the sun, and the humidity without turning it into an endless battle this summer!

Why Protect Your Hair from the Sun?

Your hair gets harmed in many different ways during summer like overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays, sweat and spending too much time in chlorinated water AKA swimming pools.

Here are 3 common reasons:

1. You may have healthy hair almost all year around, but when it comes to summer, your hair may turns limp and lifeless. This happens because of the burning sun (it dries out the hair straws) and high humidity (makes your hair fall flat).
2. Sweat and dust increase hair problems like dandruff and split ends. Worst case scenario is hair fall.
3. Summers can be harsh on your scalp too, causing dryness and sunburn. Some people believe that hair protects the scalp, but that’s actually not the case. In the end, dry scalp can damage your hair roots.

So the question is: How do you protect that crowning glory of yours? Well, let’s take a look…

1. Start Summer with a Trim or Cut
Whether you have long or short hair, the summer weather can make the ends of your hair dry and brittle – and that’s certainly not good-looking.

Summer is the ideal time to give yourself a new haircut or opt for regular trims that will keep your hair in good condition and reduce the risk of split ends, and bring back life to your hair.

2. Care for Your Colour
If you have colour-treated hair, you would want to take extra care during the summer. Chemical treatments can lead to colour fading, maximum damage and hair dryness. Look for hair care products that are specially made for colour-treated hair.

If you want to change your hair colour during the summer, do it a month or two before the sun hits hard. However, if you have recently coloured your hair, try to avoid too much sun – especially when it peaks.

3. Use Conditioner
While the sun is drying out your hair, make sure you help restore some moisture and life in it by using a solid conditioner. Get one that suits your hair type and texture.

If you are going for a swim, apply a thin layer of coconut oil or conditioner in your hair before swimming to protect it. The silicones in the conditioner will keep chlorine and other chemicals away from your hair. 

4. Shampoo with Care
Shampooing your hair every day is not recommendable. A good rinse in cold or lukewarm water will do the trick on days where you don’t use shampoo. 

If your hair gets greasy and sweaty easily and you feel the need to shampoo every day, go for a mild shampoo. Shampoo mainly on the scalp, not the hair, and as you wash your hair, the shampoo will rinse down cleaning up your hair too.

5. Avoid Heat & Use Heat Protection
The sun is already heating your hair, so avoid tools like flat irons and blow dryers as much as you can. Go slow on the blow dryer, and if required, wash your hair half an hour earlier so it has time to air-dry.

If you use a blow dryer, set on a low or a medium temperature and remember to use heat protection.

6. Overnight Hair Treatment
To make your locks totally ready for summer, an overnight hair treatment is a simple method. All you need to do is apply a leave-in conditioner and wrap a towel around your hair overnight. When you wake up in the morning your hair will be soft and not frizzy at all!

7. Dry Wash
Your hair is greasy and oily, and you feel shampoo is a MUST?

Then shift to Dry-shampoos. It does a good job soaking up excess oil (sebum) without causing your scalp to produce even more. It’s also a great timesaver in the morning.

8. Sun Protection 
The best way to screen hair from the sun is wearing a hat, cap or scarf. If that’s not to your liking, then make sure you use a leave-in conditioner with sunscreen.

9. Going For Swim?
…Did you know, that swimming beats up your hair, too. In a swimming pool chlorine strips your hair of its natural protective oils. And a dip in the ocean stresses your hair in a different way. The heavy salt content in seawater draws water out of your hair and skin. What to do about it?

Check out this: MUST KNOW: How to protect your hair from the pool water

10. Use a Wide Tooth Comb
Instead of brushing your hair with a regular hair brush, use a wide tooth comb. This will avoid pulling your hair making it more susceptible to breaking.

Secret tips

There are lots of different, crazy and epic homemade ways to treat your hair, so to make your hair stay excellent during the summer season you can do more than one thing, for example…

Vinegar as an extra treatment:

Rinse your hair in vinegar before you apply shampoo. This will make your hair appear cleaner and shinier and it’s a good way to treat dandruff as well. Go for organic apple cider vinegar. 

Egg & Mayo to remove dry and damaged hair:

Eggs are rich in protein and help to recover damaged hair. Take ¼ cup of plain yogurt, ¼ cup of mayonnaise, and 1 egg white. Mix the ingredients and apply it to your hair. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse it off with water.

This article first appeared on SLIKHAAR