Thinking it’s about time to switch things up, hair-wise? Guys, if you’re still getting that dated undercut or the same quick once-over with the hair clippers – yes, we think you’re definitely in need of a hair makeover and perhaps should consider going to a hair salon instead of the barber.

Want a 'do that will up your style cred, as well as get you the right attention? Look to the heads of South Korea’s most popular idols and celebrities for inspiration. They’re setting the biggest hair trends for men in Asia, if not the world, according to Readen Chia, associate director of Chez Vous Hair Salon.
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CNA Lifestyle got him to pick out four “oppa” (older brother) hairstyles that a regular guy can also successfully try, and explain what goes into their making – whether they require a specific cut, hair product, hairstyling tools and techniques that, we assure you, won’t be too tough to execute.

This hairstyle is all about the bangs, which can be parted at the centre or on either side of the hairline (best done in a 3:7 ratio) – no surprise why it takes its name from the drapes hanging over your windows.

Obviously, a longer fringe is requisite for this look. At the same time, it requires some level of volume and texture – in other words, you’ll probably need a perm or, in lieu of that, decent DIY hairstyling skills.

Chia noted that this hairstyle is usually worn with wavy, permed hair. “Unfortunately, this oppa hairstyle may scream ahjussi (uncle) for some, because not everyone looks good with wavy hair. In fact, some of us may look older than we actually are after a perm,” he said.

Want a preview of how it will look on you? Chia suggested asking your hairstylist to create a temporary wave for you with hairstyling tools before you take the plunge.
Chia also advised those with thinning hair or very fine hair to stay away from curtain bangs. “This hairstyle requires good hair density and thickness, otherwise, the parting will look overly wide and sparse,” he explained.

Once you have a perm in place, it’s not too complicated to finesse the look at home.

Here’s what to do:

1. Apply hairstyling mousse on damp hair.
2. Blow-dry hair in the opposite direction of where you want it to fall on your head to create volume.
3. ​Shape and add definition to the fringe and rest of the hair with a light hair wax, then set the hairstyle with hairspray.

This year’s trendiest hairstyle for men is, admittedly, not easy to accept for the average Singaporean gent. But that’s what trends are – they are not meant for everyone, but those with the requisite attitude to pull them off, and definitely jobs that do not have a strict dress code.

Most people think of G-Dragon when the mullet is mentioned, but there are actually many other subtler takes on the hairstyle besides the extreme versions seen on the Korean rapper. In fact, Chia thinks that it can be a very versatile hairstyle for men.

“The mullet can be customised to suit different hair types, and there are so many variations on the style. You can wear it longer at the back and with micro bangs for a punk-rock vibe; with a side fringe part or comma fringe (described below) for a K-pop-idol-inspired look; or not quite so long at the back and with a permed top and fringe for a preppy-ish look,” he explained.

To achieve the version of the modern mullet you desire, Chia advised to go to your hairstylist with reference pictures, since it can be hard for the layman to describe or distinguish between the many different components of the hairstyle’s multiple variations.

“Take note that the back of a mullet can grow out of shape quickly, so it may not be ideal for those with uneven hair growth or a slanted hairline at the back, and probably those who dislike making frequent trips to the salon for haircut maintenance,” he added.

A pro of having a mullet is that it is easy to style at home, says Chia.

Here’s what to do:

1. Use a thickening spray on hair that is damp, and then blow-dry hair.
2. Shape and add definition to hair with hair wax, and spray on a texturising spray

Named after the punctuation mark because of the curled-inwards fringe, this hairstyle has been popular among male Korean idols since a few years ago and, according to Chia, is still in fashion now.

The best thing about it is that you don’t need a perm – all you need is to know how to produce a C-shaped curl with either a flat iron or a hairdryer. It’s not too complicated for a guy to learn – ask your hairstylist for tips on how best to recreate the look he or she has given you.

While comma hair used to be seen on Korean stars in a more precise, defined shape, these days, it’s more commonly worn in a slightly tousled, more-textured style. “Comma-ed” bangs are typically worn on the highly popular two-block cut, or its slightly mushroom-shaped cousin.

Get the haircut right and you’re set for hairstyling success at home:

1. Apply pomade (for a wet look) or hair wax (for a matte look) on damp hair, then part your hair.
2. Blow-dry your hair while using your fingers as a shaping tool. You can create the “comma” curls by picking up individual locks along your hairline and pushing them up into a C shape, then directing the hot air from hairdryer at it until it dries.
3. A flat iron can also be used – clamp it over a lock of hair and flick it inwards, towards your face, while running the styling tool through the hair. Work section by section until you achieve your desired look. You’ll need some practise for either methods, but eventually you’ll learn how to effectively control the hairstyling tool.
4. Set your hairstyle with hairspray.

A classic hairstyle for men, this style channels a smart, dressy vibe, which explains why Korean celebrities love to sport it when attending award ceremonies. Chia pointed out that you’d hardly see any guys with slicked-back hair on the streets in South Korea, however, because many of them actually consider it to be a dated hairdo that makes them look older than they really are.

“For most Korean men, a visible fringe is an important ‘tool’ for appearing youthful – a trait not found in slicked-back hair,” he added. Still, it’s an undeniable fact that the stars look great in the slicked-back look, and you can too. Their secret? Instead of pulling their hair from the front and straight to the back from the hairline, they go for a side-swept variation with a parting.

This hairdo will suit just about any type of hair, although it may look more modern if your hair is cut shorter on the sides and back of the head. “This is the easiest men’s hairstyle to style at home,” said Chia.

For an updated take, leave some strands of the fringe loose and tousled for a “carefree” look.
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1. Apply pomade on hair that has been 50 per cent blow-dried. If you’d like to create a wet look, put the product on wet hair. Alternatively, if you desire a matte look, put it on dry hair.
2. Part hair and comb it in the direction to create your desire look.
3. Set your hairstyle with hairspray.

Bangs. You see women rocking the fringe on social media, and they’re usually showcased on ladies with straight hair—but that doesn’t mean curly-haired gals can’t get in on the fun, too.
 
Plenty of A-listers have sported curly hair with bangs and looked darn good rocking them. The key to perfecting curly bangs is crossing your I’s and dotting your T’s. This shouldn’t be an impromptu moment of grabbing the scissors and chopping your strands. Whatever you do, please don’t do that.

Since curly manes have a mind of their own, you want to leave this job to the hands of a stylist who has experience cutting and styling curly hair with bangs. Trust us, you’ll be thankful in the end, because you don’t want to have to clip those jagged curly hair bangs back for the next six months to hide a bad cut job. That’s why we’re here to help. Keep reading to learn more about the ins and outs of committing to curly bangs.

Should People With Curly Hair Get Bangs?
In short, the answer is yes, yes, and yes! There should be no limits to styling or cutting your hair just because it's curly. In fact, you can actually use your curly texture to your advantage. Curly hair with bangs is a match made in heaven.

If you committed to curly hair bangs, but decided they’re not for you, don’t worry. Styling your bangs while they’re growing out may be a challenge, but it just requires patience. Depending on how quickly your hair grows and how short you cut them, you may be able to grow out your curly bangs in just a few months. For others, it may take six months to a year, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have awkward hair days forever. When in doubt, talk with your stylist about how to style your hair during the growing out process. If you do run into a snafu with your curly shag, don’t fret. Consider it a temporary look and rock it to its fullest.

How Can I Make Bangs Look Good With My Curly Hair?
Before booking your appointment to request bangs with curly hair, follow these simple guidelines to ensure you come out with the exact look you desire. From a dry cut to styling bangs fresh out of the shower, we’re sharing these easy-to-follow tips so you can transition into your new style with ease.

1. Ask Your Stylist to Cut Your Bangs Dry
You’ve probably heard that cutting curly hair wet can come with a little guesswork. That’s because curl shrinkage is real. Your curl pattern can change drastically once dry, so it’s really a big guessing game to pull out scissors on wet curls. For the best shape and definition, ask your stylist to cut your hair dry. And the same goes for your bangs. Cutting your curly hair with bangs dry not only helps to get an accurate length of your bangs, but it also helps to know how your curls will fall once styled. There’s nothing worse than cutting bangs only to find out they are five inches shorter once dry and styled. Yeah, let’s avoid that at all costs.

2. Longer Is Better Than Shorter
Remember we mentioned shrinkage? For this reason alone, you should ask your stylist to start with a longer bang than you think you want. If your curly hair bangs are cut longer to begin with, you’ll have some wiggle room to adjust the length to your liking. If the stylist cuts them too short, well, there’s nothing that can fix the problem besides time. Best case scenario: Have your stylist cut your bangs long, then wash, dry, style, and make any adjustments from there. Again, the goal is to give yourself some flexibility to make adjustments to achieve the curly bangs of your dreams.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Wash Your Bangs More Frequently Than The Rest of Your Hair
It’s highly recommended to avoid washing your curls every day, but this may not be true for curly hair with bangs. You may find that your ringlets look their best when freshly styled. So, even if you don’t wash your hair every day, you may want to wash and reset your bangs. This may involve shampooing, conditioning, and styling, or simply spritzing with a little water and adding a styling product. The choice is truly yours. However often you wash, the key to keeping frizz at bay is to limit the amount of touching and manipulation once you’ve reset your bangs.

4. Apply Product While Your Bangs Are Still Wet
While it may seem like a good idea to add a cream or gel to your second-day bangs, you want to make sure you apply styling products while your hair is wet. Our go-to product for styling bangs is the Hair Milk Nourishing & Conditioning Styling Pudding. It provides moisture, hold, and helps define your curls, thanks to shea butter, macadamia, avocado, sweet almond, and jojoba oils.

5. A Curling Wand Is Your Friend
There may be days when your curls aren’t cooperating with you, and a few strands in your curly hair bangs are out of place. To remedy this, grab a curling wand with a barrel width that is similar to your curl pattern. Set it to a low- to medium-heat setting, and wrap your hair around the wand to add definition to those unruly strands. And voila! You’ve got perfectly defined spirals in just minutes.

6. Keep Up With Your Trims
Don’t adopt the habit of waiting to trim your bangs with curly hair until they start interfering with your eyesight. It’s best to trim them every four to six weeks. Keeping up with routine trims will not only help you stick to your desired bang length, but if you’re choosing to grow your hair out, it will ensure your longer hair is healthy and free of split ends.

How to Style Bangs With Curly Hair?

Now that you’ve got your new fringe, the question is, how do you rock naturally curly hair with bangs? And the truth is, there’s really no right or wrong way. You can sport them down, toss them to the side, or even pin them back if you please. Truth be told, there are no curly hairstyles that are off limits. But it is important to remember when you’re styling your bangs that you want to avoid heavy or oily products. Instead, opt for lightweight creams and gels that will keep them in place without altering the texture, like Goddess Strength Divine Strength Leave In Cream with Castor Oil or Pracaxi Nectar Style Control Gel.

If you find that your bangs are shrinking more than you’d like as they dry, try gently pulling on the ends with your fingers. Again, avoid tousling your curls, so you don’t end up with frizzy, undefined strands. Instead, spray some water on the ends and gently lengthen your curls with a lightweight product, like the Pracaxi Nectar Wash n’ Go Leave-In. It’s formulated with pracaxi oil, acai extract, and olive oil that replenish moisture in dry stands and add light definition to curls without weighing them down.

Bottom Line

If you’re itching for a new style, make that appointment for a fresh cut with bangs. Just remember the tips and tricks to perfecting your fringe. And most importantly, enjoy the process. You look great, girl!

If you want to learn more about how to switch up your look, check out this guide on How To Achieve A Gorgeous, Defined Twist Out.

​From The Mix

​from The Atlantic

The Risk of ‘Getting Bangs’
​When a woman picks up a pair of scissors, she also picks up a trope.

When you color your hair brown or blonde, you might not like the warmth that comes through your hair color. Going for a cool-toned look, it’s important to have an at-home care routine that will help you neutralize brassy tones and keep your color free of unwanted orange shades.
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If this sounds like something you struggle with, find out more about what a blue shampoo is and how to use it properly to avoid having a green hair mishap.

What Does Blue Shampoo Do?

Blue shampoo is a toning shampoo that contains blue pigments. The latter deposit onto the hair with each wash, neutralizing any warm underlying pigments. If you have red or orange tones in your hair, blue toner will not give you a blue tint: because blue and orange are opposites on the color wheel, blue pigments will do corrective coloring, neutralizing orange and keeping your hair color cool.

Who Should Use Blue Shampoo?

Blue shampoo should be used on lightened and highlighted brown hair and is ideal for anyone trying to maintain a perfect caramel, dirty blonde, and ash brown color. It can also be used on natural brunettes but the effect might not be as drastic.

Here is a color science behind it. Each hair color has a variety of underlying warm pigments that always come through when the hair is being lightened to a new hair level. Medium to light shades of brown hair naturally contain warm undertones such as red and orange, and they almost always come through when going through a color process. In this case, you will most likely benefit from a blue shampoo that will help you reach or maintain the desired brunette hair color.

For highlighted and blonde hair, the results of using a blue pigment may be different and, potentially, less appealing. It is not recommended for golden or yellow-based blondes because blue shampoo can add a green tint to the hair. Remember, when yellow and blue mix, it creates a green color – a hair color mistake that is very difficult to correct. Thus, when your hair is highlighted to yellow, you should be very careful with blue toners and blue shampoos.

If your hair is highlighted to a pale yellow or almost white blonde, a blue shampoo can give it a slight blue tint. Thus, when you seek an icy blonde color, it is key to use a silver blue toner instead of a blue one. It will neutralize the underlying red and orange pigments in your hair and enhance the icy tones.
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Blue Shampoo vs Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoo and blue shampoo work in a similar way, canceling brassy tones in your hair color. Because purple and yellow are opposites on the color wheel, violet pigments cancel out brassy yellow tones, which makes it great for making blonde hair more neutral. However, the purple shampoo will not work as well for caramel highlights or ash brown hair, as brassy orange is best neutralized by blue pigments.

5 Best Blue Shampoos to Choose

​If blue shampoo sounds like something you would benefit from using, look into purchasing one of our favorite ones:

1. Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo protects the vibrancy of brunette hair, gently color-correcting the unwanted brassy orange hues.
2. Matrix Brass Off deposits blue-violet pigments ensuring flawless results for lightened and highlighted brunettes.
3. DevaCurl No-Poo Blue Anti-Brass Zero Lather Curl Cleanser is a conditioning color-deposing cleanser designed to neutralize brassy tones in lightened and highlighted curly hair.
4. Redken Color Extend Brownlights Blue Shampoo is a popular sulfate-free shampoo for maintaining cool brunette color, which is also great for brunettes covering their grays.
5. Not Your Mother’s Triple Threat Shampoo and Conditioner is a blue treatment shampoo and conditioner based on blue tansy oil that tones down all brunette undertones while soothing and strengthening the color-treated strands.

How to Use a Blue Shampoo?

Whatever your desired look is, most toners are demi-permanent colors. Thus, a color stays looking its freshest for up to 3 weeks, and you can expect to see warm tones coming back through towards this time. Of course, that depends on how often you shampoo your hair, how much you are exposed to the sun, and the quality of your water. If you want to avoid the warm tones, invest in a blue shampoo to use in between hair appointments at home.
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You likely won’t need to start using a blue shampoo until week 3; however, feel free to add it to your hair care routine whenever you notice a lot of unwanted brassy tones coming through your strands. Once you feel it is time to start incorporating it into your hair care routine on a regular basis, use it up to two times a week, which is generally enough to see the tonal change in your hair.

Need More Motivation…
​Growing hair out, men?
​Check out these 55 medium length hairstyle ideas for men.
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