Men do not usually study beauty in the same manner that female consumers do, and it is the stylist or barber’s job to teach your clients on maintaining their look weeks after they leave the salon.

For a well-rounded approach to personal care and a clean start to spring (or fall), here’s what you should be doing (and dodging) for the rest of your life:

TO TAKE
1. Treat yourself to a pedicure.
2. As the weather warms up, all men should treat themselves to a pedicure. Spring means breaking out the sandals after months of hibernation in boots and thick socks, so there’s no shame in getting a much-needed scrubbing and buffing.
3. Tend to your skin.
4. Most men abide by a wash-and-go routine for their face, neglecting to replenish their skin with moisture. But building a skincare regimen is vital in maintaining healthy, smooth skin. Wash, tone, and moisturize daily—and don’t forget to exfoliate regularly.
5. Tame those errant hairs.
6. Follow the three commandments of putting your best face forward: Trim your eyebrows if they’re overwhelmingly bushy, wax away ear hair, and eliminate visible nose hair. Electric trimmers and mini scissors were made for keeping these features in check. Nobody likes to see unruly hairs poking out and taking care of the little details will go a long way.
7. Know your texture.
8. When styling your hair, make sure you choose a product that actually works for your texture. A heavy wax will weigh down fine hair, so opt for a lightweight texturizing product like Grooming Cream Ultralight Hold. For thick, coarse hair, avoid matte pomades in favor of liquid-based serums, gels and balms like Control Balm Strong Hold.
9. Frame your face.
10. Any kind of beard, whether it’s a full-grown forest or a five o’clock shadow, can be tailored to flatter your face. For those who want a well-defined beard line, adhere to the line of your jaw rather than your neck, as doing so can lead to a rounder shape and deemphasize the natural angles of your face. For a more lived-in look, taper your scruff slightly, so that it takes on a subtler but still flattering shape.
11. Keep it short and simple.
12. For guys who have receding or thinning hair it’s best to keep things on the shorter side. Don’t attempt to grow out fine hair—a shorter cut adds density and gives the appearance of fullness.

TO TOSS
1. Dirty tools.
2. Consider this a PSA: grooming tools don’t clean themselves. If you’re guilty of going weeks without sanitizing your razors and clippers, remember that unsanitary tools are a breeding ground for bacteria and dead skin buildup. Disinfect them regularly and store them in a dry place. If you leave them on your sink or in your shower, they can easily rust and lead to an improper shave.
3. Using body products on your face.
4. Stop washing your face with bar soap. The ingredients are formulated for your body and can dry out and tighten the skin on your face. Instead, invest in a facial cleanser formulated for your skin type.
5. Neglecting your nails.
6. Ragged, overgrown claws are as unsightly as they are unhygienic, so it’s best to always keep your nails neat and trimmed. Well-groomed hands are an integral part of making a good first impression.
7. Shaving without prep.
8. Razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and red skin are prime offenders of a poor shaving routine. Prepping your skin and softening the beard before a shave is essential, as is shaving along the grain of the hair, not against it. Start with a warm towel followed by Beard Oil, Smooth Shave Cream or Clean Shave Hydrating Gel Cream. Treat the skin post-shave with a cold towel and aftershave or moisturizer to soothe.
9. An overpowering beard.
10. Don’t let your fuzz wear you. If a burly, lumberjack beard is your look of choice, continue to rock it but keep it clean and shaped.
11. DIY haircuts.
12. Leave the haircuts to the pros. Even if you’re in between trims and tempted to use that stray razor to clean up your neckline, more often than not doing it on your own leads to a crooked line.

Published on EsteticaMagazine.com

If you have naturally fine hair (like me!) you may struggle with what I call, “Flat Hair Syndrome.” To give your lifeless hair more body, you need the right haircut, the right products and proper styling.

In this linked article, you’’ll find these 20 favorite flat hair fixes.

1. Cut your hair shorter
2. To Layer or Not to Layer, That is the Question
3. How to Go Long Without Your Hair Going Flat
4. The Importance of a Good Shampoo
5. How to Shampoo Your Hair Correctly
6. Yes, You Can Use Conditioner. Just Do It Correctly
7. Rinse With Apple Cider Vinegar
8. Invest in the Correct Products
9. Don’t Be Afraid of Mousse
10. Why Dry Shampoo Can Change Your Life
11. Hair Color Actually Boosts Volume
12. Yes, Your Hairbrush Matters
13. A Good Blowdry Can Last a Long Time
14. Air Drying Can Add Volume
15. A Great Hairspray Tip
16. Create Body With a Salt Spray
17. How to Make Curls Last
18. Velcro Rollers: The Secret to Bouncy Hair?
19. How to Properly Tease Hair
20. Fine Hair Needs to be Detangled, Sometimes

Here's to bouncier days ahead.

You’ve probably heard them all — “don’t pluck a gray hair because two more will come back in its place” or “make sure your eyebrows always match your hair color”— hair myths that have been around so long, we’ve accepted them as wisdom.
 
So, which old wives’ tales actually have truth behind them? We asked the experts to debunk this common hair advice.
 
1. Myth: Your eyebrows should always match your hair color
 
Reality: Semi-false, based on current trends. “The trend right now is to have darker eyebrows than your actual hair color,” celebrity colorist Kim Vo told TODAY.com. “But they shouldn’t be more than two levels darker than (your current color).”
 
2. Myth: Hair grows faster when it’s trimmed frequently
 
Reality: False. “How often you cut your hair doesn’t have anything to do with how fast it will grow. It is actually the follicles in your scalp that determine how quickly your hair grows,” explains Dr. Doris Day, a New York City-based dermatologist. “However, cutting your hair frequently may make it appear longer and even thicker because you are getting rid of split ends and breakage that can leave hair looking thin and sparse, in some cases.”
 
Vo recommends a cut every few weeks: “We either ‘dust’ the hair or give it an ‘air cut’ where small amounts of hair are trimmed and kept in shape and form. If you’re growing your hair out, trim every eight weeks and let the hair love flow.”
 
3. Myth: Gray hair is only caused by stress
 
Reality: False. While stress can accelerate graying, “gray hair is caused by the melanocytes that produce melanin (pigment) dying and therefore, [are] no longer producing color,” explains Day. “While many people think that stress causes graying it is actually determined by genetics.”
 
4. Myth: If you pluck gray hair, two more will grow in its place
 
Reality: As Vo calls them, gray hairs are “mother nature’s highlights” but, no, tweezing them out will NOT affect other grays. However, according to Day, plucking may create scarring that can lead to thinning or patches of hair loss. So, your best bet is to just avoid plucking all together.
 
5. Myth: Brushing your hair 100 times per day is important for hair health
 
Reality: “100 times is too exaggerated,” celebrity hair stylist Mika Fowler tells TODAY.com. “The key is to brush your hair enough so that the oils are being distributed throughout your hair.”
 
Dr. Day also adds that brushing can create friction on hair, which leads to cuticle damage, breakage and can make hair look frizzy. Additionally, if you are experiencing thinning or hair loss, brushing adds more stress to the already fragile follicle. “Brush gently and only as needed using a wide tooth comb or a brush with soft bristles to detangle without pulling,” Day says. “You can also opt for a scalp massage in place of brushing for a similar, therapeutic experience.”
 
6. Myth: If you use the same shampoo every time you wash, it will eventually stop working
 
Reality: Total myth. “Like a relationship, date until you find the right one,” says Vo. Shampoo will cleanse the same, even if you use it every day for years. However, “if you recently made a change — such as coloring or using hot tools frequently— you might want to switch to a more hydrating shampoo,” Day notes. “Sometimes it’s just fun to try new shampoos!”
 
7. Myth: If you have greasy hair, skip conditioner
 
Reality: A big fat false. “Greasy hair is not caused by conditioning your hair, instead it is naturally caused by too much sebum being produced from the tissues of the scalp,” explains Day. “For greasy hair, use a clarifying shampoo and only use conditioner on your ends,” recommends Vo.
 
8. Myth: The sun is the best way to lighten to your hair
 
Reality: While the sun will naturally lighten your color, it’s certainly not the best method to do so, or the healthiest. “The sun burns your scalp, just like it would your skin,” Fowler says. Vo adds that “the best color for your hair is ammonia-free lifting cream that actually lifts (e.g. lightens) hair without damage.”
 
9. Myth: You need to lather, rinse and REPEAT
 
Reality: Sort of false. According to Day, “most people should not have to repeat when shampooing.” In some cases if there is a lot of product being used or an excessive amount of buildup, you can repeat, but Day recommends using a mild shampoo so you aren’t irritating the scalp. Also, lather gently to avoid extra breakage.
 
10. Myth: Sleeping with your hair down will make it grow faster
 
Reality: So not true, but…”while there is no evidence to show that sleeping with your hair down will make it grow faster, the method is often recommended if you are experiencing thinning or hair loss to ensure that you aren’t causing additional breakage, damage or tension at the root, which will ultimately result in added thinning/loss,” explains Day. “If you prefer to have it up, go with a loose ponytail versus a tight one.”   

Video:  Busted - The Truth About Common Hair Myths

By Cathy Wong, ND
 
What is Dandruff?
Dandruff is a common scalp condition marked by white flakes on the scalp and itching. A possible cause is a yeast-like fungus called malassezia, also known as pityrosporum. Malassezia is normally found on the scalp without causing problems, however, if it grows unchecked (possibly due to hormone imbalances, stress, immune suppression, infrequent shampooing, illness, or increased oil production), there is mild inflammation that produces dead skin cells.
The dead cells mix with oil and clump together, making them appear white and flaky.
 
1) Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that comes from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. It has been used for centuries as an antiseptic and anti-fungal agent. There are many tea tree oil shampoos available in health food stores and some drug stores, and many people report these products help with dandruff.
 
There has been little research on the use of tea tree oil for dandruff. One study involved 126 people with mild to moderate dandruff. They used either a five percent tea tree oil shampoo or a placebo daily for four weeks. At the end of the study, the tea tree oil shampoo significantly reduced dandruff. No adverse effects were reported. Although promising, this was not a double-blind study (which means that the researchers knew which participants were using tea tree oil and which were using the placebo), so it cannot be considered solid evidence that tea tree oil works.
 
For more information about tea tree oil, read Tea Tree Oil: What You Need to Know.

2) Apple Cider Vinegar
A home remedy for dandruff is to mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spritz it on to your hair and scalp, being careful to avoid the eye and ear area.
 
Wrap your head in a towel. After 15 minutes to an hour, remove the towel and wash your hair. This is generally done once to twice a week. ReadApple Cider Vinegar: What You Need to Know.

3) Biotin
Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that helps to break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. It is sold in supplement form and is also found naturally in foods. Food sources of biotin are egg yolk, liver, milk, soy, barley, brewer's yeast, and royal jelly. Biotin is also produced naturally by bacteria in the intestines. Eating raw egg whites and prolonged use of antibiotics are thought to be causes of biotin deficiency. Read Biotin: What You Need to Know and Biotin for Hair.

Using Natural Remedies for Dandruff
Due to a lack of supporting research, it's too soon to recommend any remedy in the treatment of dandruff.

Supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label.
 
Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. You can get tips on using supplements here, but if you're considering the use of alternative medicine, talk with your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.

Sources
Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. J Am Acad Dermatol. 47.6 (2002): 852-855. 
 
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.