At the risk of sounding boastful, I have really good hair. It’s incredibly thick and can take a lot when it comes to color (my strands have run the gamut from platinum to a dark burgundy brown). Every stylist or colorist who touches my hair is blown away at the sheer mass of it, so needless to say, I’ve been rather experimental over the years. Before your eye rolls commence, I’m not here to brag. My hair is far from effortless. I have a dry, coarse texture with a natural wave that operates with reckless abandon, so I never let it air dry—it’s way too wild for that.

Styling takes forever, and most of the time it takes a day or two for my hair to settle before I’m into it (I like when it develops a natural bend and a bit of oil). To wit, I get bored easily, which means I become fixated (and possibly overambitious) when it comes to trendy cuts. Enter: French-girl bangs. You know the kind—a thick full fringe that lays across one’s forehead just so. You’ve surely witnessed them more and more recently on a range of It girls and celebrities alike. My personal inspiration was this photo of German model Julia Stegner.

Like I said, I become fixated, but I remained a bit apprehensive about taking the plunge back into banghood. I had them a few years back, but it was the side-swept kind, not this bold fringe. The topic was percolating from my lips with almost every conversation I had. Every time I showed the photo of Julia, everyone, and I mean everyone, said “You have to do it!”

I had an appointment already booked just a few weeks after sourcing inspo, and when the day came, my hairstylist Chaie from the Benjamin salon in Los Angeles (they come to New York every eight weeks for a pop-up) was so excited to transform my mane. It was exhilarating—until it wasn’t (and to no fault of Chaie’s, I might add).

As is the case for many people who get bangs, my newly trimmed strands took a while to settle. They kept fanning out, and they fought me on laying forward and flat. I had a bang trim scheduled just four weeks after the initial chop, and when I returned to Chaie, I asked her to cut them thicker for added weight—their original wispiness was preventing them from laying properly, in my opinion. After Chaie styled them post-trim, they looked amazing. But every time I styled them afterward, it was a fail.

A few more weeks went by, and amid my struggle, I consulted friends, other hairstylists I knew, and even YouTube tutorials, but to no avail. They were either looking overdone or cuckoo when I let them dry naturally—the antithesis of the laissez-faire Frenchness I dreamt of emanating. After another few weeks, I decided I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt disheartened—I was putting in so much effort and just not getting the results I wanted. The verdict: Let the grow-out begin.

At my next hair appointment, I informed Chaie that the bangs had to go. Despite telling me they were the best thing we ever did for my hair after the initial cut, she was understanding of how problematic they had become for me. I watched her meticulously reshape them so that they blended better with the rest of my hair, and I asked her a few questions along the way in terms of the grow-out process.

Chaie explained that when clients decide they want to get bangs, she first analyzes if bangs will suit them. If they do, she’ll ask for and inspiration photo and gauge if the look they’re going for is realistic for their texture, face shape, and lifestyle. Okay, well, I nailed that part. “I’ll cut it with the idea in mind but customized to each client’s needs,” she explained. She says she knew bangs would suit me, but she anticipated a lot of extra work with styling due to my texture. My hair’s waviness proved far too aggressive for the shortened stands. Plus I have a cowlick, which also impeded my bang success.

She went on to explain the importance of consulting with your hairstylist before you commit to a major change so they can educate you enough on upkeep. But we talked about it, and I was committed! Since I had bangs before, I didn’t anticipate them being this troublesome. Chaie explained, “Hair changes, so if it worked when you were younger, it might be different as an adult.” Okay, yes. Lesson learned there.

As for the regrowth process, Chaie says she always has a “hair plan” in mind for when a client decides to grow out bangs. This will ensure they look good regardless of what stage they’re in. “The side-swept bang is the first step, so I’ll cut them according to how you part your hair," explains Chaie. “I’ll texturize the bangs or thin them out so it doesn’t look bulky, and then blend them or add face-framing layers so it’s not obvious that you’re growing out your bangs.”

Chaie says hair accessories are another great tool for growing out bangs. “Clips, headbands, and bandanas can help hide them, and are super stylish. Products like a wax are really important, too, so that bangs become more tamed or manageable.” While I saw the same stylist throughout my bang process, not everyone is the same, especially if they tried a new stylist, disliked the result, and want to see someone else.

Chaie says if you see a new stylist while you’re in the process of growing out your bangs, tell them right away so he or she can map out a cut for you. “It starts in the consult—I always ask if they’re growing out their bangs or keeping them. There is no awkward stage of growing out bangs if the hairstylist has a hair plan for you.” Patience is definitely key when growing out bangs or hair in general, and healthy hair is very important for faster regrowth, says Chaie.

In terms of styling bangs while you’re growing them out, Chaie says bang trims are key. “When someone is growing hair out, they should see their hairstylist more frequently. Everyone has a different pace when it comes to hair growth, but getting haircuts, trims, or baby cuts (literally almost cutting nothing) to get rid of the dead ends or split ends really helps.”

Specifically in my case, Chaie says I need to dry it right away after washing to work out the wave and cowlick. If the wave is lingering, she says to tap it a tiny bit with a flat iron for a smoother finish, but at a reasonable heat. “If you’re using the right tools and setting the temperature to 360 degrees, your hair should be good.”

Chaie says the use of professional shampoo and conditioner is the foundation of great hair, as well as brushing your hair from scalp to ends. “It’s as simple as what our grandmas always told us: Brush your hair a hundred times.” She also recommends collagen, biotin, prenatal vitamins, fish oil, or hair supplements, as they are vital to encouraging hair growth. A healthy diet with lots of water will help, too. “When you see your hairstylist, ask if the salon offers scalp or hair treatments or masks. These will aid in nourishing hair during the regrowth process.”

Bangs may have not have worked for me this time around, but I’m not here to discourage. I love bangs and still envy them on so many people. Chaie agrees, “I believe everyone can have bangs as long as they’re done right. Although it requires extra work, they’re fun to have, and they frame the face nicely. The best thing about hair is that it grows—if your hairstylist has a hair plan for you, then growing out something you don’t like in the end will never be a problem.”

There you have it—everything you need to know if you’re considering getting bangs.

This article is from Byrdie

Bad haircuts happen to all of us. But whether your bad new ’do is a result of chasing after cheap haircuts or pursuing a cut that doesn’t work with your facial structure, hair texture, or overall look, you’re going to want to learn how to fix a bad haircut, stat, because sometimes, waiting for your hair to grow out just isn’t an option.

But first, how do bad haircuts happen? According to hairstylist Kali Ferrara of the Roy Teeluck Salon in New York City, it’s usually not because of an objectively bad stylist.

“A bad haircut doesn’t always mean that a stylist doesn’t have good technical skills,” Ferrara says. Even good stylists mess up sometimes: “Not being able to give the right cut to a certain hair texture or not educating a client on the maintenance they’ll have to follow up with can ruin a client’s image for well over a year.”

To avoid a bad haircut, look for a stylist with experience cutting hair that is similar to yours. Ask for recommendations from people on the street with great-looking hair of the same texture as yours (they’ll appreciate the compliment, Ferrara promises) or look at a stylist’s social media to get a sense of what kinds of cuts they typically show off.

Ferrara recommends screenshotting pictures of work the stylist has previously done that you really like; that way, you have a definitive idea of what you want when you arrive for your first haircut with them. Once you’ve found a stylist you like, learning how much to tip for a haircut can ensure a positive stylist-client relationship (and good haircuts) for years to come.

How to fix a bad haircut

Let’s say you prepped and did your research (or maybe you didn’t—we’re all busy) but still ended up with a not-great cut or color job. Whether it’s the result of shoddy workmanship or just not what you initially pictured (if your pixie haircut is more of a bob, for example), you have some options.

“Most salons have a one-week policy for a client to have an adjustment to their cut or color free of charge,” Ferrara says. “Don’t feel timid about going back. As stylists, we really want you to be a happy customer because we value you and also want you to be our walking billboard.”

The key is to be understanding and patient—with a little compassion on your end, the stylist will likely do everything in their power to fix your bad haircut. And if you’re still unsatisfied, ask for the manager and see if they can have another stylist try to fix it or offer you a refund, Ferrara suggests.

Beyond returning to get your cut fixed (and likely having to lose some length to do so) or waiting for your hair to grow out, there’s not much else you can do to fix a bad haircut, Ferrara says—and that’s okay. A bad haircut might feel like a disaster in the moment, but a few months later, you might not even remember it.

“Everyone is human,” Ferrara says. “Stay calm and carry on. Hair is a big part of a person’s persona, but let’s be real: It does grow back.”

This article was found on Real Simple

Just because men have less hair, it doesn’t mean it should go uncared for. You might think it’s enough to go to the barber and get a haircut every once in a while, but the truth is your hair needs good care to make sure you’re looking your absolute best. In order to make your life easier, here are a few simple tips every man should take to have a good hair care routine:

Drying your hair the right way
When the hair is wet, it is prone to damage and rubbing hair with a towel can harm the outer layers of hair which leads to split ends and fizziness. Instead, you should pat dry your hair and gently stroke it in the right direction. 

Once the excess water has disappeared, you can use a blow dryer. To reduce the noise and avoid waking up those around you, a quiet hair dryer can be used to dry out the remaining wetness and leave your hair looking neat, sharp and shiny. 

Choose your hair products wisely 
Using natural shampoos ensure that the ingredients are all-natural and good for your hair. Other shampoos include chemicals that are very harsh on the hair, whereas natural shampoos can promote growth, strength and hair thickness. 

Avoid over-washing 
It’s ok to take a shower every few hours, no one will complain – except your hair. It is not good to wash your hair over and over again as it prevents the production of essential oils that the hair and scalp need, leaving it dry and frizzy. It is advised to wash your hair only 2-3 times per week. 

Use conditioner 
Unlike popular belief, conditioners are not just a luxury that women use to untangle hair. Conditioners should be used with shampoo to moisturize the hair, make it stronger and add a bit of shine to it. 

Be gentle with your hair 
When you come to comb your hair, use gentle strokes without yanking and pulling at it. If you’re combing after you’ve used conditioner, the hair strands will be soft and moisturized allowing the combing to be easy. But, if not, just make sure you’re gentle. 

Visit your barber frequently 
Getting a hair trim can help keep your hair healthy and grow the right way. That’s why you should stop putting off your visit to the barber and try to make your trims once a month. This will greatly benefit your hair in the long-run.

Use the right tools for your hair 
Using a good quality comb with a wide-tooth can ensure that you’ll get your hair all nice and neat without pulling excessively at the hair strands. If you’re unable to find a good quality comb, it is better to use your hand to style your hair rather than a low-quality comb.


Looking good does not require much effort. Just changing a few habits can make sure that your hair is not only looking healthy, but also neat, tidy and attractive. It’s time to start putting that extra few touches to have amazing looking hair.

This article is from Fashionably Male

Like your clothes, haircuts aren’t one-size-fits-all. But unlike your clothes, you can’t take a crap haircut off after a day of fielding abuse from your colleagues.
Which is why – before going under the barber’s scissors – it’s worth knowing which styles best suit your face shape. After all, an extra inch here or a smattering of facial hair there can make all the difference.

What Face Shape Am I?

But how can you actually determine what shape your face is? It’s simple. First, arm yourself with a flexible tape measure. Then, take the following measurements, recording each as you go.

1. Forehead: Measure across your face from the peak of one eyebrow arch to the peak of the opposite arch.
2. Cheekbones: Measure across your cheekbones, starting and ending at the pointiest part below the outer corner of each eye.
3. Jawline: Measure from the tip of your chin to below your ear at the point at which your jaw angles upwards. Multiply that number by two to get your jawline measurement.
4. Face Length: Measure from the centre of your hairline to the tip of your chin.

Once you’ve taken these measurements, note which is the largest of the four, and then compare this to the seven main profiles to find out where your face falls.

• Oval: Face length is greater than the width of the cheekbones, and forehead is greater than the jawline. The angle of the jaw is rounded rather than sharp.
• Rectangle: Face length is the greatest measurement. Forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are similar in size.
• Triangular: Jawline measures greater than cheekbones, which measure larger than the forehead.
• Round: Cheekbones and face length have a similar measurement. They are larger than the forehead and jawline, which also have a similar measurement. The angle of the jaw is soft and much less defined.
• Heart: Forehead measures greater than the cheekbones and jawline. The chin is pointed.
• Square: All measurements are fairly similar. The angle of the jaw is sharp rather than rounded.
• Diamond: Face length measures largest. Then, in descending order: cheekbones, forehead, and smallest is jawline. The chin is pointed.

How To Choose The Right Haircut For Your Face Shape

Haircuts For Oval Faces

Seen as the genetic jackpot for women, an oval may not be the most alpha of face shapes for men, but it’s a good canvas for experimentation. Symmetrical and well-proportioned, an oval face shape does pretty much any hairstyle justice, so – you lucky boy – the choice is very much yours.

That said, there are a couple of minor caveats to ensure you optimise your ovalness. “The trick with an oval face shape is to wear your hair off the forehead to create some volume and angles on top,” says Aveda master barber Stelios Nicolaou. “The most suitable style is a classic short back and sides and slightly longer on the top, with a side-swept parting.”

You’ll also want to avoid a forward fringe. “Too much heaviness on the forehead softens features and increases roundness of the face,” says celebrity hairstylist Jamie Stevens.
​
And feel free to ditch the beard, says Ruffians creative director Denis Robinson. “You don’t need facial hair to fill out any disproportionate gaps in this case, so feel free to go clean-shaven.”

Haircuts For Square Faces

Considered the masculine ideal, a square face shape is characterised by a razor sharp jawline, even proportions and an overall chiselled appearance. Grrr.

Like the oval, it’s a great foundation for most styles and is versatile enough to work with both extremely short and longer hairstyles – from buzz cuts to French crops to quiffs. Just bear in mind that the shorter you go, the more you look like you’ve just been conscripted (enlisted). Not that that won’t serve you well.
​
“Classic, neat haircuts complement a square shape best – think close fades, side partings and short layers,” says Stevens. Some light stubble also gives the sharpness of your jawline a little welcome texture without blurring its line.

Haircuts For Rectangle Faces

The longest of the face shapes, a rectangular face falls somewhere between an oval and a square, but requires a subtly tweaked hairstyle to ensure the face doesn’t appear even longer than it is.

“Because a rectangular face looks longer, it’s important to avoid taking the sides too short if keeping length on the top, as this would only accentuate the length of the face,” explains Nicolaou. “Try a well-proportioned style that doesn’t take the sides too short or leave too much length on top.”
​
Taking that advice, try a style that lets the hair fall to the sides and/or across the forehead to add width and ensure your face doesn’t appear narrower than it is.
Finally, never pair with a Duck Dynasty a beard, says Robinson. “A full beard only elongates the face, so instead try facial hair that ranges in length from stubble to a short beard to fill out any gaps.”

Haircuts For Round Faces

Circular with a rounded chin and no obvious lines or angles, a round face shape benefits from a haircut that lends it some definition.

“If you’ve got a round face shape, think square,” says Stevens. “Since round faces have little in the way of natural angles, you need to create the illusion of structure with your hair. A style with height on the top that’s taken tight at the sides such as a pompadour or a flat top works well to add structure, as do front fringes.”
​
“Square corners in the high recession area of your hair will sharpen up any soft edges,” adds Robinson. “A full square beard will also help thin the chin area, giving the appearance of a more chiselled jaw.”

Haircuts For Diamond Faces

Narrow in the chin and brow, with width in the cheeks, the diamond is one of the rarer face shapes. Because of that, it has some specialist requirements to ensure it looks its namesake.

“Hairstyles that add width at the forehead and chin area are your best bet,” says Stevens. “Fringes work well to add texture to the forehead, while longer styles that can be tucked behind the ears are great for accentuating a diamond shape’s bone structure.”
​
Don’t, however, take the sides too short – given the width of the cheekbones, a hairstyle that’s particularly short at the sides will only make your ears look bigger.
Softer lines and layers are better for this face shape, working to soften its natural angles. Try a side sweep or deep side-parting, and consider growing a 5 o’clock shadow if you want to add some size to a narrower chin.

Haircuts For Heart-Shaped Faces

Wide at the temples and hairline, gradually narrowing to a point at the chin, the (fairly rare) heart face shape benefits from a few optical illusions to make it appear better proportioned.

“Avoid cuts that are very tight, as these will accentuate the narrowness of the chin and the width of the forehead,” says Stevens. “A medium-length swept look is the safest bet.” Mid-length and long hairstyles that are kept reasonably thin and light soften the heart shape’s strong forehead.

Facial hair is also key in this case, adding some much-needed bulk to a narrow chin and jawline, says Robinson. “As with the diamond face shape, a beard helps a heart shape gain fullness in the lower, narrower half of the head.”

Haircuts For Triangle Faces

Due to its narrow forehead and wide jawline, a triangular face requires the opposite treatment of a heart shape.

“A style with volume is king with this one,” says Stevens. “Opt for longer, nose-length haircuts with fuller sides, which work to add depth.”
​
As for the beard, the most you’ll look good with is some light stubble. But really, given the prominence of the jawline in this case, it’s best to steer clean-shaven. Grab the razor, fellas.

Quick Jump:
Oval | Square | Rectangle | Round | Diamond | Heart | Triangle

​This article is from FashionBeans

​There was a time when bobs were synonymous with soccer mom, 12 year-olds and Upper East Side prepsters. But as the ladies of Hollywood are proving, a short cut can be breezy and cool, and not the least bit snoozy. Whether worn sleek or wavy, angled or blunt, this summer’s "it" style is trending precisely because it’s so damn versatile. (The fact that it also keeps hair from sticking to the back of your neck is a nice bonus.) 

Angled Bob
After years of rocking a lob, Kristen chopped off a few extra inches in March officially putting her in bob territory. Hitting at just under the chin with slightly angled ends, the cut is elegant with a little edge (much like the wearer).

Razored Bob
The modern take on "surfer girl hair" still involves plenty of waves and beachy texture, but instead of long, cascading strands down the back, it’s blunt and thick and much (much) shorter—seen here on Julianne Hough at the Billboard Awards earlier this month.

Side-Swept Bob
Cate’s bob has a similar texture and length as Julianne’s, but instead of parting her hair down the center, she swept everything up and over to one side—again proving there’s no wrong way to do it.

Layered Bob
We’re going to take a wild guess and say we weren’t the only ones who saved Mandy’s softly tousled brunette bob to our phones when she debuted it in March. Just barely clearing her shoulders and cut at a slight A-line so that the longest pieces are in front, there’s plenty of volume and movement throughout.

​Sleek Bob
Fact: A sleek, center-parted bob will always be classic. Lightly curl in the ends to frame your face and use a shine spray on the mid-lengths and ends to get that reflective sheen.

Slicked-Back Bob
Whereas curled in ends are classic, flicked out ones are cool. Slick back the top and tuck both sides behind your ears to get the full effect. (Might we suggest a flicked cat-eye to match?)

Banged Bob
Leave it to Jessica Chastain to show us that two trends (bangs and a bob) are better than one. Worried about reliving your kindergarten bowl cut? Ask your stylist to snip into the ends to give it more movement and break apart the line, so it’s not just one solid block of hair.

Asymmetrical Bob
Or if you’re one of those people who like the idea of bangs, but always end up regretting them by the next sweaty day, consider an asymmetrical bob with barely-there bangs that blend into the rest of your hair (though one could argue they’re just layers at that point). Tuck the other side behind one ear for maximum effect—and to show off those killer cheekbones like Charlize did at CinemaCon last month.

Sharp Bob
For the lady who wants a no-nonsense cut, a sleek, chin-length bob with sharp lines is a solid option. We love how Greta Lee’s minimalist cut requires very little styling, but still looks "done" (a very welcome thought—especially as we head into the muggier months).

Chin-Length Bob
Mother of Dragons, the Unburnt, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms and ultimate hair chameleon: Emilia Clarke shows us that it is possible to grow your hair out from pixie to bob without sacrificing style (or, um, rocking an unintentional mullet) along the way.
 This Summer trend brought to you from PureWow