Hair Care Basics
Submitted by SharpMan Editorial Team on Thursday 14th October 2010- Understanding your hair type.
- Are high-dollar products required?
- Consulting with your stylist.
Still haven’t figured out how to wash and style that mop of yours? This may be because your washing and styling routine doesn’t match your hair type. Read on for a few simple SharpGrooming tips:
Understanding Your Hair Type
In general, SharpMen fall into three main hair type groups: oily, dry and damaged. Each of these categories requires SharpMen to wash, condition and style their hair differently in order to achieve the best result.
Oily Hair.
If your hair is generally oily or greasy, avoid the following:
No fussing. Avoid running your hands through your hair. Despite how suave the gesture, putting your hands in contact with your hair transfers oil from your skin, adding oil to an already slick surface.
Wash smart. When it comes to washing your oily hair, the drill is simple: read the front of your shampoo bottle. Choose shampoos designed specifically for oily — and often "smooth" — hair. On the other hand, despite the "rinse and repeat" instruction on the back of the bottle, only shampoo your hair once and skip the conditioner. If you find that your hair requires a bit of moisture in the winter months, limit conditioning to a once-a-week treatment.
Style in moderation. Styling oily hair can be a bit of a challenge. Most styling products contain agents that, if used in excess, will make your hair even oilier. Avoid mousses, pomades, gels and styling creams and lotions. Instead, opt for hair spray and other "texturizing" products. Regardless of the products you choose, try to use them in moderation. If the bottle calls for a dime-sized serving, squeeze out half that much, apply, and add product as you require. It’s always easier to add product than to remove it, right?
Dry Hair.
If your hair doesn’t feel obviously oily in between washes, and tends to look frazzled at the ends, it may require a bit of moisture. This is especially true for guys who spend a lot of time in the water or in the sun. Sure, it may look ratty to you, but dry and brittle hair is easy to manage.
Forget amateur night. To reduce further drying, enlist the help of a professional for any hair treatments, coloring or bleaching. At-home box colors and bleaches can dry out your hair and leave it looking thrashed.
Wash smart. To care for dry, coarse hair, find a shampoo specifically designed for this hair type. Use your dry hair shampoo only every couple of days. Dry hair requires a natural build-up of scalp oil to keep looking good. Do go ahead and shower daily, but skip the hair wash. On the other hand, use a good conditioner every time you shower — whether you shampoo or not. It may sound strange, but simply letting conditioner sit on wet, unwashed hair for a few minutes will make styling your locks that much easier.
Style free. Unlike SharpMen with oily hair, guys with dry hair can use styling lotions, creams and pomades. Avoid mousses and gels that smell of alcohol, as these will further dry out your hair. Regardless of the product you choose, always think moderation. If the tube calls for a dime-sized serving, squeeze out half that much, apply, and add product as you require. Otherwise, your hair may appear greasy or even flake.
Damaged Hair.
SharpMen who enjoy bringing their look up a notch with bleaching or color treatments can inadvertently damage their hair. Color, bleach and other products are pretty tough on hair. Drugstore home treatments are even worse. For this reason, we suggest splurging on a professional treatment — the products they use are easier on hair, and professional stylists are less likely to damage your hair by keeping the product on too long. If you regularly color-treat your hair, or if you’ve already damaged your locks with a home kit, help get your hair back into shape with the following:
Wash smart. Ask your hair stylist to recommend a shampoo specially designed for color- or bleach-treated hair. You’ll find that these products make your hair look shinier and help you style, but also maintain the color much longer than other shampoos. Of course, better-lasting color means you thrash your hair less often, and save money because you ultimately need fewer repeat treatments.
Enhance. Another way to lengthen the time between treatments is to find a "color enhancing" shampoo. These shampoos actually add your preferred color as you use them.
Condition for style. Because color is so tough on hair, follow your shampoo with a conditioning treatment designed for color-treated or damaged hair. This step will make a big difference in your ability to style.
Style with the pros. While you’re at the stylist’s, ask him or her to recommend a styling product that works with your treated hair and the look you’re after.
Dollars and Sense
Is it necessary to spring for high-dollar salon hair treatment? Not really. Often you’ll find that your hair responds just as well to drugstore brands as to the designer stuff.
Consulting With Your Stylist
Hair stylists can be a wealth of information. So, when you go in for your next SharpCut or color, ask a couple of questions. For example:
"Is my hair healthy?" The only way to find out if you’re taking care of your hair is by asking. If your hair is healthy, you’re doing something right. If it’s damaged and splitting, your stylist can tell you how fix it.
"What’s my hair type?" Although it may seem obvious, some guys have combination hair types that call for a different hair care regimen. Consult your stylist on your type and product recommendations.
"Are there certain ingredients I should look for?" Often, stylists will recommend hair care products from the line carried in their salon — which may be priced higher than your budget. Simply by speaking to your stylist about what ingredients he or she thinks make that product so great, you’re likely to find a better-priced version. Alternatively, go ahead and let your stylist know that the product is too pricey. Hey, you pay their fee, so what’s the problem? Ask him or her to recommend a drugstore brand instead.
"How can I make my hair look like you do?" Somehow, stylists always seem to make your hair look better in 15 minutes than you can after two hours of styling at home. How do you replicate this look at home? Pay attention to what your hair stylist does. How does he or she apply styling products? How much? How does he or she use the hair dryer? Ask for a lesson and the "tricks of the trade." Don’t be shy; after all, it’s your dime!
This article last updated on Thursday 14th October 2010