THE LONG HAIR GUIDE FOR MEN

Think suave, sophisticated castaway who has been deserted on an island with nothing but quality hair products. Bingo.

Winston Churchill once said “war is mainly a catalogue of blunders” and the same could often be said of hairstyles.

For some men, growing their hair long is something that can draw looks of envy from their follicly challenged peers, for whom the option is but dream. Some men like to keep their hairstyle short throughout their lives as a mark of their own personal choice. Others like to take the plunge and grow a mane of lustrous locks. Many however, lack the know-how, patience and confidence to make the transition, which can be awkward and look less than well groomed. Perseverance is the name of this game, and good things come to those wait. The results can and will inevitably transform a guys overall look. This is how to do that transformation for the better.

Whether you’re the bank manager who has a flair for the bohemian indie look or a young buck student who wants long surfer hair to go with his ironic t-shirts and unrealistic career expectations, or perhaps you’re the guy who has hit a mid life crisis and has decided now is the time to adopt that pony tail he has always wanted. The ponytail that will act as the perfect accessory for that new ear piercing and convertible. Whatever, if that’s your jam go for it!

Long curls look great on the surfboard or the boardroom.

However, maintenance can be a put off, but it need not be. Long hair is some of the easiest hair to manage.

The process of growing out

One of the most common pitfalls guys make when growing out their hair is to just let it go. Don’t. You are not Elsa from Frozen.

This will just encourage split ends; add to the awkward look due to uneven hair and just look generally unkept. Not the goal.

Regular trims and texturizing will ensure that it grows with a healthy shine and you will be able to manage it more. This will also reduce any awkward phase moments as your hair grows. Another good tip is to start also taking some vitamin B7 to strengthen hair follicles.

As your hair grows, it will do so from every angle, you will feel like it starts resembling a burst mattress. Don’t panic. You need to give the roots the best opportunity to grow in an efficient and healthy way. Now is the time to start giving yourself hair treatments based on your hair type, ask your stylist which is best suitable to you.

The best method to maintain that sophisticated appearance is to focus on growing it out from the top first followed by the back and the sides. To start, try keeping the back and sides short, only slowly permitting them to fill in as the top of the head’s hair grows out.

Beware: Ensure your hair grows in the correct fashion.

Use the time it takes to grow out your hair to stock up on the products that you are going to need for your new look. You’re going to need finishing and texture sprays along with hair masks and serums. Clays and pomades have been a friend to your former short-haired self but they are often too heavy for longer hair. Creams are going to be your new BFF’S.

On matters of long locks, if you don’t have your stylist on call 24/7 ask your girlfriend/mum/sister/female friends. They will more than likely have a treasure trove of knowledge of all their tried and tested good and bad products.

Styling long hair.

When your hair has arrived at its final destination point of length, now is a new frontier: how to style long hair. The first thing you need to do is get a strategy; book an appointment with a stylist. You need an expert to discus the framing of your face and the focus of accentuation your best features and drawing less attention from your less favourable ones. Think jawlines, face shape, ears and the layering and texture of your hair are all things that need to be taken into account here.

These decisions are what separates the fine line between your look being more cool and dapper to looking like you were an extra in The Revenant.

Conclusion

In the battlefields of transitioning from short to long hair, you’re stylist is your comrade. They have got the expert strategy, they have the blue prints, they know the battle lines and have the arsenal of products, better still they knows the enemy (bad hair) and they know that through many set backs (awkward phases) if you persevere, you can conquer and be victorious in winning the battle of short to long hair. Go forth.

“You say you’re willing to die for long hair but you know nothing about dying and you know nothing about growing long hair” – Achilles hairdresser.