A man’s hairstyle is one of the most important aspects of how he presents himself professionally and socially.
AXE hair campaign’s entire basis is that hair is the first thing women notice and are attracted to when they see a man. Though the commercials are slightly exaggerated and usually comical, the concept is accurate.
No matter how well a man is styled and put together, an ill-advised haircut can be distracting and off-putting for surrounding parties.
Therefore, it’s important for a man to choose a hairstyle that is consistent with his personal style and equally important to consult with his stylist when deciding a new, fresh cut.
Because the sad truth is there isn’t a universal hairstyle that looks good on every man. Choosing an appropriate cut is a significantly individual process that should not be taken lightly.
Matt Brocato, owner, operator and stylist at Brocato Hair Salon, said, if anything, there has been a trend of versatility in men’s hairstyles rather than one all-embracing style.
But Brocato said some people try to do too much with their hair when a more simplistic approach would suit them better.
“I find men [and women] complicate their hair way too much,” Brocato said.
Sometimes, a simple trim around the ears and hairline can make a drastic change in the presentation of a specific style, he said.
Brocato said his clientele requests both conservative cuts as well as slightly more experimental styles.
For instance, a popular style is what he calls a “long, short” cut which is shorter on the sides and longer on the top, he said. This seems to be a growingly popular look for more and more professional men today.
A working relationship between a client and stylist is key, and advancing a style is always a working process, Brocato said.
Dion Padan, a world renowned hairdresser who has styled celebrities such as Brandon Flowers, published an article at FashionBeans.com titled “The Right Haircut For Your Face Shape” that details the importance of pairing a hairstyle with your facial features and structure.
Padan argued that there are seven main facial shapes: oval, square, oblong, round, diamond, heart and triangular.
He said in the article that each of these shapes are complete with a specific range of styles that, generally, should not be strayed from.
For example, men with a rounder face shape should “avoid sharp fringes as they only accentuate the natural roundness of the face shape,” Padan said in the piece. While experimentation and risk-taking can be healthy with hairstyles, there are some cuts certain men can’t pull off.
Also, hair color is something that should be considered when picking out an outfit. There are certain hair colors that clash with various clothing colors. Though it may be a subtle dissonance, this clashing of color tones may be slightly discomforting to the average eye.
In any case, men should not be afraid to discuss their hairstyles to make forward progress in the way they look. Often times, men are seen as more feminine if they are caught discussing what type of product they use or where they get their hair cut, but this is ridiculous.
Men who put time and emotion into their hair health and style are often not only more handsome but also a more well-rounded, fashionable person.
You can reach Michael Tarver on Twitter @Michael_T16.