You aren’t alone if you prefer your daily grooming routine to be fast and simple, but the fact of the matter is that most men are spending more time caring for their skin, hair, and facial hair. Here are the 7 haircare tips you need in your life to ensure you’re investing your time in the right place—and that you look and feel confident.
1. A Regular Barber Or Stylist Is A Must
Gone are the days of popping into any barbershop or hair salon when you have the time. Yes, you can get an excellent cut as a walk-in, but to ensure you always look and feel your best you need a regular barber or stylist. This is someone who will:
- Do more than cut your hair but help you find a hairstyle that flatters your face.
- Get to know you well enough to know what new hairstyle matches your personality.
- Talk you through your at-home grooming routine.
- Suggest which products and at-home grooming tools are required to maintain your look.
- Show you a few different ways to style your current cut.
- Share how to address your individual needs such as dandruff, dry hair, curly hair, frizz, thinning hair, and more.
- Advise on how often to have a cut, which should be somewhere between every 4 to 6 weeks.
2. Don’t Shampoo Daily And Always Condition
Many men shampoo their hair every day, which is far too often. Shampooing daily, even with gentle products, will strip and dry your hair. Over time your hair will begin to look dull and feel stiff or wiry. Most men only need to shampoo 2 or 3 days a week, or only every 7 to 10 days for curly hair. Instead, you can wet your hair daily so that it’s easier to style. If you’re sweaty after a workout, water should rinse the sweat away or co-wash using just a conditioner. If you aren’t sure how often is right for you, ask your barber.
In addition to shampooing, always condition your hair after you shampoo, and consider a daily leave-in conditioner. Your conditioner will nourish your hair and restore any moisture lost from shampooing.
3. The Quality Of Your Products Matter
You are sure to have noticed the growing number of hair care products designed specifically for men, not to mention the overwhelming number of products in any store haircare aisle. It might be easy to think that all shampoos, conditioners, or styling products are the same—but they are not.
- While a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner sound great, they will not adequately condition your hair.
- Products must contain naturally derived ingredients that will nourish your hair.
- Identify products designed for your hair type, hairstyle, or individual needs.
- Simplify your grooming routine with a step-by-step regimen that you can personalize as needed. For example, adding an as-needed dandruff shampoo.
4. Your Beard Or Mustache Are A Daily Commitment
Beards, goatees, stubble, or a mustache have never been more popular, but before you commit ensure you understand how much time they will add to your daily and weekly grooming routine. Depending on the length, style, shape, and your overall goals, your time commitment will vary. Daily it should only take an extra 3 to 5 minutes, including:
- Washing both AM and PM
- Adding beard oil or beard balm
- Combing and brushing to style
- Cleaning up the edges at least once a week
Here’s what you need to know to keep your facial hair looking its best.
5. Keep DIY To A Minimum
We’re all tight on time, but make the time to head into your barber or stylist every 4 to 6 weeks. As mentioned above, clean up your edges to maintain your look in-between but leave the full cut to a professional. Your barber can advise on whether you should be using scissors on your beard (but never on your hair), how to trim your beard, and whether you should be using an electric trimmer. Your electric trimmer can also be used at home on your sideburns and neckline.
When it comes to chemical treatments, it may be less expensive, but leave the dye and bleach to a pro. Not only is the risk of damaging your hair high, but if it goes wrong the corrective process costs far more than if you’d just gone to the salon in the first place.
6. Take A Proactive Approach To Balding
Another reason to have a regular barber or stylist is that they will talk you through what changes to make to your grooming routine when your hair begins to thin and bald. They will also help you find a flattering style that’s not a combover. In terms of being proactive:
- Massage your shampoo into your hair to stimulate hair growth.
- Eat a diet high in Omega 3 and 6 or take in supplement form.
- Consider a daily multivitamin, as well as biotin and keratin.
- Prioritize sleep getting between 7 to 9 hours per night.
- Keep stress to a minimum as it can contribute to hair loss.
- Maintain an overall healthy lifestyle with proper hydration, regular exercise, and proper nutrition.
- Head to a dermatologist or hair loss specialist at the first signs of thinning or balding to explore your options.
7. Take A Proactive Approach To Balding
When you find a hairstyle that works for you it’s tempting to stick with it, but consider a new style at least every year. Even minor changes to your hair can keep things interesting, ensuring you look and feel your best. If you keep your hair the same, consider mixing up your facial hair. If you want to go for a bold and drastic change, such as going super short or growing your hair out, talk with your barber or stylist to create a strategy. If going longer, be patient as there will be an awkward grow out phase.
As always, Uncle Jimmy has naturally derived, versatile, and simple yet effective solutions for your hair and facial hair!
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