Men, Take Notice

While a large portion of our clients are women, Stephanie Louis Salon is fortunate to have a strong male following. For those gents, and for our ladies who have husbands, sons, dads, uncles and nephews, think about sharing this post with any male who might need a little help with hairstyle, hair products and more ... just in time for Father’s Day.

It's no surprise that for most men the goal of hair care is to spend as little time as possible managing their hair. Good thing that achieving great hair doesn’t have to take a lot of effort, as long as you know what to do. Here are some of the top tips to achieve your best hair possible.

1~Shampoo type does matter!

Washing your hair with cheap shampoo is like washing your car with hand soap. The cheaper the product, the harsher the chemicals. Certain shampoos can strip away the natural oils that protect and hydrate your hair. Go for a gentle formula that is sulfate free. If you have thinner texture, go for volumizing~curly hair, you need moisturizing. Whatever you choose, do not use the two-in-one. You think you’re doing a great job actually conditioning, but it’s counterproductive because the manufacturers always lean more towards cleansing vs. hydrating, so it's too drying for your hair and scalp.

2~ Texture.

If you have curly or coarse hair use a conditioner, leave in conditioner or oil. This type of texture needs as much moisturizing as possible. If you have thinner hair, you also could use some conditioning. Just make sure you rinse it out well, so it doesn’t weigh your hair down.

3~Towel drying.

Be gentle when towel drying your hair. If you’re aggressive, you will do more damage than good. If your hair is curly or wavy, it will create frizz. If your hair is thinning, it can cause damage.

4~ Sunscreen.

Use your sunscreen on your scalp. If you’re thinning or even balding you have to protect your scalp!

5~Haircut.

Get a haircut every 4 to 6 weeks. Getting a haircut regularly not only keeps the shape in check, but gives you a nice fresh look when you have a clean neck and hairline.

6~ Picture.

Show your stylist a picture. We all have Google on our phones, so if there’s something specific you have in mind or you are trying a new stylist, a picture will make sure nothing gets lost in translation. Whether it be a picture of somebody from the Internet, or a picture of yourself, don’t be embarrassed. A stylist would much rather see a picture, than try to understand you describe what you would like.

7~Styling is important!

There is a difference between a haircut and a hairstyle. Lots of guys don’t realize the work that goes into some haircuts. So when you do show a style/picture to your stylist, be ready for some styling tips. Again don’t be afraid to ask for some styling help. We all love to help! If you’re not willing to put in the time, it’s not the right haircut for you. Longer hair is trending right now.

8~Styling tips.

Best time to shape your hair is when it’s still damp. As soon as you get out of the shower, comb (or use your fingers)in the direction you want your hair to go. As it starts to dry, it will fall better into shape. If you want it more flat put a hat on. It’s best to towel dry gently then put your product in. As for blow drying, so many styles now need to be blow-dried. You should honestly blow dry any hair that is over 2 inches long. You have to think of it as styling (not just drying) the hair.

*Tip for thinning hair, always go shorter on the sides and finger length on the top. Shorter hair gives more volume, and in-turn gives the illusion of fuller hair. If you're really thinning, you may want to shave it very tight (or even off!) This may seem extreme but it always looks better than long wispy strands.

9~Product.

Make sure you use a dime size amount, mix in your hands, then run through your hair~roots and ends. Pomade adds hold and shine for slicker styles. Clay is dry and gives a natural look, with no shine and messy texture. A cream gel dissolves in your hair lighter, giving it a more natural look. Gel coats your hair, giving it a lot of hold and adds shine. Don’t be afraid of using hairspray to finish your style.

So, there you have it. Nine knock out hair tips for men.