I SPENT the last week in such a sorry state.
It was horrifying because I lost all will to groom. Everywhere I went, I had to apologise for my lack of hair product.
I looked and felt like hell.
It seemed that all I could do was muster enough strength to shower, shampoo and wash my face.
Even brushing my teeth felt like a mammoth task.
Squirting cologne took determination too.
My friends think I'm a drama queen (although I was looking more and more like a serf) but, be kind, even fabulous takes the occasional holiday.
The slide started the week before and I was determined to put down my final pack of candy and do something about it because I refuse to give in.
I am now at the stage in my life when a few shots of Botox is no longer for vanity but for courtesy's sake.
And at this point, you've got to make an effort.
So I started looking around at products to beautify myself.
Confidence
Some men think they are exempt from beautification but really, no one is because it does wonders for your self confidence.
Click to see larger image
I once chatted with two men who were of the same age. But looking at them, they might as well have been father and son.
And true to conventional thinking, the younger looking guy was confident and had a swagger, while the friend looked and acted like the lowly sidekick.
It seems to be an automatic response.
When you feel you look good, things will happen for you.
Don't be so vain that you'll force your spouse out of her sink-top space. And if it takes more than 20 minutes to complete your regime, you have crossed the line from being aware to being obsessed.
Still, if you're curious about new discoveries, you'll spend a pleasant afternoon trying out new products and learning how to use them.
It will be perplexing for first-timers but it will be worth it.
And when you feel as good as you look, everything should fall in place, fingers crossed.
Click to see larger image
DON'T BE SCARED TO USE THESE, GUYS
1. The Vichy Homme Purifying Cleansing Gel is one of my favourite new discoveries. This soap-free non-drying cleanser ($19 now, usually $21.90) has Vichy's signature thermal spa water, which is of volcanic origin and rich in rare minerals. The range has been tested on Asian male skin and has been found suitable even for sensitive skin. I like it too because it smells great. The skincare range is affordable because all items in the range are under $40.
2. If your skin is dull because of stress, try L'Oreal's Hydra Energetic Turbo Booster ($27.90).
It has Vitamin C, pro-Phosphore (which stimulates the production and storage of 'energy fuel' for the skin) and peppermint leaf extract, which helps to reinforce your skin's natural resistance to stress.
3. Later this month, Clinique will launch a new whitening range called Derma White, with five new products. There is one that men might want to use. Although the term 'whitening' might scare you off, these lighten dark spots due sun damage. So if you've been doing sports without sunscreen, you might want to think about this.
Click to see larger image
The Derma White Brightening Moisture Mask ($79) is easy to use: Apply thrice a week for 10 minutes, then rinse your face.
4. The Good Skin Labs range of products is fast becoming my go-to brand for affordable skincare.
It is also the brand that introduced the Tri-Aktiline eye product, which is helpful in reducing lines around the eyes,
The latest product is Smooth-365 serum ($82) is an anti-aging treatment that provides almost instant improvements to the skin.
5. Never underestimate the appeal of nice feet.
Click to see larger image
Discoloured toe nails are a real turnoff, and with Singapore being such a slipper nation, maintaining your toes should be a priority.
Scholl's Discoloured Toenail Treatment ($15.50) combines remedial toenail healthcare and it'll pretty up your toe nails.It reduces yellowing and discolouration, but does not treat fungal nail infections (which is something your doctor should look at anyway).
6. Come on guys, admit it - you worry about that spotty nose too.
The Men's Biore Black Pore Pack ($4.95) removes blackheads, and we know how a noseful of blackheads can ruin your day.
It also contains oil-absorbing powder to help control sebum and the menthol provides a cooling sensation. And, really, the black is pretty cool too.
By Yeoh Wee Teck
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Don't let yourself go or you may bemistaken for your dad
Real Men Exfoliate
Michael Slater's skincare regimen goes way beyond shaving his facial fuzz.
The 50-year-old retired police officer uses only soap-free cleanser and alcohol-free toner, he slathers on moisturizer with sun block, and he dabs on eye cream to keep his skin looking youthful.
In the evening, he performs a similar routine, replacing the moisturizer with a night repair cream for wrinkles. He exfoliates every week and gets monthly facials.
"If you look good, you feel good," says Slater, a Palma Ceia resident who uses a men's line from Derma Swiss. "Taking care of your skin is another way of taking care of yourself, like going to the gym. My mother and my sisters always told me, 'Take care of your skin, your hair and your nails.' It's become a way of life."
Slater, who works out regularly and shuns red meat, says it's not uncommon for friends, men and women, to ask him what products he uses to keep his skin looking so good.
"A lot of men are intimidated by beauty products because they don't know what to look for. No woman wants to be with a guy that looks like Shrek. I want to look good for my wife. She appreciates it. I think they call it 'metrosexual.' But I don't like sticking labels on myself. I just want to look the best I can."
Men no longer have to secretly dip into a girlfriend or wife's wrinkle cream, thanks to an expanding beauty market aimed specifically at guys.
Mintel Beauty Innovation, a leading market research company, tracked more than 500 new men's personal care products in the United States last year, a substantial increase from the 375 launched in 2007. Men's personal grooming sales surged from $15 billion in 2005 to more than $17 billion in 2008, with skincare leading the pack.
Mintel's research also showed that 85 percent of men mostly use grooming products designed specifically for them, while 7 percent use unisex products.
Marketers of men's products say there has been a shift in cultural attitudes that makes it more acceptable for men to primp and preen and still feel plenty macho.
"Men's grooming is getting a higher profile," says Patricia Finn, director of marketing and product development for the Jack Black line of men's products. "It's become a lot more visible. Men feel it's not only OK to take care of their skin and look good; they feel they have to do it so they can look better down the line."
With its masculine product names and handsome blue and black packaging, Jack Black's products are simple to use and designed to appeal to the male consumer ( www.getjackblack.com).
"We were among the first companies to specifically target men," Finn adds. "Now we're seeing a new competitor every day."
In the past few years, upscale, guy-specific lines like Jack Black, Anthony Logistics and Zihr have grown in popularity. And brands known to cater predominately to women such as Avon, Lancome, Nivea, and Ole Henriksen have launched lines devoted entirely to men. Even rapper 50 Cent is introducing a men's skincare line.
"Men are out of the closet when it comes to grooming products," says Ole Henriksen, who founded his namesake retail skincare line in 1999.
When Henriksen opened his Face/Body Spa in Los Angeles, most of his clients begged for secrecy.
Taking care of your skin was associated with being feminine or girly," says Henriksen, whose clients include David Bowie, Prince and Hugh Jackman. "That attitude has completely changed. Today a man will walk into a store and ask for a face scrub or mask as easily as he would a shaving cream."
Last year, Henriksen introduced his men's line and put it in a kit aptly called "Men's Kit." It features a cleanser, hair wash, facial moisturizer and scrub ($70, www.olehenriksen.com) and is quickly becoming a best-seller.
"You want your skin in the healthiest condition possible," Henriksen says. "And everyone wants smooth, supple, clear skin - even men."
Men have specific skincare needs. They have to deal with razor burn and ingrown hairs from shaving. Their skin also tends to be oilier than a woman's.
But even if there are special products and tools just for them, convincing guys to use them takes a little strategy. Packaging, for instance, must take the male mind into account, says Valee Gallant, communications manager for ACE for men, a company that began selling men's grooming implements last year.
ACE took popular grooming tools - tweezers, clippers and brushes - and made them larger, added grips and made them more masculine ( www.aceformen.com).
"Men don't want to go to the pink aisle to get tweezers and clippers that are made for women," Gallant says. "They want products that look masculine. They don't want to feel too metrosexual; it's become a bad word. They just want to feel like men."
Scott Braun agrees with that assessment.
The 45-year-old graphic designer's regimen includes products from Aveda Men and a line called aMENity. He also uses pure aloe vera on his face from a plant he grows at home.
"It's foolish for a man not to take care of his skin," says the Ybor City resident. "Your face is the first thing people see. You want to project a nice appearance."
Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656 or ccabrera@tampatrib.com. a shift in cultural attitudes that makes it more acceptable for men to primp and preen and still feel plenty macho
http://www.tbo.com/
Burberry & GQ: The Beat Party
Burberry co-hosted an event with GQ(US) to celebrate the recent launch of the Burberry The Beat for Men fragrance at rock music venue The Viper Room in Los Angeles.
Over 150 guests attended the event including Liv Tyler, May Anderson, Ali Larter, Ian Somerhalder and Rufus Sewell all of whom wore Burberry as well as Mischa Barton, Nico Stai, Devon Gummersal, Marley Shelton, Britney Gastano, Luke Grimes, Annabelle Wallis, Alex Kaluzhsly and Tyrese Gibson.
The evening included a special live performance by indie rock band Cold War Kids, who also wore Burberry.
Burberry recently re-opened its Beverly Hills store with a new store concept designed and developed by Burberry Creative Director Christopher Bailey in October 2008.
The 7,379 square foot store is located at 9560 Wilshire Boulevard features ready-to-wear for men and women from the Burberry Prorsum and Burberry London collections as well as a full assortment of accessories.
Burberry The Beat for Men continues in the footsteps of its predecessor, the women’s version. The aim is to launch a fresher, younger, more innovative version of Burberry fragrances.
Christopher Bailey had a very clear idea of what he wanted, and so perfumists Olivier Polge and Domitille Bertier listened to current Brit pop icons like Kasabian, Fratellis and Razorlight, to infuse the perfume with a contemporary Brit essence.
The ad campaign is full of references to the 60s, emphasising British heritage and how the 60s Brit scene marked a whole generation.
For Bailey, it was important that the ads showed real people doing real things, to reflect the fragrance’s attitude – stylish yet real people.
The scent has striking hints of fresh wood with bourbon vetiver, violet and black pepper. Finally, it has a citrus touch, to give the fragrance a youthful feel.
http://www.viewonfashion.com/index.php
FA unveils `FA Men Xtreme`
FA Men Xtreme will compete against leading men’s deodorant players such as Axe, Set Wet and Park Avenue targeting the young men of today.
Henkel India Limited has entered the male deodorant segment with the launch of FA Men Xtreme deos. As the name suggests, Fa Men Xtreme comes in 3 extremely powerful fragrances – Speedster, Energy Zone and Cool Wave. The superior international formulation in them contains a unique “X-protect” formula which gives a stronger fragrance and thereby doubles the freshness.
Launched in March pan India, FA Men Xtreme will compete against leading men’s deodorant players such as Axe, Set Wet and Park Avenue targeting the young men of today. A lot of research has gone into the development of the new range, including the challenge of delivering a powerful, long-lasting fragrant experience that is safe on skin. Fa Men Xtreme is priced at an MRP of Rs 140.
FA is today one of the largest deodorant brands in India and has been rated as the no. 1 female deodorant in the top metros. Available in over 130 countries worldwide, FA offers a diverse range of deodorants catering to a variety of moods and tones. All FA deodorants come with the promise of 24 hour long-lasting protection and are skin-friendly.
http://www.indiainfoline.com/
Japan’s men wake up to Axe
A suggestive campaign in Japan for men’s deodorant brand Axe tested the expression ‘sex sells’ to the max with its Wake Up Call service.
A website invited people to register for a free wake up call on their mobile phone every morning.
Anyone taking part had to visit the microsite and register for the service by entering their mobile phone number, before receiving a verification code and then calling a set number to confirm the registration.
As the user makes the call, in front of their computer screen, a video plays of a woman answering the call and speaking in synch with the pre-recorded message the user hears, implying the woman is really on the other end of the phone and so enhancing the personal element of the service. When the wake-up call is made, the girl making the call will seductively remind the user to remember to use Axe that morning.
With a range of models clad in skin-tight pink uniforms the flirtatious content had a n obvious appeal to the brand’s target audience.
Unilever discovered that up to 70% of Japanese men aged 15-24 use their phone as an alarm clock so the application was perfect for its target audience.
The more a person used the service, the friendlier the woman from Axe became, adding an extra incentive to remain committed to the promotion.
Pure Black - new men's fragrance from Mandarina Duck
Mandarina Duck have launched a new fragrance for men: Pure Black. The fragrance was created by Firmenich perfumer, Nathalie Lorson, and is the second masculine fragrance from the company.
Mandarina Duck Pure Black contains notes of Indian pepper, bergamot, tangerine, tonka beans, tobacco, Tahitian Tiare flower, orange flower, Mysore sandalwood, green cedar and Madagascar vanilla.
The fragrance was launched in Spain last month, and will roll out to the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and Asian markets during the first quarter of 2009.
Mandarina Duck Pure Black will be available as Eau de Toilette 50ml and 100ml, Aftershave Balm, Deodorant Spray and Shower Gel.http://www.basenotes.net/
Star Trek Cologne?
Star Trek Inspired Colognes Coming Soon To A Galaxy Near You!
Wondering what to wear to the Star Trek premiere this summer? Have you picked your favourite federation formals but lack that perfect scent? Well Trekkies don't fret - collectibles company Genki Wear may have what your after as they announce the launch of three Star Trek fragrances.
The company has confirmed the three fragances (named Tiberius, Red Shirt and Ponn Farr) based around concepts from the original Star Trek series. Tiberius, which has top notes of citron zest and black pepper, is inspired by the middle name of Captain James T. Kirk. Makers Genki Wear said of the fragrance: "Tiberius Cologne for men is difficult to define and impossible to refuse.
Also for men is Red Shirt, which boasts top notes of green mandarin and bergamot and is inspired by the short-lived cannon fodder on away missions. The final fragance, Ponn Farr, is made for women and named after the 7-year Vulcan mating ritual.
http://www.movies.ie/default.aspx
Why should men have all the fun?
You can catch her at a plastic table in Singh Hotel
, a rustic dhaba by the highway, waiting for an ice-cold beer and her friends. She should, by right, frequent a place more appropriate to her gender, say, a frilly Cafe Coffee Day in the city, but the guys in Singh Hotel make a pleasant fuss around her and her bike. And the beats of Punjabi folk do wonders for the tough day that she left behind.
And if you missed her at Singh Dhaba, try Maldives. A growing passion for fun among women seems to be hanging out together on holidays, and the more exotic the better. Age is not a bar for sure, neither is the group size, whether it is just four close friends catching up in on a Maldives resort such as, W (US$ 650 a night), pampering themselves silly at the exotic spa, or a grand school reunion of 25, women are determined to have their quotient of fun in the sun with only their girlfriends for company.
“We have been seeing a 25-30% growth over last year in this segment as the trend catches on. Customisation is critical as the experiential part of the holiday is paramount to women, indulgence is also the key, which may range from shopping to spa focused breaks from as short a trip as three days to a week while the most popular destinations are Singapore, Mauritius, Maldives, Switzerland and lately also Italy,” said Haresh Koyande, Business Head, Kuoni Holidays India.
Since the travel major only works on five star properties, the average spend per lady works out to a lakh a day, the Ferragamo shoes apart! The trigger for the breaks? — none, except to be together and focus on having fun! The average age says Koyande for their groups ranges from 30-45.
You can also catch her at a Mont Blanc store in the Capital, trying out men’s colognes. After all, they last longer and the fragrance is strong. And according to her, she doesn’t put it on for the men. Says 1993’s Miss Perfect 10 and today’s entrepreneur Mehar Bhasin: “Brands such as, Chanel, Estee Lauder and Betsey Johnson used to be favourites of women but now more women are trying out men’s fragrances. As for the men, they can just keep guessing.”
You can also catch her polishing the chrome on her car’s hood every morning. A scratch on the paint succeeds where a separation fails. Tearjerkers are not her cups of coffee, she says, especially when it comes to men. For the poised 50-plus Anna Bredmeyer, Miss India 1976, turned supermodel, (one look at her and not a trace of the age shows), cars send her blood rushing.
It’s her life; her passion, and Sundays means opening the bonnet of her Swift for a thorough clean up act! As Bredmeyer says, she hates seeing layers of dust anywhere, not even on her engine block. Of the many perks her various jobs have given her, this yet to turn silver but definitely a swinger is the many visits to the Mercedes factory in Switzerland.
“I have driven all classes of the Mercs but the best are the sports models, it is mind-blowing like none else. Guess it is my favourite car perhaps because it was the first car my Dad showed me and was his prized possession way back in 1961,” says Bredmeyer as she takes a sip of her favourite poison, the German white wine, Liebfraumilch (means mother’s milk).
Today’s woman also shops for Jimmy Choo and Armani, though she emphasises on a pair that has been made in Spain or Brazil. “The reason is that most luxury brands nowadays sell shoes that are made in China. The ones manufactured in places like Brazil and Spain tend to last longer.”
And then if live music is what sends your adrenalin shooting, Blue Frog is the place to catch her, young old, silver gold...and it is one place says Simran Mulchandani, one of the four partners of the place where women outside a five star are comfortable hanging out alone at a bar.
In fact the ratio of men to women is equal, he adds. It has also become a hot favourite venue among women to host parties, so single or in groups, its music increasingly attracts the women’s heels towards it, while the younger ones choose to go and party at Hard Rock Cafe down the road.
In fact, Blue Frog has also got more than a few women on their music label as well such as, Monica Dogra of Shaa’ir + Func, Merlyn D’Souza, singer and song writer Aurora Jane (rock) from Australia....So, it isn’t a rumour anymore. Women are not giving up the chase, as long as rocking the world is concerned.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Get a haircut, and get a real style
Arabbi, a Buddhist monk and a Rastafarian walk into a bar. What's the first thing the women inside notice?
Each dude's hair.
Sorry for the lacking punchline, but the sad state of men's hairstyles today is no laughing matter (except the so-bad-it's-good mullet).
Axe, a company focused on men's grooming products, recently surveyed 2,000 American women on men's hair care. About three-quarters of the women said hair is one of the first things they notice about a guy. Almost half felt guy's hairstyles all look the same, and that guys their age need help styling their hair. Worse, 62 per cent said they are not likely to take a guy with bad hair home at the end of the night. Yet only 29 per cent of guys in the same survey considered their hair to be an important factor in attracting women.
Now, I don't want to overstate the importance of this disconnect, but suffice to say the global recession should immediately take a back seat to this crisis. Until that happens, though, a guy who puts a bit of effort into his hair can take advantage of the monotonous world of men's mops. It's never been easier to grab the ladies' attention. And your boss's: well-tended locks are an obvious sign that you take care of yourself.
Hold up, I know what you're thinking: every time I step out of the box with my hairstyle, I end up looking goofy. But there are ways to get and keep a style that fits your type of hair, says Toronto-based image consultant Shannon Stewart, who has styled Bono, Billy Talent and Sting. Read on for tips from Stewart and Annette Burwash, owner of Getaway Spa For Men in Bridgeland, on how to get a good haircut and properly style your hair.
Great Hair Starts With A Great Haircut
It can be tough to find a good hairstylist, especially if you're not willing to spend what you would on Calgary Flames tickets. But shell out as much as you can afford for a good cut.
"A really good haircut will make styling your hair much easier," Stewart says.
Keep your hair short if you have thinning hair with a receding hairline. The longer hair grows, the thinner it looks. And if you're bald or almost there, forget the comb-over. Keep the sides and back trim, or even shaved, like Michael Jordan.
Men with thick and coarse hair usually look better and have an easier time styling a shorter cut. Personalize short hair by making it messy or spiky, or coiffing it in the direction you like. But it's easiest to keep most of it facing the way it tends to grow.
Get your hair cut every three weeks to keep it trimmed and easy to style. Even if you want to grow it out, keep your haircuts regular so your locks don't get mussy.
Which Hair Products To Buy And How To Apply Them
Before you style your 'do, clean it with a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner. An acidic shampoo dries out your scalp, causing flakes and an itchy head.
If you have really fine, straight hair, wash it most days. If you have thick hair and don't use much product, Stewart recommends skipping a day or two between washings to let your natural oils come back.
Don't be lazy in your search and resort to using your partner's fruity conditioner. A guy's scalp is usually oilier and sweatier than a woman's, and women aren't turned on by a guy who smells like lilacs.
There's a whole whack of new men's hair products out there, with strange names like pomade, mess constructor, and "Funkifier" gel -- so let's demystify the hair-care aisle. The bad hair products start with gel. There's a reason they call it a gelmet. And since gel is mostly water, when it dries you're left with a crusty residue. Likewise, avoid hairspray, because it tends to dry out your scalp.
Stewart recommends using a quality hair wax, pomade, putty or cream. Burwash disagrees, saying only waxes and creams are good choices for your hair, because the other products are too greasy. Waxes and creams are easy on your hair and scalp. They don't get flaky or clump hair like gel or hairspray. Both give you a wet look. Wax is the hardest product, but keeps your hair pliable so you can re-style for drinks after work. Cream is much softer, but doesn't have as much hold. Beeswax in the ingredients is the sign of a good wax, Burwash says.
Pomade gives a bit of sheen for a more polished, preppy look at the office, while putty offers good hold and provides a matte look. A good paste gives that just-out-of-bed look, Stewart says, which is hit-or-miss in my experience.
The thinner and finer your hair, the less hold your product needs. When applying it, remember: pinches, not handfuls. And relax. Excessive primping is not required. If you're styling your hair right, a few minutes should be enough to wow the women.
tedwards@theherald.canwest.com
Men find glasses a glamorous accessory
Men are finally seeing what women have known for several years.
Fashionable eyewear can be quite eye-catching.
Check out Kanye West’s recent fashion statement — large, black frames with a unique, Afro-mullet hairstyle. Simon Baker of 2006’s The Devil Wears Prada sported a Ray-Ban Wayfarer style at the Grammys, as did Mickey Rourke at the Academy Awards. And rap mogul Jay-Z has been spotted in bold black, nerdy-looking plastic frames.
As famous men take the red carpet and attend star-studded events, they are accessorizing their wardrobes with fashionable eyewear for both indoors and out in the sun. Classic, vintage eyewear from aviator styles to geek-inspired frames, such as those of Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, is huge this spring, says Kristie Weiss, spokesperson for the Vision Council, a nonprofit trade organization.
“It’s a more secure fashion statement with minimal risks. You can buy the styles now and still wear them in another 20 years,” she said.
Female celebrities have been wearing large, round Jackie O.-inspired sunglasses for the past several years. L’Amy Company, which produced the original Jackie O. frame by designer Nina Ricci, is planning to relaunch that design and will use an iconic photograph of Onassis in its advertising.
At Smith Opticians in Houston, owner Philip Brown says “retro” eyewear often refers to a frame size as large from top to bottom as it is wide. He says the thick, plastic frames are a defining look and, for many of his customers, are a welcome change from modern, rectangular prescription frames. (Remember Sarah Palin’s rimless rectangular Kawasaki frame?)
“I guess when something has been in style for so long, it becomes boring; and something that’s been out of style long enough, it eventually comes back,” said Brown, who specializes in inexpensive vintage frames.
His customers have been requesting Wayfarer styles in clear plastic as well as in red, and also asking for the ’ 70s-style, graduated tint that’s darker at the top of the lens. He says combination frames made of metal and plastic, such as those worn by Malcolm X or actor Kevin Costner in the movie JFK, are also popular. Brown’s frames are $90-$150.
Tina Afra-Ozcelik, owner of the Eye Gallery of Houston, says eyewear designers have rejuvenated older styles with modern colors. For example l.a. Eyeworks’ “fiction” collection, at $330 each for both men and women, mixes vivid colors such as hunter green with clear crystal and dark blue with sky blue.
Afra-Ozcelik says men are also opting for classic round frames, such as those by Ralph Lauren’s purple label at $295-$500.
Even frames with wider, more detailed temples continue to be a popular fashion statement, but she says the frames can be distracting at first.
“They definitely aren’t as wide as they have been in the past few years, but they do take time to get used to,” she said.
“As long as you turn your head appropriately, you shouldn’t have much problem.”
LensCrafters calls the men’s look a “power fashion” statement, says Lisa Gear, the company’s director of optical-frame sourcing.
“It’s a strong look but with a lot of variations from geek chic to aviator cool, ” Gear said. “Women decided years ago that eyewear is a fashion accessory, and men are late coming to the trend. They are finally seeing frames as more than just necessity.”
The eyewear retail chain has seen a resurgence in requests for tortoise shell and black plastic frames and offers options in the $100-$150 price range.
And like Houston eyewear boutiques, LensCrafters has customers clamoring for retro designer styles.
“Eyewear is a less expensive fashion statement,” Gear said. Even if you can’t afford a Chanel outfit, she added, “you can get Chanel eyeglasses affordably.”
joy.sewing@chron.com
How to avoid a bad haircut
Call it the nohawk.
On the same day that Jarome Iginla was getting the frohawk (think: love child of an afro and a Mohawk), a haircut that would instantly become popular with teammates and rabid fans of the Calgary Flames, I was getting an army-style brush cut. Against my will.
Blame it on my poor communication skills vis a vis hairstyling.
I'd walked in off the street, sat in a chair and a barber who'd cut my hair a month ago asked: "What do you want?"
I figured he'd remember or somehow intuit the style and length I wanted.
"A haircut," I replied.
"No. 2 or 3?" he barked.
Now, if I was smart, I would have admitted I didn't quite know the difference between the two. But after a brief pause (during which I tried to look like I was carefully weighing my options), I firmly came back with a decision based purely on a guess: "Two."
Out came clippers. And off went my hair, just like those old images of barbers buzz-cutting new army boot-camp recruits.
Freshly shorn sheep is not the look I was after.
At that precise moment I decided I needed to learn how to explain what I want from a haircut.
Unfortunately, inquiries of male friends and family only taught me that they too rely on luck and an intuitive hairstylist or barber. Most guys' haircut vocabulary seems to be limited to pointing and the words "short" or "long."
This is why most of us keep the same style and stylist for years. Only a drastic change, such as moving to another city or joining a punk band, will force us to seek out a new barber. (I switched only after my stylist upped his prices twice, changed his location and started explaining how he's related to Jesus.)
Looking for a new hair guy (or gal) can be like a quest for the Holy Grail as you go through a series of setbacks relying on faith that your search will -- eventually -- bring about a glorious end to your bad hair days.
There must be a better way, I thought. Men should not have to deal with Peewee Herman hair on first dates and job interviews.
So I went to the experts -- hairstylists and women -- for tips on how to minimize your chances of getting a bad 'do. Here are their best ideas:
- Take a photo with you to show how your hair looked right after a haircut you liked, or bring a magazine photo of a celebrity or model whose hairstyle you want to mimic.
- Emphasize that you "just want a little trim," if you don't want much cut off.
- If you're new to a hairstylist or want less cut than usual, ask them if they can start by trimming it longer than they expect you want and then go down incrementally from there. Give a bigger tip if he or she honours your request.
- When a barber or hairstylist asks if you want a "No. 2 or 3?," they're talking about what length of clipper guard you want. This guard determines how far away from your head the clipper's electric trimmer will cut your hair.
Clipper guards are numbered one to four: No. 1 is stubble-short, No. 2 is 1/4-inch, No. 3 is 3/8-inch and No. 4 is 1/2-inch. If you hadn't figured it out yet, talk in inches when describing how long you want your hair.
- Our final tip comes from Lubna Faizuddin, a hairstylist from MVP Hair Salon for Men who recommends finding out the name of the haircut you want. Here are some of the most popular cuts for men:
- Businessman: Long and combed to one side on top, with no clippers used and the sides and back scissored down to one or two inches;
- Caesar: Clippers on sides and back, but longer on top.
- Military box: A No. 1 clipper guard on the sides and back, with the top cut short but square.
- Skater: Really long and shaggy all around.
- Mullet: Short on top, long in the back. Made popular by hockey players and rednecks, this is the much-mocked "business in the front, party in the back" cut.
"Guys ask for these all the time, but no one ever calls it by name, Faizuddin says. "They say 'Just leave it a little longer in the back.' "
The mullet is still popular in Calgary?
That's a bit of comfort for a man with a nohawk.
Trent Edwards is a features writer for the Real Life section. he welcomes your feedback and story ideas at tedwards@theherald.canwest.com
Getting to the roots of black hairstyles
Barber Markius Freeman, 30, has been growing his dreads for 4 years and he's not about to cut them.
"Cutting them would be like cutting yourself short," he said. "It would be like a sacrifice. It would have to be very, very, important to me, like a job."
While Freeman of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., has kept the same style for years, Tartra Plummer, of Lauderhill, Fla., changes her hairstyle every two weeks. The 30-year-old cashier emerged from the salon recently sporting ridges done with a hot iron, a creation by her stylist, Tracey Irvin.
Both are examples of the power of hair in the black community, where styles are a complex and constantly evolving reflection of cultural and political values -- and fashion.
Black Americans spent $3.9 billion in 2007 on hair care products and services, according to Ken Smikle, president of Target Market News, a Chicago-based black consumer tracking firm.
No other community debates the quality and texture of hair, and goes as far as designating hair as "good" because it's straight, and "bad" when it's kinky, coarse and nappy.
Regina Kimball, a Los Angeles filmmaker, has documented the politics of black hair from its ancient African roots to today's hip-hop designs in her film "My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through My Hair-itage."
The 78-minute film uses black hair to explore cultural, societal, and political issues in the black community over time. The film reveals the significance and pride of African hairstyles, such as cornrows and braiding.
These days, stylists say anything goes with black hairstyles for men and women. Natural hairstyles, dreadlocks, Afros, permed styles, bobs, weaves, extensions, even mullets, fades and Mohawks.
Kevin Donjoie wears what he calls "a 'fro Mohawk," inspired by Mr. T.
"You've got to be a little different to pull it off," said Denjoie, 31, of Ft. Lauderdale. "There's a very wide range of hairstyles now. Afros, dreads, brush cuts, designs -- and the girls have plenty of styles. Too many of them I can't name."
Theresa Lewis, a hairdresser in West Palm Beach, Fla., said the most popular styles these days are ones that are easy to maintain: nice short cuts or natural hairstyles or braids and weaves that are not time-consuming to care for.
Lewis has been doing the hair of Anna Rosier, a speech language pathologist from Boynton Beach, Fla., for more than 20 years.
"When you find a hairdresser you trust, you stick with her," Rosier said.
Last week, Lewis gave Rosier a short cut that wrapped her face, with loose curls hanging down her neck. It's a professional look that fits her life, Rosier said.
Yolle-Guida Dervil wears her hair in natural short box-cut braids. She is what many call tender-headed, and used to cry in pain when her mother combed her hair.
Frustrated, her mother got her a perm. Her father was furious. Now, a decade later, he disapproves of his daughter's braids.
"My dad has a problem with natural hair," Dervil said. "He considers it unprofessional."
But she likes her hair natural. "I'm either confident or brave," she said. "I've found comfort in it."
