(Part 3) Top products from r/malehairadvice

Oh, thank you! Okay, so my way of styling is actually the same for all of the pictures, but results vary depending on how long and thick it's gotten on the top.

So first off, after washing my hair I use this hair meringue whilst it's still wet. You basically just rub it all over and it adds a little extra volume after you blow dry. My hair tends not to be very naturally voluminous, so it's helps a little. Following this I blow dry upwards and in the direction which side I want to spike to give it a bit more natural standing.

My hair's usually awkwardly in the middle of not quite straight and not quite curly, so I then straighten after this. I straighten upwards and in the direction of where I want to style, because again it helps with the volume a bit in my experience. I should also note that this was easiest for the first picture because my hair had been freshly bleached, so it's texture was already quite strawy and easy to manipulate like this.

From there, I've currently been using this clay, as it's the only one I've found so far that gives me good hold and doesn't mess too much in terms of overall hair texture. It tends to look fairly natural and not wet or clumpy. I basically just rub through and pull in the direction of how I want it to fall.

Writing that up makes it seem like a lot of steps I guess haha, but it usually only takes ~5 minutes!

For an extra step which you might benefit from ( I looked at your new post about struggling with keeping volume ), would be this hairspray. I used it a lot when I had longer and thicker hair, and was going for more of a general spiked look. Has the strongest and fastest drying hold I've ever used. The volume will honestly stay all day, as long as your hair isn't shoulder length and you're trying to fix it vertical haha. For a good bonus, if you wait until the day after and just straighten your hair without doing anything else to it, you'll be able to do some awesome volume styling. One thing to note in using it though, is that it will basically just freeze your hair however you've styled it, and you will be able to feel it especially crispy to the touch. It's not the most noticeable hairspray texture I've seen, but it obviously won't leave as natural a texture as just using wax or clay. Hope I could help!

Okay.

You need some shape to your hair. You also need to stop using a comb. Using a comb makes all the hairs look too uniform and will make any thinning or balding stick out like a sore thumb. Combs should really only ever be used when trying to achieve that hipster hard part/Mad Men look. I'm a big fan of more natural hairstyles. I would highly suggest growing out your hair a bit (while you still can) and using some sort of fiber or pomade product. I don't have a hair loss problem personally but my friend does and uses Rogaine and has had great results. In the long run, you may just need to bite the bullet and keep your head shaved. But for now, while you're young and in college, there's no reason why you can't try to have a good head of hair for a bit. When using either fiber or pomade, you just need to use about a quarter-sized amount in your hair. There's no real method to it. Just work it into your hair spiking pieces here and there. Maybe twisting some sections for extra texture. The longer your hair is on top, the more you can do with it. You could go with either of these and look a lot better.

Shorter Hair

Medium/Messy Hair


My suggestions for products are below.

1. Layrite - Good hold. Will give some shine to your hair. Water based so it washes out easily.
   
   
2. Fiber Grease - Asian product so the directions and labeling are oddly worded. But smells like apples and has very good hold with good shine. Water based as well so it will wash out easily.
   
   
   
3. American Crew Fiber - Decent hold. A lot of people on this sub like this one. Provides more of a matte/natural look to your hair. It's a little more "waxy" feeling. Still washes out, just not as easily as water based pomades.
   
   
4. Rough Rider by Kevin Murphy - Most expensive option. Probably the best hold out of all the products mentioned here. A small amount goes a long way, this container will last you a long time. More of a "clay" feel in your hands. You may want to use this in combination with a "shiny" fiber like the Fiber Grease as Rough Rider has more of a matte finish to it.
   
   EDIT: I agree with u/rogertaylorswift. Keep the sides clean and trimmed but leave yourself some length on top to play around with. A little product goes a long way. The key is not using too much. Then you get into the realm of seeming like you're "trying too hard" as you mentioned. All these products are available off Amazon. I wouldn't go crazy trying to find them in China when you can just get them delivered to your dorm room.
   

To be honest, i'm not sure what the condenser does, I've just been using whatever my female flatmates had, if it had a ionic thing, i'd use it, if not, no big deal. Not entirely sure what the condenser is, but if that's the nozzle, then yes, definitely get a nozzle

I haven't really thought about switching up the temperatures! although it's a good suggestion. I usually just keep it 1-2 temperatures below max. Just enough so it's pleasant and i don't burn my finger

As far as products, I sometimes use this https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004C4BUGI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . You apply it after towel drying your hair, and i usually flick all my hair backwards, and to the side as that's the style I go with when it's styled up. This is very useful especially if you have issues with your hair staying upright (as i do, since i have very straight, fine hair). That said, a lot of the times i'll skip this, but if i'm going somewhere special or want to look particularly good, i'll use it (mainly because i'm lazy). For styling, the best thing i've found yet is this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B010B0BYVM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . This of course depends on your hair, but for me other products would be too heavy and drag my hair down. It also has a nice matte finish so if you have a similar hairtype to me, it might be useful

As you get more experience you can experiment with drying with hair product in it as well and see how it works for you. So for example, toweldry hair, blowdry, apply some hair product, blowdry it in place, and then apply some more hair product to solidify the look and further define it. This is quite high maintenance, but again, i've done it once or twice when i wanted to look better for an occasion

Hope that's useful!

As for product, It depends on how much you want your hair to do.

I started off with American Crew pomade. Your hair will look shiny with this in your hair, and the hold is probably about average, but your hair will remain soft to the touch with this, which I think is a nice plus.

I don't use this anymore, because it doesn't give me enough hold (my hair sort of curls up stops going all the way over between 3 and 4 with this, but it's very reasonably priced (available at Walmart), and probably what I'd try first.

What I use with my hair with now is Daimon Barber's Clay Pomade (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013MK5SRO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). It's definitely more on the clay side than the pomade side, and the hold is much stronger consequently. Once I get my hair how I want it in the morning, then get it dry, it will more or less stay that way, which is good because my hair can get a little wild.

Honestly, I think you just need to try something and see how it works for you. Most products aren't crazy big or crazy expensive, so it's pretty easy to just pick it up and see how it works for you. And if you like it, great, if you don't, re-evaluate and see what you think would suit you better.

Okay, that second paragraph is good advice. I kinda did that the first time around in March (there's a pic up there) - they said it was achievable, but definitely products play a major role. However, my hair is damaged, so I need to fix that first. I googled up something (kinda) near me, and it has like 43 reviews (all claiming that this one person is really good) and high rating. The price is 20 for men. The website doesn't look all that great though. The pictures (like 53 of them) are mostly girls, but all look fairly decent. There's another place (further) and it's like 15 for men, but has 90 reviews with high rating. Most of them seem to be girls.

Anyway, back to what I mentioned before, my hair is damaged, so AFTER the haircut - how do I make sure it grows out healthy and lush, non-damaged, non-frizzy, and thick as possible? That's my biggest issue. I don't want to get a haircut just to fuck up again - I don't mind trims, but fuck ups bother me lol. And, I guess, how to get thicker bangs (and hair) cause the pic's speak for themselves lol. That's where I read about keratin stuff, but yeah. To complicate it further, I'm not sure what products to buy and how frequently to use it. I'd really like someone who can help me on this via Skype or something. It'll mean so much<3.

And, I found these products, but again there's so many to choose from and dunno how frequently to use:
https://www.amazon.com/Sally-Hershberger-Hair-Hydration-Keratin/dp/B003N209EO?ie=UTF8&keywords=sally%20hershberger&qid=1416181022&ref_=sr_1_2&s=beauty&sr=1-2
https://www.amazon.com/Nexxus-Treatment-Pro-Mend-Binding-Leave/dp/B004H4VQ4Y?ie=UTF8&keywords=nexxus%20split%20end%20binding&qid=1416180906&ref_=sr_1_1&s=beauty&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.com/Sexy-Hair-Concepts-Soy-Tri-Wheat-Conditioner/dp/B0009EXOO6?ie=UTF8&keywords=healthy%20sexy%20hair&qid=1416180954&ref_=sr_1_1&s=beauty&sr=1-1

I use http://www.amazon.com/LOreal-Professionnel-Sculpte-Sculpting-Unisex/dp/B002PLO7KG and for me its one of the best I have ever tried and I have tried a lot. you can check my post http://www.reddit.com/r/malehairadvice/comments/1ar9k2/listened_to_your_advice_went_very_short_on_sides/ how it looks with it, I dint use much of it.

Also I bought a tub of Toni&guy fibre it is quite good, have been using for few days.

Also some people recommend american crew fibre, never tried it myself atleast in europe it isnt very popular imo, but on forums online some people love it, might just be some clever advertising. But different products suit different people so you might need to try a couple until you find one you like

This is/was literally my hairstyle. It's longer on the top now. Anyway, I use something called Moroccan Surf Paste. The first container of it I bought at Walmart for like 4 bucks. Unfortunately, my Walmart doesn't sell it now. It's a bit expensive on Amazon but it works better than the axe paste. I also have American Crew Fiber, but it's a bit too stiff and works better on shorter hair. Here it is: https://www.amazon.com/OGX-Organix-Moroccan-Surf-Paste/dp/B00J4WJ5NI

Also, this dude used his left hand to push the hair back towards the right side. Using your right hand will have it go towards the left side, if that matters to you.

Super Light works for me, but I wouldn't call my hair very thick.

I also have the regular Murray's but prefer the light. Regular Murray's can be used the same way. If that doesn't work, the stronger version is liquid beeswax, or the straight beeswax. These things are cheap and they last forever. Just a tiny dollop is enough.

As for boar's hair brush I've got one a lot like this, including the nylon reinforcement.

Boar's hair brushes are too forgiving to straighten-out freshly toweled damp hair, so get it straight with the strong coarse brush, something like this, then finish with boar's hair.

For a rougher look I sometimes go back over some of it with the coarse brush after the boar's hair, puts fingerlike ruffles back in.

If I don't use the boar's hair to straighten, my hair has a tendency to form into strangs and curl back up. The boar's hair is just fantastic in making all the hairs touch each other equally and no separate, thus keeping them straight.

Don't even need to bother with a hair dryer, and iron-straightening is completely unnecessary (unless you have some seriously wiry hair).

Ok first thing: in the future, if the image you're posting isn't interesting without the context of the reddit post, you shouldn't post it to the public Imgur page. There's an option to keep it off the public page and make it so only people sent directly through the link will view it. Imgur users get seriously butthurt when posts don't make sense for their own frontpage because you were just hosting images for a reddit post, and they're a toxic cesspool of humanity so their comments get nasty real quick for no reason.

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Now on to the advice.

Do you trim the top of your beard down that low? If you do, stop doing that, let the top hairline grow in naturally. It's way too low. If you don't, and that really is as high as it gets... I hate to say it, but you should shave it off. Or trim it all the way down to a light scruff/shadow, if you really like the fact that it might make you look a tiny bit older. It's just that right now, your beard only seems to grow underneath your jawline, and it's just not a good look. Also it's not growing in on middle of your upper lip, and with your hair being as dark as it is, holes like that are glaringly apparent.

Now for the hair on top. You and I have extremely similar looking hair, besides the color. I think it looks good the way it is, if you just go in and get the ears/neck cleaned up every 2 weeks. Also work on taming that cowlick, or just give the rest of your hair up top a little more messiness to disguise the cowlick. My stylist cleans up my ears and neck for free between cuts, if you build a relationship with one stylist you might be able to negotiate the same deal.

BUT since you asked for a new cut, this is a look that works well for our hair type. You need to put product in it every day--I recommend a water-based pomade--and preferably blow-dry to give it volume. But it can be a really clean look with just enough edge to show you have style. The easiest way to get the barber to cut it like this is show the picture, but to ask for it in words you could say:

"1 to 1 1/2 inches on top, with texture. Taper on the sides and back down to a 2 at the bottom. Blend it so there are no hard lines between the top and sides."

try something with a stronger hold. I really like bed head's matte separation wax. It provides a pretty strong hold, doesn't feel overly heavy, and it smells pretty good too

link here

I think your haircut is fine. For thin hair, what's more important is actually the products that you use. Essentially, go for products that work well on thin hair. I recommend Imperial Pomade Paste because the level of shine and hold makes your hair appear fuller.

There are also other products that are good for the hair, like a sea salt spray and others which I wrote in a post here

Hope it helps!

Thank you so much! I've been using Agadir Argan Oil on my hair the last few weeks and love that it's lighter and less sticker than gel I've used in the past. I'll play around a bit!

For long hair, it looks surprisingly good. Try taking the little bit on the left side of your part and pull it over to the right so your forehead isn't entirely bare. I'd also try pulling it all back. Your hair looks fairly light though so you may need a bit of oil to weigh it down and keep it from popping up. You can leave your sides in front or behind your ears, whatever you think looks best.

Here's a product I typically use after washing my hair to replace some of the lost oil and give it a nice shine.

http://www.amazon.com/Garnier-Fructis-Anti-Frizz-Serum-Sleek/dp/B000GCTBNY

Suavecito Strong Hold Pomade. It's water based, washes out easily, and it's very strong.

Hey guys,

This is actually me....Thanks /u/bandholz for sending me the link.

Addressing the questions:

For this hairstyle I used a combination of:
KMS Sea Salt Spray

And

L'Oreal Homme Fiber Paste

I used the sea salt spray first as a primer and then applied heat while styling, then applied the fiber paste.

This was during the fall winter. During summer it's really humid where I live so I use a clay like Bumble & Bumble SumoTech because it's dry and doesn't get weighed down by the humidity.

It helps to let your hair grow quite a bit on top and keep the sides short.

As far as the comment on no side burns...well I would grow them if I could. It's really patchy and looks bad when I try, so I just keep them clean shaven... wish I could get my beard like /u/bandholz!

I used this stuff up until very recently. It smells nice, has a nice feel and didn't make it feel greasy unless you used a lot of it. Wal-Mart sells it for like 6 or 7 dollars.

I'm looking for advice for a hair-cut. Here's what I look like at the moment. As you can tell it's been growing for a while, two and a half years from a pretty short cut. But, I'd like to cut it short again. Currently I don't use any products, though when I had shorter hair I generally used d:struct d:fi. The main issue is the hairline and how to work with it. I'm fine with much shorter hair in the lines with this but just not sure with the exact direction to take. Any example cuts that you think would work well for my hair, hair line and head shape would be much appreciated.

The conditioner, yes should be washed out. There is argan oil, then there are argan oil infused products, like whatever conditioner you are using. Straight Argan Oil is applied after the shower. Here's what I use: http://www.amazon.com/Agadir-Argan-Oil-Treatment-4-Ounce/dp/B001U9M2EW/ref=sr_1_7_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1462983499&sr=1-7&keywords=argan+oil

I've had luck with this product. It's a matte pomade and you can run your fingers through it. Another perk is that it smells great. You can prolly find it cheaper else where online, but I use Amazon for the quick two day shipping.

> Creams / pastes:

Tea tree shaping cream $15 on amazon: Link This post shows it in use: Link

Mr. Pompadour Moroccan Texture Paste $20 Link

> Wax:

Carter Supply Flux Strong Hold Wax $19 Link

> Clay:

Baxter California Clay $20: Link This post shows it in use: Link

Daimon Barber N° 4 Clay Pomade $24 Link

I love this stuff too! You can still get it. Link

Leave-in conditioner. Makes your hair soft, keeps it in place, and smells amazing.

https://www.amazon.com/Sexy-Hair-Concepts-Soy-Tri-Wheat-Conditioner/dp/B0009EXOO6

Looks good if you ask me. If you really want to thin it, you can just ask your stylist to do it or get some thinning shears and do it yourself.

They are a bit too expensive for me at the moment.

Can you recommend any of these?
1 2 3

Can you link to a good boar's brush? My hair is very thick and curly/wavy so I am assuming I would need this one: http://smile.amazon.com/Murrays-Light-Pomade-Dressing-Super/dp/B001RQIRVK?

Yep, try the Wahl Balding Clipper... I have a pair and they're incredible for head shaving. I don't know about nickel content, though.. but at $38 it might be worth a try.

I have this haircut.

Don’t forget, this hair in the photo is probably worked over by a professional; It’s not just one product and boom it’s done. It probably took him at least 15-20 minutes.

Sulfate-Free conditioning cleanser and conditioner

Light-weight hair oil. One small pump goes a long way and helps with fly-aways.

Blow dry with medium heat high fan with a diffuser to dry, shape, and add volume.

Kevin Murphy Rough Rider Matte Clay. Only apply to your fingers, not your palms and work through hair using just your fingers. Not a lot, literally a dime sized ball for that much hair. Maybe less.

Blow dry with medium heat high fan again to re-shape and add back volume you lost during styling. It also warms the clay to make it spread out more evenly. If you use too much product in the step above it will get heavy and droopy. Same goes for the hair oil. You can always add more.

Matte Texture Hairspray. Kevin Murphy makes a good one. It’s in a baby blue spray can.

Might seem like a lot of money, but with hair this short, these full size products last 2-3 months at least.

You can also get travel sizes to keep upfront cost down.

Edit: Also, with a fade that high and tight, he probably gets his hair cut at least every other week.

Get a pair of clippers like this, that are made to trim it all the way down.

https://www.amazon.com/Wahl-Professional-Balding-Clipper-8110/dp/B000VVT94G/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1506386028&sr=1-1&keywords=Bald+clippers

Well first off you may have split ends from the looks of it. Being rough with your hair won't get you this silky smooth stuff.

You should possibly get a trim to get them out (split ends) if you have them.

After that you could use some Garnier Fructis to try and get it smooth like it does if you don't wash it for a few day.

As for the curling iron or straightener since you'll be using product to get the sheen of the picture you showed where you want to be I'm not sure you'd use anything BUT conditioners and serums/mousses.

hmu with some brands u recommend, bc i use this rn and its not the greatest hold

This one ? https://www.amazon.com/Conair-Professional-Hair-Brush-Colors/dp/B001QX4GDC

Oh. Thats reasonable. Ask your stylist, he should do it for you. Or do it yourself with this http://www.amazon.com/Tweezerman-Stainless-2000-Thinning-Shears/dp/B000WHWIWO

direct link https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Q59B4UK

product source able

[This?](FX Surf Head Paste 113 gm Jar https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0013L7H06/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qBewxbVD4K2TK)

This.

I have very similar hair to you right now, with a very similar issue.

Some days its unavoidable even with spray and blow drying like if its pissing down outside. But like you I shampoo on alternative days, towel dry till damp and blowdry every day. The hairspray(s) I use:

If i'm smart and know I'm running out i'll order this.

If not, once i've recovered from my mental breakdown, i'll pop out and buy this. Tbh this lasts longer than the other one but makes it look a bit more static and stuck.

Are you using a conditioner? Shampoo every other day to start with, and use an Argan oil mousse for volume...that'll moisturize while also giving volume as you blow dry. Then use your product. I've had the same convo with my stylist, and I don't think blow drying alone is the problem, so it may not be necessary to eliminate it. Here's the mousse I use:
https://www.amazon.com/Agadir-Argan-Volumizing-Styling-Mousse/dp/B004C4BUGI/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1478908678&sr=8-2&keywords=argan%2Boil%2Bmousse&th=1