Two words best summarise the key trends in men’s hairstyles this season: loose and relaxed. To help decipher this softer new direction, I spoke to Sydney barber Heather Bickerton, aka Heather Barberella.
The look is centred around a textured crop that is shorter on the sides, choppy on the top and has a sweeping fringe.
For men who like their hair longer, the emphasis is again on movement and embracing natural texture. And anyone embracing a mullet, which is never far from the conversation, will find they’re squarely indie-inspired.
Bickerton is “absolutely loving the longer natural and textured looks, also known as the ‘European flow’, with more tailored, wearable waves and less sharp fades. Think of an effortless and lived-in look and the natural movement of hair.”
Bickerton, who has more than 25 years’ experience cutting men’s hair, cites three celebrities who are rocking great styles. Actor Michael B. Jordan has a look that is clean and masculine and his beard “is a perfect example of density and sharp lines”.
Man of the moment, Australian actor Jacob Elordi (above) “represents the shift to natural texture and softer finishes – less structured and more effortless”, says Bickerton. Then there’s former soccer star David Beckham, whom Bickerton describes as “always a favourite and the master of evolution. He can go from buzz cut to longer styles but always keeps a balance between his haircut and his beard.”
Achieving the right beard involves choosing the best shape to suit your face and style, she says. “Beards look best structured but not overly manicured, with clean, natural cheek and neck lines for more definition and intentional shaping. Softening the lines by tapering will ensure longevity for the beard’s shape.”
So, shorter hair and a longer beard team well, while the opposite – longer hair with a shorter beard – also applies. A moustache is always fun, too.
For men who are balding, seeing a barber can be a great point of reference. “Don’t fight it blindly – work with density, not against it,” Bickerton says. “With haircuts, shorter, textured styles often look thicker, and remember to keep sides tighter to reduce the contrast from thicker hair at the sides to the finer hair on top.”
Topical treatments to fight thinning locks can be a good option, but they can take up to three months to show results. For some men, a hair transplant is a possibility (after consulting a medical professional), but it’s not the easy fix some people think. Says Bickerton, “The biggest mistake guys make is jumping in before they’ve stabilised the hair loss or understood the long game.”
ASK STEPH
I want a longer lash look. What do you suggest?
This season, brown is the new black in many things beauty related, and the same is true for lash extensions. With a softer brown hue, you can afford to take the length a little longer. Find them at Amy Jean Brows ($160).
Send questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
