Mads Mikkelsen, not only Hannibal

It’s something only achieved by a select few men in the game: optimal grooming for all occasions. We know, it might sound like folly—everyone gets bad hair days. But now several decades into his career, we’re wondering if Mads Mikkelsen will ever have one himself?

While running the gauntlet for the press tour for the just-released film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Mikkelsen has understandably been through a lot. Red carpets, photo calls, interviews, just to name part of the work the Danish actor has put in for the film, but that is par for the course really. 

As the reigning dark lord of fashion, there’s a lot Mikkelsen has been able to play around with in the wardrobe department—did we mention he’s been squeezing in fashion week appearances in between? But something we’re not all blessed with, is a great combination of perfectly-sitting salt-and-pepper hair and beard, that manages to look good on just about any occasion.

For his more organised appearances, Mikkelsen took to his traditional do, an instantly recognisable wide sweep to the side that makes full use of his straight-sitting hair and youthful hairline. Sitting neatly above a close-cropped beard flecked with ash-white, Mikkelsen is settling in comfortably to life when hair turns to grey without getting much shorter. 

Of course, with red carpet appearances, Mikkelsen is treated to the full ammunition of the H&MU department to get his beard in check and the perfect slick on his hair. However, when spotted recently leaving his hotel in London, Mikkelsen proved that he just might be ok without it, if he needed to. 

Despite most of his hair hidden beneath his stealth-wealth-esque Zegna hat, Mikkelsen’s unkempt take on his own signature look was nothing short of impressive. Where a bit of product and a comb shows off the angles of the face—rigid angles Mikkelsen is not short of—this more laid-back approach shows off the mottled colouring still on show, even after a big night. 

Ranging from blonde, to light ash, Mikkelsen’s hair colour is just as versatile as his styling. Where it’s worn with a sharper sweep off to the side, it’s a great choice for anyone looking to keep their hair long into their grey years. The more casual of his looks has us thinking there’s still a wild side to his long locks, even if he’s reticent to bust them out on the red carpet—like Tom Cruise did recently. 

Hair as neat as Mikkelsen’s might not be up everyone’s arsenal, but if you do possess hair on the straighter side, this is the sort of styling you should be aiming for as you get older. Let Mikkelsen show you the way. 

Production on Bryan Fuller's Dust Bunny has kicked off in Budapest, Hungary. To celebrate, the writer-director took to Instagram to share a cute selfie of himself and his Hannibal pal Mads Mikkelsen, who is set to lead the new horror movie.