Dapper in a Day

Have you ever walked out of the salon feeling fine but the next day you can’t seem to achieve that perfect look that your stylist magically gives you every single time? Instead of wishing your stylist could be there to style your hair every morning, maybe it would help to pay more attention to the tools used in the salon to achieve the look you you left with. A few factors are involved, but the first and main tool I would recommend using at home to style your hair after getting out of the shower is a blow-dryer. I can’t tell you now many guys initially cringe at this suggestion. “Doesn’t owning a blow-dryer make me lose my man card?” No, no it doesn’t.

Styling your hair with a blow-dryer gives you a more sophisticated way to style in order to achieve the look you desire.

Before I dive into the reasons using a blow-dryer can be a benefit to you, let me first clarify why I only recommend that 90% of my clients use one but not all of them. First, some guys prefer to rock the buzz cut or very short haircut, which is cool but they definitely don’t need a blow-dryer to style it. I would say if there is more than one to two inches of hair on the top of your head, it is recommended. On the other extreme, guys with long hair don’t necessarily need to use one either depending on their style. Second, some dudes are blessed with beautiful locks of curly goodness, which should be embraced; however, blow-dried curls are very different than wet curls that dry naturally. If one wants to achieve a straighter style with their curly hair, then yes, use a blow-dryer. The majority of my clients would rather embrace their curls, put product in it, and let it dry all natural. Now, let’s move on to the important stuff, the benefits.

Direction

I’m willing to bet that your hair does not normally dry naturally the way you want it to dry, unless it’s curly and you gave up trying to control it. The simple fact is, without using a blow-dryer to manipulate it, you won’t be able to control the direction that your hair dries. Today’s popular style, the modern pompadour and classy side part, does well when you blow-dry the hair straight back from forehead to crown with fingertips working the hair to the opposite corner of the part-line. This creates an excellent directional base prior to utilizing your favorite styling products, or mine (click here for my TOP 5).

Volume

Unfortunately a lot of guys aren’t born with thick locks of hair or maybe your hair has thinned quite a bit from getting older. The first thing I recommend for those clients who are still wanting to maintain some length on top is to USE A BLOW-DRYER, please. It will make such a difference in the density of the hair if you style it dry. Blow-drying the hair from the roots to the ends and lifting it up with your fingertips will create volume, guaranteed. Even if you don’t want a pompadour, volume is an important pre-product base for any style to stay throughout the day.

Texture

Most guys look very confused when I use the word texture. So first, let me try to explain this ambiguous term. Everyone has a different hair texture--straight, wavy, curly, medium, coarse, which can only be changed with the use of chemicals or heat styling tools. When I talk about adding texture to the hair while cutting, it either means thinning the hair with thinning shears or adding movement/variation in length with a razor. To make a style look more textured, it is crucial to blow dry the hair for more movement and separation of individual hair follicles. When hair is wet and you put product in, it tends to stick together in clumps and not look very movable and natural after drying. Finally, the texture is defined when you style the hair with a matte finish cream or paste. Use a dime or nickel sized amount, rub fingertips together, and apply throughout hair.

I hope that you are now well aware of the benefits of using a blow-dryer to style your hair and provide direction, volume, and texture. Blow-dryers can range anywhere from $10-$200, so it is helpful to know they are affordable as well as useful. My clients agree that it is a necessary tool to achieve the style they want. I have provided a couple links below for options: Amazon

Target

Go out and buy a blow-dryer if you don’t already have one. Your hairstyle will thank you. Visit Dapperinaday.com to schedule an appointment and to get a one-on-one hair-styling tutorial.

When Dash came into the salon with his long, shoulder-length, wavy hair, He hadn’t cut it for quite some time. Luckily, I had a vision for his hair and it turned out looking modern, edgy and super dapper. It turned out so well, that I asked him to be one of my Dapper in a Day models. We headed over to a classy little island called Coronado and we wandered around the Hotel Del Coronado taking advantage of all the cool photo-shoot spots. Dash had never modeled before but he definitely impressed me with his ease in front of the camera and on-point smoulder. Some of my favorite shots are below. BUT FIRST...

The BEFORE picture:

AFTER:

Styled with: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream on dry hair  (read more on my top product recommendations here)

Considering it’s the holidays, I wanted to share my top five favorite products that I love to use on my clients. I’ve been in the hair industry for ten years now and have tried a variety of products, but we hairstylists all have our staple products that we couldn’t live without. Below are my top five: 1.) Tea Tree Shaping Cream

This is not only the product I use the most in the salon, but it’s the best seller for my male clientele. I love that it smells like a tropical vacation to Fiji and leaves your hair looking fresh and all natural. Its a strong hold, no shine (matte finish) product that produces a touchable style and an “I woke up like this” look. I personally like to avoid the gelled over, pasted down, “can’t touch this” look that guys rocked in the ‘90′s. Please, let’s just all forget that look and move on to the matte finish, natural and movable style. Thanks.  

Read more here.

2.) American Crew Boost Powder

This product is very mystifying to clients until the benefit and application is explained by their hairstylist. I use this product on over half of my clients because it helps achieve volume, which is a popular trend in today’s styles. Whether I’m trying to make a client’s hair look thicker, more voluminous for the modern pompadour style, or achieve a messier texture, the Boost Powder does the trick. With a blow-dryer, a sprinkle of powder on the roots (in the right areas), and a little scalp stimulation, the hair appears and stays thicker throughout the day. I know I love it, but the proof is in my clients who have come back time and time again with raving reviews each time they purchase a jar.

Read more here.

3.) Mitch Clean Cut

For those clients who want a little more grip in their hair to keep their style in tact throughout regular business hours, I recommend the Mitch (Paul Mitchell men’s line) Clean Cut. This product has medium hold with medium shine; it’s the perfect option for guys who want to achieve a movable yet clean and intact style. It has a very manly, but not overbearing smell which appeals to most men. Although it has medium hold, the texture of the paste takes the product up a notch to last throughout the day--I’d say it would be equal to the hold of the Tea Tree Shaping Cream. Wind-resistant style and clean cut look achieved!

Read more here.

4.) American Crew Grooming Cream

For those guys who like more of a slicked back, pasted down style, I prefer to use the grooming cream by American Crew. This is an excellent choice when one wants to have a sleek, refined and rather dapper look that holds well throughout the day or night out. I have some clients who want to dress up their style in the evening and like to embrace a shinier, slicked back look. The Grooming Cream has high shine and high hold which creates a very dapper finish. It’s easy to use and doesn’t dry hard or flaky like most gels I strictly avoid. 

Read more here.

5.) American Crew Light Hold Texture Cream

Curly/Wavy hair needs love too and that is precisely why this product is on my top five list. A lot of guys come into the salon with long wavy hair that needs moisture and some type of styling product. This product is perfect because it provides the slightest bit of hold to avoid frizziness and it conditions the hair at the same time. It doubles as an excellent detangler as well and has saved me many times when dealing with unruly little girl tangles and knots. Even if you have a style with short hair on the sides and curls on top, this is a great way to embrace the curl but keep it from getting too frizzy and wild. 

Read more here.