On a purely selfish tip here, but I’m sure I’m not on my own, I’m in need of a good hair cut and also a bit sick to death of my usually short back and sides. So, it got me to thinking I should seek the advice of a professional and out came the Clothes Make the Man little black book, actually the not so little, I’ll have you know, and top of the list came the Award-winning hairdresser, owner of two salons, global ambassador for Matrix Haircare, TV personality and British Hairdresser of the Year 2013 & 2012 nominee, none other then Mr Jamie Stevens. Jamie has fast established a well-deserved reputation as one of the nation’s most successful and talented celebrity hairstylists.
This charismatic and gifted man has seen him work with everyone from Kylie Minogue, Elle Macpherson and Eva Herzigova to Christian Slater, Hugh Grant and Olly Murs. He has also been recognised for his exceptional men’s hair skills, twice winning the British Hairdressing Awards Men’s Hairdresser of the Year Award, as well as being the English Hair & Beauty Awards Men’s Stylist of the Year 2013 and winning the first ever Men’s Stylist of the Year category at the HAIR Awards 2013. OK, OK I’ll shut and let him speak.
Slick & Side Parted – Seen on everyone from Leonardo Di Caprio to Justin Timberlake, defined side partings were a key trend for Spring/Summer and show no signs of going away for Autumn/Winter. This trend kicked off with pop culture influences from shows such as Boardwalk Empire, Downtown Abbey, Pan Am and Mad Men, where the guys wore hair very slick and this classic cut with clean edges, is definitely enjoying a renaissance.
To achieve this, you should ask for a hair cut tapered at the sides and cut into the parting, whilst maintaining enough length on top to comb over to the side. It does require regular maintenance trims to keep it looking sharp, but it looks super stylish and is so easy to style, you just need a comb and product – opt for gels, pomades and glossing products, rather than those with a matte finish.
The finished style can be worn sharper or softer, depending on your face shape and preference. At its sharpest, style from wet with a comb and a good strong hold gel such as Matrix Design Pulse Rock Solid, keeping the hair as flat as possible and making sure product is evenly distributed.
The softer version, think Leonardo’s Gatsby, where volume is present and hair more styled, use a Denman brush and dry the hair backwards towards the crown. Then, using a wax paste like Matrix Design Pulse Shape Scene, apply from front to back for a more textured finish, with flexibility and movement
Longer Hair & Natural Texture – In contrast, longer hairstyles embracing the hair’s natural texture are also a key look for Autumn/Winter. This look is about dishevelled unfussy hair, like your man has just rolled out of bed, think Harry Styles, as well as a return to even longer lengths. After washing your hair, liberally work a sea salt spray into the hair and apply a small amount of a matte clay, such as Matrix Design Pulse Beach Clay into your roots and shape into the desired look. Let it dry naturally or in the colder months, scrunch dry it with your fingers and mould into shape.
Quiffs – We’re seeing a lot of textured quiffs in demand, where the back and sides are cropped short to really heighten the impact of the length on top. This work best on hair with a natural wave, but we’ve also been seeing an increase in requests for perms to achieve this look on hair that doesn’t naturally curl so easily, just make sure your stylist uses big rods as this will make it wavier and will sit back better.
For the cut, ask your stylist for a skin fade as this will give you the best cut to maximise the top length. To style, apply a styling cream into the hair before blow-drying such as Matrix Design Pulse Loosely Defined to give hold and lift. Dry the hair back in the direction you want it to sit and as big as possible. With a clay-like product – Matrix Design Pulse Quick & Dirty, rub it generously into your hands and fingers and starting at the back of your head imagine you’re putting the product on your scalp and start to work it forward, encouraging lift at the front to maximise the quiff. Finish some good hairspray for guys.
Alternatively, you can blow-dry the quiff out into more of a Beckham-inspired look that has been so popular – the key here is the cut as he has been clippered with one grade to really show separation between the lengths.
To learn different ways of styling your hair at home, ask your stylist when having your hair cut for specific tips and tricks on how to adapt your look and the key products required to achieve it, so that you change your look up depending on your mood.
