Contents:
- Understanding Your Hair Type Before Styling
- Hair Texture Categories
- The Essential Styling Products: What You Actually Need
- Product 1: Shampoo (Weekly Cost: £0.40-£0.80)
- Product 2: Conditioner (Weekly Cost: £0.20-£0.50)
- Product 3: Styling Product (Monthly Cost: £8-£25)
- Product 4: Blow Dryer (One-Time Cost: £25-£60)
- Optional: Pomade for Shine (Monthly Cost: £3-£5)
- The Complete Hair Styling Process: Step by Step
- Step 1: Wash Your Hair (Best Time: Evening)
- Step 2: Dry Your Hair (Best Time: 30-60 Minutes After Washing)
- Step 3: Apply Styling Product (The Critical Moment)
- Step 4: Dry with Hair Dryer Again (If Needed)
- Step 5: Final Adjustments
- How to Style Hair Men: Specific Styles and Techniques
- The Quiff (For Medium-Length Hair, 6-10cm)
- The Undercut (Short Sides, Longer Top)
- The Crop (Short Throughout, Slightly Longer on Top)
- The Slicked-Back (Any Length)
- The Tousled/Textured Look (Medium Length)
- Product Cost Breakdown: Monthly Budget Estimate
- Sustainable Hair Styling: Eco-Friendly Options
- Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
- Mistake 1: Using Too Much Product
- Mistake 2: Applying Product to Bone-Dry Hair
- Mistake 3: Skipping the Blow Dryer
- Mistake 4: Waiting Too Long After Washing to Apply Product
- Mistake 5: Overcomplicating the Process
- FAQ Section
- How long does it take to style hair properly?
- What’s the best product for my hair type?
- Do I need to wash my hair daily?
- Why doesn’t my styling product hold all day?
- Can I style my hair without a blow dryer?
Stand in front of the mirror with damp hair, hair dryer in hand, and a jar of styling product sitting unopened on the shelf. You have no idea what you’re doing. That’s the moment most men discover they’ve been winging it with their hair for years—and that a few minutes of actual technique could transform their entire look.
Learning how to style hair men do it properly isn’t complicated, but it requires understanding three foundational elements: your hair type, the right products, and proper technique. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to move from chaotic bed-head to styled confidence.
Understanding Your Hair Type Before Styling
Your hair’s natural texture dictates which products and techniques work. Attempting to style hair without knowing your type is like trying to build a wall without understanding the materials available.
Hair Texture Categories
- Straight hair: Lacks natural curl or wave. Sits flat, particularly at the crown. Requires volumising products to create texture.
- Wavy hair: Has natural movement and body. Tends to frizz in humidity. Works well with texture sprays and matte products.
- Curly hair: Natural coils or waves throughout. Holds shape naturally. Often requires moisture and definition products.
- Coily/kinky hair: Tight coils throughout. Shrinks significantly when dry. Needs heavy-duty moisture and definition products.
Determine your type by letting hair air-dry completely without product (allow 24 hours after washing). This reveals your natural texture without styling interference.
The Essential Styling Products: What You Actually Need
Men often buy dozens of products thinking more equals better results. The reality: you need four basics. Everything else is optional enhancement.
Product 1: Shampoo (Weekly Cost: £0.40-£0.80)
Most men use far too much shampoo. A dime-sized amount is sufficient for an average head. Shampoo twice weekly maximum; daily washing strips natural oils that keep hair healthy and styled. For styling purposes, what matters is a shampoo that doesn’t leave residue. Avoid “2-in-1” products—they leave conditioning film that prevents styling products from gripping hair. Quality options: Bulldog Original Shampoo (£6 per 200ml, lasting 8-10 weeks), Malin + Goetz shampoo (£20 per 250ml), or Tesco Value Shampoo (£0.35 per 500ml—genuinely effective, no pretence).
Product 2: Conditioner (Weekly Cost: £0.20-£0.50)
Conditioner after every wash. Apply to the ends, not the scalp (roots are naturally oily). Leave for 30-60 seconds before rinsing thoroughly. This prevents hair becoming brittle and improves texture dramatically. A bottle lasts 10-12 weeks. Budget: £6-£15 per bottle.
Product 3: Styling Product (Monthly Cost: £8-£25)
This is where your personal preference matters. Understanding product types:
- Pomade (high shine): Glossy finish, strong hold, washes out with regular shampoo. Best for slicked-back or retro styles. Brands: Brylcreem (£3), Layrite (£15), Baxter of California (£20).
- Hair gel (high shine): Wet look, strong hold, dries quickly, can flake if applied too much. Best for spiky or textured styles. Budget: £4-£12 per tub.
- Matte paste (no shine): Matte finish, medium-to-strong hold, modern appearance, versatile. Best for tousled or natural-looking styles. Top choice for beginners. Price: £8-£18.
- Texture spray (matte): Creates friction for grip, builds volume, no shine, lightweight. Best for wavy or straight hair needing body. Cost: £8-£15.
- Wax (low-to-medium shine): Pliable hold allowing restyling throughout the day, softer finish than pomade, slightly easier to wash out. Price: £10-£20.
For beginners, a matte paste is the safest choice. It works with nearly any hairstyle, doesn’t look greasy, and forgives application mistakes. Brands: Baxter of California Clay Pomade (£18), Uppercut Deluxe Easy Hold (£15), or own-brand alternatives (£6-£8).
Product 4: Blow Dryer (One-Time Cost: £25-£60)
An essential tool most men skip. A quality blow dryer (ionic technology reduces frizz) costs £30-£50 and lasts 3-5 years. Budget brands: Dyson Supersonic (£300, overkill but exceptional), Babyliss Ionic (£40), or Tesco Standard (£25). For styling purposes, any dryer with a concentrator nozzle works.
Optional: Pomade for Shine (Monthly Cost: £3-£5)
For slicked styles, a water-based pomade adds shine and control. Brylcreem Original (£3) is a classic. This is genuinely optional—skip it unless you want a polished finish.
The Complete Hair Styling Process: Step by Step
This five-step process works for any haircut and any styling product.
Step 1: Wash Your Hair (Best Time: Evening)
Warm water, not hot (hot opens the cuticle and causes frizz). Apply dime-sized shampoo, massage for 30-45 seconds focusing on the scalp, rinse thoroughly. Apply conditioner to the ends (not scalp), leave for 30-60 seconds, rinse completely. This takes 4-5 minutes total.
Step 2: Dry Your Hair (Best Time: 30-60 Minutes After Washing)
This step transforms your styling potential. Hair is easiest to style when 70-80% dry (damp but not soaking). Start with a towel: gently squeeze (don’t rub) your hair to remove excess water. Rubbing causes frizz and breaks hair.
Use a blow dryer on medium heat, medium speed. Point the nozzle downward (following the direction hair naturally grows). Blow dry from root to tip. For short hair (under 10cm), this takes 3-5 minutes. For longer hair, 7-10 minutes. Aim for a damp texture—not bone-dry, not soaking wet.
Step 3: Apply Styling Product (The Critical Moment)
This is where most men fail. Typical mistakes: using too much, applying to dry hair, or working product through incorrectly.
The correct method:
- Warm a golf ball-sized amount (roughly the size of a large pea) of product between your palms by rubbing hands together for 5-10 seconds. The product should feel warm and slightly spreadable.
- Run both hands through your hair, starting at the front and working backward. Ensure even distribution—you should see product throughout, not just on top.
- Now style. For volume, rough up hair with fingers. For sleekness, comb or brush backward. For texture, scrunch slightly with hands.
- Leave hands in your hair for 30-60 seconds while product sets. Resist re-touching or adjusting.
- Final look appears after 2-3 minutes once product fully dries.
Most common mistake: Using 3-4 times too much product. A pea-sized amount (warmed between palms) is genuinely sufficient for most heads. More product doesn’t equal better hold—it equals greasiness and a sticky look.
Step 4: Dry with Hair Dryer Again (If Needed)
For some styles and products, a second pass with the blow dryer adds volume or sets the shape. Use low-to-medium heat, follow the direction of style, and work quickly (2-3 minutes). This step is optional but improves results dramatically.
Step 5: Final Adjustments
Once product has dried (wait 2-3 minutes after applying), you can make minor adjustments using your fingers or a comb. Avoid over-touching—each touch adds friction and disrupts styling.
How to Style Hair Men: Specific Styles and Techniques
The Quiff (For Medium-Length Hair, 6-10cm)
Blow dry hair upward and backward, creating volume at the front. Apply matte paste or pomade, run through hair from front to back, emphasizing height at the front. Use fingers to create texture. Allow 5 minutes to set. Maintenance: restyle if needed with damp hands.
The Undercut (Short Sides, Longer Top)
Blow dry the top straight up and slightly backward. Apply texture spray first (builds grip), then paste or pomade. Work product through top section only, keeping sides clean. This style is extremely versatile—works with spiky, textured, or combed finishes.
The Crop (Short Throughout, Slightly Longer on Top)
Blow dry upward slightly. Apply lightweight matte paste, work through with fingers to create texture rather than sleekness. This style forgives product mistakes—natural texture is part of the appeal. Takes 3-4 minutes.
The Slicked-Back (Any Length)
While hair is damp, apply pomade evenly throughout. Comb straight backward using a fine-tooth comb. Hair should look glossy and controlled. This style requires a water-based pomade (washes out) rather than oil-based (extremely difficult to remove). Typical product: Brylcreem (£3) or Layrite Deluxe (£15).
The Tousled/Textured Look (Medium Length)
Blow dry with slight roughness—don’t aim for neatness. Apply texture spray or matte paste while damp. Run hands through loosely without trying to control every strand. Embrace slight messiness. This is the most forgiving style for beginners. Takes 3-5 minutes.
Product Cost Breakdown: Monthly Budget Estimate
A complete men’s styling routine costs less than most people think:
- Shampoo: £0.40-£0.80 weekly = £2-£3.20 monthly
- Conditioner: £0.20-£0.50 weekly = £1-£2 monthly
- Styling product (matte paste, etc.): £8-£25 per month
- Blow dryer: £30 one-time cost, amortised over 48 months = £0.60 monthly
- Total: £12-£31 monthly
This assumes buying mainstream brands (Tesco, Superdrug own-brands, or mid-range products). Premium brands (Dyson, high-end hairdressing ranges) push costs higher, but results don’t scale proportionally. A £6 matte paste and a £20 matte paste perform nearly identically.
Sustainable Hair Styling: Eco-Friendly Options
Sustainable styling means choosing products with minimal environmental impact and using them efficiently. Consider:
- Refillable containers: Some brands (Uppercut Deluxe, Baxter of California) offer refillable product tins, reducing packaging waste by 70-80%.
- Solid hair products: Solid waxes and pastes contain no water, last twice as long as creamy products, and require minimal packaging. Cost: £12-£18, lasting 4-6 months.
- Eco-friendly brands: Malin + Goetz, Bulldog, and others use recyclable packaging and sustainable sourcing. Prices: £6-£15.
- Efficient product use: Using correct amounts (pea-sized, warmed) prevents waste. A jar lasting 4-6 months instead of 2 months reduces consumption by 50%.
- Water conservation: Blow drying rather than air-drying doesn’t save water but takes 10 minutes versus 30-60 minutes of waiting, improving daily efficiency.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Mistake 1: Using Too Much Product
Results in greasy, heavy-looking hair. Solution: start with a pea-sized amount. You can always add more—removing excess is nearly impossible.
Mistake 2: Applying Product to Bone-Dry Hair
Dry hair doesn’t absorb product evenly, causing clumping and uneven texture. Solution: apply product to hair that’s 70-80% dry (damp but not soaking).
Mistake 3: Skipping the Blow Dryer
Air-dried hair looks limp and unstyled. A 5-minute blow dry dramatically improves results. Solution: invest in a £30-£40 dryer and use it for 5-10 minutes after every wash.
Mistake 4: Waiting Too Long After Washing to Apply Product
Once hair has been air-drying for 2+ hours, it’s difficult to restyle. Solution: apply product within 30-60 minutes of washing, while hair still has natural moisture.
Mistake 5: Overcomplicating the Process
Hair styling is genuinely simple: wash, dry, apply product, shape. Overthinking ruins results. Solution: follow the five-step process exactly; don’t add unnecessary steps.
FAQ Section
How long does it take to style hair properly?
5-15 minutes total, depending on length and style. Washing takes 4-5 minutes, drying takes 3-10 minutes, applying product takes 1-2 minutes. With practice, most men complete the entire process in 10 minutes.
What’s the best product for my hair type?
Straight hair: texture spray or matte paste for volume. Wavy hair: matte paste or wax for definition. Curly hair: curl cream or gel for definition. Coily hair: moisturising cream or gel. When in doubt, start with a matte paste—it works across all types.
Do I need to wash my hair daily?
No. Daily washing strips natural oils, making hair drier and harder to style. Wash 2-3 times weekly. On non-wash days, dampen hair slightly and restyle with a small amount of product (no need to wash).
Why doesn’t my styling product hold all day?
Hold depends on product type, humidity, and hair length. Shorter hair holds better (less weight to fight). High humidity breaks down hold. Solution: choose a stronger-hold product, reapply once midday (dampen hair slightly, apply small amount of product), or accept that hold fades after 6-8 hours.
Can I style my hair without a blow dryer?
Technically yes, but results suffer. Air-dried hair looks flatter and less defined. If you must air-dry: apply product while hair is damp (30-60 minutes after washing), style with fingers, and expect 60-70% of the result versus blow-dried styling.
