Thinking of growing it long?

Matthew Evans of Doherty Evans & Stott.

Photography by Dan Watson of Source Studio.

Longer hair for men is making a comeback in a big way. Looser, flowing and textured looks are replacing the rockabilly chic look of five years ago. Getting your hair to a state where you (and your barber) have something to work with is usually the hardest part when transitioning from short to a longer hair look. 

Most male’s hair grows on average one cm per month so, despite the tips and tricks out there, in reality the most important ingredient for growing your hair out (and through and beyond the awkward middle-of-the-road stage) is time and patience. 

Besides the several months you spent backpacking, when are you going to have such a wide window to grow out those luscious locks? Now just may be the perfect time. As we each do our part to ‘flatten the curve’ of COVID-19 by staying at home and social distancing, it is looking more and more likely that your regular visit to the barber could be months (at least weeks) away. It goes without saying – steer clear of the home haircut!

So in the meantime, there are three main things you can do to embrace the hair as it grows so you aren’t left feeling scruffy.

1. Maintain your hairline 

These days a lot of men own a beard trimmer or hair clippers. If you don’t, you can pick one up cheap and a large range can be found online. To DIY maintain your hairline, firstly, use the corner of the clippers to trim any wispy hairs that are growing around the ears. Secondly, carefully clean up the neckline, taking care to find symmetry (not easy on your own with just a mirror). As your hair grows longer, if you can manage to keep the hair around your ears and the neckline in order, your cut will still look fresh. Obviously ideally this would be done by your barber, but whilst we are locked down these are things you may be able to do yourself.

2. Try new styling products and options 

Try using a lighter more natural product for styling, we would recommend a texture spray or light matte wax. Work with the growth of your hair. Trial different variations – product quantities, hair situation (wet, towel dry, blow dry) and styling techniques. Take note of what works (and what doesn’t) and build from day to day until you’re happy with how your hair is responding to the products and styling. 

3. Work with the growth of your hair

Consider things like the following: do you have an area of hair that always sticks up or does your crown sit the way you want?

Start with looking at how your hair sits without product. As the hair grows longer the weight of the hair will start to make those pesky areas sit down so it will become easier.

If your crown sits down better when your hair goes the other way, switch it over. Over the next few weeks, as the hair grows, it will adjust and allow you to make these changes naturally when styling. 

Hope these tips help. Get in touch with The Hoi Polloi if you need any more help or guidance.