Men’s Hairstyling – Even if they’ve never set foot in a barbershop, nearly everyone has heard the term “short back and sides” at some point, and probably knows that it’s something or another to do with men’s hairstyling. When planning your next haircut, it always helps to know your face shape first. If you’re not sure, head over here for my colleague’s advice on how to figure it all out. Still confused? Never fear – your favourite Kings Cross barber can steer you in the right direction when you arrive for your appointment for Men’s Hairstyling.
Which is correct, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. “Short back and sides” isn’t a haircut on its own, but a term to describe a style that’s long at the top and shorter at the sides and back of the head. Actually, it’s pretty simple. There are dozens of variations on this classic look, but some will be more suited to your lifestyle and face shape than others! In this edition of Get The Look, Jade from Pall Mall Barbers Kings Cross breaks down some of the most requested types and tells us how to style them.
And remember, every men’s hair style looks great when accessorised with a face mask! All branches of Pall Mall Barbers are fully compliant with the latest industry safety guidelines and hygiene standards, so you can relax knowing that you’re in excellent, extremely clean hands. We don’t know when things will go back to “normal” but we do know how to cut men’s hair so that you’ll always look great – even from a distance of 2 meters.
My favourite product finish off this style is the Pall Mall Barbers Pompadour Paste for Men’s Hairstyling. It gives lasting hold, a sharp finish and plenty of shine. Apply a small amount and work through the hair from root to tip, adding more if necessary.
Men’s Hairstyling – Skin fades
Would this haircut suit me?
“Fade” is a term we use in the industry to describe any work on the sides and back of the head that transitions from one length to another, and there’s one to suit almost every gentleman. Speak to your talented Kings Cross barber if you’ve never had a skin fade – they’ll be able to advise you what will work best with your overall look and lifestyle,Men’s Hairstyling.
IMAGE: 0.5 Back and Side x 2
– 0.5 back and sides
Would this haircut suit me?
A 0.5 back and sides refers to hair cut styles for men in which the hair on the back and sides is taken down to the skin (the 0.5 bit is the size of the attachment that goes over the men’s hair clippers, in case you were wondering). It suits almost everyone, but works especially well if you have a round or heart-shaped face – the closely cropped sides will help slim and balance the proportions of your head. A longer style such as a quiff or pompadour on top perfectly complements a 0.5 back and sides and gives you some length to play with for variety when it comes to styling. It’s also a style worth considering if your hair is on the shorter side, as you don’t need much growth to start with.
What should I ask my barber for?
Ask for a low 0.5 fade back and sides blended up, with some length at the top.
How should I style this haircut?
First things first: always rough dry the roots of your hair before you begin styling. This goes for almost any men’s hairstyle you can think of. Attempting to style soaking wet hair makes product less effective and takes up precious time that could be more usefully spent catching up on sleep, reading Marx or strategically organising your bookshelves for Zoom meetings.
Let’s say you went for a quiff on top and now have a bit of length to play with. After rough drying with a towel, finish with a round brush and a hairdryer, moving them in the same direction to push the hair back. You can use a normal brush, but a round brush will give you extra lift and longer-lasting volume. Pick one up next time you pop into Boots or your local equivalent thereof – they’re only a few pounds but will make a big difference to the finished result, Men’s Hairstyling.
Get yourself booked in with a Pall Mall Barber at one of our six London barbershops. Pick a time that suits you, book online here or download the free Pall Mall Barbers app, Apple Store & Google Play.
What should I ask my barber for?
Broadly speaking, there are three main types of skin fades: high, medium and low. A high fade starts closest to the top of the head and is definitely the most noticeable of the three! If your style could be reasonably described as “edgy”, “distinctive” or “offbeat”, this might be the one for you. A low fade is just the opposite – it starts further down towards the ear and is the subtlest of the three. And a mid-fade is just what you’d expect – somewhere between high and low. Mid-fades are the most common of the three because they adapt well to almost any style, whether modern or classic. If you have a round, triangular or oval shaped face, you’re in luck because any type of skin fade will look good on you! But in the end, it all comes down to personal choice and judgement, so bring in a few pictures and have a chat with your barber about your preferred style.
IMAGE: Low Taper x 4
Men’s Hairstyling – Low Taper
Will this haircut suit me?
A low taper is a type of fade that starts just above the ears and gets gradually shorter as it approaches the hairline and neck. A taper doesn’t expose quite as much scalp as its cousin the skin fade, so it’s perfect for the more modest gentleman or anyone who works in a more traditional environment. Pair it with a pompadour on top for a look that’s modern, clean and won’t frighten the horses.
What should I ask my barber for?
Ask your Kings Cross barber for your preferred haircut and length on top with a low taper. The taper can be done with a natural finish or taken to a 1 or 0 for a sharper look, Men’s Hairstyling.
How should I style this haircut?
You don’t need to do much with a taper as the magic has been done for you. All you need to worry about is styling the pompadour at the top. After rough drying, finish with a round brush and a hairdryer, moving them in the same direction to push the length back and add extra volume at the roots. Work a small amount of Pall Mall Barbers Pompadour Paste through the hair from root to tip for a sharp finish and subtle shine.
How should I style this haircut?
A skin fade doesn’t need much styling – the work is already done for you! But it’s extra important to look after your scalp if you’ve opted for this style. Pall Mall Barbers Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner is great for keeping the skin hydrated and relieving any redness or irritation.
If you do want a bit of extra definition at the top, try a bit of Pall Mall Barbers Texture Enhancer for extra thickness and lasting hold. Apply it once your hair is fully dried and work it into your desired style.
IMAGE Scissor Cut x 2
Men’s Hairstyles – Scissor Cut
Would this haircut suit me?
We’ve covered a few different men’s hair clipper styles, but let’s not forget our humble friend, the barber’s shears. A good scissor cut is tasteful, timeless and goes with almost everything. These haircut styles for men especially suit square faces, but are for anyone who wants the option of a more casual off-duty look.
What should I ask my barber for?
When it comes to scissor cuts, it’s better to show than to tell. Bring in a few pictures of the cut you have in mind and we’ll tell you if it will work for your current length and hair type, or how we can adapt it to better suit you. This is even more important if your hair has a bit of a wave – when choosing a scissor cut for curly hair men will need to ensure it works with the hair’s texture and weight.
How should I style this haircut?
Scissor cuts come with a bit more length than the styles we’ve covered thus far, so keeping your hair in good condition is important. If your hair is on the oily side, I recommend Pall Mall Barbers Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner, or our Argan Enriched Shampoo and Conditioner if you need a moisture boost. For a casual weekend look, rough dry with a towel and add a bit of Pall Mall Barbers Sea Salt spray before drying. When styling long hair men should use a round brush to manipulate the hair into place, brushing and drying it in the same direction. For a more polished 9-5 look, skip the Sea Salt Spray and finish by working in a bit of Pompadour Paste from root to tip.
Here’s a quick reminder of the hair products for men mentioned in this article:
Tea Tree Conditioner for Men 250ml – Hair Products For Men
Tea Tree Shampoo for Men 250ml – Hair Products For Men
A stimulating and invigorating shampoo for men, infused with organic tea tree and eucalyptus oils and suitable for all hair types. With its soothing and mild components, it’s perfect for healing irritated scalps over time, men’s hairstyling.
Pomade 100 ml – Hair Products For Men
Our luxurious pomade was designed specifically for those with thicker hair. With its distinctive and masculine scent, our fragranced oil will help to style hair with a classic and sleek finish. Providing a strong hold and helping to define and control the hair, it can be easily washed out after use. Suitable for all hair types, including short and medium lengths, our pomade oil will help to create both slick back and side parting styles. To use, apply a small amount on damp or dry hair and style into place, Men’s Hairstyling.
Pompadour Paste 100ml – Hair Products For Men
Pall Mall Barbers’ pompadour paste is a flexible fibre gum that manipulates and separates the hair into your desired style. It helps to give a medium to firm hold, enhancing your natural shine and adding texture to the hair. It can also be easily washed out at any desired time. Perfect for even the shortest of styles, our pompadour paste is great for achieving both a messy and matte finish.
Texture Enhancer 100ml – Hair Products For Men
Pall Mall Barbers’ texture enhancer is best used in short hair. It helps both thicken and add texture in just one application, giving the hair a strong yet supple hold with a natural matte finish that can be easily washed out at any desired time. Perfect to use both at home or on the go, our texture enhancer helps to add volume and style to the hair in a matter of seconds.
