When freezing winds are slapping against your skin, even an NFL helmet won't protect your scalp from the chill. So now's the time to let your hair grow--like Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Okay, maybe not that long, but we're willing to bet the strong safety out of Southern California is just a little warmer than men of lesser strands. We asked stylist Ben Thigpen for tips on how to achieve a healthy, full mane.
CONDITION
"The key is to keep your hair hydrated--just as you would your skin," Thigpen says. "Hydration is key because long hair doesn't require product." We recommend Bumble and Bumble's Quenching Conditioner to lock in extra moisture. But Troy's secret? "I use a comb when conditioning my hair in the shower," he told us. (When dealing with locks of that length, it's a good idea to distribute the product evenly. Nice tip.)
DUST
Conditioned hair doesn't solve all split ends, so trim your hair every month or two. Thigpen advises taking off as little as a centimeter, which is why he calls it a "dusting" instead of a trim. (Fact: When Troy chopped four individual locks of hair and raised funds to benefit the Veterans of Forgein Wars last year, that as his first cut in over 10 years.) There's no need to take off an inch, but Thigpen does warn about the 80s mullet. Hair on the back of your head grows faster than in the front, so ask your stylist to cut a little more off the back, he says. "No matter what, the trick is to keep your hair healthy looking while growing it out."
WASH
Longer hair is prone to dryness with everyday shampooing, so washing your hair every other day will keep it looking fresh. A dry scalp (or product buildup that has flaked off) is never in style, so Thigpen recommends Head & Shoulders Damage Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner, which hydrates the dry scalp and repairs damaged hair. "It cleanses and makes the hair stronger," he says. Troy, who uses the shampoo, can attest. "My wife was actually able to hold her weight on it," he said. (Yes, Troy lifted up his wife on his ponytail. We don't suggest you try this at home.)
WAIT
If you are growing your hair longer, expect some awkward stages, but don't cut it off. Instead, stay strong and deploy styling products or a good hat to help you through. Troy started growing out his hair when he was a USC Trojan more than a decade ago. It doesn't take much digging online to see t hat even he had some less than perfect hair days. But patience can go a long way, whether you're battling hair loss or are stressed out at work. It's especially important when dealing with the short baby hairs at the front of your head. These finer flyaways will take longer to grow because they're shorter and usually dryer and more damaged, Thigpen says.
So how long is too long when you want to grow out your 'do? Stop at your mid-neck area, Thigpen says--unless you're Troy Polamalu. "Troy is an exception. His hair is his niche, and his face structure allows him to pull it off. It woudn't work if you're a guy with a rounder face."
Follow us @MensHealthStyle for grooming news and tips.
More Grooming News:
Powered by WPeMatico
No comments:
Post a Comment