Attitude’s guide to getting your hair party-ready this season
By Will Stroude
As Attitude’s resident Hair and Grooming expert, hairstylist to the stars Jason Collier is sharing his wealth of experience each month to help keep your look razor-sharp and ready for any occasion…
I’ve been a hairstylist for 17 years, and every day I enjoy what I do more and more. It might sound like a cliché, but it’s not just a job for me – it’s my life. Being passionate about personal grooming – and no stranger to skincare or facial treatments – I was delighted to be asked to share my experience as Attitude’s resident Hair and Grooming expert.
I’ve been a reader of Attitude for years, and I’m now looking forward to bringing you the hottest tips and trends when it comes to hairstyles and personal grooming.
First up: It’s officially party season, but living up to all that festive fun can put extra pressure on your looks. There are lots of ways to freshen things up, but one of the easiest is to add a little seasonal flair to transform your hairstyle.
My top tip is to style your hair to suit the occasion. If you’re going to a more-formal event, your hair has to reflect that. Don’t worry if you’re normally a messy hair kind of guy though, there are a number of styling tricks to make your hair look sleeker. Here are some of my favourite, easy-to-recreate hairstyles that will have you party-ready in no time.
If your hair is very short, get it cut the day before the party for that ultra-sharp buzz cut. You can change your look up a little bit with well-groomed facial hair, which is a stylish combination. For inspiration, Adam Levine and Chris Evans are masters at working this look.
If your hair is longer at the top with shorter back and sides, you can opt for a timeless slicked-back style. This is a great look for more-formal parties and easier to achieve than you might think.
I always recommend starting off by applying some pomade – JOICO Cream Wax is a good one – to the hair when it is slightly damp. Then section out about an inch of hair at the hairline and backcomb it gently to add some volume at the front. Now all you need to do is comb the whole section back for a slicked-back David Beckham style.
If you want a more dramatic look, apply a dab of gel to the section you’ll be slicking back and comb it through using a wide-tooth comb – so Justin Timberlake! I love Redken For Men Stand Tough Extreme Gel, which never lets me down.
For hair that is straight and mid-length, let Brad Pitt’s ’90s locks inspire you. Apply a marble-sized blob of pomade to damp hair, before combing it through and blow-drying your hair sideways, running your hands through hair at the root to add volume. Now simply comb the hair back from the hairline. You can secure it with a touch of gel and voila! Your Jordan Barrett look – a king of effortless styling – is complete in less than 10 minutes.
To tidy things up even more, tuck the side sections of your hair behind your ears. It’s an easy trick that works wonders to polish the final effect, seeing you through both casual and formal occasions.
In the case of curly mid-length hair, take inspiration from Orlando Bloom. Focus on those curls, you want them pronounced. Again, use a marble-sized amount of curling cream, such as KMS California CurlUp Control Creme, on towel-dried hair and dry it with a diffuser – you’ll be surprised at how defined your locks are.
Next, apply a good quality matte hair wax, one with maximum hold, and tuck your hair behind your ears to bring out your features. I love TIGI Bed Head For Men Matte Separation Workable Wax. For a more casual effect, try a messy side parting.
If your hair is longer, why not try out the man bun that is so loved by A-listers? I mean, just check out Aidan Turner. This hairstyle is still very on-trend and can bring a sexy, laidback feel to any event. It’s also a great option for both curly and straight hair.
Apply a little bit of styling cream, such as Bumble and Bumble Grooming Crème, work it through damp hair and blow-dry thoroughly. The cream will add texture to your hair and make styling it easier. Then, comb or brush your hair towards the crown of your head at the level of your eyes or just a little bit higher.
Now all you need to do is fold the lengths over, once or twice depending on how long the hair is. Lastly, secure it with a hair tie and there you go, looking all Jared Leto-esque. Use a tiny bit of matte hair wax on any stray hairs for that polished effect.
Party season should be fun, so enjoy it and try not to worry too much about your hair. If you don’t feel confident enough to style it yourself, a trusted barber or hairstylist will be able to help. The only thing I would recommend is booking the appointment in advance. Now go and have fun, you look great! Merry Christmas.
Jason Collier is an award-winning hair colourist and stylist to the stars, and Creative Director at the Matthew Curtis Hair Salon at The Rosewood London. For more visit jason-collier.co.uk.