Mistake 1: Selecting the wrong hairstyle
1) Won’t work for your hair type
So maybe you really love a certain hairstyle, and you want to replicate it on yourself. Unfortunately, trying to style your hair like someone who has a different hair type than yours will result in something that never looks quite right.
Fix
You really need to be honest with yourself when choosing a haircut based on the type of hair you have and take your barber/hairstylist’s advice.
2) Choosing a hairstyle that doesn’t fit your lifestyle
If you’re opposed to using a blow dryer, you are probably not going to want to choose a pompadour or quiff, as they usually require some time with the blow dryer in order to get the necessary volume.
Fix
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time styling your hair, then don’t choose a high maintenance haircut and get something more in-line with the time you’re willing to put in with your hair.
Mistake 2: Using the wrong product
Using the wrong product will often result in not getting the look or hold you want. For example, when men with fine or thinning hair use gel or pomades in their styling routine — big mistake. Gel clumps your hair together and reveals more of scalp, making the hair look even thinner. A lot of men will keep adding more and more product, even when it’s not designed for the style you want to accomplish. Another big mistake.
Fix
For thinning hair, use mousses, matte texture pastes and conditioners to provide fluff that is more natural.
If the look or hold isn’t up to your standards, the worst thing you can do is double the quantity of product used. Start with a small amount of product and add a little more, if necessary. If that doesn’t work, then you’ve got to find a better product that’s designed for your hair type and style.
Mistake 3: Going too long between haircuts
The longer you go without a haircut, the longer your hair becomes and the more difficult it is to style your hair properly, which usually results in having to use a lot more product.
Fix
A fresh cut can instantly give you a put-together look, and the more it becomes part of your regular grooming routine, the fewer styling products you’ll usually need.
Mistake 4: Not using product properly
Start with HALF the amount of product of what you think you need, then apply to your hair. You can always add more, but if you put too much, it all goes downhill from there and you’ll either have to wash your hair and start over or use a lot of dry shampoo to get it back to a semi-normal hairstyle.
Fix
To really activate a hair product and apply it effectively you need to:
1) Heat it up in your hands by rubbing them together so it warms up and then distributes easily into your hair.
2) Then, using the the full surface area of both your hands, work in the product starting from the root.
As a general rule of thumb, creams and paste should go into hair when it is damp. Pomades or softer waxes should go in when hair is dry.
Mistake 5: Not washing well
Not washing well and using quality products. Can you get away with using the drugstore 2-in-1 products? Maybe, but all the hairstylists I talked to said this is the one thing that guys overlook that has a big impact on being able to style your hair properly. It’s like putting low-grade gasoline into a rocket ship – it won’t work well.
Fix
Take at least 2 minutes to really scrub your hair and massage your scalp. Your scalp needs to be stimulated and massaged to get the blood flowing into the area and keep the best version of your hair growing long into your life, which also means your hair will be more manageable and easier to style.
And as for quality products, it’s really going to make a huge difference after you’re done showering and when it’s time to style your hair. If you don’t believe me, you’ll only know what I’m talking about when you try.
I’ve included some great shampoos and conditioners that are best for your hair type that my hairstylist friends highly recommended. If you’re using products not designed for your hair type then you really won’t see the benefit that I’m talking about.
Thinning Hair
$34 – Nioxin System 1 Cleanser & Scalp Therapy Duo Set
$20 – Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo
$20 – Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner
$20 – Redken Cerafill Retaliate Shampoo
$20 – Redken Cerafill Retaliate Conditioner
Fine Hair
$78 – Kevin Murphy Stimulate Me Rinse and Wash Duo Set
$34 – Lush Veganese Conditioner
$14 – Bain de Terre Green Tea Thickening Conditioner
$12 – Bain de Terre Green Tea Thickening Shampoo
Curly or Coarse Hair
$40 – New Wash Hairstory
$21 – Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo
$21 – Kérastase Fondant Fluidealiste Conditioner
$18 – Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditione
$16 – Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo
Normal Hair (Straight or Wavy)
$90 – Kevin Murphy Hydrate Me Wash and Rise Duo Set
$30 – Mister Pompadour Peppermint Shower Experience
$24 – Moroccan Oil Hydrating Conditioner
$23 – Moroccan Oil Hydrating Shampoo