Sartorial 6: Old School Barbershop

If you’re going for a simple haircut with a corporate look, it might be worth the investment and going old school. Take Marlon Brando here for an example. Something simple but suave at the same time. Just rock up to your barber and ask for an Ivy League haircut.

To get the look, try American Crew hair products. It’s apparently the same product which hair stylists use at the set of Mad Men. The American Crew Grooming Cream and Pomade both provide that classic sheen to hair. If you’re after a flat and sleeker look, the Grooming Cream will provide a strong hold to keep your hair down when applying it to slightly damp hair. But for a look with a bit more volume, go for the Pomade applied to towel dried hair. It’ll keep the verticality whilst keeping it in shape.

If you have fine hair and want to provide a bit more depth and volume before applying the Pomade, look into the American Crew Light Hold Texture Lotion.

Now that you’ve got the paint and canvass sorted, try using natural boar bristle brushes to sculpt your hair into place. Kent brushes have been making brushes since the 18^th Century and considering that they still exist today, you can assume that they know what they’re doing.

For men check out military brushes which soldiers in the past used to woo the ladies. Natural boar bristles are meant to distribute those natural oils in your hair without aggravating the scalp that can lead to hair loss. In fact it stimulates the scalp which can prevent dandruff. If you want a comb to take with you, Kent’s handmade combs are made from natural acetate which is meant to minimise static when you run it through your hair. The make of these combs are also meant to minimise hair loss from hair breakage with their rounded teeth.

To maintain healthy hair, use natural oils such as Jojoba Oil or Argan Oil (also known as Moroccan Oil). Jojoba oil imitates the body’s natural oils and will provide moisture to your hair. A few drops of Argan Oil will reinvigorate it with essential fatty acids and vitamins. If you want to minimise frizz and give a healthy shine to your hair these things are quickly absorbed and do their thing pronto.