Male Looking for Hairstyle/haircare Advice

[Leigh.]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to LHC but not to natural haircare -- I've learned a huge amount from this community about how to properly care for my hair, for which I am incredibly grateful.

Over the last year, I've been growing my hair out (as I want to achieve a bed head hairstyle something like George Craig (see these (http://imageshack.us/a/img30/7104/rkbt.jpg) two (http://imageshack.us/a/img513/5726/jycy.jpg) pictures) or Harry Styles.

Based off of the guides here, I would guess my hair is probably 2A-B F (here's a picture (http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7523/0nwg.jpg) from last week). I just started testing the Curly Girl Method and hope to see some good results.

I've tried a handful of products (see below), none of which have left me with a look or feel I'm happy with. I need some advice from some of the hair wizards here: what products/techniques would you suggest? I'd greatly appreciate some advice. :)

Products I've tried:
L'Oreal EverStyle Texture Series Beach Spray (http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Products/Hair/Hair-Styling/Hair-Spray/EverStyle-Texture-Series-Beach-Spray.aspx#description)
L'Oreal EverStyle Texture Series Tousle Crème (http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Products/Hair/Hair-Styling/Cream/EverStyle-Texture-Series-Tousle-Creme.aspx#description) (light hold)
Giovanni Eco Chic Styling Glue Custom Hair Modeler (http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/products/item.asp?prodtype=HAIR%20CARE&cat=ECO%20CHIC&subcat=STYLING&item=SGLUE-2) (medium hold)
Alba Botanica Soft Hold Hair Cream (http://www.amazon.com/Alba-Botanica-Style-Cream-4-Ounce/dp/B002C08XPU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367359800&sr=8-1&keywords=alba+botanica+soft+hold+style+cream)

[Allychan]

I don't use hair styling products at all, so have no advice for you there. But I did want to drop in to say that your hair looks pretty close to the hairstyles on those guys you mentioned. From what I have seen of Harry Styles hair, yours looks only an inch or two off being the same length he has. Best of luck growing and styling!

[blondecat]

G'day and Welcome :)

I think you are pretty close to what you want, just need a little more lenght. Wont take you long. There was a product here in Oz, but I can't think of the name, I shall return................. later ;)

[AmyBeth]

Yes, you are already very close. It looks great!. You probably can't go wrong with CG methods.

[spidermom]

Looking good; you're very close to what you want. Congratulations!

You might try a more gel-based product rather than creme based since you don't like the look and feel of the products you have tried. My son likes the extra-hold LA styling gel, but he's going for a different look than you are.

For myself, I've noticed that gels work better if I start with wet hands. Remember, start with little. You can always add more, which is easier than removing product.

[TheIronMaiden]

Congratulations, you're really close to your goal.

Coconut oil is a good "frizz kíller", and it will both define your curls and condition your hair. (ok, coconut oil is my fav product this far). As long as you won't over do it, it will give you a very natural look. Aloe vera gel is a much more hair-freindly alternative to styling gel, which also rehydrates your hair.

For a more "styled" look, I would suggest you to try some kind of hair wax. Hair spray is good if you want a messy look, but it's pretty drying to the hair. Good for special occassions, but if you want soft and healthy hair, it may not be the best choise for every-day use. The only way to find out what products which works the best for your hair is to try out some different ones, until you find something (or some ones) you really do like.

[BlazingHeart]

I think a good pomade might give you the piecy look you're going for. It would be helpful to know what you didn't like about the feel of the products you have tried - were they sticky, hard, crunchy, waxy, something else?

[Leigh.]

I really appreciate all the replies -- thanks ladies!

I would like to keep my routine as simple as possible, so I'm wondering if I can get a good look with just one product (like a gel) or would I need to layer several different ones (styling cream + wax, etc.)?

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I would like to be able to use just 3-4 products, so basically:

Shampoo
Conditioner
Gel/pomade/styling cream/mousse (would mousse be a good option?)
Hairspray

The products I've tried previously haven't worked very well because they didn't really give definition and hold to my hair, were too drying or sticky, or exacerbated my scalp issues ((dandruff or a mild form of seborrhoeic dermatitis).

Based off of these recommendations, gel is probably what I'll try first (Head Organics Extra Hold Styling Gel (http://www.headproducts.com/products/gel.php) or Giovanni Eco Chic L.A. Natural Styling Gel (http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/products/item.asp?prodtype=HAIR%20CARE&cat=ECO%20CHIC&subcat=STYLING&item=LANATG-6)). I have a large list of other potential products, but it's too frustrating and expensive to try them all.

Thanks again!

[Allychan]

I'm not a 1D follower, but from what I have seen of Harry, he has a lot of movement in his hair. So stay away from the hairspray. Pomade stuff sounds like the best bet "Pomade makes hair look slick, neat and shiny" not crunchy and stiff like gel and hairspray. Have a look for that natural aloevera gel one of the other ladies mentioned and I also agree coconut oil especially before you wash so you don't dry it out and cause frizz.

[jacqueline101]

Looks good I'd keep doing what you're doing.

[kiezel]

Just a random word: I think your hair looks better than those two models'.

[Leigh.]

Thanks jacqueline and kieze!

How much more length do I really need? I was thinking of getting a trim but perhaps I'll wait and let it grow slightly longer.

[blondecat]

the product I was thinking of is a BodyShop Coconut Shine Balm (thats not the name, but what it is)

I too think you hair looks Wayyyyyy better than those models you posted pics of :)

[blondecat]

double post Ooops Sorry

[BlazingHeart]

For the style you want, I still say a pomade is your best bet. My go-to is sadly discontinued, but I can tell you that Murray's has been around for decades and I've known people who used it. The big caveat is that you should start with way less than you think you'll need, as it can be a little tough to remove. When my super-thick hair was around your length, I used less than a pea sized lump.

I suggest pomade in part because hairsprays and gels tend to be drying. They are also usually shiny, and that doesn't seem to suit the aesthetic you are going for.

Ideally, your styling product should not touch your scalp. The way I prefer to apply a pomade is to get a bit on my fingertips and then grasp my hair lightly about 1/2" above the roots and lightly run my fingers through to the tips. Do that a couple times to get the hair coated, then start shaping it with your fingers.

[Leigh.]

Would it work to use both gel and pomade? The gel would be scrunched into wet hair, and the pomade applied once dry.

I still haven't made up my mind yet, but I really want to buy a product soon. :)

[Callifornia]

Seconding the suggestion of a pomade type product!
For a specific recommendation I absolutely would go with TIGI Love, Peace and The Planet Eco Freako Texturizer. When I went through cosmetology school it was my favorite to give a piecey look instead of stiff spikey look, very similar to the pictures. You just dampen fingertips and apply to dry hair paying more attention to the tips for a more peicey look. It has oils in it so it doesn't look frizzy/dry and it should help protect your ends a bit from the hairspray drying them out.

I know hairspray is bad for your hair. But, if you want a recommendation try CHI Farouk Royal Treatment Ultimate Control. It is by far the best one I've ever tried. (In school we had access to all the name brands) It was the only one I would use for my wedding hair and the only one I ever would recommend to others. It has a super good hold if you just spray it on, if you comb through after it dries(a few seconds) it keeps its shape but has nice movement.