Hair styling/control question

[bombayjack]

I have always kept my hair short -- buzzed on the sides, and a wax or stiff gel on top. I am in the mood to grow it out a little bit, and it's coming along nicely, but when I try to hold it in place it looks very stiff and brittle. I used to use gel and slick it back with my fingers but now it's a little too long for that, and as a result I need to use more and more gel -- causing a really stiff look with a lot of gross white residue when the gel hardens and flakes.

To understand the look I'm going for, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale pull it off excellently in these pictures:

Now, I'm no Christian Bale or Hugh Jackman -- but I think their hairstyles could at least be copied. Clearly the hair is combed back (against the grain), but effortlessly held in place without looking stiff or over-shaped. Does anyone have any ideas as to what kind of products to use for this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hugh Beaumont]

I get those results using a light application of Royal Crown. Not enough to make it greasy, but just enough to hold it in place. I also use a dab of Brylcreem as a foundation first.

In fact, I currently wear my hair just like Bale's in that pic and it's all Brylcreem and Royal Crown.

 

[zetwal]

Aveda Brilliant - medium hold

 

[maggiethespy]

Texas Governor Rick Perry, often called "Pretty Hair Guy" has a similar look. His hair regimen is sort of discussed in this article:
http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/archives/2006/11/perry_and_his_h.html

Perry uses Paul Mitchell hairspray and gets his hair cut every three weeks or "thereabouts."

His shampoo is "whatever was in the last hotel room."

"It ain't rocket science," he noted.

Why does Perry's hair receive so much notice, anyway?

 

[bombayjack]

I get those results using a light application of Royal Crown. Not enough to make it greasy, but just enough to hold it in place. I also use a dab of Brylcreem as a foundation first.

In fact, I currently wear my hair just like Bale's in that pic and it's all Brylcreem and Royal Crown.

Do you blow dry it first and then comb/brush it, or just use your fingers?

 

[Paisley]

Part of it might be in the haircut. My hair has to be texturized to help it go back. Texturizing is cutting some of the hairs shorter with blunt scissors or a razor. I don't know if they do that to men's hair, or for that particular style.

 

[Macheath]

I second Hugh Beaumont on Royal Crown.

If you do go with RC, use less than you think you need. A little goes a long way, and I find that even just a bit too much makes my hair flat.

 

[bombayjack]

Thanks for the feedback. Any good places to buy Royal Crown? I don't think I've ever seen that in stores.

 

[Bert]

Thanks for the feedback. Any good places to buy Royal Crown? I don't think I've ever seen that in stores.

Bonsoir

Well, like the other ones, I think RC would be great. It have a nice light hold that allows the hair to gently move naturally and do not turns it into "cake". You could also try Black and White Light or Sweet georgia Brown Purple (water based). Both of those can easily be found on rockabilly / hotrod clothes online stores. For the RC, well i'm not in the US, but some say that you can find it in afro sections of drugstores, wallmart and so... Or else, here : http://www.webplusbeauty.com/2134a0000.html

Amicalement, Bertrand, Bordeaux, France

 

[Hugh Beaumont]

Do you blow dry it first and then comb/brush it, or just use your fingers?

No blow drying. The key to those styles is the natural look. It doesn't look nor is it dried out. I get compliments on my hair all of the time. I apply with my hands, then brush it in.

The moisture is what keep the hair in place, which I credit to the light (very light) layer of RC. Funny thing is I get the best results on the second day when I can't wash it (I never go beyond two days).

I will also re-wet my hair through out the day to keep it looking clean and it reactivates the brylcreem and RC.

I get my RC at Walmart.

 

[bombayjack]

No blow drying. The key to those styles is the natural look. It doesn't look nor is it dried out. I get compliments on my hair all of the time. I apply with my hands, then brush it in.

The moisture is what keep the hair in place, which I credit to the light (very light) layer of RC. Funny thing is I get the best results on the second day when I can't wash it (I never go beyond two days).

I will also re-wet my hair through out the day to keep it looking clean and it reactivates the brylcreem and RC.

I get my RC at Walmart.

No blow dryer? So after a shower apply it while the hair is still damp?

 

[Macheath]

Thanks for the feedback. Any good places to buy Royal Crown? I don't think I've ever seen that in stores.

I don't know about Jersey, but here in my part of NC, you'll find it in just about any convenience store, supermarket, and pharmacy.

 

[Hugh Beaumont]

No blow dryer? So after a shower apply it while the hair is still damp?

I don't use a blow dryer. I give my hair a once over with a towel and then apply. The BC and RC bond to the moisture in my hair and makes it stay in place better. If I blow dry it (Like I do when I use wax pomade), it will dry it out and make it look dull.

The best thing you could do is simply experiment. You may find the blow dryer gives you your desired results!

 

[Max Flash]

Use a mousse, which allows the hair to stay soft yet shaped, instead of a gel, which turns hard and brittle to achieve the "wet look". When you have it how you like it, spray with hairspray. I'm pretty sure that's how the Christian Bale look is achieved.

Also, your hair needs to be longer than you think to obtain this look so let it grow out and don't be tempted to cut it (it will go through a phase of looking a bit stupid before you reach the optimum length).

Hairspray is the key!

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Using the gel while it's shorter than what you're aiming for MAY help train it into place. The pomade & Brylcreem mix may do the same. But as other posters mentioned - don't give up too soon, when it's still not quite the optimum length. You also need it overly long to give your haircutter something to work with when it comes time to cut - you'll probably be better off going a week or two after you think it's too long before getting it cut.

I grew up with the dreaded butchcut/crewcut because my hair turned into a disaster letting it get very long. I'd look like I'd stuck my finger in an electrical socket. I let it grow all summer one year, instead of the usual buzz-cut, and discovered the length and added weight of the longer hair was what it needed to lay right and stay in place. Even now, the first couple days after a haircut, I've got it gelled down in place (my cutter calls it hair-shock) but after a few days, I can go with something a little lighter (Brylcreem) or in time, just combing it into place after showering and it'll look fine.

But keep in mind when you're looking at old photos and movies - they're all fixed up to go out. It doesn't mean they looked like that all the time...or even an hour later. They usually ran a comb through their hair frequently during the day, and almost definitely before a picture was snapped.