Things may be a bit different at your local salon, but Charles Worthington explains why seeing your hairdresser is worth the wait, even if you’re a bloke.
If you haven’t experienced some sort of at-home dye job catastrophe, or if your housemate hasn’t given you that ultra fashionable “covid cut”, are you even living through a pandemic? In the first few months of the global response to the virus, quite a lot of our everyday lives changed. We moved our desks into our kitchens, office chats became virtual nightmares, and everyone did what they could to look professional in sweatpants.
Which eventually meant taking your hair into your own hands. “It wasn’t just a lack of skill causing problems, as some of us at home are fairly skilled with a pair of shears”, Say the expert Charles Worthington hairdressers, Covent Garden. “Many of the issues that we are spending time correcting have more to do with the harsh dyes and inferior product quality that are available to at home and novice hairdressers.” Especially products that are made exclusively for men. While men do make up a major marketing segment of the beauty industry, most on shelf products available at your local shop contain poorly balanced chemicals, and ingredients that can really wreak havoc on your hair and scalp.
Not Just Hairdresser in Covent Garden
Tiktok and YouTube were filled to the brim with hilariously problematic videos of at-home hair fails. Some even came with on screen reactions from professional hairdressers. Covent Garden specialists say that while the videos were indeed funny, some were “sincerely horrifying”. One stylist recalls a video where one person used the wrong bleach and ended up with great tufts of hair falling out of his head. “Once you get past the amusing cringe of these videos, you genuinely feel terrible for the person. As it’s not their fault that these products are advertised as “salon quality”, but most fall short in performance.”
Hairdressers across the country have been working double following reopenings in July, desperately attempting to reverse the damage that was unwittingly done. Leaving bookings hard to come by, especially with new rules for both salons and their customers. Most hairdressers and stylists have spent years studying the complex chemistry that coincides with proper hair care. Something that you’ll not soon find in a box of dye. “Hair type, colour history, even personal nutrition, these all play very important roles when it comes to achieving the right look along with healthy hair… I think this is even more apparent for men, as most of them sport shorter styles, so results can be much less forgiving.”
The Perils of At-Home Hair Care
While we all can agree that we appreciate the skills of our favorite hairdressers, for many it wasn’t until lockdown put a stranglehold on our hair care regimens that we actually understood just how talented they are. “Not to generalize too much, but most of my male clients would just slather on any old shampoo, dye, or product without realizing what it’s doing to the quality of their hair and health of their scalp.” At large, a good hairstylist, Covent Garden and well beyond the borders of the chic London district, will help suggest products that are specially designed for whatever problems you may have, or what type of hair you’re looking to maintain.
Products aside, they also understand how certain shades, highlights, lowlights, and colour play can help shape a face, and completely change a look. Becoming more of a sage hair wizard than a mere local hairdresser. While it’s much more fashionable now that it has been for years, for men to visit a salon regularly, at-home products generally prey on the male tendency to not understand the depth of a scientifically structured beauty regimen. Which means many turn toward a trusted stylist as an advisor. Making it doubly difficult to maintain and reproduce at home.
Look Your Best, Feel at Rest
“Covid aside, it’s still important in everyday life for many men to see their stylist. This is because it’s extremely difficult to get a professional and well manicured look at home. Unless you live with a hairdresser.” Covent Garden stylist says that she often sees more men than women, specializing in male cut and colour. “You can wear a beautifully cut suit, have on the nicest shoes and be on point in your career, but without proper hair and beard care, all of that can be left wanting.” Despite the obvious polish a great haircut can offer an overall appearance, visiting your favorite stylist is also a cathartic retreat from everyday stress.
“I think when someone looks their best, head to toe, it’s hard not to feel confident and secure.” Add on to the role as confident that most stylists play, few things are as relaxing as a nice hot shave and good shampoo. “For most people, it helps them to feel more in control. More calm, and energetic, when they know they look the part. When you look good, you feel good.” Which is something that holds true for men and women alike.