In Search of the Sexiest Hairstyles for Men

Photo by Reis 26 on Unsplash

"Hon, you need a haircut," my wife would hound me. Although I had one and liked to wear longer hair she insisted. I do not tell women when it's time they should visit the salon.

When it comes to hygiene women seem to have a one-up on men. For example, men often don't know the differences in shampoo or soap. My daughter informed me that my shampoo had expired and the soap I used on my face was drying out my skin.

Yet, most men know when it's time to visit the barber. There's nothing like a fresh cut across the old hayfield on the head to feel like new.

What is your man hair personality?

Do hair cutting and barber techniques vary according to culture? As a cultural anthropologist, I had to know.

Besides sex: sports, air guitar, drinking beer, and dreaming in the man cave. There are other things men like to do - straight or otherwise. It might be on the top of the list. It's going to the barbershop.

Is it the man-talk between the clipped and the scissor? That relaxed feeling of a comb across the scalp, the reassuring, soft murmur of the Wahl clipper buzz? The scent of shaving cream and talcum powder? The upgraded you in the mirror?

Men do prefer the barber versus a salon. The smell of wet-cut hair and gabbing women under a hairdryer doesn't cut it (excuse the pun). The atmosphere is not macho.

No matter how you look at it going to the barber is an ancient, masculine thing for men to do. Whether it's for that job interview or that special someone. The barbershop is a place of Zeus' power and transformation.

Samson, the son of a God, his power was his hair.

When did men first cut their hair?

It's impossible to tell for sure, but it was reasonably easy in the Stone Age, which began about 3.4 million years ago (the date of the first known stone tools). The barber could make a razor-sharp flint knife. As for cutting their hair - even longer ago, before homo sapiens existed as a species.

The Romans liked their hairs to be of even length. Shears were used to cutting the hair on the crown of the head. At the end of the barber's work, they would place a mirror up to the customer's face so that they could judge the quality of their work. The barber would also use a curling iron, tweezers, and razors. All these tools have some history attached to them.

The first clippers came into existence between 1850–1890, and that was courtesy of a Serbian barber known as Nikola Bizumic. Additionally, these hair clippers were manual.

In 1919 Leo J. Wahl would change all that. He applied for patents on his newly developed electromagnetic hair clipper. Manufacturing began at the Wahl Manufacturing Company. It was the first practical clipper with the drive motor in the hand.-Wikipedia

Wahl's clipper caught on and today you can find a Wahl in almost every barbershop corner in the world. Including places, you'd never guess like Indonesia.

Who doesn't get a haircut?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Aevin Dugas has the world's largest Afro. How big? As of 2011, the circumference of her hair - when "blown and picked out" - measured 5 feet. She is 5' 2" tall.

Some evolutionary psychologists have argued that long hair has a special benefit for humans: It functions as an honest signal of your long-term good health.

If you have long hair on display - and it looks nice - we can presume you haven't suffered any devastating illnesses in the last few years. So people with long hair can advertise a history of good health to potential mates.

It's obvious that humans fuss a great deal with their hair, and the results are culturally meaningful. Hair is often used to signal group membership. Are you with us or them? Throughout human history, people have used hair to tell each other where they belong.

It's the raw material for creating a huge array of ethnic symbols, the original way to brand your organization, tribe, or clan.

Why do men cut their hair?

Males having short, cut hair is in many cultures viewed as being under society's control. Such as in the military or prison or as punishment for a crime.

During the counter-culture era of the 1960s-1970s. To wear long hair meant you were anti-establishment or a conformist.

Long or short your hair says a lot about who you are. We heard a lot about hair in the 1960s from the song "HAIR" by the Cowsills or the Broadway play "HAIR."

When I was a teenager hitchhiking to Woodstock. A carload of Cowboys chased me through a cornfield with sheep shears. They said I needed to look like a man.

Your hair frames your face, it can emphasize certain features or balance out your face. The best way to explain the huge effect hairstyles have on your appearance is with some before and after pictures.

The haircut does make a man appear in this case attractive/handsome. But in all reality the haircut makes you. You got the job you applied for. You have a representable look, the confidence is high, and the reason you have the partner. So yes a haircut does that and more.

What Is Your Man Hair Personality

1950s hairstyles

Hair styles have changed over the years.

Contemporary American styles include:

Modern Pompadour

Caesar Cut

Buzz Cut

The Undercut

Quiff

Faux Hawk

Ivy League. The Ivy League haircut is a longer version of the crew cut

Slick Back. Slicking your hair back is undoubtedly one of the coolest hairstyles around.

Is messy hair attractive on guys?

Messy hair - women love this casual look on men

The just-out-of-bed look, messy hair, isn't seen as sloppy - actually, it's super hot! Men with this hairstyle are seen as having a relaxed, easy-going… nature. When the hair can be left to fall loose around the face or can be styled back with the hands.

There is no denying the power and charm of a good hairstyle. From short sophisticated cuts to rugged man buns and bold faux hawks. There are an endless variety of ways to style men's hair. Whether you're a polished businessman or a laid-back surfer, a sexy hairstyle is a way to go if you want to capture that special someone's attention.

In my quest for male worldwide haircut styles. I stopped at a barbershop located in the mountainous village called Plintahan. Located two hours from the world's largest active volcano, Mt. Bromo in East Jawa Timur, Indonesia.

Mr. Moon is the local barber. He is in his early 40s. An upbeat and funny man. A type is well suited for the occupation.

He opened his shop in 2009. He is self-taught. What started as a hobby cutting his friend's hair became a sideline source of income. At first, he charged 35 cents then increased it to 49 cents. Currently, he charges 70 cents for a haircut.

A license to cut hair is not required. You can earn a certificate. A professional shop can charge between US 3.50–5.50 per haircut. The larger barbershop will also include a shave.

His shop is the size of a garden shack. It is painted purple. Made of leaky plywood and corrugated aluminum. One comfortable chair. One large mirror. One shelf lacks hair products and two clippers. Hung from the wall is a small radio. No sink. No option for hair washes or shaving.

I asked Mr. Moon what type of haircut style was popular in Indonesia. He said it changes all the time. Like America, the customer may see a style in the media and ask to copy it. There are standards too like the undercut or military look.

He wanted to do "detailing" i.e. artistic designs on the scalp. But he lacked a clipper called a Detailer made by Wahl. Mr. Moon who has three children with an income of about US 100.00 per month could not afford the US 80.00 price. I bought the Wahl Detailer for him.

Moon's barbershop may be short on western technology. He more than makes up for any shortcomings not only by his talent but he also serves as a local guide. In this part of the world you won't find a convenient tourist center.

Whatever you needed to know Moon had the answers.

I carried a photo of Anthony Bourdain, (culinary travel philosopher) on my phone. I showed it to Mr. Moon. No one has come close to the cut. I don't mind. It's a starting point. Mr. Moon did as well as any American barber. Minus the US 75.00 cut fee.

Moon's barbershop remained busy. More so before the holidays. In conclusion, regardless of religion or economy, men like to visit their local barber. Styling more or less follows what is popular in the media.

The same true throughout SE Asia?

I thought the Flight Attendant winked at me.

More writing from this author.