the man bun.
The man bun: why long hair for men is back, and how to care for it.
If you thought long hair for men lacked masculinity, think again. The man bun is bringing it back, and all you need to rock it is a
bit of attitude. Oh, and a beard.
They’re the perfect hybrid of classic and laid-back, and everyone from David Beckham to Jared Leto has sported one at some point or another. Spreading across men’s heads everywhere, the man bun signals the return of the long hair for men, marking it as a major hair trend for 2014 and beyond.
And although one would be inclined to believe that such a fashionable bun style wouldn’t necessarily work for the guys, somehow it does. And in a big way.
After the break, we take a closer look at the man bun phenomenon, talking long hair for men and offering tips on how to properly care for it.
The man bun & the return of the long hair for men.
Either you hate it or you love it, but long hair for men is such a big statement that it’s quite impossible not to leave an impression. Add a man bun to the picture, and expect the conversations to start flowing. After all, this is the style that ended up convincing half the guys everywhere to finally grow out their hair, and more accurately this is the style that made women realize they actually have a thing for men with long hair.
We can blame it all on the allure of this rugged, slightly unkempt style that works so great when juxtaposed to a strong, masculine look. Also, there’s something sexy about a tousled, effortlessly undone bun when pulled off by a guy sporting the absolute right attitude.
What is the man bun?
If you find yourself wondering about what a man bun is, take solace in knowing that you’re probably not the only one. After acknowledging the fact that both the long hair for men and the buns date back centuries, knowing that such a thing as a man bun eventually took on character won’t come off half as surprising.
A man bun is ideally a whole bun defined by the strands of hair being all gathered and tied up either on top of the head, or somewhere lower at the nape. Also trending, the half buns, known as pony buns, represent the style that sees for half of the hair to be gathered in a loose bun at the top, and the other half to be left falling naturally.
Either style works in consolidating the trend sported more recently by Leonardo di Caprio, Harry Styles, Jared Leto and Shia LaBeouf amongst others.
Tips of caring for long hair for men.
Before jumping on the long hair trend and riding it, you have to know that this style, more than any other, requires proper hair maintenance, which implies the use of the right products, getting regular hair trims, and taking really good care of your scalp.
As a short-haired guy, your routine probably doesn’t extend beyond glossing over some shampoo and running a comb through your hair. But if you have long hair, or plan on finally growing it out, here are the tips to help you and your hair look great at all times:
- Buy the right tools - because they are the ones to make all the difference. You’ll want to invest in a wide-tooth comb, a high quality hair brush with natural bristles, or some fabric-covered bands instead of the classic rubber ones;
- Choose the right shampoo & conditioner – because no, they are not all the same, as they both have to work for your particular hair type. Experiment until finding your perfect match to use on a regular basis, and don’t ignore the conditioner as it becomes a necessity for a healthy scalp.
- Before washing your hair, use a wide-tooth comb, working from the ends towards the root, andfree the hair of tangles in order to avoid breakage; never brush your hair while it’s wet, use a comb instead;
- Avoid towel drying as it is one of the biggest causes of damage to men’s hair; if you use a blow dryer, apply a thermal styling spray to protect the hair from damage, and always leave the hair slightly damp to prevent over-drying;
- Trim your hair regularly, to remove the split ends and the damaged sections of hair; it is best to have your hair trimmed every six to eight weeks, but that’s ultimately your choice ;
- Keep in mind that the material to grow your hair and create its oils comes from what you eat, so make sure you follow a healthy balanced diet;
- Once you’ve accepted that unlike short hair, the long hair has a life of its own, you can choose to restrain it using bandanas, hair ties and hair clips; you can also style it in the fashionable man bun, or you can tie it up into a ponytail.
