Get Him the Haircut You Want

by Michelle Madhok

Poor guys. Growing up, they never spent entire evenings in hot rollers, never savored the sizzle of the straightening iron, never left a slumber party with a head covered in braids.
It was unacceptable for a dude to keep eight shampoos on the edge of the tub. With celebrity role models running from Whitesnake to Billy Idol, where were they supposed to get the good-hair gospel? Bless them and their multitude of hair sins–they just want to look good, and we want to help.

New York’s top experts offer some tactical advice: Play to his ambition: Edward Tricomi, co-founder of the Warren-Tricomi Salon, cuts big-league hair; his clients include Michael J. Fox, Ben Stiller, Mick Jagger, and Jon Bon Jovi. “To be a success, you have to look like a success, and you won’t get that at the cheap-cuts salon down the block,” Tricomi says. Mention that if your guy wants to be a master of the universe, the mullet has to go.Go slowly: “Take him to your stylist,” suggests Paul Labrecque, owner of the salon and spa that bear his name. “Privately, tell the stylist to start with a subtle change.”At home, make a big deal about how great his hair looks, and tell friends to dish out the compliments. Six weeks later–when the new-hair glow has faded–take him back for another cut. Inch by inch, you’ll create a masterpiece. Drop some hints: Hey, it worked with the engagement ring. Giovanna Morano, a stylist at Bumble and Bumble, suggests working comments about celebrities’ hair–”George Clooney’s is the dreamiest…”–into conversation. Surprise him with a gift certificate (if he’s frugal, tell him you won it in the office pool) for a haircut with your stylist, who you’ve prepped beforehand re: Clooney.

Help him hold the new look with Bumble and Bumble’s oh-so-manly Sumowax. Crunch the numbers: Larry Paul, creative director of Sharps Barber and Shop, says many guys think having good hair is hard work. After all, they see women logging serious mirror time. “In reality,” Paul points out, “a cheap haircut needs more frequent touch-ups (every 3 weeks), while a quality cut will grow out gradually, and in great shape.” Run the numbers for him in Excel. Sharps sells multi-purpose, unfussy products; sneak their Guck in a Puck grooming wax into the medicine cabinet, hide behind the shower curtain, and observe. Appeal to his baser instincts: Beer, danger, sports–use them to your advantage. Give him incentive to keep up appearances with an appointment at a “men’s club” barbershop. John Allan’s in NYC throws in a beer, shoeshine, and manicure. The Grooming Lounge in

Washington, D.C., offers a hot-lather shave with a triple-blade razor–and a full bar. And bad-hair Miami men can stop by Churchills Barber Shop to veg out in front of flat-screen televisions tuned to ESPN while a stylist works magic.

 by Michelle Madhok