Mens grooming has evolved drastically over the centuries. In the last couple decades, several vintage grooming methods have been rising back to popularity. Here are just a few methods certain to give you that classic look.
Bring back classic hairstyles
Whilst not all hairstyles from the past deserve to be revived, some are timeless and may be able to give you that gentlemanly look that you desire.
The combed side parting has been brought back by actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Gosling. This is a fairly low maintenance hairstyle that you can achieve simply with a comb and some matt clay. Just make sure that you’re conditioning to avoid unwanted frizz.
The quiff and the pompadour are two other hairstyle that have seen a revival. These are more suited to round faces as they can make long faces look elongated. For a quality quiff, you need strong wax to hold your hair in place – a bit of hairspray may also help. Make sure to also deter frizz by keep your hair well-conditioned.
Other classic hairstyles include the short back and sides look and the French crop. You should visit a good quality barber to ensure that these haircuts are done right. Scissor cutting can often help to achieve many of these looks with more precision, although it does take more time and some barbers may charge more for it.
Shave with a straight razor… if you dare
Straight razors are the traditional means of shaving, but they’ve been coming back into fashion. Not only does it make you feel like a badass whilst shaving, most people report that it also offers a closer shave due to being more easily manoeuvrable.
You’re best investing in a good quality cut throat razor – a cheap one is unlikely to offer as clean a cut and is more likely to leave you with nicks and scars. The ‘hone’ is the name for the blade and should look evenly serrated under a microscope. Straight razors need to be replaced once this serration becomes uneven – at this point the blade is getting dull and will be less effective.
Shaving with a straight razor is an art. To avoid cutting yourself, apply lots of shaving foam and cut at a 30 degree angle applying only moderate pressure. It’s best to be slow to also avoid cutting yourself. Multiple passes may be needed to get your face as smooth as a baby’s bottom – you should apply shaving cream each time before cutting over the same patch of skin.
Wax your moustache
To be a gentleman a hundred years ago, a moustache was a necessity. Nowadays, they’ve fallen out of favour somewhat – the sixties and seventies turned them into somewhat of a sleazy feature. That said, there are still ways to make a moustache look sophisticated, some of which have started to make a big comeback. One such technique is the waxed moustache.
When waxing a moustache, you should use specialist moustache wax and not just regular hair wax. Moustache wax is more robust, preventing it from getting messed up by actions like eating and talking. Typical ingredients in moustache wax include American beeswax, shea butter, babassu and argan oils.
There’s a certain technique to applying moustache wax in order to get the best effect. Many waxes and can be very hard – it may benefit you to heat the tin first so that the wax has a smoother consistency and doesn’t feel like you’re putting candlewax in your moustache. Start from the centre of your moustache and work out towards the tips. For a classic handlebar, you may want to try twisting your tips – you can make it as subtle or Dali-esque as you want.
Embrace beard oil
Beards have also made a big comeback, particularly the lumberjack beard. These can take a fair amount of maintenance – it’s not just a case of letting it grow out. A well-groomed beard takes a lot of regular trimming and combing. A traditional beard maintenance trick meanwhile is to use beard oil.
Beard oil can make your facial hair fuller, prevent beard-ruff and reduce itchiness. There are lots of products on the market from classic Amish beard oil to more modern products, each with their own strengths. It’s worth finding one that suits you (beard oils also tend to come with their own scents, so you’ll want to choose one that you like the smell of).
As with moustache wax, there’s an art to applying beard oil. Beard oil is best applied after a hot shower when your hair is cleanest and softest, although you should thoroughly dry your beard first. You generally only need two or three drops in your palm – you can then start applying it to all areas of your beard. After this, you should comb your beard in order to get right texture.
Try vintage aftershaves
Aftershaves reached their peak in the 70s when there were all kinds of wild scents. Some of these potent scents are best forgotten, however others have grown in appeal. Modern aftershaves tend to be subtle in comparison and some these fruitier aftershaves can be great for creating more of an impact.
Many traditional brands have since been discontinued, although you can buy many second-hand bottles online (some of these colognes can be very expensive due to now being in limited supply). There are modern brands out there that have been simulating these traditional scents that could be a cheaper option than buying the real thing.
If possible, you should try to sample aftershaves before buying them. This could avoid you from buying something expensive that you really don’t like the smell of.