Hair and masculinity

[Menoimagination]

My hair looks most masculine when I've taken the time to put gel in my hair and slick it back like an old movie star. My dad decided to laugh at me because he perceives that as a non masculine thing to do, to comb your hair/to style your hair/to put product in your hair/to give a monkeys about your appearance... He decided to give me a little lecture on how he never put product in his hair (I helpfully pointed out that he is bald) and how girls and gay guys do that not boys or men...(both my older brothers are gay and I swear they have never ever really cared about their hair because there sexuality isn't defined by how they dress or present themselves, it is a seperate entity).
Anyone else look better after a lot of product as opposed to au natural?

[HeyTrace19]

Anyone else look better after a lot of product as opposed to au natural?

Yeah, my hair can be a little too fluffy if I don't slick it down at least a bit with some gel.  Depends on how long it is.  Now that my hair has receded a bit, that has helped, but I still have thicker hair than most men... well, most people in general, I guess.  I know a fair number of masculine individuals who spend time on their hair, if they still have it!

[Clever]

I style my hair daily. I have a fade with a longer bit on top. If I don't style it it sits dead on my skull and I look horrible. Product is a miracle. I take pride in looking neat and trim and polished, just as my own father taught me.

[Bimmer Guy]

I would suggest that it is more common for men to put product in their hair than it is for them not too....assuming they are age 45 and under.

Don't let your dad get to you.  Heterosexual men are just as focused on their hair and appearance as gay men nowadays.  Everyone loves a sharp looking man!

[Sir Real]

Men putting product in their hair has been going on for quite a while. It's not so new. You even said it yourself, slicking it back like they did in old movies.
My hair looks ridiculous if I don't tame it. It doesn't take long. But it still needs it. I bet a pretty high percentage of men do style their hair in some way or another.

[Escher]

I live with two cis guys. One of them has longer (medium-length) hair and the other keeps it pretty short. The one with the longer hair uses a light-hold gel in his hair everyday. I find that if I don't put any product in my hair, it looks too soft. When I want to go for a more laid back, casual look, I'll quickly put in a gel with a light hold. When I am going for something a bit more formal, I'll do a similar slick-back style that you described with a heavy-hold gel.

[Sigyn]

If I may interrupt gentlemen...

When I had short hair, I used VO5, Vitalis, and all of the "old men" products in my hair to shape and style it. I would not discount those products or pomades.

[joeythejoster]

Ya don't let your dad get to it it's completely normal for morden day males to style their hair. I personally style it everyday with a bit a pomade. I find it every important to have a good looking image so don't sweat it.

[Maleth]

I've always got some pomade handy and tend to style my hair if I'm not feeling too lazy.

[Dex]

I use pomade every day as well. I have an undercut that I usually style to the side and if I don't use something, my hair is too wavy to look decent in an office setting (as it tends to just land wherever it feels like).
With that being said, my cismale heterosexual brother spent more time on his hair everyday than my wife does... Until he lost most of it anyway . Don't take your dad too seriously. Have you seen o brother where art thou? That man loved his hair pomade and I don't think anyone could argue he wasn't masculine.

[Dena]

Men have been using products on their hair for a very long time. My father used products from http://www.suave.com/product/category/661957/men as far back as when I was a child. I don't have a clue how these products compare with what is available today. As a child, my hair was cut in a flat top and I was given a product called Butch Wax. It was kind of like pink axle grease and it got over everything but it did hold the flat top up. Don't try to find the stuff any more because they don't make it any longer and the stuff was nasty.

Use what ever hair products solve your problem because men using products to improve their hair has a long tradition.

[Elis]

I think my dad thinks the same thing. I have an undercut and so use pomade to style it, but like to keep it slightly messy and not totally slicked back. It just makes me look a lot more masculine and grown up than with the medium length shaggy hairstyle I had before. I think this is true for all men, unless a guy is particularly good looking with a thin face shape, then maybe the medium length no care approach works. Also, seeing how the undercut has been around since the 20s 30s 40s it's nothing new and seems a lot more normal to style your hair than not seeing how long we've been doing it for 

[Menoimagination]

Okey thanks guys I'm glad that lots of people style their hair. I guess my dad is just from the generation who didn't.

[FriendsCallMeChris]

My dad and uncles and grandfather all used Brylcream (sp?) back in the 40-50s when macho was mega in.  I doubt anyone thought it was anything but masculine back then.  And men have always used shaving cream.  I don't think grooming aids have ever been just for girls. 

[Menoimagination]

If I don't put product in my hair I end up looking like this (facial expression included lol) which isn't a good look.

[Elis]

If I don't put product in my hair I end up looking like this (facial expression included lol) which isn't a good look.

Haha, yeah not a good look  . If I don't style my hair I kinda look like I have a bowl haircut

[makipu]

gay guys do that not boys or men...

Gay guys are men...

[Menoimagination]

I know that they are, I was just saying what my dad said. I'm pretty sure he didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry if I offended anyone it is completely unintentional I'm really sorry I'm really sorry I'm sorry maybe I should just go away I can't say things without upsetting people sorry.

[makipu]

Please don't be sorry, you didn't offend me.
It's just unfortunate that people think like your dad because they assume caring about looks and even beautifying one self must not be for men at all.

[noah732]

I read an article that claims that the modern man is starting to care more about his hair, clothing, appearance, etc. than men of previous generations.

Personally, I honestly can name more guys who care about how their hair looks than I can guys who don't.

That being said, I get what it's like to hear frustrating stuff like this from my own dad. Hopefully try your best to not let it bother you.

— N


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