Fancy hairstyles & cosmetics advice for guys

starlancerii

So I want to make myself look fancy.

Long story short, I've never cared much for how I've looked - sure, I practiced good hygiene and kept myself looking presentable, but that's about it - but now I want to change that. Lets say that I'm trying to come out from under my rock, meet some girls, etc etc. I just switched from super-geeky glasses to contact lenses, but what's next?

Here's a recent photo of me, taken for a passport:

Does anybody have any thoughts on how I should get my hair re-styled? Right now, I usually just stroll into the barbershop, mutter "shorter", and let the barber figure something out. Mornings are 2 minutes in the bathroom using some water and a little styling gel to make sure nothing sticks up.

Also... is there such a thing as makeup for guys? To do stuff like cover up bags around eyes, etc?

Funguy McAids

Well I live in China (not sure about your ethnicity) and I think I can offer a bit of advice for what seems to look good for Chinese dudes (somewhat applies to other north-asians). I would take a look at Japanese and Korean examples for style though as mainland Chinese guys are usually stuck in some form of 70's/80's confusion.

You look like an attractive person that just needs the right style to present yourself with.

First your hair looks reasonable enough to me though I've seen some guys with really short, buzzed sides and longer hair on the top area look quite good.

I've always been in the camp that long and sometimes shaggy hair looks really good on north-asian guys. Lets face it, you don't have a macho build so why not express more of what your physique is? Lean, soft features, and youthfulness work best with more 'feminine' hairstyles.

I myself am Caucasian but with a very similar shape and build to the local guys. I have shoulder-length hair, often in a pony-tail or half-tail thingy and it definitely works for me.

Also the number one thing that makes north-asian guys look good is facial hair. If you can grow a beard, which I understand is a rare feat, it looks really good. A problem here in China though is a lot of guys grow a bit of lip fuzz, never shave it so never get it to thicken up and think they look good when really they look like a 14 year old boy.

Also try to unbutton the top of your shirt and with your build, don't go with that collar. You need some more relaxed clothes that don't cover any of your neck, but make sure they fit your shoulders well too.

Plus you're making a bit of a strange face in the photo; doesn't help.

Improvolone

Yes men can use makeup but it doesn't look like you really need it. If you'd like to try though, just get some foundation that matches your skin and blend blend blend (ask a female friend for help).

mooshoepork

I just came in to say "unbutton that damn top button"

If I were you, I'd ditch the barber and at least to go a "salon" or whatever they're called where you are. Get a girl to do it and get her opinion. It might be more expensive, but you'll get some better advice.

adytum

mooshoepork wrote: »

I just came in to say "unbutton that damn top button"

Either unbuttoned OR wear a tie, but no dress shirt buttoned all the way by itself. It looks ridiculous.

starlancerii

Yeah, I usually wouldn't button up that collar; it was just for the passport photo. Here's another recent one that's more casual:

Here's another recent photo:

I'm very much in the 'lip fuzz' camp, I just shave it off complete since it refuses to grow longer than like a millimeter.

Hm, feminine hairstyles, especially those from Korea / Japan... where would I go about looking for one of those?

Improvolone

Have you ever been told "you look like (insert famous person)"? If so, look at pictures of that person. They have professional stylists. Steal their style cues.

Fallingman

I'd go for the tussled, spikey look hair-wise and as others have posted - the shirt does more for your look than your hair.

I cant imagine makeup helping you any either.

AmytheLibrarian

I did some creative googling and found a few hairstyles that I think you could totally rock.

http://www.menshairstyles.net/v/asian-man-hair-style/trendy+haircut+for+Asian+men+photo.jpg.html
http://www.menshairstyles.net/v/asian-man-hair-style/Asian+men+short+hairstyle+with+wavies.jpg.html
http://www.menshairstyles.net/v/asian-man-hair-style/Asian+medium+hairstyle+with+long+bangs.jpg.html
http://www.menshairstyles.net/v/asian-man-hair-style/med1-10.jpg.html

My personal fav is the top one because it's all choppy and spiky and interesting, but judging by the shape of your face and hairline I think you could probably pull off any one of these cuts rather nicely. It just depends what kind of look you're after really.

I know it might sound odd to a barbershop frequenter but I find the best thing to do is to take a picture in with you of the cut that you'd like when you go to a salon. Specifically tell them what you like about the cut, don't just say "like this" or you might not get exactly what you want. Then ask if they think it would suit you. Pay close attention when they style your hair so you can learn what to do, and if they use product in your hair, be sure to pick some up for yourself so you can replicate it at home.

A good shampoo and conditioner combination can do wonders for your hair so don't scrimp and buy some junk from the drug store. I've recently discovered Matrix Biolage cooling mint shampoo and conditioner and they are fantastic.

As far as makeup stuff goes, I don't think you need it. Invest in some good quality skin products for men (Biotherm Homme or Clinique for men are good and smell fantastic) with a solid 3-step process (cleanser, toner, moisturizing face cream) and you're set. Couldn't hurt to throw in a facial exfoliator to make sure your face is getting a good solid scrub on a regular basis as well.