Blame corny shampoo ads for making us believe that straight and silky is the ideal type of hair to have. “It never gets tangled,” offers 23-year-old student Nathan Ling with a chuckle. “But it gets annoying when I try to style it, because nothing sticks. I also don’t like it when my fringe gets stuck to my forehead when I perspire.”
Because it lacks texture, Nathan’s straight hair falls flat easily, making it difficult for him to achieve a well-structured coif. He also complains that styling products often leave his hair looking sloppy because they tend to weigh his hair down. Though it’s easy for him to simply sweep his fringe sideways, he gets bored of it sometimes.
“It will definitely be nicer if my hair weren’t so flat. Then I’ll be able to experiment with various hair styles instead of just sweeping it to the side all the time.”
The Barber Says
“Stick straight hair doesn’t take well to styling products,” Ana (from Sultans of Shave) confirms. “It gets weighed down easily. That is why those with this hair type should take note of what products they can apply.”
Aside from that, Ana has no issues with chopping straight hair. “The hair hardly gets tangled in the comb, so from a hairdressing perspective, straight hair is easy to manage.”
Making The Cut
If your straight hair is thick, Ana suggests a classic fade. But for those with less dense hair like Nathan’s, Ana suggests simply tidying up the sides and adding layers at the crown. “This helps to create texture. Because of that, styling products can adhere to the hair better, which will give you a better chance of creating volume.”
Ana recommends using texturising products to give limp hair more body. She shared that the way we apply a product is also important – unless one is going for a sleek comb back like the pompadour, it’s better to start with a small amount of product and gradually build it up, instead of diving right in with a full dollop.
“Be careful with how much you apply. Starting small makes it less troublesome to re-style your hair, should you be unhappy with the way it’s turning out.”
Red Carpet Inspiration
Yoo Ah-in at the Cannes Film Festival 2018
Product Picks
Barber’s Pick: Original Pomade, Boardwalk Pomade
If you want to achieve a sleek event-ready look, this pomade has got you covered. Besides allowing an easy comb through, the product is also formulated with hair-loving ingredients such as aloe leaf juice and D-panthenol (also known as pro-vitamin B5) to strengthen and nourish your hair.
Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice and D-panthenol
Styling Tip: Save this for special occasions to achieve a smart look
Available at Sultans of Shave for $36
Our Pick: Quicksand, Hanz de Fuko
Don’t be alarmed by its gritty hand feel. This product has diatomaceous earth to lend texture and volume to straight and limp hair. We also like that it is infused with eucalyptus and horse fern extracts to stimulate healthy hair growth and prevent scalp issues such as dandruff and irritation.
Key Ingredients: Diatomaceous earth and essentials oils
Styling Tip: Apply a tiny bit on the roots and then evenly spread it out to add more body
Available at Sephora for $30
Credits
Photography: Cher Him
Photographic Assistance: Zhan Hong
Words: Syed Zulfadhli
Sittings Editor: Chia Wei Choong
Hair: Ana Nguyen/Sultans of Shave
Makeup: Eunice Wong
Special thanks to: Nathan Ling and NOW Model Management
