From left: Gong Yoo, Harry Styles, The Weeknd, Sam Smith. Photos: Instagram 

It’s all about making changes in 2018. Aside from resolutions like “being more punctual”, “getting more sleep”, or “cutting down the number of cheat days in a week”, an obvious way to make an impactful change and showing that you’ve left the misery that is 2017 behind is by giving your hair a new lease of life.

Really, this is the best time to get creative and surprise yourself. Grow it out, chop it off or simply style it in ways you normally wouldn’t. Still unsure? Scroll down below to see if any of these stars will get you heading to the hair dresser’s and pulling a new look off the best way you can.

Out With The Old – Super Cropped ‘Dos

What we like about cropped ‘dos is that they’re the simplest to deal with and they’re acceptable on both casual days out and at formal work functions. Wash, condition, and you’re pretty much ready to seize the day.

But sometimes frizziness makes an unwelcome appearance when the hair’s grown out a little, no thanks to the crazy humidity in Singapore. So look to products like wax and clay – like KMS’ Hairplay Liquid Wax and Hanz De Fuko’s Claymation – to tame the frizz while helping you to look spiffy all day long.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYxBU4mlWYj/?hl=en&taken-by=samsmithworld

A-list stars like award-winning crooners John Legend and Sam Smith, and Thor‘s Chris Hemsworth seem to be doing this look right.

Lengthy Business – Playing Around With Some Length

Another favourite hairstyle among guys is having length at the crown, while keeping the sides cropped as close to the head as possible. The cropped sides means having to worry less about keeping unruly locks in check, while the extra length gives one the freedom to style.

The versatility of this cut can easily be demonstrated with a simple side part that helps to frame the face, and giving it an up-do can instantly polish you up so you’re ready for more formal events.

Case in point? Volimizing products, like Sachajuan’s Volume Cream for example, are great for casual days to get a textured look like model Pietro Boselli.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWMk5h6D7kS/?hl=en&taken-by=pietroboselli

But for more important events, consider styling with a pomade, like We Need A Hero’s Hero Pomade in Matte, to keep unruly locks in place.  Finish off with a strong-hold spray like Oribe’s Superfine Strong Hairspray to pull everything together so you’ll achieve a sleek do like actor Ross Butler‘s below.

A New Wave – Making Extra Volume Look Good

So we get lazy sometimes with maintaining our manes. That’s okay if you’re working from home, but when it’s time to meet the world at meetings, events and an occasional visit to the office, you have to get it all together.

Korean megastar Gong Yoo does it well, playing around with length and volume while still looking polished. While a good conditioner, like Le Labo’s Conditioner, is enough to keep hair in this style well-nourished on days off, look to texturising sprays, like Ouai’s Texturizing Hairspray, to amp up the volume, then tease the roots so everything falls into place nicely with minimal effort.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFYqe1OxtpU/?hl=en&taken-by=gongyoo7010

If you’re feeling a little fancier, a little pomade, like this one from Malin and Goetz,  goes a long way. Not only does it keep frizz at bay, it also imparts a subtle sheen for a clean and polished look – especially if you have larger curls like solo artist Harry Styles‘. A light spritz of medium-hold spray, like Living Proof’s No Frizz Weightless Spray, is all it takes to maintain the overall look while allowing some movement and bounce.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcCF1QDHLlj/?hl=en&taken-by=harrything

Bold Decisions – For The Brave Of Heart

If 2018 is the year you’re breaking free and finding your own, a drastic hair change is definitely encouraged. Those with tighter curls can look to pop star The Weeknd for inspiration with his volume-heavy mane. We reckon O&M’s Surf Bomb Sea Salt Texturizing Spray is a good hair styling product to look to.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcFuMQPAMEf/?taken-by=theweeknd

Otherwise, K-pop idol Taeyang‘s choice of going blonde is great for those who would like to bring a decent hair cut up to a bolder direction. Just check with your office rules first before you attempt this. When you get the green light, maintain the blonde with a shampoo and conditioner combo like Sachajuan‘s Silver shampoo and conditioner to maintain it well.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcK0RD4gyhM/?hl=en&taken-by=__youngbae__