How to wear your hair at the hottest social events this season.

As we creep towards the festive season, and party invites start to stack up in your inbox, it’s worth giving some consideration to how you’re going to look when you’re putting on the ritz this year. And though that might mean finding a decent outfit – which we can certainly help with, too – we also suggest reassessing another key part of your look: your hairstyle.

Visiting your barber and braving a new cut can be a daunting experience. And the abundance of products (and styles) available can seem overwhelming. So, to make things easier, we enlisted the help of one of London’s top hairstylists, Mr Lee Machin (credited with maintaining the manes of London’s most stylish men including Messrs Jamie Dornan, Nicholas Hoult and Douglas Booth) to help us comb through the basics.

“If you’re going to a party with a formal dress code then it’s best to keep your hair on the smarter side of things. You don’t need to overdo it, but just don’t leave it looking scruffy either, as it can look lazy,” Mr Machin advises. “It might seem obvious, but you’ll need a good cut – it’s the foundation upon which a finished hairstyle is built. Any decent barber will tailor your cut to suit your face shape, but having it neatened up will make the rest a lot easier.”

For a bit of inspiration, we’ve picked out five actors, of varying hair types, that are a cut above the rest when it comes to grooming, and tasked Mr Machin with outlining what you’ll need to achieve each haircut.

Best for: longer hair

“Even though Milo’s got long hair, this is a classic men’s haircut,” says Mr Machin. “It should be cut pretty square with scissors, not a clipper, so it looks natural rather than pristine. Ask for about two inches on the side, and four or five inches on top so you have enough length to part and sweep over. Keep it soft around the ears and back for a cut that looks as if it’s a week or two old – not too neat and severe.”

“Comb it through with conditioner in the shower to get rid of any knots,” says Mr Machin. “After your shower, apply a bit of Oribe Gel Sérum into damp hair. It will add moisture and help when you style it. Comb your hair into place, and then loosen it by running your fingers through it. Finish with Hanz De Fuko Style Lock hairspray for hold, but let it dry naturally to maintain the shine.” A word of caution though, “the longer your hair, the less produce you should use, otherwise you risk weighing it down too much and making it look oily and too slick.”

Best for: naturally wavy hair

“Again, the cut should be cut pretty square through the sides and top. Ask your barber to point cut into the hair as this will help reduce the weight and avoid giving you what I call ‘helmet head’. It should be done with scissors for a natural finish. If you see a pair of clippers coming towards you, leg it!” In regards to length, “an inch and a half to two inches on the side, and about three inches on top will look balanced and keep the natural wave intact.”

“Less is more, just use a good old shampoo and conditioner. Patricks Deep Clean Shampoo and CD2 Conditioner are good for hydration and will tame any frizz. Towel dry and use Aesop Violet Leaf Hair Balm – a good alternative to sticky waxes – for volume and hold.”

Best for: medium length hair, or if you’re growing it

“If you’re trying to grow your hair, make sure you tell your barber that, so he or she doesn’t take too much of the length off, especially at the back. It should be square through the sides, length and top. Ask your hairstylist to slice into the haircut when dry in such a way that you keep the length but lose some of the weight and bulk.”

“Salt sprays are great for this sort of look, as they give a very natural finish. Sachajuan Ocean Mist Spray perfectly mimics the added thickness and definition of natural beach hair. Spray from a distance and then style your hair into a loose side parting with your fingers. Let your hair dry naturally to give texture and allow movement. It’s a loose style which means you can run your hands through it.”

Best for: shorter hair

“This is a classic short back and sides – a scissor cut, no clippers. For side length, a number three is a good starting point for a clean taper. Darker or denser hair can definitely go shorter on the sides but always keep it slightly longer on top. This should always be cut square, not rounded.”

“Most men tend to have a natural side parting, but this can often expose the highest point of the forehead so you can adjust the position of the parting for more ‘coverage’ if you’re worried about any recession lines” says Mr Machin. “Towel dry and then spritz with some texturizing spray before you blow-dry with a stippling brush. To add lift and volume at the front, rub a pea-sized amount of Blind Barber 90 Proof Pomade in your hands and work throughout the hair. Or, for something lighter, use their weaker 60 Proof Wax.”

Best for: shorter hair / Afro hair

“Ask for it to be cut square throughout the sides. This can be done with clippers or scissors over comb. Guys with finer hair shouldn’t go too short as it’ll expose the scalp too much. Ask for the top and crown to be cut quite round so it tapers the head better. A clean finish and shaved bottom line can give this haircut a slight military edge, but if you want something softer ask for a natural one. Cleaning up around and behind the ears keeps things smart.”

“Towel-dry and then add a pea-sized amount of low-shine wax to take away fluff and frizz. Remember to rub the product all over your hands for even coverage. My go-to product for this sort of hairstyle is Bumble And Bumble Sumotech. It’s easy to use and isn’t greasy so won’t clump the hair.”

The people featured in this story are not associated with and do not endorse MR PORTER or the products shown

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