Your hair may not always cooperate when you need it to, and there's no worse follicle offense than a cowlick—especially when it's sitting among a fluff of bedhead. But that's why we're here (well, us and a few of our favorite grooming experts), to help you fix an unfortunate and very aggressive case of rogue hair.
And the perfect case in point to start our discussion: Actor Bill Pullman, best known for his role as U.S. president in Independence Day. He stepped out in New York this Monday, blissfully unaware (we think, we hope) of the disobedient tuft stationed on the left side of his hair. The right side was full-tilt gent, with a swoop that gave the impression a comb had actually come near it. So it goes without saying that his bedhead ruined an otherwise perfectly acceptable look (white button-up, gray jeans, shiny black lace-ups).
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Actor Bill Pullman attends the "Indecent" company opening party held at the Vineyard Theatre on May 15, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/Getty Images)Getty Images
So how can you avoid a similar fate? As it turns out, it's pretty easy. We talked to grooming expert David Pirrotta and celebrity hairstylist Daniel Alfonso about this very common problem and what to do about it.
How can any man avoid a case of bedhead?
DP: One of the best ways to avoid bedhead in the first place is to take a shower and wet your hair every morning. Reshaping your hairstyle from scratch is probably the most effective way to achieve a great hairstyle every time. Once your hair is completely wet, proceed to dry and style your hair as you normally would.
If you can't wash your hair every morning, you can prevent bedhead by making sure that you don’t go to bed while your hair is still damp. Hair is most vulnerable when it’s wet, so it’s easier to break and split as you toss and turn during sleep.
Ok, what if you're crunched for time and need a quick morning fix?
DP: If you wake up with bedhead and have no time for a quick shower, try soaking your hair with water and brushing it down. You can do this by using a spray bottle of water, or by pouring water over your hands and applying it to your hair. The trick is to soak your hair and not just sprinkle it with water. If your hair is still not complying to your will, then you're not using enough water. Once you’ve smoothed your hair out, apply a styling product like Sachajuan’s Finish Cream to keep your hair in place and looking sleek.
What tools should a guy use to keep his hair in place?
DA: Use a blow-dryer and a brush. Just brush it in the direction that you want while hitting it with a little heat from the blow-dryer to set it in place. And to overpower any hairs that want to stick up, use a styling clay on dry hair. Take a dime-sized amount, swirl it around on your hands, and gently pat your hair down on the sides.
Is there a haircut that's immune to bedhead?
DA: Depending on the texture, if it's too short the hair is going to stick up. So if you have some length, you can actually blow-dry in the style. But when you have a messed-up haircut, it definitely shows.
