ABSOLUTE
MARCH 2007

The Mane Event

Like Samson, today's man draws secret strengths from growing longer locks.

Any woman will acknowledge that getting a great haircut adds bounce to her step. But would a man say the same thing? "Men's attitude to their hair has changed a lot over the past few years," says director of men's services at Paul Labrecque, Martial Vivot, who tends the coifs of such celebs as Bruce Willis, Kevin Bacon, and Sting.  "They're thinking about it in terms of health, quality products and color because they're wearing it longer and so they have to take more care of it.

Vivot has been using a flat iron to straighten hair. "It's a look I love for skinny guys," he says. "But I was surprised how many men have bought irons for home use  -- although they often wonder if their girlfriends will approve."

What the pros use.

Drying out. "The simplest thing to do is gently blow dry and let what happens, happen," says Vivot.  "If the cut is good, the hair will fall right. For straighter styles, use a wet-dry GHD flat iron."

Hold it:  Vivot uses Straight Finish from Paul Labrecque as a light styling spray when blow-drying: "It's weightless, but gives a little hold and isn't sticky." For damp hair, he recommends Phillip B Shin-Aid Pomade, but for industrial-strength styles he turns to Magic Move Soft, a totally dry Japanese paste: "It's amazing - you don't see it, but you can really play with the hair. We use it a lot on photo shoots."

Paul Labrecque Straight Finish - Buy now.

GHD original styling iron - Buy now.

Phillip B Shin-Aid Pomade - Buy now.

Magic Move Soft - Buy now.