To gel or not to gel? That is the question | Kieran Murphy

While those spikes may have been cool for your Confirmation, Fashion Editor Kieran Murphy explains there’s more to life than hair gel.

     Hair gel is the staple styling item for any young Irish lad - and even a TD or two - but it’s a new dawn for male grooming and it is high time that you retire your two year old tub to the compost bin. Many men view hair gel as a one-for-all fixer for any type of hairstyle for every occasion, but now there’s far more style inspirations for men other than Westlife and Justin Timberlake. The likes of David Beckham, Andrew Garfield and Robert Pattinson have shown men that there is more to hair than 3-2-1 spike formation, or a head of hair so hard that it could be used as a ramp.

     David Beckham

     David Beckham is no stranger to breaking barriers, but recently he’s been sporting what has been generally called a neo-quiff. To achieve this look it’s all about the blow-dry. You need to start with a wet head of hair and find your side parting. Then, cover one side and blow dry with the straightening nozzle attached. Once finished, begin on the other and repeat the step to start your parting. To maximise your quiff, blow dry the front of your hair to one side. To finish the look, rub hair cream (cream - not gel) onto your hand, run your fingers through the quiff and rake it back, then use any remaining cream to define your side parting. Ensure that you don’t use too much product or else your hair will be sticky to the touch.

     Andrew Garfield

     Andrew Garfield’s hair looks like he just walked out of the house, but it’s perfect form betrays his laissez-faire image. Andrew’s hair is actually the result of a blow dry and hair wax, or, alternatively, three days of greasiness but the first method is easier and significantly more hygienic. To achieve this look it’s about layering the hair wax gradually while blow drying the hair. To start it off, dry your hair gradually with the fringe pointing upwards. Then apply a small amount of wax onto your hands and work it through your hair, spreading it evenly down to the roots or else it’ll get too top heavy and flop over. Then repeat the blow drying process and apply one more small layer of wax. The wax will give the hair texture but won’t harden it in the same way that gel would.

Images From: H&M, INeedMyFix.Com