| Men's Celebrity Hair: Longer Tresses |
| Karen Marie Shelton/Dedicated To FFOS |
| Date: 12/15/2005 |
Introduction  As part of my job as editor at HairBoutique.com I constantly scan the celebrity photo image databases to check out the latest celeb hairstyles. (Image of Pierce Brosnan - The Matador Premiere - 12-11-05 - DailyCeleb.com - all rights reserved - 2005). Over the past month I noticed a new but subtle trend in the male celebrities that were popping up on the wire image services. Not only were more donning facial hair like sideburns, beards and mustaches, but their hair was longer, softer and definitely full of texture. I wasn't sure if my eyes were deceiving me or not but recent photos of Pierce Brosnan, Robert Downey Jr. and even Jim Carrey convinced me that I was on to something.  Famous celebrity hairdresser Robert Hallowell confirmed my suspicions. Robert who is noted for his work with Geena Davis, also coifs the likes of Donald Sutherland, Jon Cryer, Garry Shandling and Brendan Fraiser. (Image of Jack Black sporting longer hair, sideburns and mustache at King Kong Premiere - December 5, 2005 - DailyCeleb.com - all rights reserved). According to Robert, there has been a slow evolution in Hollywood away from the short haircuts of the past few years to longer, fuller and more natural styles that play up the man's natural texture. Robert noted that the current desired length for some of his male clients is approximately 4-6 inches long or just above the tips of the shoulders.
 Although the trend is for longer locks, don't expect the men in the entertainment world to return to the super long styles of the 60s and the 70s. (Image of Robert Downey Jr. with longer hair, beard and mustache - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Premiere - October, 2005 - DailyCeleb.com - all rights reserved). And yes, Robert confirmed that many celebrity men are adopting a softer look which includes facial hair. However, even though celebrity male hair is inching longer, the styles that are being chosen incorporate the celeb's natural texture such as waves and curls. The super messy or spiky look of the past has given way to a more finished, controllable style, that might have a slight essence of bedhead, but not much. Wild and crazy male hairstyles are a thing of the past. At least for 2005 and 2006.  So why are many celebrity men opting for long hair along with facial hair? Robert believes that it may be partly due to the current fashions that feature softer and more sensual styles. (Sunrise Coigney and Mark Ruffalo with sideburns, longer curly hair and shadow of beard and mustache - at the World Premiere of "Rumor Has It". Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood, CA. 12-15-05 - DailyCeleb.com) He also believes that the current craze for re-release of classic movies like King Kong and Pocahantas are reviving the image of strong men with longer locks. Of course Robert noted that hair styles and trends, like fashion, is always changing. Since male hair was generally worn very short in the most recent past, he believes that celebrity men may be bored and are looking for a change. After all, one exceptional way to get a new look is to alter the length by wearing hair longer, shorter or adding facial hair.  (Image of Kalani Queypo - The New World Premiere (Pochantas) - 12-15-05 - DailyCeleb.com - all rights reserved). Besides the new trends in fashion and new movies, I asked Robert if there were other factors related to the new longer male hair trend in Tinsel town. Robert pointed out that in Hollywood, it is important for stars to dress and be coiffed in such a way as to enhance their image and build their star power. Staying abreast of the latest hair and fashion styles is important for celebrity career success. As a consequence of supporting their careers, male stars are just more open to interest in hair, skin and related grooming activities. Trickle Down Effect Robert does predict that the increasing popularity of longer hairstyles coupled with facial hair will eventually trickle down into the non-celebrity world. He expects men who are not in the entertainment world to be influenced by the Hollywood hair trends and adopt it throughout the United States. Celebrities have a powerful influence on new trends and tend to drive them. Summary If the latest Hollywood and New York movie premiere scene is any indication of new male hair tends, longer strands, sideburns, beards and mustaches appear to be making a big comeback for late 2005 and into 2006. |