- December 6, 2024
Men’s Guide to Fall Grooming by Chaps & Co’s Issy Hickman.
A spiked mohawk, a crew cut or a classic pompadour? You may be wondering what the season’s biggest trends in men grooming are, or how to perfect them for that matter.
Well, seasons are shifting, and temperatures are dropping; so, it’s the ideal time for men to reassess their grooming routines. Of course, in a world where hair trends evolve as quickly as the weather, finding the right barber can make all the difference. At Chaps & Co salon in Dubai, Issy Hickman, a senior barber, is redefining male grooming. With her extensive background in the hair industry, Issy brings a unique perspective to the art of barbering.
Issy’s transition from starting as a hair model for prestigious brands like L’Oreal and Toni & Guy to becoming a senior barber began when she was 23. It was then that she filled a receptionist position at her friend’s barbershop. Despite her colleagues prompting her to pick up the scissors and learn the craft, it took years before she was sold on it. Eventually, it was the precision of barbering that captured her heart. “The sort of laddy experience and hustle and bustle of the barbershop is very different from a female salon, and I just sort of fell in love with the techniques and yeah, the precision of barbering,” she says.
Years of study and practice have made her the go-to person for tips that cater to diverse hair types and styles. As we dive into fall grooming tips, Issy emphasizes that seasonal transitions often come with specific challenges. With humidity dropping and air conditioning drying out hair and skin, it’s essential to adapt grooming routines accordingly. Let’s explore her expert advice for keeping your look fresh this season.
What Trends Are You Seeing for Fall?
Mullets are definitely coming into Dubai for the season. I think that the party season is just about to begin, everyone’s coming back from the summer, and I think that there are some really big events coming back, sort of like Rugby Sevens, so the mullet is definitely taking over a little bit -which is a really fun, versatile haircut that is different to what everyone’s been having before. Obviously, the skin fade has been popular for forever, but I think the skin fade is on its way out and people are transferring it more into like taper fades and mullets.
What’s a General Look You Expect Men to Adapt?
I think that men are going to be growing their hair a little bit, because normally men go short during the summer, because it’s too hot, especially if they’re here or traveling a lot. They can’t stick to the same barber, because they’re traveling around, whereas now they’re coming back for the season, they’re going to be consistently getting their hair tidied up, so I think men are going to be growing out their hair and going for the longer styles during the season.
How Can Men Refresh Their Looks This Season?
Go for long nice scissor cuts, with a sharp tapered neckline, but keeping it quite edgy with moustaches. Moustaches are really coming into fashion at the moment. I think if you can grow it properly, then yes, go for the moustache. It gives a quirky modern edge.
What’s Your Personal Approach with Clients, to Maintaining a Well-Groomed Beard or Facial Hair?
Regularly brushing and oiling it. Daily. Using a good face cleanser – I wouldn’t be using soap or shampoo on a beard, because your face skin is more sensitive than your scalp’s. I would be using a face cleanser to clean it, because if your skin is dry, a shampoo or a bar of soap wouldn’t help. The step after, is brushing it and using unperfumed beard oil. A natural one, like coconut oil or even olive oil.
What are the Products You Recommend for Different Hair Types?
Any pre-styling agent before men dry their hair, is an absolute essential. It will literally change your life. Using a hair cream in longer hair, scissor cuts, curly hair – it will define your curls. For a scissor cut, it will define the scissor cut so that it won’t look too rigid when it’s dry. All these pre-styling agents you can leave in your hair to dry naturally, because obviously men don’t tend to blow dry their hair in the morning, so a hair cream. Also, a sea salt spray for these mullets that are coming into fashion, or the more beachy longer care-free kind of styles.
How Can Men Refresh Their Looks This Season?
Go for long nice scissor cuts, with a sharp tapered neckline, but keeping it quite edgy with moustaches. Moustaches are really coming into fashion at the moment. I think if you can grow it properly, then yes, go for the moustache. It gives a quirky modern edge.
What’s Your Personal Approach with Clients, to Maintaining a Well-Groomed Beard or Facial Hair?
Regularly brushing and oiling it. Daily. Using a good face cleanser – I wouldn’t be using soap or shampoo on a beard, because your face skin is more sensitive than your scalp’s. I would be using a face cleanser to clean it, because if your skin is dry, a shampoo or a bar of soap wouldn’t help. The step after, is brushing it and using unperfumed beard oil. A natural one, like coconut oil or even olive oil.
What are the Products You Recommend for Different Hair Types?
Any pre-styling agent before men dry their hair, is an absolute essential. It will literally change your life. Using a hair cream in longer hair, scissor cuts, curly hair – it will define your curls. For a scissor cut, it will define the scissor cut so that it won’t look too rigid when it’s dry. All these pre-styling agents you can leave in your hair to dry naturally, because obviously men don’t tend to blow dry their hair in the morning, so a hair cream. Also, a sea salt spray for these mullets that are coming into fashion, or the more beachy longer care-free kind of styles.
Are There Specific Brands You Recommend Using?
My favorite sea salt spray is from Evo, which is an Australian brand. It uses all natural products, it’s got no paraben or sulphates in. the spray is called Salty Dog, and it’s phenomenal. As for my favorite hair cream, It’s Pomp and Co. Their hair cream is phenomenal, because it’s got keratin in it – which is really conditioning in hard environments, the water, the AC, the pollution in the air, the sand and dust that cause your hair to be very dry and brittle. Also, you always need a really good conditioner.
What’s One Shampoo or Conditioner That Would Suit All Sorts of Hair Types?
It’s Evo. We have three different types of the Evo one – we have ‘The Therapist’ for damaged hair, ‘Gluttony’ for volumizing, and then ‘Normal Persons’ which is obviously your standard, normal hair shampoo and conditioner. They are so good, so conditioning, without looking greasy. They are the best brand for shampoos and conditioners for men, I would say.
Do You Think Men's Grooming Has Room for Improvement?
Definitely. Many men don't realize the importance of a full grooming routine. They don’t like to use conditioners. They shampoo their hair twice a day, and never use conditioner. Buy some conditioner, guys. Buy some Evo hair conditioner.
What Common Mistakes Do You See Men Make?
I think that men need to adjust to their hair type. One major mistake is that men often try to replicate styles they see on others without considering their own hair texture. It’s important to listen to your barber’s advice and understand what styles will actually work for you. The consultation process is vital—don't be afraid to ask questions, and always listen to your barber.
How Important Is Skin Care in a Man's Grooming Routine?
It’s essential. Many men suffer from dry skin or irritation without realizing it. The surrounding environment can be harsh at times, so using a proper face cleanser and beard oil can help maintain a healthy look, and keep your beard fresh and your scalp fresh. Moisturizing daily can make a significant difference, especially as we head into drier months. Simple steps can lead to remarkable results.