Seven tips for consistently good hairstyles.
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Getting a good haircut is only half the battle. Keeping it looking sharp day after day depends on how you care for it, style it, and communicate with your barber. As a grooming journalist, I’ve seen countless men spend money on high-end haircuts without learning how to maintain them at home. The truth is, good hair days are rarely about luck. They are the result of habits, timing, and understanding your hair’s behavior.
I sat down with Miguel Gutierrez, better known as Nomad Barber, to talk about the habits and techniques that separate an okay haircut from one that always looks its best. His insights come from years of cutting hair around the world and teaching men how to own their look between appointments.
Here are seven best tips for having a great hairstyle every single day, curated by Miguel’s experience as well as mine as a grooming journalist for the past decade and a half. You can also watch our video of the conversation, embedded below the tips.
1. Master the Blowdryer
Most guys expect their hair to hold its barbershop shape without using a blow dryer, and then wonder why it falls flat an hour later. The heat and airflow help “set” your hair into the desired direction and volume before you ever apply product. Blow-dry your hair into the shape you want, then finish with your styling product to lock it in. Even a quick 30 seconds of drying makes a big difference in structure and longevity.
Start on medium heat and direct airflow from roots to ends to set direction and volume. Work the hair into place first, then use a short cool blast to lock the bonds. Thirty to sixty seconds is often enough to create structure that lasts.
Also, attachments change the outcome. A concentrator nozzle focuses airflow for smoothness, polish, and cleaner lines. A diffuser spreads airflow for waves, curls, and coils to reduce frizz and preserve pattern. If you have texture, diffuse on low heat and low speed, then finish with cool air to set the shape.
2. Communicate Clearly with Your Barber
Bring reference photos and explain what you like about them. Be honest about your maintenance level and any past mistakes. A good barber wants feedback so they can tailor your cut to your lifestyle. Once you find someone who listens and explains what they are doing, stick with them.
3. Use Less Product Than You Think
Most men use too much styling product, which clumps the hair and kills volume. Miguel advises starting with a pea-sized amount, rubbing it fully between your palms, and applying evenly from back to front. You can always add more, but you can’t undo excess. The goal is to enhance texture and control, not smother it.
4. Wash Smart, Condition on Purpose
Shampoo a few times per week instead of daily to avoid stripping away the oils that help hold shape. Rinse with water on off days. Always follow cleansing with a conditioner or leave-in that matches your hair type. For curls and coils, prioritize slip and hydration so the cut can sit cleanly without frizz.
5. Don’t Chase Trends
Your hair type, growth pattern, and density are unique. What works on social media might not work on your head. Miguel reminds clients that their haircut should enhance what they already have instead of fighting it. A skilled barber can tailor the shape, fade, and layering to suit your specific hair texture and face shape—so let them design something that fits you, not a trend.
6. Imperative Note for Curly and Coiled Hair
The best haircuts grow out gracefully because they’re shaped properly to begin with. Miguel recommends booking appointments every three to five weeks to keep your style consistent. If you stretch it too long, the lines blur, the weight shifts, and styling gets harder. Regular trims don’t just tidy you up—they make every morning faster and easier.
7. Let your hair type set the plan
Begin with what you actually have. Note density, growth patterns, and how your hair falls when it is clean and air-dried. Fine hair needs lift and lighter products. Thick or coarse hair needs weight control and shape. Curls and coils need definition without crunch. When you accept your baseline, the cut and routine can be tailored to it.
In fact, read our guides on best hair stylers for men, and pick out the right products for yourself based on your hair density, curl pattern, length, and more.
A great hairstyle is a mix of the right cut, consistent care, and daily confidence. As Miguel puts it, “You wear your hair every day, so treat it like part of your wardrobe.” When you understand your hair, work with a barber who listens, and develop simple, effective habits, you will look like you just left the chair every single morning.
WATCH: How to Have a Great Hair Day, Every Day (with Nomad Barber)
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