Up until just recently I had a 15″ ponytail. I recently cut it off and donated it to Locks of Love. Mostly because my new employer wouldn’t allow me to keep it. Now that my hair is a bit shorter, I don’t know what to do with it. It’s too short to pull back, but it’s long enough to get in the way of things. I’ve tried using gels to slick it back, but I hate the crusty and/or greasy feeling that they leave. I really don’t want to cut off the rest of it, but I don’t really know what else to do.
First off, congrats on getting it cut- most guys are hesitant to, but I guarantee you that you’ll look much better.
The problem here seems to be pretty fundamental- you got a structural haircut, but not a style one. Ideally, whenever you get a haircut, even with one removing a lot of hair, you should have a good stylist give you a cut that is functional. Without it, you run into the exact problem you’re having right now: having hair with nothing to do with it.
As for right now, I’d avoid gel and the like as much as possible. Gel, even with short hair, is beginning to really fall out of style, mainly because everyone is finally realizing how nasty it ends up being- it’s usually crusty, dirty, messy, and a big pain in the rear. If you were to use something, I’d generally recommend a wax or another more tacky, less “crusty” hair styling solution.
As silly as it may sound to go to the hairdresser so soon again, do it. As I recommend to most people looking for a haircut, go to a nice, popular place in a local major city, and tell them your trouble. If you find a good place, the stylist will be perfectly happy to not only get an idea of your hair (and what he/she can do with it), and they will be able to show you a selection of hairstyles that will work with your hair type, face shape, and everything else. You don’t necessarily have to get it cut shorter by any means- you just need to get it shaped, trimmed, and generally cleaned up.
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Not entirely sure how short your hair is, but I find that sea salt sprays work alright. Basically makes your hair feel like you’ve just gotten out of the surf. Natural looking and doesn’t feel nearly as bad as gels.