How to Comb Your Hair (Men)

Co-authored by Nick Arrojo

Last Updated: July 9, 2024 Fact Checked

Combing your hair is one of those simple, daily tasks that’s easy to forget about or even ignore completely. However, if you dedicate some time to doing it right, proper combing can bring an outfit together, make you look perfect for a special event, or even change your whole sense of style. Whether you’re going for suave and sophisticated or cool and collected, knowing how to comb will help you look better than ever before.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Slicking Your Hair Back

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1
Run a dime-sized amount of gel through your hair. Place a dime-sized amount of hair gel, matte, or similar styling product on your palm. Rub your hands together to cover them thoroughly. Run your fingers from the front of your hair to the back, coating the strands with a thin layer of product. Repeat until all your hair is covered.^{[1]
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- For longer hair, more product may be required, but err on the side of caution to avoid looking sticky or slick.
With a wide-tooth comb or bristle brush, comb your hair from front to back until it is all facing in the same direction. Try to catch any flyaways so that your hair becomes one even, solid plane.

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3
Follow your comb with a blow dryer. Once you’ve established the general shape of your hair, you will use a blow dryer to style it further. Set your blow dryer to a low, cool setting. Hold it above your head and angle it down to compress your hair. Hold it in front of your forehead, level to your hair, to give it more volume.^{[2]
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- Compressed hair is perfect for traditional, Hollywood-style slick backs.
- Volumized hair is perfect for non-traditional slick backs like pompadours and undercuts.
If you’re going for a contained, sleek look, you’ll want to use a bit more gel to keep it from moving. Take a pea-sized amount of styling product, rub it into your palms, and gently brush it over the top of your hair. Only use a light amount to avoid greasy-looking hair.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Parting Your Hair

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Decide which way to part your hair. Though you can make a part anywhere on your head, your hair will probably prefer one direction over the other. To find out, use your fingers to jostle your hair from front to back and side to side. Your hair will fall in the direction it naturally grows, indicating which way you should part it.
Place your comb over the area of hair you want to part. Use this line as a guide to style your hair. For the most fashionable effect, part your hair from the far left or far right side of your head, avoiding the center.^{[4]
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After establishing your part line, run a wide or fine-toothed comb through the larger side of the divide, making clear, consistent lines through your hair. If necessary, use your fingers to keep the hair in place while styling.
4
Comb on the smaller side of the part line. In the same way, run a comb through the smaller side of the part line, letting it fall naturally down the side of your head. Once this side is combed, your hair should be evenly parted with no strands crossing over from one side to the other.
- For a more modern look, shave this side of your head to create a hard part.^{[5]
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5
Use gel to keep the hair in place (optional). In some cases, side parts do not need any styling products to stay in place. However, if necessary, place a dime-sized amount of gel, matte, or similar product on your palm, rub your hands together, and run it through your hair. Pull your comb through each side once more to make sure the hair is styled correctly.^{[6]
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- For some styles, like comb overs, use hair spray instead of gel or matte to achieve a slightly glossy look.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Spikes

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Spikes are easiest to style when your hair is slightly damp. To achieve this, either take a shower or dampen your hair in the sink. Once wet, dab your hair with a towel until it is mostly dry. Avoid using a hair dryer to keep the strands from frizzing.^{[7]
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Using your fingers and a comb, brush your hair into the general direction the spikes will go. This will prepare your hair for the application of styling matte.
When dealing with spikes, avoid gel because it can cause your hair to look unintentionally wet and greasy. Instead, place a dime-sized amount of hair matte on your palm, spread it out by rubbing your hands together, and run it through your hair in the direction the spikes will go. To make sure you can style it properly, cover each strand of hair thoroughly.^{[8]
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4
Use a comb to twist up spikes. With the matte applied, you can use a comb to twist up spikes. Simply pull your comb from the bottom of a hair strand to the top, letting it stick up in the air. If necessary, use your fingers to mold more specific shapes. When the spikes are styled, let them dry naturally or use hair spray to harden them quickly.^{[9]
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- For small spikes, use a fine-toothed or jagged comb.
- For large spikes, use a wide-toothed comb.

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How do I get smooth hair?

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Wash your hair in warm water, and then rinse it in cold water. The cold water rinse at the end causes the hair to come together. Heat makes frizz. Also, make sure you're using conditioner. Use gel to style it smooth.

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If you have curly hair, the only time you should comb is when you’re detangling knots. Work your way from the bottom of your hair to the top. Otherwise, you’ll cause frizz.

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