Do you love Ranbir Kapoor's new hairstyle? Follow these tips to ace summer looks

To emulate Ranbir Kapoor’s summer-friendly hairstyle, Vaaz suggests a buzzed haircut and faded beard. Pics courtesy/Instagram

Good hair days are a summer luxury only a select few enjoy. Ranbir Kapoor's recent slick cut by hairstylist Aalim Hakim makes one wonder if a dreamy look like that is a common man's cup of tea. "Absolutely," shares celebrity hair stylist Elvis Vaaz, "Summer hair needs hydration. That's key to good, healthy hair for men." While most men resort to a clean-shaven look with ultra-short hair, Vaaz suggests that there are ways to add the right amount of style to it. Ranbir Kapoor's look, she adds, has as much to do with his beard as his hair. "He has gone for a short fade on the sides for his hair, with volume on top. This is an ideal summer haircut as it makes the face look longer. Remember, we want the face to show in summer, to look cleaner, fresher and hydrated," she suggests.

Elvis Vaaz

Ace the summer look
>> The shorter, the cooler

Shorter haircuts are trending, especially in Hollywood, and now in Bollywood, owing to summer. The perfect cut would be textured, longer hair on the top, with faded sides and faded beard. My recent work on Karan Kundrra for a shoot, for instance, allows him to carry buzzed sides with longer spiked hair. But haircuts can vary depending on the shape of your face, and the angles your hairstylist decides to give to your hair. Here are some styles for the season:

Shahid Kapoor's buzzed crew cut for Haider; (right) Karan Kundrra sports spikes and a faded haircut

Buzz cut: The ultra-short hairstyle is favoured by actors for low maintenance and a masculine look. It is timeless, and suits a variety of face shapes.
Crew cut: This is a classic hairstyle where the hair on the top is cut short and gradually fades on the sides and back. It's a clean and polished look. Shahid Kapoor's hairstyle in Haider is a fusion of the buzz and crew cut.

Texture crop: This style features short hair on the sides and the back. The hair is longer and textured on top. It adds depth and dimension, creating an edgy look. Siddhant Chaturvedi's style in Gehraiyaan is a good example.

>> Structure is key

>> Men with round faces can opt for hairstyles with volume on top. Some length on the side will elongate the face. Pick layered cuts, side-swept bangs or hairstyles with height at the crown.

>> For the square-faced, softening angular features with textured layers or side-swept bangs work well. Avoid blunt cuts and opt for softer, rounder styles to complement the face shape.

>> Embrace your greys

Siddhant Chaturvedi opts for a textured cut in the movie, Gehraiyaan. PIC COURTESY/YOUTUBE; (right) hairstylist Chris Appleton's salt-and-pepper look

For those with salt-and-pepper hair, it can be a challenge to style their look. The perfect example is Chris Appleton, but he is a celebrity who is also a hairstylist. And not everyone can visit a salon daily. In such cases, men can opt for botox or nanoplasty [after taking expert advice]. These treatments clean the top of the hair and are a good option to straighten curly hair that is difficult to manage in summer. The best part about it is that your hair will remain healthy and styled for at least three months.

>> Colours are cool

If you wish to colour your hair, experiment with ashen tones and browns. Else opt for dark green, for a bolder vibe. However, always choose cool colours for this time of the year.

>> Hair appeal

>> Do not use gel or wax in summer. When you step out, you are bound to sweat, and the products seep into your skin and cause acne.

>> Use aloe vera gel to hydrate your hair. It doesn't burn the scalp, isn't messy, and doesn't seep into your skin

>> Apply gentle cleansing shampoo, and dry shampoo if you need step out again in the day but are pressed for time to wash your hair.