How to maintain a classic hairstyle?

[FedoraFan112390]

I don't know what this style is called but as you know it was worn by both statesman, actor and your average joe alike until the 60s shaggy/long hair trend began..It's sort of a long on top but slicked back, long sides but slicked to the sides, clean ends and back style. Here's an example--My grandfather, albeit this is in the 1970s rather than the '30s.
I was wondering how one could maintain this style without the hair getting too long or getting cut too short? And what sort of products it looks like my grandpa used to keep his hair held back and shiny (He was 52 in these pix, born in 1920). I have hair like my Grandpa's--wavy with a similar texture. My other Grandpa (born in 1929) always used Vitalis but he has pin straight, different textured hair.

 

[kamikat]

A haircut like this is going to take regular trips to a barber, probably every 3wk. A good, old fashioned barber will do a scissor over comb method that will give a very smooth fade from the short to long hair, but any stylist who does clipper cuts could do a decent job. As for styling it, I would suggest a pomade. American Crew makes a nice pomade but is only available in salons/barber shops. If you want a drugstore product, Axe makes pomade also.

 

[rmrdaddy]

FF,
You could also probably use a product like Groom & Clean as well. There are a few threads on the forum regarding pomades, Brylcreem, G&C and their relative merits.

Do you recall your grandfather re-combing it frequently?

 

[KittyT]

If you have a better half or a lady friend, you might want to ask her to clean up the new growth on the back of your neck in between trips to the barber.

I know this is a must for my fella. I keep telling him he just needs to get laser hair removal back there!

 

[Guttersnipe]

Ask the barber for a "3 1/2 back and sides, nothing of the top, with blocked in back," and you're get the exact same cut as your grandpa. "3 1/2" refers to the size of the guard used on the clipper; "blocked" refers the having a straight line shaved into the back instead of a subtle fade. Hope that helps.

In my experience, there are very few truly tradition scissors using authentic barbers left, but clipper cuts were common even in the 40's. If you can find one that's truly a barber and not a stylist in disguise, and does cuts with scissors, I'd say go there. There are very few barbers who don't use clippers, or a combination of clippers and scissors these days because the are so much faster.

 

[FedoraFan112390]

FF,
You could also probably use a product like Groom & Clean as well. There are a few threads on the forum regarding pomades, Brylcreem, G&C and their relative merits.

Do you recall your grandfather re-combing it frequently?

Well, I never met my grandfather--He died in 1975 and I was born in 1990. I do know he had an "ACE" comb, as my uncle has it along with his other possesions.

 

[Undertow]

Thought it would be nice to bump this in case anyone else has this question.

I've been doing this hairstyle for about a year and I find it quite rewarding. It fits my face well and it's relatively easy to maintain. I typically use Murray's Super Light pomade which lasts about 1 application/week; i.e. Thursday thru Wednesday, wash hair, reapply Thursday night. The natural oils in my hair break the pomade down pretty well so that by Wednesday night, it's nearly gone.

Thanks for the terminology, Guttersnipe; that should help when I have to make a quick stop at Fantastic Sams. Otherwise, I have my missus do the cutting now.

Fedorafan, I believe the signifigance behind the combing question was to determine what type of hair product was used. Standard pomades like Murray's will not require much, if any, combing. In fact, you typically have a "patent leather" look. Something like Brylcreem or Groom&Clean will have a softer, greasier look. You can also find pure lanolin which more or less just greases your hair without any hold.