The Virat Kohli look is the most popular among bearded men this season and stylists across the twin townships are confident that this will be the look to sport this Pujas.
On the occasion of World Beard Day, that was observed on September 4, The Telegraph spoke to hair dressers and stylists to learn that the Indian cricket captain is on point not only when it comes setting fields but also in setting fashion trends. “The biggest influencers in the country are cricketers and Bollywood actors. The Indian cricket team, especially Virat Kohli, has a huge following now. A similar craze existed for Anil Kapoor’s bearded look in the 1986 hit film Jaanbaaz,” said Ahmed Ali, senior hair expert, Jawed Habib Hair Beauty & Nail Salon in CF Block.
Ali follows the Instagram page of Alim Hakim, a sought-after celebrity stylist in Mumbai. “His clients include Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn. It helps me and my customers stay abreast with trends,” he says.
According to Ali, the L pattern and V pattern beards are in these days. Also popular are the classic full beard, the ducktail, the Hollywood hunk, the Viking, the low rider, the suave stubble and the minimalist cut.
Amish Sharma, chief stylist at Cut N Trim near the swimming pool area, says Virat Kohli wins hands down when it comes to styling, in both haircuts and beards. “Short is in and so more and more people come to me with pictures of him or someone with a beard like him,” Sharma says.
At City Centre’s AN John too, customers have walked in with pictures of players from the Indian cricket team and asked to be done up like them. Aniruddha Saha, senior hairdresser at AN John, says: “The faded style is in. This means dense near the mouth and trimmed as the beard moves towards the ears. This makes the face look sharp. Even with hair styles people are now looking for shorter hair lengths. Short hair or a V-like beard makes the facial features more prominent and adds a dignity in style. I am a keen follower of Alex Costa on Instagram and take my style inspirations from him.”
Do it yourself
For most men who are unable to go to salons, professional hair dressers can be booked from portals like Urban Company (formerly Urban Clap). Also there are various equipment available online that can help one spice things up at home.
Gadgets like a beard shaper comb with styling tools for men and boys are available on Amazon for Rs 199. Also, there is the waterproof cordless grooming kit for men priced at Rs 1,259. Another popular item is beard wax (Rs 299 onwards) which is recommended by men with long beards that require regular styling.
Most hairdressers however ask beard enthusiasts to choose with care the styles that would suit their faces best, rather than chasing trends. “One must invest in a quality trimmer, which could prove to be an asset in the long run. Washing the beard regularly is a must, preferably as many times as you wash your face. Also invest in a good quality beard oil or beard wax. This is essential for upkeep,” one of them said.
“A regular trim will maintain the chosen shape, but it’s not the only way to keep the beard in line. A daily rubdown with a comb or a beard brush will tame stubborn hair, training them to grow in a downward direction,” said Saha. “A soft-hold styler lends some extra sculpting power while taming any flyways.”
The stylists also recommended a diet comprising protein and fat which is essential for healthy facial hair growth, but it’s also heavily reliant on vitamins B5, B3, and B9. That means lean meats, nuts, egg yolks, milk, and plenty of leafy greens.
Do you prefer a beard or a clean-shaven look? Write to The Telegraph Salt Lake, 6 Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta 700001 or email to saltlake@abp.in