C’mon, who among us doesn’t suffer through a bad-hair day now and then, or obsess about what kind of product to use, or stress about going gray? We grabbed six very different real guys, threw in a heap of expert advice, and figured out how to make the most of the head we’ve been dealt.

Six Things You Need to Know Now

Do go to a hair salon if you’ve got a longer, more elaborate coif.

Don’t go to a salon if you want something standard, like a side part or a pompadour. An inexpensive barber will do.

Do shampoo and condition your hair.

Don’t wash it every time you shower—a couple of times a week is enough. (Your hair’s natural grease is healthy.)

Do get a fresh cut in preparation for a big event, like a wedding.

Don’t get it done the day before. Unless you’re Kid Cudi (see slide 4), your hair needs a week after a cut to look its best.

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