The Mandarin Haircut is a symbol of neatness and professionalism. This style demands precision, not only from your barber but also from you every morning. A good cut will be wasted if you don’t know how to style or maintain it. Hair that should look slick and sharp can instead appear flat or messy.
Maintaining the perfection of a Mandarin Haircut requires the right routine and products. This is not a ‘wake-up-and-go’ style. In this guide, we will share 5 easy steps to style your Mandarin Haircut in 5 minutes, as well as tips on how to care for it to keep it looking ‘sharp’ and healthy.
Essential Tools for Styling Your Mandarin Haircut
Before you begin, make sure you have the right ammunition. You don’t need a lot, but you do need quality:
- Hair Dryer: Key for creating initial volume and directing the hair.
- Fine-Tooth Comb: Essential for creating a straight and precise parting.
- Styling Product (Pomade/Clay): Choose based on your desired finish.
- (Optional) Hairspray: To lock the style in place for the entire day.
Choosing Products: Water-Based vs Oil-Based Pomade vs Clay
The product you use determines 80% of the final result.
- Water-Based Pomade: The most popular choice. Provides strong hold with medium to high shine. Easy to rinse out, suitable for the Indonesian climate.
- Oil-Based Pomade: A classic. Super strong hold and sweat-resistant. However, it’s very difficult to rinse out (requires special shampoo) and can cause forehead acne if not cleaned thoroughly.
- Clay (Matte): If you prefer a neat Mandarin style without shine (matte finish), clay is the answer. Provides texture and strong hold.
5 Steps to Style Your Mandarin Haircut (5-Minute Routine)
- Step 1: Pre-Styling (Damp Hair) Never apply pomade to soaking wet or completely dry hair. Start with damp (towel-dried) hair. Use a hair dryer on medium heat, directing your hair in the desired direction (e.g., to the side or back) while finger-combing.
- Step 2: Take the Right Amount of Product A common beginner’s mistake is using too much product. Take a fingertip amount of pomade or clay (about the size of a small coin). Rub it evenly between both palms until it’s completely smooth and transparent. This is important to prevent the product from clumping in one spot.
- Step 3: Apply from Back to Front Start applying the product from the back of your head, then to the middle, and finally to the front (fringe). This prevents the front from looking too heavy or greasy. Ensure the product is evenly distributed from roots to ends.
- Step 4: Create Your Parting This is a crucial step. Use your fine-tooth comb. Find your natural hair parting or create a new one that is straight and defined. Comb the sides down/back, and comb the top to the side or back according to your style.
- Step 5: Lock the Style (Finishing) Once neat, you can slightly ‘tidy’ with your hands for a more natural look, or leave it slick. If you’ll be active all day, spray a small amount of hairspray from a distance of 30 cm to lock the style in place.
Tips for Maintaining the Precision of Your Mandarin Haircut
- Regular Trims Are a Must: The key to a Mandarin Haircut is the thin sides. Hair grows about 1-1.5 cm per month. To keep your fade ‘on point’, you should ideally return to your barber every 3-4 weeks. Beyond that, the shape will be lost.
- Wash Daily (If Using Products): Never sleep with pomade or clay residue in your hair. This will clog scalp pores, cause dandruff, and make your hair stiff. Shampoo every night before bed, and use conditioner to prevent hair from drying out.
- Maintain Scalp Health: Because the sides are very thin, your scalp will be exposed. Ensure your scalp is healthy and dandruff-free. Use anti-dandruff shampoo if necessary.
The Mandarin Haircut is a commitment to neatness. With a consistent 5-minute styling routine and regular maintenance, you will always look your best, professional, and sharp at all times.
