MANE MAN: Bryan

Welcome Bryan to the site!  Bryan happens to be one of the coolest, smartest guys I know.  He’s a good friend, a fraternity brother of mine and he was kind enough to answer a few questions about his hair to share will all of you.  Enjoy!

Bryan and I, April 2011.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (your name, where you’re from, etc.)

My name is Bryan. I was born in New York and grew up in North Carolina. I currently work at a college in Pennsylvania. I enjoy working out, drawing and long walks on the…wait….I’ve said too much.

Have you always had your current style? If not, what other styles did you try?

I’ve had several different styles throughout my life. Growing up in the late 80′s and early 90′s I had a box (with the rat-tail of course). In elementary school I had a light caesar and kept it up until high school. In high school I started growing my hair out for the first time and wore twists a couple of times as well. I liked twists as a variation. I considered locking for a while but didn’t decide to until my senior year of high school. Once I locked in high school I loved it. There was a considerable time and monetary investment in it but it was definitely worth it. It gave me a distinctive look. They were also tons of fun to play in and it didn’t hurt when women would ask to touch them from time to time. I had them for roughly two years and they had reached my shoulders. I cut them off when I was initiated into my fraternity. I remember that day very vividly, I remember there being an intense energy being released when I cut them off, not to mention my head was freezing cold a few weeks afterward.

Bryan with locs.

What do you do to your hair on a daily basis (what’s your routine)?

I currently have a low caesar. I usually just shampoo it roughly two times a week, brush it, apply grease and oil sheen and throw it under a durag until it dries. It produces a pretty neat look.

What sort of reaction have you had from friends, family and strangers about your hair (locs vs. now)?

When I had locks I got a lot of curious and inquisitive reactions (i.e. people wanting to touch it). As opposed to now I get more normal reactions. It’s more appropriate for me in a professional setting. Sometimes I reminisce about having them and contemplate what it would be like having them now.

Bryan as a youngster.

Do you have any favorite products or things that you would recommend to others who want to achieve your style?

When I had locks, I loved tea tree oil and gel. I currently use iso-plus oil sheen spray and that green grease…umm…they sell it grocery store…you know the one…(Indian Hemp?)

Anything else you would like to share?

In a few years I’m anticipating going bald so I’m at the point where I’m looking between hair restoration techniques and methods of maintaining a bald head…Say it ain’t so.. (Check out this post for my take on Balding 101: Battling Chrome Dome).