Feb 16, 2026 | Men’s Grooming Tips, Men’s Hair Care
A dry and flaky scalp is uncomfortable. And it also affects one’s self-confidence as well as self-esteem. So not the best way to start a Monday!
At First & Mane, we’ve seen many men who have itchy, irritated, and flaky scalps. The weird thing is that their regular shampoo is actually making their condition worse. For men who prefer styles like the French crop haircut, maintaining scalp health is especially important.
The good news is that the best shampoo options can help, and it’s easy to make more informed decisions. To assist you in finding the best shampoo, we will now discuss the key factors you need to consider!
Why a Dry Scalp Shampoo is the Best Choice for You
Unlike other shampoos that are meant to clean your hair but end up removing the essential oils that your scalp requires to stay healthy, the best men’s shampoo for a dry scalp is meant to moisturize your scalp while cleaning your hair. This is the reason why we have seen many men in our barber shop who are unaware of the fact that their regular shampoos can actually make their scalp worse.
Key Ingredients Found in the Best Shampoo for Your Dry Scalps
It’s always important to consider the ingredients used in the best shampoo (you just can’t ignore this anymore – sorry!). For many, choosing a men’s shampoo for a dry scalp can make a noticeable difference in comfort and scalp health. It’s important to note that not all moisturizing shampoos are the same.
Tea Tree Oil
This is an antiseptic that reduces inflammation and helps in killing fungi or bacteria that cause dryness in your scalp. In addition to that, it also has a cooling effect that will bring you instant relief from an itchy scalp. When you are purchasing a dry scalp shampoo for men with tea tree oil, you have to ensure that it is included in the shampoo’s ingredients early on to ensure that it is included in sufficient quantities.
Ketoconazole
If you have more serious cases of dryness and flakiness in your scalp, then you might want to use a shampoo for dry scalp for men with ketoconazole as an antifungal that targets the source of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. We recommend this shampoo to you if you have failed to find relief from other shampoos. However, it is essential to use it correctly to avoid abuse.
Moisturizing Agents
Glycerin, aloe vera, and natural oils like argan and jojoba assist in moisturizing your scalp. These are essential to the health of your scalp, and choosing a men’s dry scalp shampoo with these ingredients can make a noticeable difference.
Washing Techniques to Prevent Further Dryness
Sadly, it doesn’t matter how good the shampoo you’re using is if you’re not using it correctly. We have seen many men make mistakes in washing their hair that cause them to have an itchy and dry scalp. We’re here to guide you through the washing technique so that you will be able to have an itch-free scalp in no time.
Use Lukewarm Water
While hot water feels great and is soothing to an itchy scalp, it is also drying. Ensure that you are only using lukewarm water to wash your hair. When you are done washing your hair, use cool water to rinse in order to shut your cuticle and ease your itchy scalp.
Shampoo Your Scalp and Not Your Hair
Next time, you should try and massage the shampoo into your scalp, using your fingertips rather than your nails. This will ensure the blood is flowing, and the shampoo is getting to the parts of your scalp where it is needed the most. Leave the shampoo in your hair for a minute or two before rinsing it out.
Don’t Over-Wash Your Hair
Over-washing your hair is only going to dry your scalp even more. We recommend washing your hair two or three times a week. On the other days, try and rinse your hair with water.
Condition Your Hair After Washing
This is yet another area where men are getting it wrong. This is a crucial step in ensuring your scalp is moisturized and hydrated.
Conditioner is supposed to be used only in your hair ends and lengths, never your scalp. This is because it will lead to buildup.
Finding the Right Product
At the end of the day, every person’s scalp is different. What works for your friend may not work for you. You will have to try a few of the products mentioned here and find the right one for your use.
If your problem still persists even after you have done your best with the special products and the right methods of washing your scalp, it is time to book an appointment with your doctor.
There is no need to complicate the process. With the right ingredients and the right methods of washing your scalp, you will have a better experience and a better head of hair too. If you need personalized advice, don’t be afraid to ask the next time you’re in First & Mane!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Feb 9, 2026 | Men’s Grooming Tips
Your hairstyle is a big part of who you are even before you say anything. When you walk into your office looking sharp and well-kempt, you are setting the tone for how you want people to perceive you. When you get a hairstyle, not only are you going to look even more professional, you are also going to get an added boost of confidence as you go about your day at the office.
At First & Mane, we can help you, as a working professional, find the perfect hairstyle that not only looks good on you, but is also suitable for the office. For more tips and inspiration, read our expert barbers’ blogs.
Top Men’s Hairstyles for Business Casual Look
Here are four hairstyles that we think will do well at your office, which we suspect is a business casual kind of environment:
Side Part: Clean and Structured
One of the best hairstyles that we offer at our barbershop is the side part. This is one of the most reliable hairstyles that you can get at an office, given that it is one of the most powerful hairstyles out there. Not only is it powerful, it also says a lot about you as a person, given that it shows you take your looks seriously.
With this hairstyle, we comb your hair so that there is a clear part, then style it so that it falls to one side with a light pomade or cream. This is one of the most sleek and sophisticated business casual hairstyles out there, and you are bound to make an impression at office meetings with this hairstyle. This hairstyle is most suitable for men with straight hair or wavy hair.
Classic Taper: Timeless Versatility
One of the best things about getting a haircut as a working professional is getting a classic taper. It is one of the most versatile hairstyles for business casual we offer at our barber shop. Our barbers cut your hair from top to bottom, resulting in a smooth and sleek hairstyle that is sure to make a great impression at your office.
The best thing about getting a classic taper is that you can style your hair at the top however you want, depending on your office culture. Also, you can easily grow your hair out if you want a change in the near future.
Textured Quiff: Personality Meets Polish
For professionals, textured quiff is an excellent hairstyle that meets personality and polish requirements. In styling this haircut, we add texture by layering your hair and then styling the front portion of your hair upwards and slightly back. The textured quiff is an excellent business casual men’s hairstyle that meets personality and polish requirements while being professional and casual at the same time. A matte product is used to add an effortlessly polished finish to this hairstyle.
Modern Pompadour: Contemporary Confidence
For professionals, the pompadour is a great hairstyle, especially because it satisfies the requirements of a business casual dress code. The pompadour is not too high, as were its predecessors, and has sides that make it professional enough. When we style this haircut, we sweep it up and back and add a little product to style it without making it too stiff or too casual. This look has become increasingly popular among those seeking men’s business casual hairstyles that balance confidence with professionalism.
Choose Your Professional Edge
A hairstyle is not an accessory but an extension of one’s personality and professional style. You may want to have the elegance of the classic side part, the modernity of the textured quiff, or the sophistication of the modern pompadour, but the professional edge you seek is dependent on your professional style.
If you are ever in First & Mane, we would like to invite you to come and discuss with us the options that would give you the best professional cut. We would be glad to recommend the perfect cut for you, depending on the nature of your hair, face, and type of work you do. Come today and walk into that office with confidence!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Jan 29, 2026 | Men’s Grooming Tips, Men’s Hair Care
We see guys in the chair daily at First & Mane who think about their hair as if it were the rug in their house and wash it vigorously with strong soap each morning. You’ve got to clean your hair, but you might be doing more harm than good with what you’re doing. Your hair needs a little bit of thinking outside the box when it comes to the rinse and repeat cycle. If you’re ever in town, a Scottsdale men’s haircut can help you determine the best approach for your individual needs.
Our clients are always surprised to learn that shampooing not only cleans one’s hair but also helps to maintain the natural oil produced by one’s scalp. The natural oil produced by one’s scalp has its name as sebum, and it plays a crucial part in ensuring that one’s hair remains hydrated. Over-washing one’s scalp leads to the removal of these oils, hence making one’s skin look dry and irritated, while under-washing leads to clogged pores and dull skin.
Understanding Your Profile
Before giving you schedule advice, it is important that you analyze the variables that are involved. There is no one set rule that applies to all men because all heads of hair are distinct and unique in their own way.
How often should men wash their hair? The first variable that we look at is the type of hair that you have. It is important that you understand that the role of genetics is vast with respect to how oily your head is and how fast the oils travel on the hair shaft.
Your lifestyle and environment also play a huge role in this. If you are spending five days a week in the gym sweating it out, your scenario will be entirely different compared to a person sitting at a desk in an air-conditioned environment. If you are working in an outdoor setup in a polluted city or a construction site, your hairs will be exposed to dust that will need more frequent washing.
Another common question is, should men wash their hair every day? The answer is likely no, but let’s break down some different hair types.
Managing Oily Hair
If you realize that you have greasy hair or flat hair by the end of the day, it means that you either have fine hair or that you have an oily scalp. For such men, we would advise them to wash their hair either on a daily basis or every other day.
You may ask, how often do men wash their hair when it’s oily? The goal that you want to achieve in this process is to get rid of the extra oils without drying your scalp. This is because your scalp might end up producing more oils as a result.
Dealing with Dry, Coarse, or Curly Hair
On the other hand, for clients with thick, coarse, or curly hair, it is difficult for the natural oils to run down the hair strands. If these clients were to wash their hair on a daily basis, it is bound to become brittle and frizzy. That is why we recommend that our curly or dry clients only wash their hair once or twice a week. If one is required to shower on a day when one is not supposed to wash one’s hair, one only needs to wash the hair with water or co-wash with conditioner only. Can guys wash their hair every day? Yes, but it’s not advised if you have these hair types.
The Routine for Normal Hair
You are one of the lucky ones if your “normal” hair isn’t either excessively oily or dry. In any case, we always recommend washing your hair every two to three days. This means your natural oils can condition your hair as it was intended to, but it keeps any product or grime from building up on your locks. This is your call to wash your hair if it looks like it needs it or if it lacks its natural shine.
Find Your Rhythm
In short, we think that listening to your hair is the most important thing we can tell you. Perhaps you are washing it too frequently if you have an itchy scalp or a tight feeling on your scalp. Perhaps you are not washing it enough if you notice flakes or if your hair looks oily. We encourage you to try this guide to help you determine what’s best for your hair. Also, visit First & Mane for personalized advice during your next cut!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Jan 15, 2026 | Men’s Grooming Tips, Men’s Hair Care
We see it time and time again, right in our chairs at First & Mane. The client comes in, describes what they are looking for, and confesses that they can never quite capture the look on their own at home. The trouble, more often than not, isn’t their skill or the quality of the cut. It simply has to do with the fact that they are working with the wrong product. The hair care section of the drugstore can be overwhelming, and it is common practice to simply grab what you see and go.
To help you upgrade your daily routine, we are going to break down two of the biggest players in the male grooming industry: pomade vs hair gel. Knowing how each works and their chemistry will give your hair the same look whether it’s been cut or not.
Understanding the Classic Pomade
Pomade is the traditional gentlemen’s grooming product. If you can picture the slicked back hairstyles of the 1950s, or the pompadours and quiffs we cut today, you can picture pomade. Traditionally, these products were oil-based, which means that they were very hard to wash out of the hair.
In today’s market, we’d suggest you look for water-based pomades. They provide you with the same pliable hold without the grease, and they come out easily at the end of the day. Flexibility is the main attribute you want to remember in this regard. Pomade does not crunch or harden. It allows you to comb your hair at 2 PM and restyle it with the ease you had at 8 AM. It is made to work with your hair, not against it.
The High Hold of Hair Gel
Hair gel is probably the first styling product you used in high school. It is renowned for its maximum hold and extreme high shine. In contrast to pomade, hair gel uses alcohol and hold polymers to hold hair in place. Once it dries, it will stay in the position you placed it in until you wash it off.
This formulation gives it a stiff hold, which is nearly wind-resistant. Although it went out of fashion for a short period when natural hairstyles became the fashion, gels work well for a particular kind of styled hair where the enemy is movement. It gives a wet look that will last all day, although it is not touch-friendly.
Comparison of the Finish and Feel
The largest difference between gel and pomade is in finish and feel. The gel dries into a shell around the hair shaft that has an extreme hold but no give. If you try to touch your hair after you have dried it with gel, you’ll see that your hold is broken and often comes out as white flakes on your shoulders. It is a set it and forget it type of product.
The pomade can still be worked with throughout the day. Also, it won’t dry out the hair. As for its components, gels contain high amounts of alcohol, which dries out the scalp when used on a daily basis without using an appropriate conditioner. The pomade is less harsh on the scalp area compared to gels when it comes to shine finish – matte to high shine.
Picking the Right Choice for Your Hair Type
Choosing the winner is completely dependent on your hair type and the look you’re trying to create. For instance, if you have really thick and frizzy hair, and you’re looking for something to help you defy gravity and create spikes or a sharply defined side part, then you’re looking for the help of the former in the hair gel vs pomade debate.
But for those with thinner hair or those who like a natural flow, we highly recommend the use of the former between pomade or gel. This not only gives your hair volume and texture, it also doesn’t weigh your hair down and doesn’t show your scalp by matting your hair together in chunks.
If you like to run your fingers through your hair, don’t use gel. If you like your hairstyle to look exactly the same when you get home as it did when you left the house, gel may be the solution.
The Hunt for the Perfect Finish
A good start to upgrading your grooming routine involves knowing what goes on your head. If you’re a man who requires the sturdy hold of a gel or the refined and flexible hold of a pomade, the key to your confidence boost begins with the right tool.
But if you’re still not sure which tub you’d rather grab, gel or pomade, just come on down to our shop for your next haircut. We’d be happy to evaluate your hair type and walk you through exactly how you can apply our product for that freshly barbered look every morning. For expert advice and a great cut, experience our barbershop services firsthand at First & Mane!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Dec 23, 2025 | Barber FAQs, Men’s Grooming Tips
A well-grown mustache will never go out of style. Whether it is a chic chevron, a dashing pencil, or a hearty handlebar, facial hair is making a huge revival in men’s grooming culture. At our grooming salon at First & Mane, men of all kinds come in with a newfound love for the ‘stache, and they see it not just as facial hair, but an expression of their personal style.
If you would like personalized advice on any aspect of mustache grooming, contact us for expert guidance. Of course, sometimes things go awfully wrong. Perhaps a haircut went sour, or perhaps you shaved yours off in a moment of madness, and an instant regret followed. Now, you are left staring into the mirror, wondering how soon your upper lip will recover.
Well, to cut a long story short, how long does it take to grow a mustache? Facial hair grows at an average speed of half an inch every month. However, to get back to your pre-shaving glory, you have to focus on more than just waiting for time to pass.
Factors Influencing Mustache Development
Every man does not have an equal rate of hair growth. The main influence on this is your genes. If your lineage can grow a thick beard over a weekend, you have every chance of getting a thick mustache. But if your lineage grows in a patchy manner, you will have to be very patient.
Age is another important consideration. A man will notice peak facial hair production during his 25th to 35th year because this is when levels of testosterone, a hormone which activates hair follicles, are at their peak. Your personal health is another thing to consider. When your body is well-rested and well-nourished, it will have extra energy to devote to non-essential functions such as hair production.
Growing a Mustache – Stages
The process of regrowing a mustache takes time and progresses in different mustache growth stages. The first stage is referred to as the “stubble stage” which takes place in the first few days of growing a mustache. During this stage, hair is at its shortest and can appear prickly or itchy.
Then comes the awkward stage, which will likely be at week two. Here, your hair will be a bit longer but may not be lying flat in one particular direction yet. In this stage, you might notice a bit of a messy look, and this is where most guys will be tempted to start shaving all over again.
Then, finally, after four to six weeks, you will reach the fill in stage. Your mustache will start to appear thick and purposeful. This is an important milestone in the mustache growth timeline, as it allows you to have sufficient length to style your mustache as you want.
Tips to Encourage Growth
Although you can’t do anything to your genes, we always advise our clients to make their environment conducive for growth. Let’s talk about diet. Foods high in protein, biotin, and vitamins A, C, and E promote keratin production, which is hair’s building blocks.
Grooming practices also matter. Taking good care of your skin underneath your mustache can help you avoid ingrown hairs, which can hinder your progress. Applying a good quality beard oil from your stage of stubble can help you keep your skin hydrated, and you will avoid the itchiness which can cause most men to stop.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common error people make is over-trimming in the early growing phases. To try to style a mustache before it gets a chance to fill in will just give you patchy lines or bald spots, and you’ll have to start all over. Just let it grow wild for a month before you do anything else.
The other mistake you can make is not taking your skin into consideration. Dry and scaly skin can impede your follicles from functioning properly. Refrain from using harsh soap on your facial skin since it will remove your natural oils.
Applying Lessons
To grow a mustache back takes patience, biology, and proper maintenance. Although a typical growth rate is rather standard, your individual time frame will greatly depend on how well you take care of your body and your facial hair. Perhaps you are dealing with the awkward stage, or perhaps you need tips on how to style it when it fills in. Either way, come visit First & Mane!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Dec 16, 2025 | Men’s Grooming Tips
We see it on a daily basis at First & Mane. A client will be seated and look at himself in the mirror and wonder if there would be anything we could do for a bit of gray emerging here at the side. Perhaps they are tired of the color they have and something bolder would be better. Hair coloring, once something that would be avoided by most males, is no more. Dyeing your hair will be just another weapon added to your arsenal, perhaps accompanying a fresh cut and shave.
It is no longer about covering something up or vanity. It is about taking control of your appearance. Whether it be about taking a few years off your appearance or a completely new look, understanding your alternatives is half the battle. As barbers, we are here to walk you through this decision so you can determine if coloring is right for you!
Why More Men Are Coloring Their Hair
The reason why more and more guys are looking for these kinds of our services has much to do with a number of factors. The main reason we have been hearing a lot about lately is because guys want to look young and vibrant. Having a touch of gray hair can be quite attractive, but for guys who are still relatively young and have graying hair, it can make them appear older than they are.
Aside from looking younger, some of our most common clients incorporate colors as an expression of themselves. We have guys who want to match the celebrity look, or guys who want something different just for summer. It is all about keeping things refreshed and exciting. You look good, and then you feel good, and sometimes all it takes is a hint of color change for you to upgrade your entire look without purchasing a whole wardrobe.
Common Types of Coloring Methods
When considering the types of hair coloring techniques available, it’s important to understand how each can transform your look and suit your individual style.
As you sit in a chair, you’ll find several hair coloring methods available based on your intended objectives regarding color.
Grey Blending and Camouflage
This is perhaps the most popular coloring service. Compared with traditional permanent dye, which lays a thick, uniform foundation on every single strand, gray blending is much more discreet. Professionals employ a demi-permanent technique that colors the gray, without camouflaging it completely. It creates an extremely natural, salt-and-pepper effect that’s more George Clooney and less shoe polish.
And here’s the best part: it fades gradually over a period of weeks, so there will be no unsightly roots. If you’re curious about coloring techniques for hair, gray blending is an excellent place to start for natural-looking results.
Highlights and Tips
Highlights aren’t just for 90s boy bands anymore. Adding lighter highlights to your hair can bring a thickness and texture to your locks that will make your hair appear thicker. Professionals like to put these on by hand to show where your hair would be highlighted by the sun. Adding highlights to your hair works great on guys who have messy cuts or curly hair because it accentuates your ‘do.
All-Over Color and Bleaching
But for those who are bolder, there is the option for a complete color change. This could include a transition from dark brown to platinum blonde or even beyond that, with bold colors that include blue and silver. Among the different ways to color hair, a complete color change will include a bleaching process that removes all natural colors before applying a new shade. It is quite a high maintenance look, but it is very striking.
Get Advice from Your Barber
We can’t stress this enough: please put down the box of hair dye. At-home kits are usually too intense for your short hair, and they will end up with a flat, unnatural color that resembles a helmet. The color and texture of your skin and eyes, as much as your own hair texture, have a gigantic amount of weight in determining your ideal shade.
When you seek services, they will make the formula specially for you. They can then regulate the processing period so that it will not be either too dark or too light. Experts also understand exactly how to apply it so that it will not stain your scalp and ears, which will be an indication that it was done yourself.
Upgrading Your Look Today
Hair color is perhaps among the easiest ways to revamp your look without making an effort. You may be looking for ways to hide a couple of grays before an interview, or want to color your hair platinum blonde for a music festival. Professionals have a method that will suit your life. Then, our brilliant team of barbers at First & Mane can maintain your look to ensure it looks great for weeks to come!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
