Alright, so a bunch of you guys have been asking how I got my hair looking like this. It’s been a bit of a journey, not gonna lie, especially trying to nail that David Laid kind of vibe. It didn’t just happen overnight, you know? I figured I’d walk you through what I did, step by step.
I was scrolling online, like we all do, and you see these fitness guys, and David Laid’s hair just always stood out to me. Looked effortless, but, spoiler alert, it’s not that effortless. My hair before all this? Just a mess, really. I’d grown it out a bit during lockdown, but there was no real style. It just kinda… sat there. Flat. Boring. Something had to change.
First Things First: The Cut
So, the first big step was obviously getting the right haircut. This is the foundation, man. If this part’s wrong, you’re fighting an uphill battle. I spent a good while just looking at pictures of his hair from different angles. You gotta show your barber exactly what you’re aiming for, right? So, I saved a few pics on my phone – you know, the ones where it’s longer on top, a bit of a textured crop, and definitely needed those sides faded. I wasn’t sure about how short to go on the sides at first, so I figured I’d start a bit longer and go shorter if needed.
My barber, thankfully, was pretty cool about it. We talked it through. Showed him the pics. He had a look at my hair type – which is kinda straight, maybe a little wave if it’s humid – and said we could definitely work towards that style. That was a relief. He thinned out the top a bit, said it would help with getting that texture and stop it from looking too bulky or like a helmet. This part is super important – seriously, if the cut ain’t right, no amount of product or fancy blow-drying is gonna save you. Get a barber who listens and knows how to work with texture.
Figuring Out the Styling – The Fun Part (Not Always)
Okay, so the cut was sorted. Then came the styling. This is where I probably spent the most time experimenting and, yeah, had a few frustrating mornings.
Washing Routine: First thing I learned, pretty quick, was not to wash my hair every single day. Sounds gross to some, maybe, but it strips all the natural oils out. Makes it flyaway and harder to style. Now it’s like, every other day, or sometimes even every third day if I haven’t been sweating buckets. Dry shampoo became a friend on those in-between days if it felt a bit greasy.
The Drying Process: This was a game changer for me. I used to just let it air dry or blast it randomly with a hairdryer. Nope. Wrong.
- Towel drying: First, I pat it dry with a towel. Don’t rub it like you’re trying to start a fire. Just get most of the heavy water out.
- Pre-styler: This was new to me. I started using a sea salt spray. While my hair’s still damp, I spritz a good amount in. This stuff is great; it gives it some grit and texture, like you’ve been at the beach. Some days, if I feel like I need more oomph, I might use a tiny bit of light mousse, focusing on the roots.
- Blow drying: Man, I actually had to learn how to use a hairdryer properly. I used to think it was just for, well, drying. I use a medium heat setting, not too hot. Started by blow-drying my hair upwards and backwards, lifting it at the roots to get that volume. Sometimes I’d use my fingers to pull sections up and direct the airflow. Other times I’d try a round brush, but honestly, I’m still a bit clumsy with the brush, haha. The main goal here is to get volume and set the general direction you want your hair to go. Don’t dry it completely bone dry with the hairdryer; leaving it a tiny bit damp can help with the product.
Finishing Products: Once it’s mostly dry, that’s when the actual styling product comes in. I’ve tried a few things, and this is where personal preference and your hair type really matter.
- Clays: These are pretty good for that matte, textured look David Laid often has. The key is: don’t use too much! A little pea-sized amount goes a long way. You gotta warm it up in your hands first, get it all soft and spreadable.
- Pastes: Similar to clays, some have a bit more hold, some might have a tiny bit of shine depending on the brand. I’ve got a couple I switch between.
- Texture powder: This stuff is like magic dust for volume, especially if your hair tends to fall flat later in the day. Just a little sprinkle at the roots, mess it up with your fingers, and boom – volume.
I found that for my hair, a good quality matte clay works best for the everyday look. I scrape a small bit out, rub it between my palms until it’s basically invisible, and then work it through my hair, starting from the back and moving forward. I really try to get it into the roots and then use my fingers to shape the top, creating that messy but intentional look. You know, that “I woke up like this” style that actually took about 10-15 minutes to do.
So, Does It Look Like David Laid’s Hair?
Well, it’s my version of it! My hair isn’t exactly his hair type or density, so it’s never going to be an identical copy, and that’s okay. I learned that early on. The key things I aimed for were the volume on top, the texture, and that sort of swept-back but still forward-falling fringe thing he does. I think I’m pretty close most days, and I’m happy with it.
Maintenance: To keep it looking sharp, I get a trim every 3-4 weeks. The sides grow out fast, and the top can get too heavy, losing its shape. Styling is a daily thing, but now that I’ve got the routine down, it takes about 10-15 minutes in the morning. Not too bad.
So yeah, that’s been my process of chasing that David Laid hair. It took a bit of patience and definitely trying out different products and techniques. Don’t be afraid to experiment. What works for one person might not work for another because everyone’s hair is different. The biggest things are getting a good cut as a base, and then finding the right products and styling methods for your hair type and the look you want. It’s definitely achievable, just gotta put in a little effort. Hope this helps some of you guys out on your own hair journeys!
