This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Ben Affleck, What Were You Thinking?

Sometimes, guys can make the more bizarre choices with their hairstyles. In this column, world-class stylist Darren Pena reveals the worst of them.

Mistakes Grown Men Make With Their Hair

Ben Affleck has had a very distinguished career as a screenwriter and an actor, his Kevin Smith films notwithstanding. That being said, there was a period last summer when his hair didn’t match his resume.

For reasons passing understanding — I’m going to assume it was for a character he was playing, because it’s the only way I can justify it in my own mind without causing a brain hemorrhage — Affleck went with a Justin Bieber hairdo.

Find out what's happening in Carrollwood-Northdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Now, before all the Bieber fans start mailbombing my Facebook account, I think Bieber’s ‘do works perfectly for him. He’s a pop music star who is still in his teens. Affleck, however, at the time was a 38-year-old Oscar® winning screenwriter, director and actor. That’s not a ‘do that a man at that point in his life should be allowed to do.

And I see it all the time — guys walking around with styles and haircuts (I use that term because it would be a stretch to call what I see on the street sometimes a “style”) that just don’t fit them. So, here are a couple of things that I see some guys doing wrong:

Find out what's happening in Carrollwood-Northdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

1. Older Guy, Younger ‘Do — This is what I will now be referring to as “Pulling an Affleck.” If you are nearing 40, and you have a position of responsibility at work, now is not the time to try to look like a pop star or a college student. If you want to recapture your youth, look up your childhood sweetheart on Facebook and buy a Trans Am like Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit. Don’t do it with your hair. If you ignore this advice and get passed over for that promotion, I want you to remember this blog and come see me. I won’t judge and I won’t say I told you so. I promise.

2. Shaven Head Nightmare — There are some guys who can pull off the shaven head look. Patrick Stewart, Forest Whitaker and Bruce Willis to name a few. But not everyone can do it. Shaving your head is not something you “try out” to see if it will work. If it doesn’t work, you’ll have to deal with people reminding you what a bad idea it was every day for about a month until the lawn gets full again. Before you decide after one too many Jack Daniels one night to take out the dog shears and give it a try, see a hair professional first.

3. Haircuts vs. Hair Styles — Guys, there is no valor in the $8 haircut. Now, I can understand going to a discount clothing outlet and getting the same designer shirt that you get at a department store for a lower price. But a haircut is not a hairstyle. This is not a pair of socks we’re talking about — this is your head, the thing that everyone sees all day every day: your boss, your friends, your current (or potential) dates for Saturday night, everyone! So why would you be content to go cheap on that. Studies continually show that people who take the time and effort to look good and take care of themselves tend to rise faster through the corporate ranks than those who don’t. So, don’t let your hair hold you up. Take pride and take care in the way you look, and you’ll start seeing better results in just about every area of your life.

So, guys — when you consider your hair, consider all the factors in your life today — work, social life, age, career aspirations and dignity. Yes, I said dignity. Affleck did that Bieber thing last summer, and we’re still razzing him about it. Don’t you make the same mistake.

Yours In Style,

Darren

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Carrollwood-Northdale