Here are a selection of articles that our Barbers and Stylist felt would be of interest to our guests. If you have something you would like to share please let us know and send your thoughts to tips@statestreetbarbers.com

Which Layrite Pomade Works Best For You?

For an extra polished look, we love Layrite! Watch the video to decide which one works best for you!

7 Classic Short Hairstyles and Cuts for Winter

Having trouble getting through the winter? Let us take one of the winter worries off your plate. See the best styles and cuts for short hair this winter here and come to us to see through your vision.

'100 Years' of Men's Hairstyles Shows How We Got To The Man Bun

Take a look back at 100 years of men’s #hairstyles! Which look is your favorite? View the article here!

13 Essential Grooming Rules to Live By in 2016

We’re halfway through the first month of 2016, time to clean up your act. Incorporate these 13 essential grooming rules into your daily routine!

10 Best Hair Products for Men

From hair pomade to hairspray, check out these 10 great products for your hair. Visit our time tested recommended brands here.

How to Start Shaving, as featured in Esquire Magazine

I'm 14 years old, and I need to begin shaving. Because my hair is very thick and curly, my father thinks I should seek professional guidance. This is why I'm asking for your help.

By Answer Fella:

Honored, young sir. Razor-straight, then, from Maestro the Barber, who works his magic scissors at State St. Barbers in Chicago:

“Preparation is always the key. I would suggest three 45-second heat applications. If he comes right out of the shower, then maybe put one hot towel on his face and then apply the shaving cream, maybe a preshaving oil.

“You want a smooth glide across your skin. You have to pull your skin tight to get that stroke. You want to go with the grain, then if you want to get it a little closer, you want to go across the grain. Take it slow and easy.

“Follow it up with a good moisturizer. If you don't shave every day, a couple of days after — when you start to see the hair grow back in — take a small, soft-bristle brush and brush the skin in a little circular motion. That will stop the ingrown hairs from popping up.”

Good luck, kid. And don't forget Captain Myke's advice: Save the blood for basting.

Read more here...

7 Common Grooming Mistakes for Men

Your grooming routine should be just as important as going to the gym and eating better! Sadly, many men do quick touch ups and neglect to pay due diligence. Stay sharp with these 7 grooming tips.

Eat Healthy

Eliminate “White Foods” from Your Diet.

White flour, white sugar and other processed foods are not only devoid of vitamins and minerals, but they’ve also been stripped of their natural fibre. As a result, they rapidly drive up blood sugar levels, which contributes to weight gain, diabetes and a host of other health problems. Avoid breads and baked goods made with white flour, sugar-laden sodas and snack foods. Instead, focus on eating fibre-rich fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

Prostate Health

Protect Your Prostate. Around the age of 40, the prostate gland begins a growth spurt that results in symptoms such as frequent nighttime urination. The good news is that this condition, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, can be prevented or reversed by taking extracts of two herbs: saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and pygeum (Pygeum africanum).

Dozens of studies have shown that these herbs work in improving urinary flow without adverse side-effects. Suggested doses are 160 to 320 milligrams of saw palmetto and 40 to 80 mg of pygeum daily.

How To Tie A Windsor Knot

Sometimes it’s the tiny details that make all the difference. The wide triangular Windsor knot is a more formal and stylish approach to tying your tie than the typical Four in Hand approach most American males grew up learning.

Named after the lovesick Duke of Windsor, the heir to the British kingdom who famously abdicated the crown for the love of an American divorcee, this knot is a smooth look when heading out on the town or attempting to smash home a winning presentation.

According to Wikipedia.com, the instructions for tying a Windsor Knot are as follows:

“To tie the Windsor, place the tie around your neck and cross the broad end of the tie in front of the narrow end. Fold the broad end behind the narrow end and push it up through the inside of the loop around your neck. The left and right sides of the narrow end, and the inside of the loop, form a triangle. Continue folding the tie over the sides of this triangle, rotating around the triangle in one direction. The eighth fold should again bring the broad end up over the top of the knot from behind; push the end down through the loop in front of the knot that you made with the seventh fold, work out any wrinkles, and pull the knot tight. If the tie is unbalanced, untie the knot and try again giving yourself more or less length to work with.”

Sound difficult?

The links below offer illustrated step by step instructions to make the process easier.

See this diagram

Keeping Your Hair

All treatments work better in the early stages of baldness, since delicate follicles atrophy over time. In the first 10 or 15 years of hair loss, follicles retain good potential. After 15 or 20 years, however, fewer will respond to treatment.

In addition to an aggressive topical treatment like Spectral.DNC and a supportive shampoo like Revita, consider these lifestyle practices to slow down hair loss:

• Don’t use harsh chemicals, including minoxidil-only formulas, which can irritate
• Exercise regularly to improve circulation, lower stress, and reduce androgen levels naturally.
• Use a comb (gently) instead of a brush.
• Treat medical conditions.
• Eat a balanced diet.

6 Reasons Your Hair is Going Gray

Whether you’re 25 or 65, there’s a good chance you’ll have to deal with gray hairs! Here’s what causes those salt-and-pepper strands.

The Danger Of Trans Fats

Stay Away from Dangerous Trans Fats. While it’s important to reduce your overall fat intake, it’s even more important to watch the types of fat you eat. Deep-fried foods and anything made with hydrogenated oils (margarine, peanut butter, shortening, store-bought pastries and cookies) contain trans fats that raise your risk of heart disease. Eat only healthful fats, such as olive oil and the omega-3 oils found in salmon and other cold-water fish, which actually protect against heart disease.

How To Maintain an Untamed Beard

Have you let your Winter beard run wild? Read some pro tips here on how to reclaim your suave look.

6 Fixes for Men's Hair Loss

While hair loss is genetic, we've made strides in combating it! See the best 6 fixes here.

2016's Beard and Facial Hair Trends

Think you're up to date on the latest trends of 2016? Review FashionBeans' take on this year's beard and facial hair trends and see how close you got!