Dan Dixon from Mister Chop Shop on stylin’ the Surry Hills man.

Whether he’s an urban lumberjack or a suave social prowler, the modern man nowadays is a maintenance man. No, not a high maintenance relationship man but a groomed, precise and exact man. He thinks out his wardrobe and keeps his shoes pristine whilst regularly receiving online clothing purchases. His haircut is sharp and his beard even more-so.

 What cut does he wear?

The classic short back and sides is never going to die out, however, currently a shorter skin faded version has taken pride and place as the most requested cut. This cut, with the help of product, is cut and styled directionally to seem effortless.

What product, you say… Well a lot of the pomades and waxes of previous years have made way for texture sprays, styling powders and matte pastes. No more shine, No more greasiness. These products will give a natural look to a highly precise cut, accentuating the ‘I haven’t tried, I always look like this!’ demeanor.

Then there’s the beard.

The long ‘Ned Kelly’ hipster style beard has made way for the sharper finished jawline beard. Still with length but faded out to meet the cut and styled with a beard brush and balm. Beard Oils have faded out and been replaced with Balms which provide a heavier hold and an ability to groom the facial fur for follicle freshness, losing the unkempt food catching homeless look.

Just like anything high maintenance, regular tune-ups are required and styles such as the above are in the shop every 14-21 days, to keep the edge and polish.

This article originally appeared in Urban Village