How to style your hair in five minutes

A quick styling routine is possible when the haircut itself is well thought out: the right length and texture do half the work before you even pick up any product.

Start with slightly damp hair — dry hair is harder to style, while overly wet hair dilutes the product and reduces hold.

Take a small amount of product (pea-sized for short hair, a bit more for longer hair), rub it between your palms, and apply from roots to tips, working with the direction of hair growth.

Shape it with your fingers if you want texture, or with a comb if you want a sharp, sleek result — that's the main fork between a "messy" and a "polished" look.

A hair dryer on low speed and moderate heat helps set the shape and add light volume, especially at the crown, but it isn't essential for most short cuts.

If styling consistently takes longer than five minutes, that's often a sign the haircut's shape doesn't fully match your hair's structure — worth discussing with your barber at the next visit.