So, I’ve been on this kick lately, wanting to nail that Gallagher hair. You know the look, right? That proper 90s Britpop vibe, a bit messy but still kinda sharp. Liam, Noel, they both rocked it in their own way. For me, it was always about that slightly longer, textured top with shorter sides, but not too short, mind you.
My First Attempts Were, Well, Interesting
I gotta be honest, my first few goes at explaining this to barbers were a bit of a disaster. I’d show them pictures, try to describe it, and I’d end up with something that looked more like a helmet or just a generic short back and sides. Frustrating, man, truly frustrating. One guy even asked if I wanted a “Madchester” bowl cut. I nearly walked out then and there. It’s like they didn’t get the attitude that comes with the hair. It’s not just a cut; it’s a statement, innit?
I even tried to let it grow out for a bit, thinking I could then guide the barber better. That just led to a shaggy phase where I looked like I’d been dragged through a hedge backward. My missus was not impressed, let me tell you.
Finding Someone Who Actually Got It
Eventually, after moaning to a mate down the pub, he recommended this old-school barber, a chap who’s been cutting hair since the 70s. He said, “This fella, he knows hair. He’s seen all the styles come and go.” So, I thought, what have I got to lose? I booked an appointment.
I went in, a bit nervous, not gonna lie. I didn’t even bring a picture this time. I just sat down and said, “Look, I’m after that Gallagher kind of style. Think Oasis, mid-90s. Longer on top, textured, bit choppy, sides not too harsh.”
And you know what? He just nodded. He didn’t pull out a catalogue of modern fades or anything. He just picked up his scissors and got to work. It was like watching an artist. He was snipping away, thinning bits out, shaping it. We didn’t talk much, just the hum of the clippers for the back and sides (done very subtly, I might add) and the snip-snip of the scissors.
The Nitty-Gritty of the Cut
Here’s what I observed him doing, for those interested:
- He definitely left a good couple of inches on top, maybe even three in some places, especially towards the front.
- The key was the texture. He point-cut into it a lot, creating that choppy, separated look. None of that blunt, blocky stuff.
- Sides were scissor-over-comb mostly, tapered nicely into the longer top. He did use clippers, but on a longer guard, just to tidy up the very bottom around the ears and neckline.
- The fringe area was crucial. Not a heavy, straight fringe, but more broken up, so it could be swept to the side or fall forward a bit without looking like a helmet.
The Result and How I Manage It
When he finally spun me around, man, it was spot on. Exactly what I’d been picturing in my head for months. It had that slightly grown-out, effortless look, but it was clearly a proper haircut. He showed me how to rough it up a bit with my fingers, maybe use a tiny bit of matte paste or clay, but not too much. The cut itself did most of the work.
Now, maintaining it isn’t too bad. I get it trimmed every 5-6 weeks to keep the shape. In between, I just wash it, towel dry it pretty aggressively to get some natural movement, and then work a tiny bit of product through. Sometimes I don’t even use product if I’m just lounging about. The less ‘styled’ it looks, the better, in a weird way. It’s supposed to have that ‘I woke up like this’ rock and roll feel, even if it actually took a bit of effort to get the cut right in the first place.
It’s funny, innit? You go through all that faff, trying to explain something, and then you find someone who just gets it. Worth every penny, that haircut. Makes you feel a bit more confident, a bit more… well, a bit more Gallagher, I suppose!
