Vintage low side-parts, hints of the blow comb era and anti-gravity notions pique the interest of American Crew's forward-thinking, experimental groomer. He is The Independent.
Classically treated perimeters are fitted with disconnected interiors, allowing you to mold and sculpt new movement within the shape. Through the bold use of gels as working product, The Independent honors both the traditional and the editorial stylist, imparting the confidence to create contemporary structures of sophisticated design.
Sartorially speaking, The Independent has impeccable style. Classic elements treated in a modern way broadcast his individuality, spanning from the spectrum from elegance and culture to the daily grind. He finds inspiration in the ordinary, but knows how to make it his own.
He is honest, clever and passionate. The Independent is more than just a man—he's a man who is leading a movement of editorial style.
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Ezra Finish Option 1
With an Ivy League belief and a blow comb background, Ezra’s Finish Option 1 is a study in the power of simplicity.
1. Apply American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel liberally to damp hair
2. Using a blow dryer with nozzle attachment, dry the hair to gravity utilizing the air from the dryer to direct the hair into shape
3. Create subtle volume through the top by lifting the hair and drying at the base
4. Continue working around the head directing hair into the final shape: a low side directional part on the minimal side sweeping across the forehead to the maximum side
5. Brush the hair with a paddle brush directing the hair forward and in opposite directions
6. On dry hair apply American Crew Light Hold Texture Lotion evenly throughout the hair
7. Brush the hair with a Mason Pearson brush smoothing the surface as you direct the hair from the minimum to the maximum side
8. EDITORIAL TIP: Allow the hair to naturally "flick" at the ends.
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Ezra Finish Option 2
Defining the sentiments of the '80s: bold gravity defiance, Ezra’s Finish Option 2 wrangles gravity but ups the ante with movement you can touch.
1. Apply American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel liberally to damp hair
2. Brush through the hair with a paddle brush and build the basic shape directing the hair up and to the center
3. Using a blow dryer with nozzle attachment, dry the hair from scalp to ends using your fingers to encourage natural movement
4. On dry hair, apply American Crew Fiber™ in sections, working to encourage natural movement – be certain to distribute the product through the sides and back to even out texture and shine.
5. EDITORIAL TIP: After you have finessed the interior, allow it to settle into a slightly lazy shape.
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Ezra Finish Option 3
Rebel, scholar, artist. Ezra’s sculpted pompadour in Finish Option 3 is both sophisticated and rebellious.
1. Apply American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel to damp hair ensuring even distribution from scalp to ends
2. With a paddle brush and blow dryer with nozzle attachment, dry the hair against gravity using the brush to create an inward bend, resulting in a roll with the ends tucked neatly away
3. Continue working with the blow dryer to create volume in front by directing the hair against gravity
4. Apply American Crew Grooming Spray in a fine mist as you continue building the shape – use your hands to smooth out fly-aways
5. Further sculpt the shape with a comb – holding the hair up and toward the center to emphasize the inward bend, or roll
6. Use a blow dryer with nozzle attachment to lock in the style by utilizing the force of the air and your hands to direct the hair up and in to secure the roll effect
7. Apply American Crew Pomade to the sides and back to refine and add shine to match the top
8. EDITORIAL TIP: Work to create a center seam down the top of the head, tucking the ends away for a polished finish.
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James Finish Option 1
Editorial craftsmanship is flaunted in Finish Option 1, challenging the notion that visual balance has to come with symmetrical conditions.
1. Apply American Crew Medium Hold Spray Gel to damp hair. As you are saturating the hair begin to construct the basic shape with your hands – getting a feel for what the hair wants to do
2. Use a blow dryer with nozzle attachment and a brush to create interest within the shape by adding bend in strategic areas
3. Work to defy gravity as your move around the head, drying the hair in opposing directions will create interest in the final look
4. On dry hair apply American Crew Molding Clay, working to create sporadic separation as the shape evolves. For an even finish, work the product throughout the sides and back of the head, roughing up the texture with your hands as you apply
5. With a Mason Pearson brush, work to create smooth surfaces that will juxtapose the textured elements you’ve just created
6. EDITORIAL TIP: the key is to know when to stop working the hair – perfection lies within the imperfection of this askew shape
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James Finish Option 2
Disheveled dimension and clever proportions make the familiar formidable in Finish Option 2.
1. Saturate the hair with American Crew Medium Hold Spray Gel as you work to establish the basic shape
2. Using a blow dryer with nozzle attachment and your fingers, rough-dry the hair to oppose gravity
3. Use a paddle brush to direct the sides up and back while further smoothing the interior shape
4. On dry hair, apply American Crew Pomade using your palms to apply the product in larger areas and your fingers to attend to isolated areas and create movement within the shape
5. EDITORIAL TIP: Let the temple area speak for itself. Don't force a controlled element, but rather let the hair spring out, which will create a more interesting finish.
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James Finish Option 3
The über groomed antics of the 50’s meet the blow comb era of the 70’s to mastermind this editorial shape of today in Finish Option 3.
1. Re-wet the hair from Finish Option 2 and apply American Crew Medium Hold Spray Gel over the existing Pomade
2. With a wide-tooth comb, direct the hair from one side toward the front and down
3. Then comb the hair back and over to the full side. Notice the minimal side does not have a clean part but rather a directional part
4. Use a blow dryer with nozzle attachment and paddle brush to set in the shape. Create exaggerated fullness on the maximum side with the heat of the dryer which will provide a proper base for the final shape
5. Once dry, use the paddle brush to sculpt the shape which is low on the minimal side and swooped into volume on the maximum side with little attention paid to the directional part
6. EDITORIAL TIP: Using the paddle brush will create blatant brush marks, which make this finish modern and interesting.
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Hamilton Finish Option 1
The traditional values of the comb-over are turned on its ear as we use movement and proportion to define Finish Option 1.
1. Saturate the hair with American Crew Light Hold Styling Gel
2. Using a blow dryer with nozzle attachment, rough-dry the hair establishing the basic shape with your hands. Identify the minimum side and direct the hair in a downward motion.
3. Begin to establish movement from the minimal to the maximum side with your hands
4. Create interest in the area that will swoop across the face by drying against the desired movement to establish some volume
5. With a Mason Pearson brush, smooth the hair as you continue drying. Begin to establish the final shape by directing the brush against the desired result in isolated areas while exaggerating the desired movement in other areas.
6. Apply American Crew Boost Powder at the directional part on the minimum side – work the product through the ends of the hair in that isolated area
7. Finish the style by brushing through the hair with a Mason Pearson brush. Work your way around the head sculpting and smoothing the hair into the final shape.
8. EDITORIAL TIP: Once smoothed out, let the natural movement of the hair guide you to the winning look.
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Hamilton Finish Option 2
Our nod to the '90s – when boy bands ruled the pop charts and Wall Street execs discovered skincare – Hamilton’s Finish Option 2 is both relaxed and rugged.
1. Work American Crew Light Hold Styling Gel into your hands and evenly apply throughout the hair
2. Using a blow dryer with nozzle attachment, rough dry the hair directing the hair away from the scalp with your hands
3. Smooth and shape the hair by locking the hair in the Mason Pearson brush and directing the heat from scalp to ends
4. Work in isolated areas and focus on smoothing the ends of the hair
5. Work to structure a solid silhouette by directing the crown and perimeter toward gravity, focusing the anti-gravity movement within the interior
6. On dry hair apply American Crew Alternator by lightly misting the hair from scalp to ends as you hold the hair straight out from the head. Allow the product to set into the hair before releasing the section
7. Make final adjustments with the Mason Pearson and your fingers to create the final shape.
8. EDITORIAL TIP: Too much volume at the scalp area will result in a disproportionate shape.
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Hamilton Finish Option 3
The flamboyant lifestyle of the Gatsby era meets the sensibilities of a modern day Oscar Wilde to deliver us Hamilton’s Finish Option 3: An Unexpected Adaptation Of The Well Dressed Man.
1. Apply American Crew Light Hold Styling Gel liberally to the hair from scalp to ends
2. Brush the product through the hair with a paddle brush, ensuring the product has thoroughly coated the hair strand as you work to create the primary shape (which sweeps from one side of the head to the other)
3. Using a blow dryer with nozzle attachment and a wide-tooth comb, construct the foundation to the ultimate shape. Focus primarily on creating the sweep from the minimal side to the maximum side
4. Create fullness at the front hairline by lifting the hair away from the scalp and apply heat to the base of the hair
5. On dry hair, apply American Crew Defining Paste to the top of the shape
6. Use a Mason Pearson brush to smooth the product through the hair and create the final shape
7. EDITORIAL TIP: Exaggerate fullness at the front and allow to "settle in" for a well-proportioned finished look.
