The Timeless Struggle: Men, Hairspray, and the Fine Art of Maintaining a Full Head of Hair by Alex Gutierrez

 

The Timeless Struggle: Men, Hairspray, and the Fine Art of Maintaining a Full Head of Hair

Alex Gutierrez

Ah, the 1970s—a time when men had hair like untamed lions, shoulders wide enough to rival a linebacker’s, and more cologne than a Macy’s perfume counter. If you were a man with a full head of hair, you were a symbol of confidence, style, and—let's be honest—a bit of vanity. Think John Travolta, David Cassidy, Leif Garrett, Peter Frampton, and the one and only Rod Stewart. These guys didn’t just have hair, they had hair. Their locks flowed like waterfalls, caught in the breeze of their perfectly styled lives. And when it came to keeping those luscious locks in place? Enter the magic of hairspray.

Back in the day, hairspray was essential for men to maintain their pompadours, feathered haircuts, and disco-ready dos. I vividly remember stepping out of the "Estilista" (fancy word for “hair stylist,” but really it just meant a fancy way of saying "someone who could make you look like a star") and getting hit with a glorious mist of hairspray. My mom’s Aqua Net may have smelled like Peluquería (that unique combination of hair salon chemicals that you could detect from a mile away), but when you spritzed it on your hair? Boy, you were ready to conquer the night.

Sure, Aqua Net was cheaper than Consort (which was the stuff you really wanted—seriously, the bottle with the handsome man on it made you feel like you were a part of the cool crowd), but there was something magical about that aerosol can that turned the average guy into a bonafide hair god. It was as if that fine mist was the potion that turned your regular locks into a perfectly sculpted, gravity-defying masterpiece. You could go from a mild-mannered office worker to a Saturday night dance-floor warrior in seconds. And when you sprayed that sucker on? You knew—no gust of wind, no rainstorm, and certainly no mother could ruin your carefully crafted 'do. It was locked in place.

As men, we learned that hairspray wasn’t just a product—it was an identity. You didn’t just spray it on; you owned it. It wasn’t “just hairspray” for us, it was confidence in a can. And don't even get me started on the "unscented" bottles, because we all knew that the so-called unscented spray smelled like disco in a bottle. The only way to cover that up was with a ton of Paco Rabanne, which, to be fair, probably smelled like the aftermath of a very questionable night out. But you had to mask it, because looking like you just walked out of a hair salon wasn’t enough—you had to smell like you were ready to hit Studio 54.

Now, let’s talk about the modern era. Oh, how the tables have turned. Fast-forward to today, and most men are sporting haircuts that are so short they make you question if they even have hair left. In the '70s, you could take a leisurely stroll past a disco and catch a glimpse of a well-coiffed mane shining under the lights. Today? Well, it’s more about keeping it “low-maintenance,” and when someone does have a full head of hair, it’s often treated as something to be feared, not celebrated. Heck, even Telly Savalas and Yul Brynner made baldness chic, and those guys turned bald into an art form. But if you're lucky enough to still have hair, don’t fret—it’s not over. Just reach for the hairspray. A little spritz here, a little touch-up there, and you’re good to go!

I’m not saying hairspray is the cure-all to life's problems. However, if you’re fortunate enough to still have hair and have decided to hold on to your ‘70s aesthetic, then hairspray is your friend. Just be cautious, though. We don’t want to reach a point where your hair could double as a helmet. Light, even sprays—apply strategically and not like you're prepping a snowman—will keep your hair in check. Today’s hairsprays are far more refined than the ones we used back in the day. They’ve learned from their mistakes, removed the harsh chemicals, and replaced them with kinder ingredients.

But still, there’s something that doesn’t quite match the nostalgia of those days, especially when you think about the classic moment from Saturday Night Fever ( Click Here ) when Travolta's character, Tony Manero, gets slapped by his father at the dinner table. His indignant response? "Will you just watch the hair? You know, I work on my hair a long time, and you hit it. He hits my hair!" If that’s not a statement on the dedication men once had to their hair, I don’t know what is.

So here’s to the men who still cling to their '70s hairstyles, whether it’s a feathery wave or a perfectly slicked-back pompadour. May you keep your hairspray close, and may your hair remain as untouchable as your confidence. And if you're looking for a tip? If your hairstyle is still intact by 50? You’ve already won, my friend. You’ve already won.