Grey Fox Interviews Cirrus about hair and the middle aged man

For over 20 years I've had my hair cut by David Barnes of Cirrus in south west London. I tend to let him get on with whatever he thinks needs doing to my hair and he does a great job. When I first started going to him my hair was much fuller than it is now and there were no hints of grey - now things are very different. I assumed that, like the other parts of our bodies, out hair would need more maintenance as we grew older, so I asked David and his business partner, Nick, for an interview for some advice.

George Clooney - grey and stylish?

GF - David and Nick, tell me something about your business, Cirrus.

D & N - We're an independent hair salon opened some 20 years by David and a small team of uniquely talented hair stylists. Over the years the team has changed and evolved into the core of David, Grace and Nick; all grown-ups, long past our egos and desires to reconceptualize our industry, but still acutely style conscious without pandering to fleeting trends.

Jonathan Ross - yes or no?

GF - What changes do you see in men's hair as we grow older?

D&N - There are two fundamental and obvious changes - thinning and greying. Some men are lucky enough to experience neither, but that's all it is, luck!

GF - What can we do to look after it as we get older?

D&N - There are some simple rules for men wanting to look after their hair as they get older. Many men fix their personal style in their mid to late twenties and rarely progress from this. Middle age is not a time for long hair or experimenting with styles from the back catalogue (although Nick might argue against this one!) If you're thinning, keep hair short, don't for a minute think that by keeping the edges nice and thick or developing the much ridiculed "comb-over" that you will draw attention away from the lack of hair on top; keep it short! This is a time when the shaved head is a suitable look.

No colour for any reason whatsoever. And that's final. Having said all that, there is no reason why the middle-aged man can't be on trend or stylish. It's all about finding a hairdresser who will keep your style appropriate without inflicting their own sense of style on you.

Steve McQueen - the ultimate middle aged hair?

GF - Any products?

D&N - Good products are always worth investing in. There is a point of diminishing returns, but generally a salon-bought product will yield better results than your supermarket own brand. Two or three times a week is more than enough for shampooing your hair; a daily rinse in the shower is usually enough to keep fresh. And don't, please, believe that old chestnut about hair becoming self-cleaning after 6 weeks. Try it and see what your wife, friends, colleagues have to say about the theory! Like skin, if your hair is dry, moisturise with conditioner.

Styling products take some trial and error to get right. I personally think American Crew and Bumble&bumble products offer the best range of options. In particular, B&b's Grooming Creme is a great all round product. But please gentleman,avoid high gloss,greasy looks!

GF - So in summary, what advice can you give to help us make the right choices about hair styles as we mature?

D&N - There is, as we've said, no reason at all why the older man can't be of the moment. It's just that the moment is now and not 20 years ago. Well groomed is preferable to high fashion. Think JFK, Steve McQueen, George Clooney, even dare I say it, David Cameron! But not Nick Clegg, Jonathan Ross or George Osborne!

Not Nick Clegg?

Nice and tight round the hairline, a bit of length and texture on top if you're lucky enough, not overly groomed but sharp. Sideburns (for that's what they're called - sideboards are where you keep your china), should be, according to the seminal Esquire Handbook For Men, either above or just below your cheekbone; not cut straight off at the top of the ears in a Gary Numan institution style, nor proceeding down the face to a laboured point.

And there is no need for creative facial hair at this time. However, a full beard is completely acceptable but keep it as groomed as your head hair.

For inspiration, a recommended read is The Ivy Look, Classic American Clothing, by Graham Marsh and JP Gaul. It's all you need.

GF - Thanks very much David and Nick.  And dandruff........?