The Two Block haircut is a modern style defined by a distinct contrast between the hair’s two main sections. Popularized by Korean culture, this style features the sides and back trimmed significantly shorter, often with a taper or fade. The longer top section, or “block,” allows for versatility, making it adaptable to various hair types and facial structures. Its design focuses attention on the top length, which can be manipulated to create volume, texture, or a clean, flowing fringe. The style is a foundation that can be altered based on the user’s styling technique and product choice.
Essential Tools and Styling Products
Achieving the Two Block shape relies on preparing the hair with the correct equipment and products. A high-quality blow dryer equipped with a concentrator nozzle is needed to direct heat and airflow precisely where volume is required. For manipulating the longer top section, a vent brush facilitates rapid drying and initial shaping, while a round brush can be used to impart curve and lift at the roots.
The product choice determines the final look’s texture and sheen, beginning with a pre-styler like sea salt spray. This product is applied to damp hair and works by slightly swelling the hair shaft, creating a gritty texture and foundational volume that resists flatness during drying. Sea salt spray offers a light hold and a matte finish, conditioning the hair for the main styling product application.
For the final hold, the choice falls between matte clay and pomade or wax. Matte clays provide a high hold with little to no shine, which is ideal for creating a textured, separated, and casual appearance. This type of product often contains ingredients like bentonite or kaolin clay, offering a dry, pliable finish. Conversely, pomades and waxes offer a medium to firm hold with varying levels of shine, suitable for sleeker, more polished styles. Water-based pomades are preferred because they offer a strong hold but rinse out easily, preventing product buildup.
Setting the Shape: Blow Drying Fundamentals
The blow-drying process sets the hair’s volume and direction before any final product is applied. Hair can be temporarily reshaped when heat is applied and then cooled, a process that sets the hydrogen bonds. To maximize lift, start with the hair damp, not soaking wet, and use the blow dryer’s medium-heat setting to prevent thermal damage.
The technique for volume involves lifting the hair at the roots, where the hair naturally wants to lie flat. Using a brush or your fingers, pull sections of the top block directly upward, perpendicular to the scalp, and direct the airflow from the roots toward the ends. This action lifts the base of the hair shaft, setting the hair’s growth pattern away from the scalp.
To build lasting root volume, over-direct the hair by blowing it in the opposite direction from its final intended position. For instance, if the hair is meant to sweep forward, brush and blow-dry it backward first, then allow it to fall forward naturally. Using the concentrator nozzle ensures the heat is focused on the root area as the hair cools, solidifying the new shape. The top block should be dried so it flows smoothly over the shorter sides, maintaining the style’s signature contrast.
Achieving Varied Textures and Finishes
Once the foundational shape and volume are established, the final product application dictates the look’s texture and finish. To achieve a Textured/Casual Finish, matte clay or paste is the choice due to its high hold and light-absorbing properties. Begin by emulsifying a pea-sized amount of clay between the palms until it is completely warmed.
Apply the clay by raking the fingers through the hair from the roots outward, ensuring the product is distributed evenly to create separation. For a deliberately messy look, twist small, individual strands of hair to enhance the texture. Matte products are reworkable throughout the day, allowing the hair to be manipulated with a simple finger comb.
For a Sleek/Formal Finish, a water-based pomade or wax provides the necessary shine and smooth, firm hold. This look is best achieved by applying the product to hair that is fully dry or slightly damp, as excess moisture can dilute the holding power. Apply the product by gently smoothing it over the top layer of the hair, avoiding excessive root application to prevent a heavy or greasy appearance. A fine-tooth comb can then be used to define a clean part or sweep the hair back, creating a polished surface tension.