Given that hair is technically dead (in as much as it has no blood, nerves or muscles), it’s surprising how much TLC it requires to look its best. And it’s not just the actual strands that need care and attention – the scalp does too.

So how can you deal with hair-raising problems like greasiness, breakage and product build-up? What’s the best way to tackle a receding hairline? And how on earth do you find a decent barber that doesn’t cost it?

We’ve gathered 23 experts in the field – from award-winning hairdressers to grooming savants – to provide the answers to all these questions and more when it comes to men’s haircuts and beyond.

Switch To Matte Products If Thinning

“For many men, hair thins out as they hit their thirties and forties,” says Belfast-based grooming expert and barber Jason Shankey. “To make it look thicker and more manageable, use a matte styling paste or clay. Matte products absorb light and instantly make hair appear a little thicker.”

Give Yourself An Egg Wash

“The best tip I ever received for looking after hair came from an old aunt of mine,” says international male model, actor and TV presenter Paul Sculfor. “You may laugh, but it’s to wash your hair in eggs once a month for the protein.”

Pick The Right Moment For A Haircut

To get the undivided attention of a barber or stylist, timing is everything. “Most salons are quieter at the beginning and end of the day, so it’s worth asking for the very first or last appointment,” says British Hairdressing Award winner Anita Cox. Go for the former and your stylist is likely to be at their freshest and most enthusiastic too.

Use A Pre-Styling Product

As true a saying in the bathroom as it is in the bedroom: it’s not all about the big finish. In the case of hair, TJ Hunt, a barber at Ruffians’ Shoreditch outpost in London, suggests laying a base layer before adding paste, pomade or wax.