1) Dye
If you want to look like the real Elvis Presley, it’s best to start with straight to slightly wavy hair. His jet-black hair color was actually dyed since he had naturally blonde hair. The King used blue-black hair color, but anything relatively dark should be believable. You can either get the color done in a salon, or most drugstores will sell a box of hair dye. If you are getting it done in a salon, bring in a picture of Elvis that is closest to what you’d like to look like. That way, the hairstylist can also cut your hair in his style. (*If you have no hair, you may have to resort to a wig. Any online store selling clown wigs will also have Elvis wigs. Just do a search for “clown wigs” or “Elvis wigs” and you’ll be fine.)
2) Pomade
Once you’ve got the cut and color taken care of, you’ll need some styling products. You can use a gel or pomade. When hair is clean and a little damp, take a good amount of gel and begin to slick back your hair starting with the sides, and working your way to the top. you’ll want to put the gel only in the topmost layer of your hair unless yours is very thick. To create a pompadour, you’re going to want a little volume on top. An easy way to do this is to comb your hair straight up and then let it fall back, and also avoid using too much gel. If you’re using pomade, you’ll use a smaller amount and make sure to warm it in your hands before applying. It works much better this way and gives a more polished look.
3) Comb
Now that the product is in your hair, comb the sides straight back, sloping with the angle of hair growth towards the back of the head. Then comb the top or front section straight up and loosely back creating Elvis’ signature pompadour. You may need to do this a few time to get it looking exactly right. If you feel like you’re losing important volume, flip your head upside-down, comb all your hair towards the floor, right yourself and start over.
4) Shake it Loose
The only thing missing now from your hairstyle is the small piece of hair that often would fall out of the perfect pompadour, completing the portrait of the dashing young man. While your hair is still wet and having just been combed, flick the comb through a very small section of the hair right in front and it should fall out of the aerodynamic sculptured hairdo, and add the perfect amount of humanity and accessibility.
5) Facial Hair
To put the finishing touch on your Elvis’ hair, you must shave and trim your sideburns. While Elvis’ sideburns grew throughout his career, they were never unkempt. Once you shave and shape around how long/ large you want your sideburns to be, take a good pair of clippers and trim down the hair length to an acceptable appearance. Following these five steps will bring you as close to channeling Elvis’ hair as you can get.
