East of Eden has already hit 6.5 million views in its first four days on Netflix, with viewers revelling in the 19th Century drama. But it’s the men’s hairstyles that have caught our eye, with classic cuts from the era highlighting looks that have come back into style through the re-emergence of traditional barbering.
With period drama’s proving more popular than ever, are we about to see a return of more classic men’s cuts?
Annabelle Taurua, beauty expert at booking platform Fresha, is taking a closer look at the classic styles seen in East of Eden, to give a breakdown on how to achieve the same look in today.
Adam Trask’s Swept Back Scissor Cut (Christopher Abbot)
“Adam’s hairstyle for most of the series is a medium-length, scissor cut style that keeps plenty of length and natural texture throughout, with the hair swept back rather than sharply parted like many of today’s modern lengthier cuts.
“If you want to replicate Adam’s East of Eden look, ask your Barber for a medium-length scissor cut that keeps plenty of length through the sides and back; ask them to thin it out slightly while keeping the natural shape and texture. I’d style it with a small amount of styling cream through damp hair, then sweep it back with your fingers.”
Charles Trask’s Relaxed Shag (Mike Faist)
“Charles wears a medium-length shag with natural layers and plenty of relaxed movement throughout. A relaxed shag is not sharply structured or heavily styled. It should allow the hair to fall naturally, creating an effortless, lived-in look.
“If you’re seeking a relaxed shag similar to Charles, I’d ask your Barber for a medium-length shag with soft layers, again, keeping plenty of length and working with your hair’s natural texture.
“Keep the styling minimal, as the whole point of a relaxed shag is that you don’t need to style it. Apply a small amount of leave-in product to damp hair and let it dry naturally, using your fingers to shape the hair for an undone finish.”
Cal Trask’s Untamed Perm (Joseph Zada)
“Cal sported natural-looking curls and volume through the top and sides of his hair in the series. An untamed perm hairstyle isn’t tightly defined or heavily styled, and the curls tend to be left slightly unruly for a more relaxed, lived-in finish.
“Joseph Zada, the actor who plays Cal, appears to have naturally curly hair, as this is his signature look across most of his acting roles, which makes it much easier for him to achieve this look.
“If you don’t have naturally curly hair, ask your Barber for a loose, natural-looking perm that adds texture and movement without creating tight curls, keeping some length through the sides and back. Keep styling minimal by applying a small amount of curl cream to damp hair, scrunch through the curls and allow them to dry naturally.”