The year in hairdressing: 2011 men's hair review

It's been brewing for a while, but this year saw years of pundits talking about men caring more about their hair and grooming in general become a reality.

The most recent report from research agency Mintel suggests the men's grooming boom is European-wide, with the sector valued at €6.6bn in Eurpoe in 2011, an increase of 8% since 2005.

Mintel Analyst Nica Lewis said: "An increase in information about male grooming in the media, the availability of a wider range of products, and the popular use of celebrities to endorse brands has benefited the male grooming category in the past five years."

Here, we take a look back at what happened in men's hairdressing in 2011.

Schwarzkopf Professional showed it was taking the men's market seriously with the launch of 3D Mension - a line-up of hair products, scalp care and colour.

From Denman came the Jack Dean male grooming range, offering solutions for hair, scalp and body. The traditional range includes a selection of classic hair tonics containing essential oils.

In salon early 2012 is Mitch from Paul Mitchell. The range combines the traditional (Barber's Classic high-shine pomade) with the contemporary (Hardwired, a maximum-hold spiking glue for creating extreme looks) and pretty much every hair need in between.

American Crew held its second Face Off final in February 2011, recognising the talents of three men's hairdressers who won an expenses-paid trip to LA for a professional photo shoot with the company's founder David Raccuglia. 

November saw the finalists' part of the 2012 Face Off competition, with 20 entries selected to go through to the final, and HJ Men editor Matthew Batham presenting the first Face Off Editor's Choice Award to his favourite image.

Recognising talented barbers at the beginning of their careers was the new National Student Barbers Competition which was won by Robin Hartley (pictured), who received a prize that included a photo shoot with hair and fashion photographer Andy Kruczek. 

Men's grooming product supplier Men-Ü certainly put the effectiveness of its own products and branding to the test with the recent opening of its first concept salon - in Southampton. 

The fully operative salon is also used to train Men-U stockists about the products.

Style-wise, nothing was going to kill off the quiff - not even Jedward! 

It remained a hair look mainstay during 2011, although this year saw more messy versions of the 2010 ultra-groomed look. 

Not that ultra-groomed was out, classic, sleek hair was also on-trend, as was - in complete contrast - strong texturised looks.