Talking men, hair, and Valentine’s with Pantene at Beauty and Essex

By Archana Ram

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, there are tons of primping, polishing and beautifying going on right now. And while most of us girls think guys focus only on a big chest, long legs and tight clothes, you may be surprised to find out that a gorgeous head of hair can actually be his biggest turn on.

I learned that and plenty of other hair-raising facts at a Pantene cocktail party held in the Pearl Lounge of the new and decadent Beauty & Essex in the Lower East Side. Before things kicked off, we got to feast on tons of goodies like whipped ricotta toasts, lobster bisque dumplings and oven-braised chicken meatballs.

After filling up on appetizers, Pantene stylist Hallie Bowman gave us advice on maintaining healthy, shiny locks, while matchmaker Steve Ward – you may recognize him as the host Vh1’s Tough Love – doled out blunt truths about physical attraction. For example, “You got butt guys, leg guys, but all guys are hair guys,” he said.

And he wasn’t kidding. A Pantene-conducted study found that 74% of men said they notice a woman first because of her hair. Other fun facts?
*44% of men surveyed said that hair is the first thing they notice about a woman
*82% of men indicated that sexy hair is a key element to a woman’s overall sex appeal
*60% of men say they would rather date a woman with great hair than a woman with big breasts and 78% of men surveyed consider healthy hair to be a turn-on

To help us look our best, Bowman shared tips on keeping that mane in tip-top shape:
* Deep conditioning once a week repairs damage and provides plenty of moisture for a smooth look. Perfect as a pre-date regimen!
* Most men love a hairstyle with movement, wave and texture. Pantene Fine Triple Action Volume Mousse is the perfect solution for women with straight hair and Pantene Curly Hair Light Conditioning Detangler works to soften tight curls. (Apparently, tight curls can intimidate men!)
* It’s always important to set your hairstyle before a date or special event. Hair has memory and using a product beforehand gives it a good foundation.
* Carry travel-size hairspray in your purse and, if you need it, a pocket-size Mason Pearson brush for touch-ups.

Ward emphasized that hair can be a mating signal, and healthy hair is an indication that you’re responsible, classy, attentive and confident. So if you’re struggling with a date outfit, try starting with your hair. Just remember to keep things balanced. You don’t have to have an expensive outfit to match a great hairstyle. You just need a clean, polished look that pulls it all together.

And to get us Valentine’s Day-ready, Pantene sent us home with their Color Nourishing Treatment and A Compendium of Kisses, a book with facts, quotes and stories about smooching.

Were you surprised by the stats? Does this make you rethink your closet — or hair care?

All pictures by Archana Ram. Archana also writes her own “flexitarian” food blog at LettuceVeg.com