So the way I do it is as such.
This requires fairly long hair to be really effective, and your hair MUST be dry.
I use a first coat of very strong hair gel mixed with got-2 b glud (or whatever it is called... it's basically hair glue and it comes in a yellow tube). I just smear them together in my hands and work it very thoroughly into my hair (all the way down to the roots, and don't miss the hairs around the ears). Then I comb it into position using a fine tooth comb. This is the hardest part, and requires at the very least two mirrors (another person helping is ideal) so you can see the back. Cowlicks usually cause splits to occur in the "helmet". I then blowdry the helmet thoroughly, being careful not to cause any splits to open.
I now apply an additional 2-4 layers of gel smoothed onto the top of the hair. I use a "wet-look" gel, but I don't think it really makes much of a difference. Between each layer of gel (which, again, is smoothed on, not combed through), I blowdry again.
Next is hairspray. Use a shiny, megahold bottle of ozone-hole causing carcinogens, the gnarliest stuff you can find (I alternate between layers of got2b glued blasting freeze spray and "freeze it: mega Freeze hairspray", with "optical brightners". The Freeze it stuff is so corrosive I actually have to get up and walk around between applications.
Anyway, each time you spray, hold the can about 2 inches from your head and goes in rows until your whole head is covered, soaking the hair through each time, and blowdry. I do 3 layers of hairspray usually, and often touch up with hairspray between rounds.
Finally, I apply a shine oil... those are easy to figure out I think
This takes about an hour
