I've been riding with a cheapo one-size-fits all helmet for a few years, and I figured it's time to upgrade to something more fitted, lighter, and most importantly, more stylish! My local shops carry mostly Specialized and Giro, with a couple of other brands in the mix. So I tried on a bunch, and frankly didn't notice much a difference between them in terms of fit, and ended up with a Specialized Propero II.

However, I noticed that it's just as bubbly and bulbous looking as my old helmet, and I was expecting something a bit more low profile that doesn't make my head look twice as large as it is. I know the most important things are fit and cooling, but I was expecting better looks from such highly regarded helmets.

Does anybody else deal with huge-alien-head-looking-helmet syndrome while even using nice quality helmets?

These guys.

You might try to find a Lazer dealer. They are pretty sleek. I wear Giro

I have a Giro. It's comfortable and makes me look like a mushroom which is totally stylish.

I think most modern day helmets will give you that "bulbous" look.

If you want a sleek/fitted helmet, gotta go old school.

It seems like the bigger your head, the bigger the helmet in proportion to your head - I've seen plenty of guys with smaller heads wearing helmets that look pretty low-profile, but bigger sizes seem to be really balloon out, relatively.

Haha, good way to put it. I found the Giro and Specialized to have very similar fits. I pretty much went with the Specialized because it's what the guy recommended, but I found both make me look like a mushroom head. The Specialized signature horizontal front vent can be a little off-putting, but I got all black so it's not that noticeable.

Which Giro do you have? I think I tried Savant and either the Saros or Atmos... I can return the Spec within 30 days, so I may even pick up a Giro to take home and mull it over a little more.

Which Giro do you have? Does it give you a mushroom top as well?

Honestly I don't even know. It's solid black and is a MTB helmet with the visor removed. I should probably get a road style helmet so I can go faster.

The best advice I ever got on buying a helmet was to get the one that makes you look LEAST like a mushroom.

Yeah, but I am a fat Texican, so a mushroom top is a plus for me. I actually have a Giro Pnuemo and a Bell Furio. I only wear things that end in o.

I've had Giro, Specialized, Bell and Bontrager. The Bontrager was the most slimline/low profile looking I had. My Specialized Echelon (which I felt was more comfortable than the Propero and half the price) does look and seem a little larger like you're saying. I'm thinking about getting another Bontrager in black.

Your problem is solved.
Safety, style ... all in one compact package.
You're welcome.

Current cycling styles are all kinda goonish. I cringe, bust out laughing, sometimes run off the road when I see what people are wearing. Some natural fibers might be a nice change. And the glasses, what are we alien bugs. The helmet I wear now is a $25 special from Costco. As good as any.

I want a bike helmet that looks like this.

Giro Air attack (shield but i haven't dared wear it yet)

rotflmao

Two giro Air Attack helmets(different colors)I wear them both all of the time.I face my Giro Ionos helmet to my son in law.

I usually end up with Limar helmets.
Here's their ultralight:
https://www.limar.com/tablet/index.php?lng=eng&selected_id_banner_home=46

Must be helmet season. I just went through the same thing, been shopping for helmets for a couple months and finally settled on a Uvex Race 3 from REI. I tried the Spec Propero II and similar on but didn't like the square back, but the fit was good. Then wanted a Fox Flux because of the round back but doesn't fit my head and really look bulbous. Also had to order online REI Giro Phase 3 mtb (nice!), Giro Hex , Uvex Ultrasonic CC, and the Uvex Race 3. I really wanted to like the Giro's and the Fox Flux, but in the end my son's opinion the Uvex Race 3 looked best won out. All on great sale prices, mind you.

Really like the looks of the Limar IMI posted but none local that I could find or REI sales.

I wear a small, have a less-round (elongated) head and long face. I just don't get fashion. Believe it or not, the other helmets looked too small on my head. Go figure.

I bought one of these Limar ultralights last summer before I remembered the slightly oval shape doesn't quite mesh with my squarish skull. Brand new, been posted FS in the classifieds here for a good long while.

Currently in Uvex Race 5, but Rudy Project works well, as did the Spesh before them.

Should've gone with a Lazer.

Visor. Dont forget the visor.