Are you interested in overhauling your hair care routine but feel totally overwhelmed by the abundance of products available? Maybe you’re a shampoo-and-go kinda guy who’s finally decided to up his hair care game. Or perhaps you’re ready to branch out after sticking with the same run-of-the-mill pomade for a decade. Whatever the case may be, we know how mind-boggling it can be to face down an aisle teeming with men’s hair products. Pomade? Mousse? Putty? Texturizing wax? What product will best suit your hair texture and type? Your barber is your best resource, but we hope the guide below helps demystify the wide world of men’s hair products.
An Overview of Men’s Hair Products
Clay
Hold: Medium to high
Shine: Matte to low
What You Need to Know:
- Hair clay is somewhat similar hair wax, which we’ll discuss in more detail below. In fact, it’s often made with beeswax. Both products can help you create textured, bedhead looks.
- Clay has a matte finish and high hold — the opposite of high-shine, low-hold wax. It suits those with short to medium hair who want a messy look.
- Hair clay works well on men with thin, straight hair that has a tendency to fall flat. If that sounds like you, focus on the roots when applying wax to lift the hair without weighing it down. It’s also a good option if you want to make your oily, shiny hair more matte.
- Clay can be applied to damp or dry hair. It’s a forgiving product that can help you create natural-looking styles that still have high control.
Cream
Hold: Low
Shine: Low to medium
What You Need to Know:
- Hair cream provides flexibility and strength. It’s great for those who want a little hold and natural-looking shine but wish to avoid the stiffness and greasiness of many wax and pomade products.
- Cream adds moisture to the hair, so it’s a nice option for those with dry hair. It’s also helpful for those who want to tame frizzy stray hairs.
- Creams come in a wide range of textures. Some feel like a light lotion, while others are more similar to wax in consistency.
- Hair cream is a great choice for those with fine or thinning hair who dislike the weight of pomade and wax. It’s lightweight and easy to use.
Fiber
Hold: High
Shine: Matte to low
What You Need to Know:
- Strong and thick yet flexible, fiber’s tackiness can add volume and texture to your hair. It’s a great option if you want to achieve a messy look.
- Fiber is typically matte, so it’s perfect for those who want a more natural style. If you want a no-nonsense product that won’t budge or add shine, fiber might be perfect for you. It will keep your hair locked in place until you shampoo it out.
- Fiber works well on men with short to medium haircuts who want some natural-looking texture and solid control. It’s a great option for thick hair.
- Some people find fiber hard to work with, which is why you may see products labeled fiber wax, fiber cream, or fiber foam. These products aim to give you the benefits of fiber in an easier-to-use consistency.
Gel
Hold: Light to super high
Shine: Medium to super high
What You Need to Know:
- Gel was quite popular in the 1980s and 1990s. In those days, it often contained alcohol, which left hair feeling crunchy, dry, and brittle. These days, it’s easy to find alcohol-free gels in a variety of hold strengths. However, most people still think of it as a high-hold option, and some products will still make your hair feel dry and brittle. For these reasons, it’s a less popular option.
- Gel is versatile and easy to use. It stiffens after application and stays in place all day.
- It provides a slick or even wet look.
- Gel works best on those with short to medium hair. You may want to avoid it if you have thin hair, as it can leave your locks looking greasy and weighed down.
Mousse
Hold: Low to medium
Shine: Medium to high
What You Need to Know:
- Mousse employs polymers, which coat hair strands to create a fuller appearance. It’s a great option for those seeking volume and control.
- Like gel, mousse had a heydey in the 1980s and 1990s, when it was often used to create voluminous yet crunchy styles. Thankfully, modern mousses have evolved a lot since then!
- A little mousse goes a long way. Start with a golf ball-sized amount and distribute it evenly to your roots, adding more if needed. Apply to clean, damp hair. Then, blow-dry your hair for a voluminous look.
- If your hair feels stiff and crunchy after applying mousse, you’ve likely applied too much. Remember to start small!
- Mousse works best on those with medium to long hair. It’s also a great option for those with curly or wavy hair. If you want to tame your frizzy curls, try applying a mousse designed for curly hair, scrunching it with your fingers, and then air-drying or diffusing.
- It takes a little practice to use mousse correctly, so be patient and try to find a mousse that complements your hair type.
Paste
Hold: Medium to high
Shine: Low to medium
What You Need to Know:
- Paste is a versatile product that provides texture, control, and volume.
- An all-rounder, paste works with most hairstyles and hair types. It adds hold and flexibility to thin hair and can tame poofy, thick hair.
- You only need a small amount of paste, so start small and add more if needed. If it feels too thick at first, rub the paste between your palms to soften it and ensure even distribution.
- Most paste products are water-based, so they’re easy to wash out and can be reshaped throughout the day. Some pastes can be reactivated by adding a little water to your hair.
Pomade
Hold: Medium to high
Shine: High shine
What You Need to Know:
- Pomade is a true classic. It was first popularized in the 18th century.
- It provides a highly manicured, slick look. Think Jon Hamm in Mad Men.
- Pomade works on all hair types and thicknesses, and it best suits short to medium haircuts. You’ll need to choose between oil-based and water-based pomade.
- Oil-based pomade provides an old-school, retro look. Its oily texture can add moisture to dry hair, yet it’s not hard or crunchy like water-based pomade. The downside? It’s difficult to wash out of hair — oil and water don’t mix, after all. For this reason, you may wish to reserve it for special occasions instead of daily use.
- Water-based pomade is a more modern, versatile choice. It’s available in different hold strengths and can be matte or high shine. Although it’s much easier to wash out of your hair than an oil-based product, it will leave your hair feeling stiff and crunchy as it dries. Typically, you can soften it up a little by running your fingers through your hair a few times.
Putty (a.k.a. Mud)
Hold: Medium to high
Shine: Matte to low
What You Need to Know:
- Called putty or mud depending on the manufacturer, this product is similar to paste in its consistency and hold.
- Putty typically offers a casual, easy-breezy style with some texture and movement. However, you can also add it to slick styles as a finishing touch.
- Putty works well on a variety of hair lengths, types, and textures, but it suits shorter haircuts best.
Wax
Hold: Medium to high
Shine: Medium to high
What You Need to Know:
- Hair wax can be used for a variety of hairstyles, but it’s ideal for adding to dry hair to create a messy, textured, bedhead look.
- Wax is typically composed of ingredients like beeswax, carnauba wax, and lanolin.
- It’s flexible enough that you can reshape it throughout the day.
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Still feeling a bit overwhelmed? We don’t blame you! With so many men’s hair products out there, you may need to do a little trial and error to find the best option for you. This quick guide may prove helpful:
- If you want high hold and low shine: clay, fiber, paste, and putty
- If you want high hold and high shine: gel, pomade, and wax
- If you want low hold and low shine: cream
- If you want low hold and high shine: mousse
Which men’s hair products best suit your current haircut, your hair texture and type, and your personal hair goals? Ask your barber at your next appointment.
Need advice on masculine grooming products? We can help. If you’re looking for that classic, community-oriented barbershop feel, look no further than Hudson / Hawk Barber & Shop. Since launching in 2013, we’ve become the go-to barbershop in numerous Midwestern communities across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. We offer community, conversation, and, of course, quality haircuts. Give us a call if you’d like to schedule an appointment.