The 12 best men's hair styling products demystified
Clays, pomades, sea-salt sprays and styling creams; the ceaseless assortment of hair-tweaking aids at our disposal is frankly exhausting. It’s all very well having an ample mix of options, but the lack of advice on what should be used to achieve a specific hairstyle only leads to further confusion. What does a “paste” do precisely? Is there a product that will offer decent hold but is easy to wash out?
The first thing to consider when buying a styling product is to determine what look you are hoping to achieve and what you have to work with; specific products suit certain lengths, textures and conditions of hair better than others. All styling aids offer some level of hold but can be divided into two camps: those that offer a healthy-looking shine and smooth flyaways; and those that give a matte, choppy texture.
Sea Salt Paste £14 by Murdock; Surf Spray £12 by Bumble and Bumble; Matte Up Matte Wax Light £6.99 by Fudge Urban at Superdrug; Clay Pomade £14.50 by Firsthand Supply; Texturising Hair Styling Spray £9 by Horace; Matte Clay £15.20 by American Crew
If you’re after the smooth-operator look, Creme With Silk Groom by Kiehl’s is a classic. Better suited to hair that is mid-to-longer length, it adds lustrous shine without leaving any greasy residue. Almost Everything Cream from Hershesons would be my tip for black hair or those with coarse, dry and damaged strands.
Classic Pomade £19.95 by Daimon Barber; Hair Cream £18 by Ruffians; Creme With Silk Groom £28 by Kiehl’s; Ponsonby Pomade From £9.95 by Triumph & Disaster; Almost Everything Cream £10 by Hershesons; Anti-frizz Cream £18.25 by Label.M
Traditional pomades also fall into this category. Better suited to shorter styles they offer more structure, so great for slicking back hair in a natural way. If matte and rough is your bag, pastes and clays (for shorter styles) and texturising sprays (for mid-length and longer) are the answer. For shorter, more rugged styles, clays will do the job.
