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The truth is, the right hair product can improve any hairdo. There are several varieties of men’s hair products out there, and each offers a completely different style. Many new products offer laid-back stylizing that’s barely noticeable to the untrained eye, which bucks the tradition of shiny, sticky hair gel that many guys were using in the mid-20th century (although some guys still rock that look).
Looking to nail a messy ‘do, à la Timothée Chalamet? Pick up some texturizing paste. Going for that clean-cut Don Draper look? Grab a pomade. In short, men’s hair products aren’t just for peacocks: they’re something every guy can use to be more attractive.
What You Need to Know Before Buying a New Hair Product
Although there are seemingly endless men’s hair products out there, they all exist on an axis of just two features: shine and hold. If you can figure out the right balance of shine and hold for your desired ‘do, shopping gets easy.
Shine: If a hair product is high shine, it’ll make your hair look sleek, slightly wet and, well, shiny. High shine is great for classic crop haircuts inspired by the fifties and sixties, and usually comes in the form of gels or sprays. However, a truly high-shine product is usually too much for the average dude. Instead, most modern guys are opting for low shine (often labeled “matte”) hair products such as texturizing clay, powders and creams.
Hold: The main purpose of a hair product is to control your mane, giving you more control over how it’s styled. High-hold clays, putties and pomades will keep your hair exactly where you styled it in the morning, even through exercise and wind.
Using a medium or low-hold hair product might seem unnecessary, but that’s what many dudes are using today. These low-hold products give just enough control to refine your hairstyle (or give it a perfectly messy look) without appearing like you’re using any product at all. In other words, you get to decide when you have a great hair day.
How to Use: Once you pick a product, remember to experiment a little bit. Put a dime-sized amount in between your palms and rub the product between your fingers. Work the product into the hair using your fingers to smooth out frizz and tame fly-aways, while you comb, blow-dry or finger-style your look. Use different amounts and try applying the product when your hair is damp and also when it’s dry to see what works best. Damp application will lead to more pliability throughout the day, while dry application will stay in place.
To help find the right hair product we’ve rounded up four options that will work for almost any guy. The products are each meant for very different looks, but all are proven performers.
