Unlocking Your Best Hair: A Comprehensive Guide of Hair Styling Products for Men

Unlocking Your Best Hair: A Comprehensive Guide for Men The right hair products can revolutionize your look. Yet, the search for that perfect match can feel like a lifelong odyssey—lasting until your hair decides to retire.

The dizzying array of styling products available today can leave you spinning. Fear not! With men’s grooming advancing by leaps and bounds, now’s the time to break free from your comfort zone and explore new hairstyling horizons. After all, it’s the roaring 20s—time for a little fun and adventure.

Keep in mind that not every product suits every hair type or style. Some work wonders for thin, straight hair, while others thrive on thick, voluminous locks. In this guide, we’ll dissect every hair product, unravel its purpose, and match it to the right hair type.

TYPES OF HAIR STYLING PRODUCTS:

Pomade:

Pomade, a classic men’s hairstyling product, has become synonymous with grooming. But let’s break it down: pure, unadulterated pomade comes in two forms—oil-based and water-based.

Oil-Based Pomade:

• These old-school pomades have been around since the 18th century.

• Made from grease or petroleum products, they deliver a high-shine, slick look that can be combed back throughout the day (think George Clooney in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” or Jon Hamm in “Mad Men”).

• Ideal for dry hair, as they add oil to the mix and don’t dry as hard or crunchy as water-based alternatives.

• The downside? They’re notoriously challenging to wash out—oil and water don’t mix!

Water-Based Pomade:

• Most modern pomades fall into this category.

• They’re easier to rinse out than oil-based versions.

• Water-based pomades come in various hold strengths and can be matte or high shine.

• Beware: They can leave your hair feeling stiff and crunchy as they dry, especially if applied to damp hair. But running your fingers through your hair will soften them up.

Who Should Use Pomade? Pomade suits all hair types—whether thin or thick. For short to medium classic styles like side parts, combovers, pompadours, and quiffs, pomade is your go-to for a polished look. Whether oil-based or water-based, it’s time to elevate your style!

Wax:

Hair wax, crafted from ingredients like beeswax, carnauba wax, and lanolin, offers a versatile solution for your grooming needs.

• Hold: Ranging from low to medium.

• Shine: Medium to high.

While technically suitable for any hairstyle, wax truly shines when creating those trendy, messy, textured bed-head looks that gained popularity around 2010.

Application Tips:

• Apply wax to dry hair, focusing on areas that need shaping and control.

• Enjoy the flexibility to re-shape your hair throughout the day.

Who Should Use Wax? Men with thicker hair—naturally lifted and self-holding—will appreciate wax. Use it on dry hair for added texture and a carefree look. However, if you require more hold or structural integrity for a specific style, consider other products.

Styling Paste:

Styling paste is a must-have in your grooming arsenal. This versatile product works well for almost every hairstyle and can be used solo or in combination with other products.

Key Features:

• Hold: Ranging from medium to high hold.

• Shine: Offering a low to medium shine.

Application Tips:

When using styling paste, a little goes a long way. Apply a small amount to achieve your desired style and hold. Not only does it provide separation and flexibility, but it also adds volume and texture—especially if you apply it before blow-drying.

Most pastes are water-based, making them easy to rinse out without clumping. If you opt for a thicker paste, simply rub it between your palms to soften it before evenly distributing it through your hair.

Who Should Use Styling Paste? Everyone! Whether you have thin or thick hair, styling paste provides the hold and flexibility you need. Use it solo or pair it with other texturizing products (like sea salt spray) for added volume. Say goodbye to unruly hair—it’s time to rock your desired look!

Hair Clay:

Hair clay and hair wax share similarities, often featuring beeswax as a common ingredient. But let’s break it down without causing a mental whirlwind.

Wax vs. Clay: The Basics

• Wax: More shine, less hold.

• Hair Clay: Matte finish, higher hold.

Ideal for Textured Styles

Like wax, hair clay is perfect for achieving that textured, bed-head look. However, it’s especially beneficial for men with thinner, straight hair that tends to fall flat. Why? Because hair clay provides more hold than wax. For extra lift, focus on applying clay to the roots—avoid the entire hair shaft to prevent weighing it down.

Taming the Shine

If your hair is naturally oily and shiny, clay is your secret weapon. It tones down excess sheen. Think of it as your anti-gloss solution.

Application Tips

• Similar to pomade, clay works well on both damp and dry hair.
  

Who Should Use Clay? Short to medium length hair folks seeking serious hold without compromising on shine. Perfect for creating those effortlessly messy looks that stay put all day long.

Hair Putty/Mud:

Hair putty and mud are essentially the same product, with the terminology varying by brand. Often mistaken for hair paste due to their similar consistency and hold, these styling aids have distinct features.

Putty Basics:

• Hold: Ranging from medium to high.

• Shine: Minimal to low shine.

Casual and Textured: Putty is perfect for men aiming for a laid-back, easy-going style. Unlike pomade, it adds texture and movement. The more putty you apply, the messier and more disheveled your look can become.

Finishing Touch: Use putty as a finishing product to lock in slicked-back styles.

Who Should Use Putty?

• Ideal for various hair lengths and types.

• Performs exceptionally well on shorter hairstyles, providing texture without the pronounced shine of wax.

Fiber:

Fiber is your go-to styling product when you mean business. Let’s break it down:

Texture and Volume:

• Fiber is robust and pliable, resembling dried-out wax.

• Its tackiness adds volume to your hair, creating a fuller look.

Shine Factor:

• Zero shine—perfect for achieving a natural, messy appearance.

• Say goodbye to glossy locks.

Application Tips: Apply fiber to dry hair for optimal results. Thick-haired folks, this one’s for you! Know this about fiber - it’s a no-nonsense styling product for men who don’t want their hair to budge even slightly during the day. With fiber, your hold remains locked in until you wash the fiber out.

Who Should Use Fiber? Men with short to medium length hairstyles seeking natural-looking texture without any shine. Thick-haired gents, rejoice - less product goes a long way in shaping and holding your style.

Styling Cream:

Styling creams offer a host of benefits, combining flexibility and strength without the stiffness or greasiness associated with wax and pomade.

Ingredients and Appearance:

• Creams typically contain oils and amino acids, resulting in a strong yet flexible, natural appearance.

• Some even double as conditioners, adding moisture to your hair.

Texture Spectrum:

• Creams span the range from lightweight lotions to those with a wax-like consistency.

• Keep in mind that some creams provide a stronger hold than others—choose based on your desired outcome and hairstyle.

• 
  

Who Should Use Cream?

Medium to long hair: Styling cream imparts a healthier look and natural shine. Ideal for managing frizzy hair and guiding it into specific styles while taming unruly strands.

Thin or Fine Hair? No Problem! If you dislike pomade or wax, styling cream is your ally. Lightweight and barely noticeable, it’s a top choice for thin-haired gentlemen seeking effortless style.

Styling Powder/Styling Dust:

Styling powders or Styling Dust have gained popularity for their user-friendly application and compatibility using in dry hair.

Texture and Volume:

• These powders contain silica silylate, a silicone-like material that adheres to hair fibers.

• By creating friction between the fibers, styling powders add volume.

• Bonus: They also absorb excess oil, further enhancing that voluminous effect.

Texture vs. Crunchiness:

• Some powders may leave your hair feeling slightly crunchy and stiff.

• If you have coarse, dry-prone hair, consider other options.
  

Who Should Use Powder/Dust? Men with fine, straight hair: Styling powder delivers texture and volume. While it shines in short to medium hairstyles, even gents with thin, long hair can find success with it.

Sea Salt Spray:

Sea salt spray has taken the hairstyling world by storm, and it’s no wonder why.

Sea Salt Spray Basics:

• Hold: Very low hold

• Shine: Low shine.

• Hold and Softness: Sea salt spray provides a touch of hold without compromising softness. Unlike pomades or clays, it lets your hair move freely.

• Texture and Volume: Sea salt spray adds oomph and body.

• Enhanced Curls: It works wonders for natural curl patterns.

• Oil Removal: Say goodbye to excess oil and lifeless hair.

• Why Oil Removal Matters: Accumulated oil and products weigh down hair shafts. Clumping and matting occur when hair gets too oily. Sea salt spray lightens strands, allowing for more volume.

• Oily Scalp? You’re Covered: Excess oil? Sea salt spray to the rescue!

Who Should Use Sea Salt Spray? Men with short, medium, and long hairstyles. Pair it with Styling Wax/Putty/Clay or Fibre for short hair or let it enhance your waves in longer styles.

Hair Gel:

Hair gel—a staple from the 80s and 90s—may evoke memories of spiky, rock-hard hairstyles and frosted-tip teens haunting shopping malls. But fear not, because gel has evolved.

Gel Basics:

• Hold: medium to super high hold

• Shine: medium to super high shine
  

The Not-So-Great Past: Traditional hair gels, laden with alcohol, left hair parched, brittle, and helmet-like. Thankfully, times have changed.

Gooey Cousins and Wet Looks:

• Modern gels resemble pomade’s gooey cousin.

• They offer a slick, wet appearance—greasy or matte, your call.

• The key takeaway? Gels have transformed.
  

90s Kids, Listen Up:

• Feeling nostalgic? Dip your toes back into the gel game.

• Opt for a flexible hold gel—it keeps your style intact while allowing midday tweaks.
  

Who Should Embrace Gel? Short to medium hair lengths: Gel adds oomph and shine. Even men with longer locks can find a suitable gel. Thick, dense hair? Gel’s got your back. Thin-haired gents, gel is not for you so consider other styling producsts

MOUSSE:

Mousse, once synonymous with 80s and 90s crunchy “big hair,” has quietly reinvented itself.

Mousse Basics:

• Hold: medium to high hold

• Shine: medium to high shine

• Nostalgia and Evolution: Mousse’s heyday may have passed, but it’s making a comeback.

• Volume and Control: Mousse delivers both. Holds your style without the greasiness.
  

Application Tips:

• Begin with clean, damp hair.

• Roots Up! Apply mousse primarily to the roots. Tilt your head over and spread upward for maximum volume.

• Less Is More: Remember, a little mousse goes a long way. Start with a golf ball-sized amount and adjust as needed.

• Rub the foam between your palms and distribute evenly.

• Focusing on roots prevents greasy mishaps.

• Caution: Not Too Crunchy! Mousse can stiffen hair if overused. Moderation is key.

Who Should Embrace Mousse? Medium to long hair: Find the right mousse for your hair type. Correct application is half the battle—master it!

HAIR SPRAY:

Once upon a time, hair spray reigned supreme—the go-to styling product for achieving gravity-defying looks. But let’s set the record straight: hair spray deserves a second chance.

Versatility Unleashed:

• Hair spray isn’t a one-trick pony.

• Use it solo or alongside other styling products like paste or pomade.

• But its true magic? As the ultimate finishing touch.

Volume and Vitality:

• Hair spray pumps up the volume.

• Thin hair? Fear not—it sustains that much-needed fullness.

• Apply to the outer layer or deep into the roots for lift.

Humidity Hero:

• When humidity threatens your style, hair spray swoops in.

• No more limp locks—just reliable hold.

Hold Levels Demystified:

• Flexible Hold: For longer hairstyles—bounce without frizz.

• Medium Hold: Volume without stiffness.

• Maximum Hold: Lock it in—definition and texture intact.

Who’s the Ideal Candidate? Men with thinner, medium-length hair: Boost staying power. If your pompadour defies gravity, hair spray ensures it stays sky-high all day.

THE BEST PRODUCTS FOR EACH HAIR TYPE

STRAIGHT HAIR:

• Almost any styling product works for straight hair.

• Choose based on your desired hairstyle.

• Add volume with pomades, gels, or hair putty, clay, and wax.

• Use hairspray to hold your style.

WAVY HAIR:

• Pomade and creams provide a slightly wet finish.

• High-moisture hair spray holds your style.

• Avoid gels, clays, and waxes that can dry out hair.

CURLY HAIR:

• Curly hair needs moisture.

• Opt for low-hold products to reduce frizz.

• Pomades, styling cream, and balms work well.

KINKY HAIR (similar to curly hair, but smaller and tighter curls):

• Use moisturizing products.

• Styling cream and oils keep hair nourished.

THIN HAIR:

• Focus on volume and texture.

• Water-based products (gels, mousse, creams) work best.

• Sea Salt Spray is great, especially for oily hair.

• Avoid heavy products like wax, pomade, and clay.

THICK HAIR:

• Use pomades, clays, and waxes for strong hold.

• Salt spray adds texture and hold.

SHORT HAIR:

• Most styling products work.

• Prioritize products that provide texture.

LONG HAIR:

• Gradually shift to conditioning products.

• Lightweight options like Sea Salt Spray and sugar sprays work well.

• Use leave-in conditioners, serums, and oils for hydration.

I get that his is all alot of information for you to take in... If you are still not sure what product is suitable for your hair type, send a message through to Naked Barber Melbourne. Better yet, book a session and get a professional service,