The best hair styling products for men make our morning routine quick, efficient and effortless, just like in the movies. (We’re aiming for the classic “squeeze some product between your palms, run it through your hair, touch up a thing or two in the mirror, and head out the door.”) This kind of groundbreaking, effortless grooming is on a man’s level. Style certainly doesn’t happen by accident, but you don’t need a director to achieve it either. It’s all about using the right products for your hair and the look you’re going for.
When you finally find the best hair styling products, all is well. For example, when you switch from fiber to cream, you may find that you’re able to get the natural movement touch you’ve always wanted. Going from gel to wax may be the perfect solution for your short hair to get more texture and volume. And then, of course, there are different levels of firmness and shine available within each category.
Whether you’re looking for the most capable product to support your everyday style or something specific to help you create a bold, new look, we’ve been busy testing the latest and greatest to help you find it. Below you’ll find our top picks across a range of categories, so you can peruse them at your leisure and get ready for your close-up.
Are you looking for something specific?
pomade
With its “wet” shine, pomade is your go-to product for creating a classic, sleek look, whether you’re looking to control a messy fade or recreate a loud ’50s pomade style. Pomade can range slightly in strength, so choose one with a firmness that suits your style.
Hair gel
For many of us (especially if you grew up in the ’90s), gel was the gateway to hair styling products. It’s the default product for freezing artistic looks in time – and stabilizing stubborn strands. The gel offers the highest amount of hold, and works best on short to medium hair.
Fiber
Fibers are great for texturizing hair, and are especially suitable for shorter, thicker hair. Easy to control and easy to use, you get high hold – usually with a matte finish, though glossy fibers are also found – and a touch of flexibility to make adjustments on the go.
generous
For medium-length hair, hair cream is a refreshing alternative to pomade or fibers when you want to loosen up control without giving up law and order. (It can also be useful for taming stray hair and preventing frizz in long styles.)
Curl cream
Similar to a leave-in conditioner that infuses your hair with a boost of nutrients and hydration, a curl cream locks in moisture to give your curls and waves long-lasting definition and shine. Curling creams offer different combinations of different proteins, oils and extracts, so choose the formula that suits your hair type.
sticky
When in doubt, it’s hard to go wrong with paste. In addition to improving texture and definition, the adhesive provides excellent flexibility, allowing you to easily shape your style and then make adjustments during the day and night. For short to fine hair, the paste provides lightweight, long-lasting lift.
Hairspray
Hairspray is a secondary product, but it is essential for styling. Hairspray is typically used to finish a look you’ve styled with another product (pomade, for example), as hairspray holds your hair in place with a medium to high hold. It’s also great at protecting carefully styled hair from heat and humidity, so keep some on hand for the summer.
Wax
As with fibres, wax is great for adding texture. It has a slightly shiny finish, and it also has a hydrating quality, so you’ll get a little extra volume to go along with it staying put all day long. This means that wax works particularly well for short hair up to about an inch long (although it can also be used to finish longer styles).
Moss
Like a great boxer, a razor’s strength lies in its strength-to-weight ratio. Lighter than gel or cream, this versatile styler has a powerful set of three holes, adding volume, lift and hold. Mousse is available for all hair types, whether your hair is straight, wavy or curly; It’s also a great choice for thin, fine or flat hair.
pride
Clay is similar in texture to cream or fiber, but has a greater consistency. This means less flexibility to rework your style throughout the day, but also the assurance that everything will remain as you left it. Use it for a short cut when you prefer a more natural look than gel.
