The best men’s hair products: The ones you need to try + expert tips
From wax and gel to pomade, here's our pick of the best hair products for men...
Men’s hair products can make or break your look, so it’s important to know which product is right for your style. Whether it’s a high top fade, a classic comb-over, a towering quiff, or an awesome afro, we’re willing to bet you use hair products for men to style your mane on a daily basis, right?
From wax and gel to pomade, there are tonnes of styling products on the market: but which ones should you be using? Well, we’ve searched high and low, and quizzed Unilever Creative Director and Head Stylist Dan Lynes, to find out the best men’s hair products for styling. Here’s what you need to know…
Editors’ picks: Best men’s hair products
Men’s hair products for: thinning hair
Making the hair look fuller is a lot easier than guys think. The VO5 Extreme Style Thicken Up Gel Foam will help to create volume and it won’t look like you’ve got anything in your hair. If you truly want to hide the fact that your hair looks thinner, get a hairdryer and dry the product in, first and foremost. – Unilever creative director and head stylist Dan Lynes.
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for thinning hair (sigh!). But don’t let that get you down, because there are plenty of men’s hair products on the market that can help to make your mane appear thicker.
Try using a product that swells, like a foam or a mousse, as these will help to add volume and make your hair seem fuller.
Products to try: VO5 Extreme Style Thicken Up Gel Foam – great for all cuts, and easy to work in and wash out. It also provides volume and lift, with light 24HR hold and finish!
Best men’s hair products for: curly hair
Want to define and enhance your curls? You’ll need to need to invest in the best curly hair products for men to achieve the look you’re after.
While there are plenty on the market that do just that, finding a product that doesn’t leave your hair feeling gunky, or make your coils look and feel crispy, has been a struggle – until now…
Products to try: VO5 Extreme Style Casual Control Fluff Tamer – calms hair with natural control and is easy to wash out. Everything your curls need!
Men’s best hair products that are: versatile
Finding that product that can get you through hair transitions is quite important. Something like the TONI&GUY Mens Styling Fibre or the VO5 Texture Extreme Style Texturising Gum – if you’re after a more styled hair look – would see you all the way through from short, to grown-out, long hair. – Dan Lynes.
A lot of men find that some hair products works really well on their hair when it’s short, but don’t do such a great job as it’s growing out.
Investing in a versatile product that will see you through different hair lengths is a great way to save space in your bathroom cabinet (and a few pennies, too!).
Products to try: TONI&GUY Men Styling Fibre and VO5 Texture Extreme Style Texturising Gum – both are ideal for seeing you through your hair transition with ease.
Best hair products for men to: create texture
For a messy men’s hairstyle with attitude, you’ll require lots of hair texture. Which is why we suggest going for hair products for men that are more on the matt side.
Work the product through your hair to help add texture and an undone definition, making for an effortless-looking hairstyle.
Products to try: VO5 Extreme Style Matt Clay – great for short cuts, is easy to work in, adds texture and definition, plus gives hair a matt look!
Men’s hair products for: creating volume
You need things with a little more hard styling, like mousses, gel foams, or sea salt spray [to create volume]. For everyday hair, using one of these products is absolutely fine, but for even more dramatic volume for an evening out, one product on its own isn’t going to do the job: you need to cocktail them together, says Dan Lynes.
Quiff or pompadour fans, to make your hairstyle really stand out, you should be using a product that can withstand hard styling, and that helps to create volume and drama.
Products to try: VO5 Extreme Style Thicken Up Gel Foam and TONI&GUY Men Messy Salt Spray – these will help you build up tonnes of volume and texture, for styles that steal the show!
Men’s best hair products for: strong hold that’s still pliable
For gents who want to achieve slick, neat hairstyles then reach for hair products that have stood the test of time, such as pomade.
There are two main types of pomades: oil-based and water-based – consisting of a waxy substance or, more precisely, an ointment.
The best part is, unlike hair gel, pomades don’t leave your tresses hard and crunchy, but they offer up fairly strong hold that’s still pliable. Credit: @andrewdoeshair
Products to try: TIGI Bed Head Slick Trick Pomade – combines structured hold with inspired shine. Perfect for guys looking for hold and shine in an easy rinse, non-greasy formula.
Best hair products for men: that want undone hair
If you’ve got thick hair and you want to create the illusion of volume, or perhaps you want to enhance your natural curls, choose men’s hair products such as pastes.
We love the softer pastes, to create casually dishevelled looks and touchable styles.
Products to try: Lynx Messy Look Flexible Paste – it can be molded and remolded throughout the day to suit your styling needs!
Best mens hair products to: tame frizz
If you’ve got frizzy hair, then you don’t have to suffer alone. Tame those unruly tresses, by smoothing and calming your frizz with the right products for your hair.
A shine oil works amazingly well to fight frizz, detangle knots, boost shine, add softness and tame flyaways. Credit: @ollypike
Products to try: TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Beautifying Oil – does all of the above for hair that’s manageable and looking on point. Pretty neat, right?
