How to Use Hair Cream for Men: A Complete Guide
Breaking down what hair cream for men is, how to use it and why you'll love it.
After styling products that are going to give you that slick, styled finish, but hate looking like you’ve got too much product in your hair? You may well find the answer lies inside a tub (or tube) of hair cream for men.
Often overlooked for its more well-known cousins – gels and pomades – hair cream is actually a very versatile and easy-to-use product – and it’s fast becoming every gentleman’s new bathroom cupboard essential, thanks to its natural results.
Never used a men’s hair cream before? Read on and discover how you can use it to groom your hair to perfection.
What is hair cream for men?
As its name suggests, hair cream is a styling product with a cream-like consistency. Less widely used as pomades and gels, it might seem like a relatively new kid on the block, (which may explain why you haven’t heard of it yet), but believe it or not, this product has been around since the 1920s.
Hair cream for men has undergone quite a transformation from the slick, greasy versions used in days gone by, and nowadays they offer hair a natural-looking, light to medium hold.
What’s so great about it?
So, what sets hair cream for men apart from other styling products? Well, it gives hair a flexible, light hold and just a little bit of a shine – perfect if you’re after a hairstyle that doesn’t look like it’s been too heavily styled.
It’s also ideal for helping to tame flyaways and provides hold without any stiffness.
Who is it for?
Anyone. But it works well on slightly longer mid-hair lengths, as well as bringing out the best in curly or coily textures. If you tend to go for looks that require lots of hold, (high quiffs or pompadours, for example) you’ll need something a bit stronger.
How do I use it?
Take a small amount (roughly a fingertip-sized amount of product, add more depending on your hair length and texture), and rub it in between your palms.
Remember, always start out with less than you think you need, because it’s a whole lot easier to add more if you need it, than it is to wash out and start again.
Rake the product through dry hair using your hands and concentrate on working the cream evenly throughout. Then style your hair using your hands to achieve more of a casual, textured look, or grab your comb for more of a polished/groomed finish.
Alternatively, it can also be used on damp hair too before blow drying.
Editor’s tip: For curly and afro hair textures, you can work the product into your hair by using a hair sponge. Just rub the cream in with the sponge, using small, circular motions to work it through the hair to define your curls.
The best hair cream for men
Now that we’ve convinced you that hair cream is what your mane is missing, let’s get into our favourites, shall we?
For an undetectable natural finish… Lynx Natural Look Flexible Control Cream
When it comes to everyday styling, the Lynx Natural Look Flexible Control Cream is great for getting that low-key, casual look. It also gives your hair a boost, so if it’s naturally floppy, you’ll be able to style it into position.
For more control… Lynx Adrenaline Super Hold Cream Gel
Want more control? Then try the Lynx Adrenaline Super Hold Cream Gel. This hybrid styling product is a cross between a cream and a gel, giving you the best of both worlds. It offers a lighter cream-like feel with the strength and hold of a gel.
For reworkable hold… VO5 Matt Styling Paste
Hate it when you can’t run your hands through your hair because your styling products are so stiff or sticky? Or maybe you want to be able to change up your look later in the day?
While not *strictly* a cream, the VO5 Matt Styling Paste is unlike most as it comes in a cream formula and allows you to rework your hair throughout the day.
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