Hair products for men: The best haircare for short, long, thick, thin and curly styles

Looking for the best hair products for men? We’ve got you covered regardless of what your hair type, texture, and style is

 

I n 2020, the hair products for men market was said to be worth £94million. It’s been such a booming sector that it’s been growing 11% year on year. Plus, as long hair styles for men become ever more popular, the choice of products and brands is also growing exponentially.

 

Aside from shampoo and conditioner, hair products for men are a key part of keeping styles slick, textured, soft, and shiny and they vary from gel, clay, cream, mousse, spray, treatment, and oil.

 

It’s important to understand what hair products suit different types of hair because using the wrong product may not achieve what you want.

 

Also, don’t be afraid to ask your hairstylist or barber what products they’ve used on your hair when you’re in the seat for your regular trim.

 

Below we’ve handpicked the best hair products for men, categorised by the type of hair or hairstyle you’re currently sporting.

 

We’ve also explained more about what kinds of hair products suit which hair types and styles in our Hair Products for Men: What To Look Out For? section

 

Separately, if you’re looking for the best men’s hair products to handle the gradual onset of grey hair, we recently discovered Restoria for Men.

 

The range features an £8.49 styling mousse, styling spray, and cream – designed to suit different hair styles and types – and each one gradually darkens the hair without the use of ammonia or pigment.

 

Instead, they work with the natural chemistry of your hair to gradually and with continued use can reduce the number of grey hairs you have, while making the grey hairs that remain look natural and blended. This is a trend known as Grey Blending and is popular among ageing celebs including the likes of David Beckham.

 

What’s more, because Restoria for Men can be used as part of your daily haircare routine, it makes it an easy way to keep on top of your greying hair while also saving money on hair dye.

 

FURTHER READING: Men’s hair styles: The best men’s hair cuts you need to ask your barber for

 

Best hair products for men

 

Instead of listing the individual products, we’ve divided the categories based on hair product type. Click on the name of the product below to jump straight to the best section for your needs, or browse the full list.

 

If you’re not sure what your hair type is, check out our guide to the different hair types in men and how to tell which type you have

 

Best hair products for men with thin/fine hair: Clay hair products 

 

Best hair products for men with all hair types: Cream hair products

 

Best products for unruly hair: Gel hair products for men 

 

Best hair products for men with slick and long hairstyles: Pomade hair products

 

Best hair products for men with wavy/curly hair: Sea salt sprays

 

Best shampoo for men: Shampoos for all hair types and styles

 

Best hair products for men with thin and fine hair

 

1. Bumble and Bumble Sumoclay – £23
2. Hanz de Funko Claymation – £18
3. American Crew Molding Clay – £14.50
4. Man by Pump Texture Paste – £16

 

Bumble and Bumble Sumoclay

£23 | Buy now

 

This clay product is lightweight and workable. It gives a matte finish to your style and it can be used on long or short hair.

 

As Bumble and Bumble say, Sumoclay instantly creates a rugged look and it’s best to use on dry hair to help revive it between washes. If your hairstyle is currently messy and rugged, this is the perfect product for you.

 

FURTHER READING: The male perm is one of this year’s top men’s hair trends, here’s how to nail the curly look

 

Buy now from Lookfantastic

 

Hanz de Funko Claymation

£18 | Buy now

 

This is such a great hair product for men! Not only does it style effortlessly, but it also contains ingredients specifically designed to help remove build-up on your scalp. Namely lemon peel.

 

It also contains castor seed oil which has been known to promote hair growth. This is a waxy clay texture that gives a natural finish to the hair.

 

It gives high hold but can easily restyle again later on in the day.

 

FURTHER READING: How to prevent hair loss in men

 

Buy now from Lookfantastic

 

American Crew Molding Clay

£14.50 | Buy now

 

American Crew is a classic. This hair product is a great molding clay that gives a high hold with a slight shine to the hair.

 

It contains beeswax, which helps create natural movement in the hair, and with its soft texture, you can touch up hair throughout the day without it feeling dry.

 

The use of beeswax does mean that this men’s hair clay isn’t vegan. If you’re looking for a vegan clay, we recommend the Seven Potions Men’s Hair Styling Clay, available from Amazon.

 

Buy now from Amazon

 

 

Man by Pump Texture Paste

£16 | Buy now

 

Man by Pump Texture Paste is a clay-based wax that provides medium hold.

 

Pump is an Australian haircare brand that has garnered global success because of how effective its products are, and how each of them is free from sulphates/SLS, parabens, phalates, talc and oxybenzones.

 

Not only does this make them better for your hair, but they are also better for the environment too. Man by Pump also sells a Styling Gel for £15, or you can buy both for £27.

 

Buy now from Pump

 

Best hair products for men: Cream products

 

1. American Crew Forming Cream– £11.60
2. L’Oreal Men Expert Barber Club Natural Look Hair Styling Cream – £3.99 

 

American Crew Forming Cream

£11.60 | Buy now

This cream serves to soften and hydrate hair while making it appear fuller and thicker. This is ideal if your hair is starting to thin out somewhat.

 

It gives great hold without the stiffness and the best thing about cream hair products for men, like this one, is that your hair can be restyled at any time. This has a moderate shine to the hair and can be used on damp or dry hair.

 

Buy now from Amazon

 

 

L’Oreal Men Expert Barber Club Natural Look Hair Styling Cream

£3.99 | Buy now

This styling cream can be used on damp or dry hair. It gives texture to the hair and can give the appearance of thicker hair, with a natural shine.

 

The best thing about this cream product is it gives a naturally groomed look.

 

If you have naturally curly hair this also gives great definition. All reviews have loved that it doesn’t have a greasy feel to the hair, it gives great hold all day.

 

Buy now from Boots

 

Best hair products for men with unruly hair: Gel hair products for men

 

1. Jack Black Hard Body Sculpting Hair Gel – £13
2. Bumble and Bumble Sumotech– £24 

 

 

Jack Black Hard Body Sculpting Hair Gel

£13 | Buy now

 

This sculpting gel is long-lasting with a strong hold. It keeps hair in place and it’s long-lasting. Despite being a gel, it isn’t super shiny and gives a natural shine to hair. It’s also quick-drying, so be sure to work fast with this.

 

Its name may make it sound a little harsh on the hair but fear not, it has grapefruit and ginger root to give some zing to the scalp while moisturising the hair, too.

 

Buy now from Lookfantastic

 

Bumble and Bumble Sumotech

£24 | Buy now

Despite being in the gel category in our list of the best hair products for men, Bumble and Bumble’s Sumotech doesn’t have a gel texture. It’s part wax, part cream, part paste but it acts like a gel.

 

Not to be confused with the Bumble and Bumble Sumoclay featured higher up in this list, the Sumotech is a multi-tasker that offers the flexibility of clay with the hold of a gel.

 

It can be used on damp or dry hair and you only need to use a small pea-size amount so, despite its high price, a little goes a long way.

 

Be sure to work quickly with this and it will hold without any fuss, crunchiness, or over-the-top shine.

 

Buy now from Boots

 

Best hair products for men with slick or long hairstyles: Pomade hair products for men

 

1. Uppercut Deluxe Pomade – £13.45
2. Horace Cream Pomade – £11

 

 

Uppercut Deluxe Pomade

£13.45 | Buy now

 

Uppercut’s Deluxe Pomade is super strong and high shine and the great thing about this pomade is that it smooths the hair cuticles, meaning it locks in your hair’s natural oils.

 

It’s great for all hair lengths and textures from straight, to wavy and curly styles.

 

It’s a water-based hair product – which is rare for a pomade – so if you need to restart your style it can be easily washed out and it won’t leave your hair feeling greasy.

 

Buy now from Amazon

 

Horace Cream Pomade 

£11 | Buy now

If you like the feel of pomade in your hair but aren’t keen on the high-shine finish, this wax pomade gives a great matte finish while creating the same effect as shiny versions.

 

It contains Kaolin clays to help fix and hold the style, with sapote butter to strengthen the hair. The great thing about this pomade is that it’s easy to rinse off. It’s also silicone, paraben, and mineral oil-free.

 

Buy now from Horace

 

 

Best hair products for men with wavy/curly hair: Sea Salt Sprays

 

1. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray – £20 
2. Ouai Haircare Wave Spray – £10
   
3. OGX Texturising Leave in Moroccan Sea Salt Spray – £7.49

 

FURTHER READING: The male perm is one of this year’s top men’s hair trends, here’s how to nail the curly look 

 

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray

£20 | Buy now

 

As you can read in our guide to the male perm, whether you have a curly fringe, natural waves or permed locks, this hair product is the perfect spray that gives curly hair definition.

 

Adding texture as well as hair volume, this sea salt spray can be used on damp or dry hair.

 

Just spray and twist the hair to define your curls. If you spray this on damp hair and let it air dry with this product it gives a matte look with absolute minimum effort.

 

Buy now from Boots

 

Ouai Haircare Wave Spray

£10 | Buy now

The formula of Ouai’s Wave Spray uses rice protein instead of salt but it works just as well.

 

It creates a fine mist that gives hair a beachy wave look without any stiffness or crunch. Ingredients contain tamarind seed, keratin, and ama oil to give hair bounce, too.

 

Buy now from Cult Beauty

 

OGX Texture + Moroccan Sea Salt Wave Spray

£7.49 | Buy now

 

This salt spray is infused with Moroccan oil to keep your curls and waves moisturised while the sea salt adds texture.

 

It gives a natural “undone” look to hair and works best on damp hair.

 

Buy now from Amazon

 

 

Hair products for men: What to look for 

 

When it comes to hair products for men you need to consider a number of things – what your hair type is, what type of hold you want, and what type of finish you’re after. If you have thick unruly hair, you’ll be best suited to a thicker product, namely a gel or cream, whereas if your hair is thinning you’ll want something designed to add volume.

 

★ Clay hair products for men

 

Hair type: Thin/Fine hair

 

What does it do? Clay hair products give the hair texture, soft hold and volume. Clay tends to have a grit feel to it, it doesn’t dry hard on the hair or give that crisp feel. It gives a matte look to the hair that is perfect for a relaxed look.

 

★ Cream products for men

 

Hair type: All hair types

 

What does it do? Gives texture, creates whatever look you want without feeling hard. Cream hair products give hair a soft look without the hold that clay can give. Some creams can be soft or closer to the consistency of paste. Cream hair products for men feel smooth when rubbed between fingers or balms of the hand.

 

★ Gel hair products for men

 

Hair type: Medium/thick hair that can be unruly

 

What does it do? Gives extra hold, shine and gives definition to hair. Gel products give great shine to the hair and firm hold. They dry hard and shouldn’t leave any flakey bits on the hair. Gel is ideal for thicker hair. If you have fine/thin hair, it’s best to avoid gel as it can give the appearance of thinning hair. It’s particularly good at helping keep unruly hair in place.

 

★ Pomade hair products for men

 

Hair type: Medium/thick

 

What does it do? Pomade products give a slick and glossy look to the hair. Think 1950s rock ‘n’ roll or the 1930s slick style. Pomades are oil-based to give that slick a high shine. The great thing about pomade is that it doesn’t dry hard and you can change your hairstyle throughout the day. Because it’s oil-based, pomade products might be a little hard to wash out of your hair and, as a word of warning, if you have fine or thin hair, use it extremely sparingly. This is because it can cause these hair types to look greasy.

 

★ Sea salt spray hair products for men

 

Hair type: Natural/wavy hair

 

What does it do? Gives texture and defines the natural curls in the hair, rocking the beach look.

 

 

 

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