Styling

The market for men’s styling products, shaving, and shampoos and conditioners is booming. Men are spending more time going to salons or at home, getting their hair done, and paying attention to their reflection in the mirror. Even the trendy “just rolled out of bed” looks take a lot of work — and a good dollop of styling product.

With the increase in the men’s grooming market, there are many new products out there. Gone are the days of just grabbing a bottle of gel, now there are dozens of other styling options for men these days. But which product to choose?

Well let’s start by placing all styling products into one of two categories, fixatives and pliables. Fixatives are products that dry hard, usually gels and sprays, while pliables remain flexible, e.g. pomades and waxes. If you want that cute girl at the bar to be running her fingers through your hair later, stay away from the fixatives.

Fixatives
Gels, the most popular fixatives, are normally water based and good for those who want that wet, sleek look. Some cheap supermarket gels have the tendency to break and flake off in the hair, so here its better to opt for a professional gel sold at a salon. When choosing a gel keep in mind that the finer the hair, the lighter the product you should use. Using a firm hold gel on fine hair will weigh it down, while light hold gels on thick, course hair will not offer enough control.

Hair sprays, the other major fixative, are mainly used to lock a style in place. As with gel, finer hair means lighter product. For fine hair, a light spray can be used to give hair a messy texture without weighing the hair down too much.

Pliables
Pomades can be either water or wax based and are used to add shine while maintaining a flexible hold. A pomade will give a wet, shiny look and is a great option for a sleek, well groomed style. This product is also great for shorter, texturized styles where shine is desired and can also give shine and separation to long hair. Pomades tend to be too aggressive for fine hair and can make it look greasy and limp.

Waxes are similar to pomades, but are normally petroleum based. Waxes are great for giving shine and control to short hair cuts. Waxes are also good for managing very thick hair.

Mud pliables, also known as fibers, are great for short, disheveled styles. A mud is really ideal when maximum control is needed. This product type is great for giving texture to short, disheveled styles and for adding separation to long styles.

Creams have the consistency of a soft, opaque wax. These products are lighter and are great for controlling flyaway hair and for giving a bit of shine and control while leaving you looking like you don’t have anything in your hair. For fine hair, use a very small amount to avoid a greasy look. If your hair is curly, a cream is a great option to add shine and keep the curl together.