Men's Hair Styling Products Explained

Pomades, Pastes, Clays, and Gels - navigating your way through the plethora of male grooming products can be tough but finding the right product for your hair and desired style is the most important part of recreating that fresh out of the barbershop look.

If you are short on time and are wanting to know what Uppercut Deluxe product is best for you take this quick survey.

If you have a little bit more time on your hands, this article will explain the difference between the different types of styling products and their use.

The two basic aspects that differentiate styling products are HOLD and SHINE.

HOLD refers to the staying power of the product. How well it will hold your hair and how long it will last in your hair.

SHINE refers to the finish the product has on the hair - if it will leave your hair looking shiny or natural.

Types of Men's Hair Products

There is an ocean of different hair products for men, all with different uses and applications. The most popular hair products are;

Pomade
Paste
Creams
Clay
Gel
Texture Powder
Salt Spray

POMADE

Pomade is a broad term for men’s hair products which is actually derived from a French word pommade meaning ointment. Nowadays, Pomade is generally reserved for products that help achieve a tight or slick look with a moderate to a high level of shine.

Pomade’s are now available in a range of holds, density, fragrances all of which will deliver a different result. Finding the Pomade that is best for you can be a matter of trial and error, consulting with your Barber will help fast-track this process.

WHAT HAIRSTYLE IS POMADE BEST FOR?

Pomades are traditionally designed for classic styles, like side parts, slick backs, pomps, and quiffs. Pomades perform best when applied generously to slightly damp hair before being thoroughly combed through the hair and styled into place.

WHAT HAIR IS POMADE BEST FOR?

The best thing about Pomade is its diversity. Pomade can really be used in any type of hair, from straight to curly, fine or thick. Pomades are designed to coat the hair completely and make the hair moldable and allowing for it to be set into place.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WATER BASED AND OIL BASED POMADES?

When a Pomade is ‘water-based’ it means that water is the main ingredient in the product. This also means that the product is more likely to be water-soluble.

When applied to the hair, the water will evaporate, allowing the holding ingredients to ‘set’ locking your hair in place.

Comparatively ‘Oil Based’ Pomades, like Monster Hold, contain oil or wax elements that do not evaporate. These Pomades tend to be more traditional with greater hold and higher shine. Oil Based Pomades will leave your hair looking slick and slightly waxy, but you will be able to rework your hair throughout the day.

The most important thing to note about Oil Based Pomades is that they don’t wash out easily. To completely remove the product from your hair, you’ll need to complete a full wash cycle (or maybe even two). If you’re looking for a faster fix, check out our Degreaser – a shampoo that’s sure to remove any product build-up from your hair in a single wash.

DELUXE POMADE V MATTE POMADE

Matte Pomade is a modern approach to a traditional Pomade. Designed to perform exactly like our crowd favourite Deluxe Pomade, just without the shine.

Matte Pomade is the perfect option for anyone looking for a classic style, but with a no-shine finish, making the look more casual.

Deluxe Pomade is the original product in the Uppercut Deluxe range. A favourite amongst barbers all over the world, our Deluxe Pomade has a strong hold with high shine, making it perfect for old-school looks like side parts, slick backs and pomps.


CLASSIC SLICK BACK STYLED WITH DELUXE POMADE	TAPERED SIDE PART STYLED WITH MATTE POMADE	TRADITIONAL SIDE PART STYLED WITH MONSTER HOLD
SHOP DELUXE POMADE	SHOP MATTE POMADE	SHOP MONSTER HOLD

HAIR STYLING PASTE

Hair Paste, like Uppercut Deluxe Featherweight, is another form of a Men’s hairstyling product. Hair Pastes and Putties are generally thicker and tackier than Pomades.

Most Pastes on the market provide a medium hold and a natural to medium shine. This makes the products very versatile and great for adding volume, texture, and hold to a wide range of styles.

Since these products are generally water based, they will set firm to lock the style in place.

WHAT HAIRSTYLE IS HAIR PASTE BEST FOR?

Paste is best used for creating texture and volume while adding hold.

Think modern takes on Quiffs and Pomps with plenty of texture and spikes.

WHAT HAIR TYPES ARE BEST FOR PASTE?

Pastes will work in any length of hair, but performs best in short or medium length hair. Pastes are great for thicker hair that needs controlling.

NATURAL POMP STYLED WITH FEATHERWEIGHT

MESSY QUIFF STYLED WITH FEATHERWEIGHT

HIGH AND LOOSE POMP STYLED WITH FEATHERWEIGHT

SHOP FEATHERWEIGHT

HAIR CREAM

Hair Creams are another option for styling men’s hair. Creams, like Easy Hold, are low fuss products that are easy to apply, wash out and style with.

Cream’s generally offer light hold and keep the hair looking natural. They will give the hair a fuller appearance while keeping it nice and tidy.

WHAT HAIRSTYLE IS HAIR CREAM BEST FOR?

Creams are best used for natural looking styles that only need a little bit of control or help.

These products work great for modern styles like Crops but can also be used for longer styles with light control.

WHAT HAIR TYPES ARE BEST FOR STYLING CREAM?

Hair Creams can truly work in all types of hair. From curly to dead straight, Creams will add light control and keep your hair looking on point.

Thin hair types can especially benefit from hair creams as they give the hair a fuller appearance.

TEXTURED CROP STYLED WITH EASY HOLD

MESSY POMP STYLED WITH EASY HOLD

NATURAL CROP STYLED WITH EASY HOLD

SHOP EASY HOLD

HAIR CLAY

Hair Clays are one of the more popular types of products for styling men’s hair. Named Clay due to their consistency, some products, like Uppercut Deluxe Clay, actually contain forms of natural Clays!

Clays are traditionally wax based, however, there are now a few products on the market, like Uppercut Deluxe Clay, boasting a hybrid formula.

Clays tend to have a heavy hold and a natural or low shine finish. These products are forgiving and easy to create natural looking styles without sacrificing hold or control.

WHAT HAIRSTYLE IS BEST FOR CLAY?

Hairstyling Clay’s are best used to create modern styles that are full of Texture.

Clay will help control the style, add texture all while keeping the hair looking natural.

WHAT HAIR TYPES ARE BEST FOR CLAY?

Clays will work in straight and wavy hair types.

Depending on the product, it may be a little harder to apply than Pomades and Creams, the most important thing is to start with a small amount of product and add more as needed. Be sure to thoroughly warm it up in your hands before applying!


FADED BED HAIR STYLED WITH CLAY	FEATHERED MULLET STYLED WITH CLAY	LOOSE POMP STYLED WITH CLAY
SHOP CLAY

HAIR GEL

Hair Gel is a bit of a taboo in the Barbering industry. Generally regarded as a chemical laden product, Gels aren’t as popular as they once were.

Gels were HUGE in the 80’s all the way through to the 00’s however have since lost popularity.

Gels are generally water based products that have a lot of hold and leave the hair looking wet or shiny. Due to the alcohol content, Gels tend to completely dry out the hair and scalp resulting in irritability and flaking.

If you are looking for a result similar to Gel, we recommend upgrading to a Pomade.

HOWEVER, there are some fantastic Gels on the market! Used correctly, these products can produce a great result.

WHAT HAIRSTYLE IS BEST FOR GEL?

Gels are best used to lock in textured styles and give them an edge with a ton of shine.

WHAT HAIR TYPES ARE BEST FOR GEL?

Gel can be used in all types of hair but should be avoided if you have thin or fine hair.

TEXTURE POWDER

Texture and Styling Powders are relatively new to the Barbering sphere but are a fantastic product for creating natural looks.

These products are incredibly quick and easy to use. To style, all the user needs to do is add a dusting to the hair and then rake throughout, shaping into place.

WHAT STYLES ARE BEST FOR TEXTURE POWDER?

As the name suggests, Texture Powders are designed to create texture. However, these products are great for adding lightweight hold to natural looking styles.

WHAT TYPES OF HAIR ARE BEST FOR TEXTURE POWDER?

Texture Powders will work in any hair type but excels in finer or thinning hair since they give the cuticle a thicker and fuller appearance.

BLUNT CROP STYLED WITH STYLING POWDER

TEXTURED MOD CUT STYLED WITH STYLING POWDER

TEXTURED MESSY LOOK STYLED WITH STYLING POWER

SHOP STYLING POWDER

SALT SPRAY

Salt Sprays are nothing new to the hairdressing industry but have only recently started to gain popularity amongst Barbers.

Salt Sprays are designed to mimic the effect that salt water has on hair. But be warned; there are a lot of products on the market that promise that straight from the fresh feeling but will leave you looking and feeling like you’ve taken a chemical bath instead.

Salt Sprays add a light hold, leave a natural shine, and are designed to add body to hair. They also work as great pre-styling products, where the user will apply Salt Spray to the hair, blow dry into shape and then finish with another styling product.

WHAT STYLES ARE BEST FOR SALT SPRAYS?

When used alone, Salt Sprays are best suited to longer, looser looks where the user is only seeking a little bit of control, texture and volume.

If used as a pre-styling product, Salt Sprays are great for adding control while blow-drying and then best finished with a low shine styling product.

WHAT TYPES OF HAIR ARE BEST FOR SALT SPRAY?

Salt Sprays be used in any hair type with varying degrees of effectiveness. If you’re wanting more hold or control from your Salt Spray, simply add more.

Salt Spray is a great option for anyone wanting to tame fly aways or control frizz, without needing to use a heavy styling product.