The Best Of The Best
I’ve always been a merchandiser’s dream: if anything is hyped or new on the market then you can guarantee I will either need to buy it or, at the very least, try it.
As a stylist, I have used hundreds of different lotions and potions over the years, but there are certain hair products that I just can’t live without. Some of these are new, ground breaking releases while others are classics that have stood the test of time.
Yet when it comes to picking the very best hair products on the market, it all boils down to personal preference. What works for one man or hair type might not be suitable for another, and it’s this reason why I think many men would often be better off simply trying a new product, rather than undergoing a dramatic change of hairstyle.
There is so much we can do with our hair, and even the smallest alteration to your current grooming routine can produce completely different results. With this in mind, today I’m going to showcase what I personally consider to be the ten best men’s hair products currently available, based on personal experience and client feedback.
Why not add a couple of these to your bathroom cabinet and see if you notice the improvement?
American Crew 3-In-1
The majority of all-in-one products are generally seen as a waste of time and money, because they don’t really do your hair much good; they tend to leave it feeling dry and unconditioned.
However, American Crew’s 3-In-1 (a shampoo, conditioner and body wash) is the exception and actually leaves your hair and body feeling clean and moisturised. Perfect for men looking to streamline their grooming routine and ideal for taking on holiday or keeping in your gym bag.
Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Shape Paste
One of my all time favourite styling products, Shu Uemura’s Art Of Hair Shape Paste is highly versatile and delivers long-lasting style and definition for medium to thick hair types.
Offering a matte finish and strong hold that’s perfect for short to mid length hair, what I love about this product is that it doesn’t feel dry – when it’s applied the hair absorbs the moisture, which prevents it from looking greasy or tacky.
This paste is ideal for disheveled cuts and hairstyles that are smooth and structured.
Fudge Skyscraper
Any hairspray will do, right? Wrong. Your choice of hairspray can make or break your finished look.
So many hairsprays on the market cause your hair to appear wet or crispy. Fudge Skyscraper, on the other hand, offers superb hold (hence the name skyscraper) without the shiny, gloss effect – so if you’re looking to hold that quiff or pompadour as high as possible, this will do the trick.
Not only that, the size of the can is huge and lasts ages, offering excellent value for money.
L’Oreal Super Dust
Hair powder has revolutionised the way many guys style their hair, and after trying several different versions this one from L’Oreal has come out on top for me.
The purpose of a powder is to create support for the style – simply sprinkle some into the root of the hair for instant volume and control.
Super Dust offers an extremely strong hold that lasts all day and can even be used before applying another finishing product (such as a slick pomade).
I also find this product absorbs some of the hair’s natural oils, making it a great option if your hair tends to become greasy quickly.
Kevin Murphy Hair Resort
This is, without a doubt, my all time favourite product and the one I have used on my own hair for the past eight years.
You can see and feel the difference from the very first time you use it. Hair Resort is a lotion that is applied to towel dried hair and can be blow dried in or left to dry naturally for a textured, beach hair effect.
It works on any hair type – giving fine hair a thicker, fuller feel and appearance while creating texture and separation on thick hair – and length. Yet no matter how long your hair is, I would always recommend using a small amount to prevent it from appearing greasy.
So, if you’re looking for a lived-in, grungy, beachy, unkempt look, this is the perfect product for you. It’s like the best salt spray you can buy, but in liquid form.
Aveda Control Paste
This all-rounder is a great product if you want hold and shine. Offers loads of texture without appearing greasy on the majority of hair types, but may be a little too heavy for fine hair. It also looks best used on short to mid length styles.
What I personally love most about this paste is its ability to control wavy or unmanageable hair, and keep it in place too.
In terms of application, use on dry hair. Oil and water don’t mix, so always apply ANY shine product to totally dry hair – if not it will simply sit on top of the hair and seal in the moisture, making it look dark and oily.
Overall, this is a great styling product for those with curls or hard to control hair.
Revita Shampoo & Conditioner For Hair Loss
Arguably the best shampoo and conditioner for hair loss on the market, we sell a lot of these in our salon. They work best if used in conjunction with Revita’s DNC-N, which is a spray to aid the prevention of hair loss.
This shampoo and conditioner combination needs to be used regularly for a minimum of three months, after which Revita claim that 98 per cent of guys notice their hair is thicker and stronger. The active ingredients are specially designed to maintain scalp vitality and act in follicle dysfunctions in order to achieve the best results in a short period of time.
Currently, this is the only shampoo product on the market that combines an anti-DHT (DHT is a hormone and the primary cause of hair loss) action with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It also increases the diameter of hair strands (making hair appear thicker) while gently cleansing the scalp, leaving the hair soft with a pleasant smell.
Furthermore, this range comes with a full money back guarantee if you don’t notice any difference after using it for three months.
However, before you part with your hard-earned cash, it’s important to point out that this isn’t a miracle cure or designed to regrow hair – it simply provides the ideal conditions for hair to thrive, while giving the appearance of fuller, thicker hair.
Only two products/drugs have been officially FDA-approved for hair loss, Minoxidil (the active ingredient in products like Regaine) and Proscar/Finasteride, so if you are looking for something stronger that has the potential to help deal with male pattern baldness, you should research both of these areas thoroughly.
American Crew Superglue
Like no other product on the market and so easy to use. This super strong gel is ideal for slick styles that require loads of hold and support.
American Crew Superglue can be applied to wet or dry hair, but if your hair doesn’t need smoothing then I would suggest applying a decent amount onto damp hair and combing through. A Denman Be-Bop brush is perfect for this and a styling tool I would highly recommend adding to your grooming arsenal.
This product will keep your style in place all day without flaking and, best of all, no hair dryer is required – perfect for when you go on holiday or to a festival.
Mr Natty Pomade
This medium shine product offers a strong hold and groomed finish. Ideal for shorter hairstyles such as pompadours and quiffs, it can even be used on shaved heads and super short fades.
Some pomades can feel heavy or greasy on the hair but this one from Mr Natty is actually quite light and will keep your style in place all day. Also features a nice Parma Violet scent that’s not too strong or overpowering.
This product can be applied to totally dry hair but I think it works best if there is a small amount of moisture – this produces a slicker effect and makes your style look sharper.
Apothecary 87 Milly’s Vanilla & Mango Beard Oil
Beards have developed into a major grooming trend over the past couple of years, but many men still aren’t sure how to look after one properly. Facial hair is often much coarser than the hair on your head and therefore needs to be tamed and conditioned regularly.
Milly’s beard oil is one of the best on the market and designed to keep both your beard and skin soft, moisturised and smelling great. Not only that, when rubbed in it will also help promote a healthier, faster and stronger hair growth.
How do you use it? Once you have washed your beard, dry it with a towel, add a few small drops of oil to the palm of your hand and rub them together; work the oil through the beard by rubbing it into your skin, then run your hands over your entire beard to coat the hair strands.
