If you check the men’s hair care arsenal, the hair wax is one of the best selling products. Users love it because the wax keeps the hairstyle in place for a long time. Applying a hair wax also adds a nice shine to your hair.
You can use hair wax as an alternative to a few other hair styling products such as pomades or gels. It works great for all hair types and hair lengths ranging from thick hair to fine hair and long to short hair.
With a firm setting power, the wax also offers the flexibility to remold your hairstyle in whatever way you wish to.
Since a good hair wax can completely transform your hairstyle, we shortlisted a few factors that you must consider before buying the right wax according to your hair type. They are as follows:
Hold:
The hold provided by a hair wax ranges from light to heavy.
| Hold | Hair Type |
|---|---|
| High | Thick hair type |
| Medium | Straight, Curly, Thin, Thick, or any other hair type |
| Low | Fine or Thin hair type |
Shine
A hair wax offers multiple levels of shine varying from low to high. Since the shine offered by a hair wax is totally your personal choice, you can select the one that meets your requirements.
If you wish to sport a natural look, you should select a wax that offers low shine.
Fragrance and ingredients used to make a hair wax are a few other factors that you should consider before buying a hair wax. To help you buy the best hair wax, we have shared a Buying Guide below. Along with this, we have also shared a styling guide that will help you apply it perfectly and achieve the ideal results.
Also, we have shortlisted 10 best products for you available in the market with a detailed review. This will surely help you finalize the best hair wax according to your hair type. Let’s have a look!
Best Hair Wax Products For Men
| Hair wax | Hold | Shine | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIGI Bed Head for Men | Medium | Matte | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| American Crew Fiber | Medium | Low shine | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Hair Dough Styling Clay For Men | Strong | Matte | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| BluMaan Meraki Hair Wax | Medium | Matte | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| GATSBY MOVING Hair Wax | Strong | Matte | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Old Spice, Fiber Hair Wax | Medium | Moderate | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| ORIBE Rough Luxury Molding Wax | Medium | Matte | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Paul Mitchell Firm Style Dry Wax | Medium | Matte | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Bumble and Bumble Sumo Tech | Strong | Matte | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Brickell Men's Flexible Hold Wax | Medium | Low sine | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Top Hair Wax Products For Men
1. TIGI Bed Head for Men
This is arguably the best hair wax in the market. This product is best to keep your style all day long without the need of any midday touch ups. This is targeted for modern men who would like a well defined hair with a non shimmery finish. Using this cream will give you such effortless style as though you woke like this, maybe this is the reason this is named Bed Head.
This is also great for humid areas. So you do not have to worry about this wax melting down when there is moisture in the air or under the intense sunlight.
Its key ingredients are beeswax and cera carnauba. Beeswax helps to give your hair a massive texture. And cera carnauba is a medium weight wax that helps you to hold your hair for a longer period of time.
This can be used on both dry and damp hair. So you can choose according to your preference
And if all these reasons are not enough for you to get convinced then let me tell you this is the most affordable product in this list.
Product dimension: 1.3 x 0.4 x 2.1 inches, 3.2 ounces
Pros
- No artificial shine
- Good hold
- Adds texture
Cons
- sticky
2. American Crew Fiber
American crew is considered one of the best brands for hair grooming. This is best suited for men with short hair. This brand mentions hair within the range of 1-3 inch will be most benefited.
Just like TIGI Bed Head this also consists of beeswax and lanolin. So this can retain the moisture while styling your hair. This also consists of Cetyl Palmitate that gives you a smooth after-feel.
It has a fibre-like structure which helps to texturize your hair and make it look fuller and thick. This gives a medium hold to your hair with a low shine.
This can also work on both dry and damp hair. So you can cater according to your preferences.
Product Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 1.6 inches ; 3.04 ounces
Pros
- Low shine
- Medium hold
- Matt finish
Cons
- Not suitable for long length
3. Hair Dough Styling Clay For Men
This hair wax paste is aimed for men who are looking to mouldable hairstyles that would last all day long. You should not miss out on the point that this is a wax paste. And a wax paste is more pliable in nature as compared to a hair wax.
This helps you to manipulate your hair into your desired hairstyle that stays all day long. This does not leave behind any residue or shine and gives you a perfect matte look.
This comes with a strong hold so you can be assured that your hair will retain its shape for at least an entire day.
This is water-soluble so this can be easily rinsed with water.
This works on all hair types- short, long, curly or wavy
Pros
- No chemicals
- Pliable
- Matt finish
Cons
- sticky
4. BluMaan Meraki Styling Natural Hair Wax
This moulding wax offers fantastic versatility. This can be used as a pre-styler for more volume, and a post-styler for more hold all-day long.
Other than its application option it can also protect your hair from the intense heat of blow dryers or any other styling devices.
This can be used on any hair length or texture. It will give you a matte finish without weighing down your hair.
This is formulated with three nourishing ingredients. Candelilla wax, this is rich in nutrients and retains moisture of hair and scalp. beeswax , this consists of antioxidants that protects from pollution and heat. castor oil
that helps in hair growth. And this is paraben and sulphate free.
Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.7 x 1.4 inches, 2.88 ounces
Pros
- Can be used as a pre or post styler
- Paraben free
- Does not make our hair look stiff
Con
- It has a sticky texture
5. GATSBY MOVING RUBBER SPIKY EDGE Hair Wax
This is the hardest wax of the moving rubber series and it promises to keep your hair spiked all day long. More than long hair this works best for short hair.
Once applied this will make your soft and spiked. Its stronghold will tame all your unruly and stubborn hair. And because of this toughness is advised to scrub longer as compared to other products to remove all the residue.
But yes if you want really strong spikes you should definitely go for this product.
Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 3.2 x 1.2 inches, 4 ounces
Pros
- Control frizziness
- Strong hold
Cons
- Not suitable for long hair
6. Old Spice, Fiber Hair Wax
Old spice hair wax is formulated in a way that it will not only keep your hair healthy but it will also give it a moderate shine.
Other than this it also offers a flexible hold and an uplift appearance.
This wax is designed to give your hair a moldable look. And the pleasant smell of this wax can last over a month .
This is suitable for all hair types and since this is a water soluble, it makes it easy to rinse off with water.
And let me give you another good reason to buy this, though this wax would give you a good build but it would not weigh down your hair and plus your hair would smell refreshing.
Product Dimensions: 2.9 x 5.2 x 2.4 inches, 7.2 ounces
Pros
- Does not make your hair stiff
- Has a refreshing smell
- Perfect for all hair types
Con
- Takes time to rinse
7. ORIBE Rough Luxury Molding Wax
Our next up product is formulated to add emphasis to the volume and texture to your hair. It can also bring in the smoothness and flexibility to hold your wide style ranges.
This wax is perfect for creating styles that require separation and a semi matte finish. This can ideally be used on layers as it can add levels of volume.
Composed of rose hip, lemon grass, chamomile and balm hint. Ths can add nourishment to your hair.
Item weight: 1.7 ounce
Pros
- Add volume
- Makes your hair soft
- Semi matte finish
Cons
- This product can dry up if not lid properly
8. Paul Mitchell Firm Style Dry Wax
This dry wax can keep hair in a place all day long. It gives you the flexibility of creating texture and mould your hair into your desired style. You can surely feel the confidence when you wear this on your hair and give your hair a controlled style.
This is quite light and it does not weigh down your hair. This you can simply apply on your damp hair using your fingers. Initially take a small amount and work from the ends and move upwards. Brush your hair thoroughly to spread the wax.
Moreover, this is a vegan product and this gives you another reason to buy the product.
Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.8 x 1.4 inches, 3.2 ounces
Pros
- Lightweight
- Pliable
Cons
- If over-applied can feel sticky
9. Bumble and Bumble Sumo Tech
This product is truly versatile. And by this what I mean is this is easy to apply and gets removed very conveniently. It is easy to apply and can also be removed very conveniently. This also makes your hair the ease to restyle it and has a stronghold.
You can mould it and remould it into your desired style and can surely expect it to stay all day long.
This has a low shine and doesn’t make your hair look stiff.
Moreover, this has lanolin Wax which is known to moisturize your hair while you groom it.
Product Dimensions: 6 x 2 x 2 inches, 1.44 ounces
Pros
- Moisturizes your hair
- Doesn’t make it look stiff
Cons
- Liquidy texture
10. Brickell Men’s Flexible Hold Wax
This is a natural wax that gives flexibility to the hold along with natural shine. This can comfortably be used by men of all ages though it is ideally suited for medium to short hair of any hair type.
While giving you a flexible hold. Its key ingredient vitamin E conditiones your hair and castor oil promotes hair growth.
Other than these ingredients this also includes beeswax and shea butter which is 100% natural and 81% organic.
This is not too waxy and can rinse off easily. Its application is also very easy. Just take a small amount and use your fingers to apply it evenly over your hair.
Pros
- Natural wax
- Conditiones hair
- Promotes hair growth
Cons
- If this wax is kept for more than a day, then your hair can be oily
Things To Consider When Buying Hair Wax For Men
Whenever you are planning to buy or test a hair wax, here are a few factors that you should consider. Going through these pointers will also answer all your questions related to hair wax.
1. Hold
Hair wax offer different type of hold ranging from light to heavy. You can decide the hold depending on the thickness of your hair and the style you desire.
High Hold:
If you have thick hair or if you don’t want your hairstyle to get messed up throughout the day, you should select a hair wax that offers high hold strength.
These types of hair waxes help in keeping the hairstyle at place and aims to sustain all the weather conditions. They also help in adding volume and texture to your hair.
Even though the strength offered by these types of wax is strong, they still allow you to restyle your hair. You can simply twist the strands and style them in the desired direction.
However, the hair wax with high hold can sometimes make your hair a bit dry. This makes it difficult to apply and remove the wax from your hair.
Medium Hold:
The hair wax that offers medium hold strength is generally suitable for all the hair types and styles.
The wax allows you to restyle your hair and also makes sure that your hairstyle looks perfect for a minimum of 12 – 24 hours. A hair wax with medium hold strength is considered as an ideal wax for men with curly hair.
These waxes also work well for men with wavy, straight, thick, or any other hair type. If you have a thin hair type, applying these waxes can also add a bit of volume to your hair.
Low Hold:
If you have light or thin hair, applying wax with weak strength can be beneficial for you.
It will help in keeping your hairstyle in place without weighing your strands down. These waxes also help in adding volume to your hair and keep your hair in place against the wind too.
However, the effects of these types of waxes don’t last wax for a very long time when compared to the other types of waxes. These waxes also fail to perform under various weather conditions such as wind or rain.
Thus, it is suggested that you should use it only if you have scanty hair on your scalp. Also, if you have wavy hair and if you wish to only accentuate your look rather than styling it in a different way; you can also use this type of hair wax with low hold strength.
These waxes allow easy restyling as the grip formed by them is less vigorous on your hair than the other two types of hair waxes.
2. Shine
The shine offered by a hair wax varies from brand to brand. The range of shine offered by a hair wax varies from low to high. You can choose one on the basis of your personal preference.
Low Shine
The hair wax that offers low shine is more suitable for natural and subtle looks.
If you are someone who prefers applying a hair product that goes invisible on your hair but still does it job, you should try using a hair wax with low shine or the one that offers a matte finish.
These types of waxes make your hair look healthy, young, and natural. They work great for men with short hair. If your hair color also does not work well with hair products with a shiny finish, you can try using these types of hair waxes.
Not many brands make hair wax with a matte finish. Thus, your options become quite limited.
High Shine
If you love styling your hair in a loud or glitzy way, a hair wax with high shine can be your best friend.
These types of hair waxes with high shine offer a fun and bold look to your hairstyle. If you want to sport this type of look, you can also check the ingredient list and see if they contain any natural oils.
Some natural oils such as coconut oil or olive oil help in providing a high amount of shine to your hair.
The shine of most of the hair waxes range from low to high shine. Nevertheless, none of them make your hair look greasy. Thus, figure out how much shine or sleek would you like to add to hairstyle and then you can buy a hair wax accordingly.
3. Ingredients
There are 3 types of hair waxes for men and they are classified on the basis of the ingredients that they contain. Each type has its own set of advantages so that your hairstyle looks perfect.
The most common types of hair waxes available in the market are as follows:
-
Water-Based Wax
The water-based hair waxes are quite common amongst men. Even though they are called as water-based products, the primary ingredient in the wax in not strictly water.
They either contain candle wax or lanolin as the second ingredient. Some brands even use synthetic.
The water added to this formulation helps the wax in achieving a thinner and comfortable texture. This helps in restyling your hair easily.
However, since there is water in the wax, one of the real concerns that arise is over-evaporation.
The wax dries out quite quickly once you apply it. If you already have dry hair, we would suggest you not to select water-based hair wax.
However, they can be a perfect choice for men who don’t like the typical texture of wax – either they don’t like its feel or they have a sensitive scalp.
-
Lanolin Or Candle Wax
The Lanolin or Candle wax is made using all-natural ingredients and offer a thicker texture. Unlike water-based waxes, these types of waxes don’t dry out much. They also leave a shiny finish to your hair. Since lanolin is an animal product, most vegans prefer using candle wax over it.
When compared to all the other types of waxes, these types of wax leave a shinier finish and don’t dry up your hair much. Thus, this can be a good choice for you if you have dry hair.
3. Synthetic
The synthetic used in the hair wax varies from product to product. However, most of the synthetic-based waxes use either vinyl or similar compounds as its primary component. These synthetic-based waxes are quite stiff when compared to the other types of waxes. They are cheaper than other natural waxes. They can even dry out your skin, if not washed thoroughly.
If you are looking for a decent wax at an affordable price, you can try buying a synthetic hair wax. If you are using it, make sure you don’t keep it on your hair for a long time. Also, wash your scalp and hair properly along with a moisturizer.
However, if you have dry hair or if you are suffering from dandruff, try to avoid using these types of waxes.
4. Volume
Whenever you buy a hair wax for you, you should also check how much volume it adds to your hair, especially if you have naturally flat hair.
You can check for a wax that is made using clay. These clay waxes are mixed with clay clumps that help the wax in sticking to the bottom of the roots of your hair.
It gives a fuller and thicker appearance to your hair. This also helps in improving the color tone of your hair.
However, another thing that you must be aware of is adding clay to a wax formula can sometimes reduce the holding power of the wax.
This can be a drawback for a few but if you wish to go for a messy hairstyle, these types of waxes can be helpful.
5. Scent
Another factor where the hair wax is preferred over other hair styling products is its pleasant fragrance or scent.
To improvise this part, the manufacturers of the hair wax have worked on it and developed a wide range of scents that can appeal to everyone.
Some of the masculine fragrance options available are gentle musk, pine, warm vanilla, etc.
If you wish to use a scented hair wax, try to look for products that are naturally scented using natural oils rather than going for products that use chemicals to create a fragrance.
Alternatively, if you don’t give much preference to scent, you can completely opt this feature out and go for unscented wax options.
To understand how strong or subtle the fragrance is, you can check the reviews of other customers who have already bought the product. Even though the fragrance is a personal choice and the taste of the selection may vary from person to person, you can get a slight knowledge of the product.
6. Price
The price range again depends on how much you are willing to spend on a hair wax.
If you buy a hair wax from a cheap brand or a low-quality product, it is more likely that the wax will dry out quickly and turn flaky after a while.
Even though we won’t suggest you to buy the most expensive options available, you can still buy a decent product from a good brand. These brands mostly contain natural ingredients that don’t harm your natural hair and are easy to style as well.
How to Apply Hair Wax
Once you buy the best hair wax for you, another roadblock that might face is how to apply it correctly so that you get the maximum benefit out of the product. To help you with this, here is a simple tutorial on how you can apply wax to your hair.
1. Damp or Dry Hair?
When compared to dry and damp hair, the hair wax tends to perform better on dry hair.
Applying hair was on wet hair shows certain disadvantages. After the hair dries out, the original outline and the form of your hair change. You might also lose out on the volume when the roots of your hair are wet.
Thus, it is best to apply wax on dry hair. You can then shape your hair in the desired style form and it will surely offer long-lasting results.
2. Don’t use a lot of product at once
Always start by applying a little amount of wax to get the desired style. A pea-sized amount of the product should be enough for styling your hair.
If you are sporting a complex hairstyle, you might want to use a bit more. But, don’t apply all at once. Start with a small amount initially and then apply more when required.
Applying everything at once can ruin your hairstyle and you might have to start from scratch again.
3. Soften the wax before applying
The hair wax is easy to apply when it is in soft form. The waxes usually have harder consistency. You can heat it a bit to soften it up. To do so, take a small amount of wax in your palm and rub both the hands vigorously until you get rid of the lumps. It is now ready to apply.
4. Apply
Spread it evenly and thinly until it becomes colorless. Also, avoid repeating the application over the same area. One application in an area should be enough.
To start with, apply on the underside of the hair and then move towards the surface and the tips. Arrange your hair in the desired style by twisting the strands. Rather than using a hairbrush or a comb, try to use your fingers to style your hair. You can, however, use a comb for creating partitions.
Note: If you are facing difficulty in maintaining the hold even after applying hair wax, you can use a hairspray finish after you are done styling your hair using wax. You won’t generally need a hairspray after using wax but you can use this hack if whenever you face difficulty while styling.
5. Don’t let the wax touch your scalp
Never allow the wax to touch the scalp otherwise it will make your hair look greasy. It also becomes difficult to wash off the wax from the scalp.
6. Practice and Adjust
Since everyone’s hair type is different, the amount of hair wax required varies from person to person. You might need some practice to figure out the exact amount of product that you would need. While practicing too, always start with a small amount of wax and then add accordingly.
Types of Hair Waxes
Most of the hair wax generally comes in a pot or tin that is easy to use and carry.
However, modern brands have come up with some great alternatives. They come in different shapes and sizes. Some of them are as follows:
1. Spray
People often get confused between hairspray and hair wax in spray form.
The wax spray offers similar flexibility as that of the traditional wax. The only difference is it comes in a spray form. They offer great volume and also allow you to skip the unwanted areas.
2. Stick
The hair wax stick comes like a glue stick in a tube and can be applied directly to your hair.
Even though it does not allow much precision, it can be a great option for those who travel frequently.
3. Gummy wax
The gummy wax is less gooey and waxy than traditional wax. It has a jelly-like consistency.
All these products are pretty new in the market and offer a different type of hold varying from light to strong.
Benefits of Using a Hair Wax
Some of the benefits of using hair wax are as follows:
1. Smoothens
A hair wax is considered as a great styling tool to smoothen your hair. It works great on even wild, frizzy and unruly hair.
2. Nourishes your hair
The modern brands use plenty of nourishing ingredients in the hair wax. Thus, apart from providing a great hold and style, hair wax also provides required vitamins to your scalp and hair.
3. Protect the strands
With a light coating, a hair wax protects your hair from harsh sun, wind, and other factors that can damage your hair.
4. Provides hydration
Applying hair wax can lock in the moisture and keep your mane hydrated. It also prevents your hair from forming split ends and becoming brittle.
5. Allows quick and easy application
Applying hair wax hardly takes any time. It can also be used as a quick fix on those bad hair days.
Out of all the hair styling products, the hair wax provides the quickest and hassle-free application. It is also easy to wash off the product from the hand post-application.
Frequently Asked Questions
When compared to other styling products like hair pomade or gel, the hair wax does not make your hair turn hard. Instead, it allows some movement so that you can restyle your hair, whenever required.
Unlike pomades or hair gels, hair wax allows you to restyle your hair without reapplying it. For complex hairstyles, you might need a little amount of the wax and twist your hair in the shape you desire.
There is no scientific proof that using hair wax causes hair fall. However, applying too much of the product and not washing it off properly can lead to hair thinning.
Since there are a lot of hair styling products available in the market, chances are you might get confused between the names. Some of the other names of hair wax are molding crème, glue, putty, or paste.
If you are looking for authentic wax, you can also check for ingredients like “beeswax” or “Lanolin wax”.
Since many people feel that it is difficult to get rid of the hair wax, here is a simple tip that can be helpful to you. While your hair is still dry, apply some conditioner and comb through it. Now wash out the conditioner with water followed by a shampoo. Here, the conditioner will act as an oily agent that will help in removing the wax easily.
If you feel there’s still some residue of wax left on your hair, you can repeat the process.
Some of the hybrid wax options available in the market are wax pomades. These products provide a hold that is similar to the wax but has a creamy texture like that of pomade. It is a great alternative for men with curly hair. They are not dry on the hair but they might add a shine to your hair which does not happen while you apply a wax.
The spray wax is also a new and interesting concept that adds texture and volume to your hair. Even though it comes in wax form, it performs in the same way as that of a traditional wax.
However, while using hybrid wax, make sure that you read the instructions carefully before applying it directly to your hair.
Hair wax more or less looks like a molten candle wax. It is a bit thicker than hair gel. Once you open the new container, you might have to scrape it a bit using your nails and then use it.
Conclusion
And finally it’s a wrap. If you ask about our best choice then we would go for TIGI Bed Head for Men Matte Separation Workable Wax, 3 Ounce. This wax would give you a medium hold with non shimmery shine. This will help you style your and make it look so natural and effortless.
It is composed with beeswax and cera carnauba. Beeswax gives massive texture. And cera carnauba helps you to hold your hair for a longer period of time.
This can be used on both dry and damp hair. And moreover perfectly fits in the budget.