Best Hair Products for an Attractive Men's Hairstyle

The best hair product is the one that makes your hair look touchable, clean, and shaped without looking hard or greasy. Most men use too much product, then wonder why women keep their hands away from their hair.

Look at your hair before you buy anything.

If your hair is thick and straight, you need a product that gives shape and keeps loose hairs in place. A medium-hold clay or paste usually works well. These products add control without making thick hair look flat.

If your hair is fine, heavy wax can make it look oily. Use a light cream or soft paste instead. Put most of the product near the roots, then work the rest through the ends. This adds shape without pressing your hair against your scalp.

If your hair is curly, use a curl cream. It helps the curls hold their shape and cuts down on dry, puffy ends. Rub a small amount into damp hair. Do not rake through your curls for five minutes. That can make them look messy.

If your hair is dry, start with a light leave-in conditioner. Dry hair can look dull and rough under bright lights. A small amount of conditioner makes the hair look smoother before you add a styling product.

Your hair should still look like hair. A woman should see your style, not a thick layer of product.

These products do different jobs.

Clay gives a dry look with strong control. It works well for short hair, messy cuts, and styles with height. Use a small amount. Warm it between your palms until you can spread it with no lumps.

Paste gives medium control and a softer finish. It works well for side parts, short textured hair, and longer hair that needs shape. Paste is often a good first product because it does not make your hair look too stiff.

Wax adds shine and hold. It can work for a neat side part or a slick style. Use less than you think you need. Too much wax can leave your hair shiny at the roots and flat at the top.

Pomade gives the most polished look. Water-based pomade washes out more easily and works well for a clean side part. Oil-based pomade can give more shine, but it may take more than one wash to remove.

Gel gives strong hold, but many men use too much. A thick coat can make your hair look wet and stiff. If you use gel, spread a thin layer through damp hair and shape it at once.

A good product cannot fix a haircut that does not fit your face or hair.

For a short textured cut, use clay or paste. Rub the product into your hands first. Push your hair up and back with your fingers. Then pull out a few small sections near the front. Those sections give the style a loose, natural look.

For a side part, use paste or water-based pomade. Make the part with a comb while your hair is damp. Add a small amount of product. Keep the sides neat, but leave a little movement on top.

For medium-length hair, use cream or a light paste. Too much hold can make the hair look stiff. Apply the product from the middle of your hair to the ends. Do not load the roots with product.

For curly hair, use curl cream and a small amount of light gel if you need more hold. Press the curls with your hands while the hair is damp. Let it dry without brushing it. Brushing dry curls can make them wide and rough.

The style should fit the place you are going. A clean side part may work at a nice restaurant. A loose, textured style may look better at a bar or coffee shop. Your hair should look like it belongs with your clothes.

Start with less than a pea-sized amount. For most short hairstyles, that is enough for the first pass.

Warm the product between your palms. If you can still see thick white spots on your hands, keep rubbing. Then spread the product through your hair from back to front. The back and sides often need more control than the front.

Look in a mirror from the front and side. Check the hair near your temples. Check the back if you can. Add a tiny amount only where the hair sticks out.

One of our students used a full scoop of wax each morning. His hair looked wet by lunch. He switched to a small amount of paste and used his fingers to shape the front. Women started touching his hair when they greeted him. The haircut did not change. The amount of product did.

Wash your hands after styling. Greasy fingers look careless when you touch your phone, clothes, or face.

Women often notice how your hair looks when they stand close to you. Hard, sticky hair can make a close moment feel awkward.

Use a product with a natural or low shine finish if you want a softer look. Keep strong-hold products for styles that truly need them. If your hair can hold its shape with paste, do not use gel.

Wash your hair often enough to remove oil and product. Use shampoo on the scalp, where sweat and oil build up. Use conditioner on the middle and ends. A clean scalp and soft ends make every product work better.

The best male hairstyle looks shaped from a few feet away and natural up close.