Pomade, Clay, or Paste?
Men’s Hair Product Guide
From pomades and clays to styling pastes and salt sprays, men’s styling products each have their own purpose. This guide shows you how to pick the right one for your style.
Pomade
Pomade is a classic hair styling product known for its shine and flexible hold. Traditionally oil-based, but now mostly water-based, pomades keep hair slick, neat, and re-style able throughout the day.
Finish: medium to high shine
Hold: light to strong, depending on type
Best for: slick backs, pompadours, and side part
Pomade remains a staple in barbershops worldwide, especially for those chasing vintage-inspired looks with a modern twist.
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Clay
Hair clay is made with natural clays such as bentonite or kaolin, giving a dry, matte finish with strong hold. It thickens individual hair strands, adding volume and texture.
- Finish: matte
- Hold: medium to strong
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Best for: messy, natural, textured hairstyles
Clay has grown in popularity with modern barbers because it creates effortless styles that suit casual, urban looks.
Cream
Styling creams are lightweight, soft, and conditioning. They often contain natural oils and polymers, giving hair shape without stiffness. Perfect for taming frizz and creating natural movement.
- Finish: natural shine
- Hold: light to medium
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Best for: longer hair, waves, relaxed professional styles
Cream is often chosen by men who don’t want to “look like they’re wearing product” but still want control and polish.
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Spray
Styling sprays come in forms like sea salt spray or volumising spray. They add grit, lift, and texture without weighing hair down. Sea salt sprays are especially popular because they mimic the effect of saltwater on hair.
- Finish: natural, textured
- Hold: light
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Best for: beachy waves, adding pre-styling volume
Sprays are often used as a base layer before clays, creams, or powders to enhance styling results.
Powder
Hair styling powders are silica- or starch-based, lightweight, and absorbent. They create instant root lift and a dry texture, making them perfect for fine or thinning hair.
- Finish: matte
- Hold: light to medium (buildable)
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Best for: messy, textured, effortless looks
Powders are the go-to for quick touch-ups, and they’ve exploded in popularity on TikTok for their instant, dramatic effect.
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Wax
Hair wax is a pliable product that uses waxes (like beeswax or lanolin) as the base, giving strong, reworkable hold without the stiffness of gels. It allows for definition and separation.
- Finish: low to medium shine
- Hold: medium to strong
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Best for: spiky styles, defined short cuts, casual looks with movement
Wax is one of the most versatile modern products, commonly used in Asian and K-pop styling where definition and flexible hold are essential.