In a perfect world, your hair would do exactly what you tell it to. No-fuss, no cowlick, no products or problems.
Unfortunately, whether you’ve got long, curly locks or a short hair, crew cut style, chances are that your hair is pretty unruly and wild.
Table Of Contents
- Top 5 Hair Waxes (Summary)
- 17 Best Hair Waxes for Men on the Market
- What is Hair Wax
- Benefits of Using a Hair Wax
- Features of the Best Hair Wax
- Types of Hair Waxes
- Hair Wax vs Other Styling Options (Alternatives)
- How to Choose the Best Hair Wax
- Good Ingredients To Look For
- Bad Ingredients You Should Avoid
- How to Apply Hair Wax
- How Often Should You Use Hair Wax
- How To Wash Off Wax From Your Hair
- Does Hair Wax Damage Your Hair
- What Are The Side Effects of Using Hair Wax
Top 5 Hair Waxes (Summary)
These are unbiased opinions based on using products in our homes or barbershops. None of the reviews are sponsored or paid to be promoted. Beardoholic is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our site. Thank you.
Image | Product | Details | |
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Longest Lasting HoldTIGI Bed Head |
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Most Flexible HoldOld Spice |
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Best for Sensitive SkinJack Black |
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Dashu |
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Redken Brews |
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Check Current Price |
For more detailed and complete product reviews on benefits and features, keep reading.
If you want to achieve a bold style, you’re going to need the help of some hair products.
Thankfully, the best hair wax is there to help
17 Best Hair Waxes for Men on the Market
1. TIGI Bed Head
TIGI Bed Head is the best hair care product for casual hair styling. It’s made with high-quality materials to give your hair an optimal amount of medium hold.
The beeswax it contains will give your hair a good style and a natural look. TIGI Bed Head is formulated with a mixture of polymers and cera carnauba to provide you with a look you want with no hassle, as these ingredients give every individual strand separation and coating, making your hair more manageable and easier to achieve your desired style.
The TIGI Bed Head wax stays intact even in humid weather and isn’t distorted by the wind, which means you can head out anywhere you like without worrying about the state of your hair. Once applied, it gives your hair a matte finish that makes it look all-natural without leaving behind any annoying or unsightly traces.
With Bed Head wax, you won’t need to keep on fixing your hairdo and you’ll have the confidence you need as it has a pleasant fragrance that’s not overwhelming.
- Long-lasting hold
- Both wind and humidity resistant
- Doesn’t leave a greasy residue
- May not work well on a long hair
2. GATSBY MOVING
With GATSBY MOVING Hair Wax, you can achieve even the most creative and complex hairdos with ease. It has great, medium hold power that keeps your hair the way you want it to be but still allows movement so you can reshape it at any time without hassle.
This item is made with a smoothing polymer that leaves your hair feeling light and gives it a natural, matte finish that doesn’t feel sticky or greasy. A very small amount will go a long way and the effect doesn’t lessen or wear off as the day goes on.
All you need to fix your hair is your fingers. This product won’t leave grease on things it touches, even your pillow if you sleep on it.
It also gives you an easy time in the morning as it rinses right off with water. Additionally, it’s best used daily and can last you up to a whole year if you have short hair.
- High holding power, even if you have a thick hair
- Faint, but pleasant fragrance
- Finish is both resilient and moveable
- May not produce satisfactory results if the hair is too wet
3. Elegance
Elegance Hair Wax allows you to create the styles you want effortlessly. It gives your hair a lot of hold without making it too stiff or greasy, which allows for easy restyling that doesn’t need a comb.
This product is made such that it works great no matter the hair types. It adds volume and body to the hair while also giving it a lustrous shine.
Also, it doesn’t leave any residue and works without stickiness, meaning you won’t need to worry about dirtying any pillows or sofas. It’s formulated to have a long-lasting effect so that it keeps your style intact, even in windy weather.
Not only does it make your hair have a good texture and look, but it also makes it smell good with a light fragrance that doesn’t disturb or overwhelm you. A complaint people usually have about hair products is the flaking and peeling off, which can give a nasty look, but this product is entirely flake-free.
It also makes your work easier at night and in the mornings because it’s not a hassle to get it out and it simply comes off with water.
- Holds your hair in place all-day
- Leaves no residue or flakes on the hair
- Easy to rinse off of the hair
- Not moisture resistant so may not work well in humid weather
4. Paul Mitchell
Paul Mitchell Dry Wax is a great product for styling your hair and keeping it in place throughout the day. It allows you to do a good number of styles, from icy-looking spikes to Italian-style slicked-back hair with ease and efficiency.
You won’t need to matt your hair down and burden it with wax just to get the look you want. You only require a dab of it rubbed between your fingers then worked into your hair to achieve the wanted style.
It’s also quite light and thanks to this, it doesn’t weigh hair down. With this product, you can simply run your hand through your hair and put it back into place and you’re all set.
This wax will give you confidence and fresh looks for the day as it doesn’t dry hair or flake it, giving the appearance of dandruff. Though it holds the hair in place, it also allows for movement, making your hair look more natural.
- Only a small amount is needed for styling
- Doesn’t leave hair feeling oily or greasy
- Remains pliable throughout the day, allowing restyling
- If overapplied, it may cause stickiness or tackiness
5. Old Spice
Old Spice Hair Wax is made with a formula that’ll not only keep your hair healthy but also give you a moderate shine. If you have straight hair, this product is the best you can ask for to meet your styling needs.
Besides the moderate shine, this item also gives the best flexible,medium hold without the stiff appearance and uplifting, pleasant smell that lasts for most of the day.
It’s designed to give your hair a moldable, versatile look and it does this regardless of the hair type or cut you have.
Another good reason why you should start using it is that it doesn’t form build-ups and weigh your hair down. Even where you have a stylish fade cut, this product will hold your spikes up all day.
- Keeps your hair healthy and offers a flexible, medium hold
- Provides a good looking, moderate shine
- Doesn’t form build ups or weigh your hair down
- Requires more time to wash out
6. Blind Barber
Blind Barber Wax is infused with beer hops which are great for styling and are nutrient-rich. That’s why it gives your hair more volume and nourishes your scalp, protecting it against peeling and dandruff.
It’s designed to give your hair medium hold which keeps it in shape, but also leaves it workable so if you have a change of mind about your hairstyle once you’ve left the house you can remodel it with no hassle.
A great feature of this product is that it gives medium hold without much weight, allowing your hair moderate movement, leaving it feeling free and giving it a more natural look. You don’t need much wax for your hair to stay in place the whole day, even during windy weather.
The wax is great for use on sensitive skin and doesn’t damage your hair. It’s also non-greasy and residue-free so that it won’t clog your pores.
- Protects against dandruff
- Cruelty-free and not tested on animals
- Doesn’t contain sulfates and parabens
- May not hold as well as expected in high humidity areas
7. RedOne
RedOne is formulated to give your hair a natural look effortlessly. It’s specially designed to increase your hair’s fullness and thicken it, giving it a healthier look.
This wax gives your hair medium hold, which stays intact the whole day. Although it keeps your hairstyle, you can always restyle it at any time, which gives you a big variety of possibilities and choices.
You don’t even need a comb to restyle, just use your hands and fingers. Also, this item doesn’t leave residue and it’s not greasy, which means it washes out with water.
Because it’s infused with vitamins and minerals that are vital for skin and hair follicle nourishment, it keeps your skin protected and encourages hair growth. It also conditions your hair, giving it a better look.
The wax is designed such that your hair won’t be damaged by it. It gives a polished, matte finish and doesn’t leave flakes or residue so that it won’t give a look of dandruff.
- Only a little is required for the whole head
- It can be applied to damp or dry hair
- Has a pleasant strawberry scent
- The lid may pop off if screwed too tightly
8. Jack Black
Jack Black Wax is a hairstyling product that gives a constant, long-lasting, medium hold, which also can be restyled after the first application. It can be used for a number of hairstyles like spikes and simple combovers.
It not only allows for styling but also helps control frizzy hair and tame beard and mustache. It doesn’t irritate skin and it’s infused with organic extracts such as sage leaf extract which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
It’s also alcohol-free, which makes it great for sensitive skin. The ingredients in it add fullness and volume to hair, as well as reworkable hair control which leaves the hair with a mild shine.
Your hair always looks better when it appears natural and that’s what this wax promotes, a natural yet unique finish to complement your style. You don’t need to apply much to achieve control of your hair.
This product is loaded with ingredients found in nature such as basil which has a lot of antioxidants and nutrients, sea kelp which has a lot of hydration and anti-inflammatory properties and tea tree leaf oil which has antioxidants that soothe the skin and reduce irritation.
- Helps control thick and frizzy hair
- Gives hair low shine and a fresh scent
- Hair can be easily restyled multiple times throughout the day
- For men’s hair that’s long, it may not work as well as expected
9. VOGARTE
VOGARTE Hair Styling Wax is a product that provides a low-maintenance solution for your daily hairstyling. It gives you a wide range of possible hairstyles to create as well as keeping your hair intact through the day and at times it can even last for more than two days and still be effective.
It also enables restyling and remodeling. Despite its long-lasting effects, this product does no damage to your hair and is surprisingly easy to wash out, as it comes off easily with regular shampoos.
Another thing you don’t need to worry about is walking around with your head feeling greasy or sticky for days because it leaves hair feeling smooth. To get the look you want you don’t need to apply much, simply apply a coin-sized amount and rub it between your palms for a few seconds to warm it up.
It gives hair a glossy, healthy-looking finish and doesn’t leave your hands messy. This product isn’t tested on animals and is certified cruelty-free.
Thanks to its water-based formula, the wax feels great on the hair, giving it a lot of hold without weighing it down. Additionally, there will be no white lines or annoying marks and residue left.
- Gives hair hold that can stay intact for days
- Doesn’t leave residue in the hair
- Gives hair a shiny finish
- May not hold as well during humid weather
10. Dashu
Specially designed for men’s hair from medium to long length, Dashu Wax allows you to sculpt your hair into your desired style and gives it a powerful hold which keeps it in place all day. The wax sets into place quite quickly after application.
Thanks to its good hold, it’s suitable for use on all hair types, even really thick, curly and straight hair. It’s infused with argan oil which nourishes hair, keeping it in good condition and black bean extract which gives it a subtle, yet pleasant fragrance.
Additionally, it gives your hair a matte finish, making it look more natural, while not leaving the hair to appear heavily waxed. It’s best to use it when your hair is still a little damp, so it becomes more workable.
During the day it stays malleable and you can rework it into another style. If you apply it and rub it well on your hands, it leaves no residue, so you can use your hands to restyle your hair. It also won’t leave residue on your pillows and it washes with just a regular shampoo.
- Gives a natural-looking matte finish
- Doesn’t leave residue or grease on the hair
- Works well on long and thick hair
- Instructions on the packaging are only available in Korean
11. Rodante
Rodante Wax gives your hair a strong hold and allows you to style it in different ways. It keeps your hairstyle in position throughout the day and allows it to be restyled and reshaped with great ease.
The wax is designed to get well into the hair and coat it evenly to allow styling to be done effortlessly. Furthermore, it gives your hair a fair amount of shine, making it look healthier alongside adding volume to it.
It works well with all hair types. This wax is best applied while your hair is still a little damp because that way it texturizes it and gives it definition.
After applying this product, you’ll notice that your hair isn’t left feeling greasy and weighed down. All you need is a coin-sized amount rubbed between your palms to cover every strand.
- Washes out easily with regular shampoo
- Texturizes hair and gives it definition
- Only a small amount needed for the application
- Can be a little hard to spread if not warmed first
12. 18.21
18.21 Hair Wax is specially designed to give a unique yet easy look that’ll last all day long while also remaining pliable, allowing for instant and easy restyling at any time throughout the day. It’s well suited for people with an active lifestyle as it has a strong hold and allows for detailed styling.
It’s a pretty versatile product that causes separation and definition of the strands, allowing you to sculpt the look you want precisely. It can also be used to tame beard or shape mustache.
This product texturizes your hair, making it look better and more natural while giving you a manly aroma of sweet tobacco, honey, dark vanilla and saffron. It can also help to control frizzy and curly hair.
Generally, it works well on any hair type. The waxy texture makes it ideal for medium length to short hair. The product itself makes styling your hair easy and only fingers can be used to give it a loose or messy texture while a comb or brush can be used to give a more constructed or defined style.
The infusion of wax and clay keeps your hair soft and in position. Only a little amount is needed to achieve your desired style.
Simply rub a small amount between your palms to warm the wax-up then work it into your hair while it’s still slightly damp. Blow drying after application will give your hair more volume and hold.
- Gives really strong hold, but allows simple restyling
- Helps control frizz and tames beard
- Has a natural, manly scent
- May not hold well on longer hair
13. Krieger + Sohne
Krieger is a German word for warrior and is used in the name of Krieger + Sohne Wax to describe its superior and strong formula that allows it to give you a stronger hold that lasts throughout the day.
In spite of the powerful formula, this product is still very gentle on the hair and is very difficult to notice.
With a flake free and non-greasy formula, you can rely on it to effortlessly keep your hair looking its best.
This wax comes in a sleek container that’s transportable. Another amazing feature is that it allows you to create any style you wish.
- Gives a long lasting hold even throughout rigorous activities
- Made with a gentle formula that’s free from flakes and grease
- Allows for fast and easy styling
- Takes longer to wash out
14. Redken Brews
Perfectly formulated with a medium control water-based formula, Redken Brews will provide your hair with low shine, medium hold and pliable texture. Unlike its competitors, it doesn’t melt while outdoors or in the sun.
After using this product for a while, you’ll not notice that it doesn’t sweat down easily to cause an annoying greasy stain on your head that may lead to a breakout.
If you need a hair cream that’s very economical and still very effective in holding your hair in place, look no further because you only need to apply a small amount of this item to make your hair just the way you want it.
Another great property you’re most likely love about this product is the uplifting pleasant smell. Also, whether you have short hair or thin hair, this cream will give you the right amount of volume and hold without being greasy.
- Provides a great volume and hold
- Non-greasy and doesn’t cause a breakout
- Very economical
- Holding power isn’t very strong
15. Challenger
Finding a wax that works well on short hair, medium and long hairstyles isn’t an easy task. However, Challenger Hair Wax is designed to give your hair a high-quality, matte look that’ll leave it looking great regardless of the occasion.
You can trust that it’ll hold your hair in the desired shape for a whole day without the formation of flakes like when you use a hair wax pomade.
If you need a styling cream with a nice scent that’s not overpowering, this product is definitely the best choice you can make because its scent is clean and subtle.
Being water-soluble makes this product easy to wash off and rinse, without the need to use a shampoo, which is good because you’ll save more money. Furthermore, it’s easy to carry since it fits perfectly in backpacks and other small bags.
- High-quality, matte finish
- Holds hair perfectly in shape for a long time
- Water-soluble hence easy to wash and rinse
- Can be a little bit sticky
16. Rodante Beverly Hills
Rodante Hair Wax is made with a special formula that includes bentonite clay for hair detox and PH balance, which is extremely important for the health of your hair. It’s also free of alcohol or parabens and is travel-friendly.
You can rely on this product to perfectly moisturize and naturally improve the growth of your hair because it also contains beeswax. It’s known for its effectiveness in nourishing both the hair and the scalp.
When it comes to holding hair, its medium hold clay does the job perfectly fine. It gives a great hold that lasts all day long with a matte finish. It’s also important to note that you don’t need to apply a lot of this product to achieve great results because just an almond size amount will do the work.
This cream comes with a great masculine scent that’ll leave you smelling fresh throughout the day. Given that it’s soluble, you can easily wash it out with the use of a little shampoo.
- Moisturizes and improves hair growth
- Provides a great, long-lasting hold with a matte finish
- Gives a pleasant smell
- Doesn’t spread easily
17. Jovinno
Jovinno is formulated to help you say goodbye to the chemical-filled hair waxes that can take a toll on your hair after a few usages. After applying it for a while, you’re most likely to be a lifelong customer because it simply never disappoints.
If you have a fairly thick hair, this product will effortlessly keep your style of choice in its exact place and without making it look shiny or greasy.
In just a few weeks, you’ll start noticing some great improvements on your hair, which include a healthier feeling and a great smell that exceeds other chemical-filled brands.
When it comes to holding volume, this product is absolutely the best and it gives an all day long hold with a matte finish without the dried-out appearance. Most importantly, it washes out easily from your hair and hands.
- Free from chemicals and non-greasy
- Provides a great holding volume that lasts all-day
- Washes out easily from hands and hair
- Not ideal for men who like shiny looking hair
What is Hair Wax
As one of the best-selling men’s hair products on the market today, you’ve probably already encountered hair wax for men at least once in your life.
Along with the best hair spray, best hair gel, wax pomade and other similar men’s hair products, it aims to hold your hairstyle in place throughout your day.
Unshockingly, it’s consistency is usually a bit waxy and hard.
Especially if you grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, there’s a pretty good chance your experiences with the best hair wax thus far have been straightforwardly horrendous.
Thankfully, the best hair waxes on the market today are not the same ones your mother used to slather back your bowl cut before the middle school’s annual Christmas choir concert.
So if the words hair wax have you thinking of adjectives like stiff, flaky or outdated, toss out those associations. Today’s best hair wax products, when applied appropriately, are essential to any men’s hair styling routine.
Benefits of Using a Hair Wax
Smoothes
Especially beneficial for curly or frizzy manes, the best hair wax is a great tool for smoothing men’s hair.
Even if you’re going for a wild, unruly look, a good hair wax for men can help you get there by smoothing out frizzy ends.
After all, your hair can look free and wild without having to appear unhealthy or unkempt.
Nourishes
These days, many men’s hair wax products are jam-packed with nutrients. On top of adding style and hold, they actually deliver much-needed vitamins to your hair and scalp.
Protects
In coating your strands lightly with a pliable product, hair wax for men actually can help protect your hair.
Elements like harsh sun, wind or extremely cold temperatures can take a toll on your hair’s overall health.
However, a quality men’s hair wax product locks in moisture and protects from dirt, grime and the elements.
Hydrates
Though nothing can substitute the best hair conditioner, using men’s hair wax can help lock in moisture and keep your strands hydrated.
This doesn’t just keep your hair looking great, it also improves each strand’s overall integrity.
Added moisture keeps your hair from becoming brittle and stops breakage and split ends before they happen.
Quick and Easy Application
If you’re always waking up twenty minutes late and rushing through your morning routine, hair wax for men is probably for you.
Of the best hair styling products, it’s the quickest, easiest and most drama-free.
After application, it’s also easier to wash it from your hands than wax pomade and clay alternatives, making it much easier to get out the door and on your way with shaped and stylish men’s hair.
Features of the Best Hair Wax
Hold
Best hair wax hold ranges from light to medium hold to heavy. Which you decide on will depend entirely on your hair’s thickness and length, as well as your desired style.
Duration of the Hold
Duration refers to how many hours the product will hold your intended style. A stronger hold aims to maintain a look’s shape for the whole day.
Its only drawback is that the same properties which make a product have a strong hold will also often make it more difficult to apply and remove.
If you’re after men’s hair wax with a long duration, you’ll be sacrificing precious morning preparation minutes.
However, if you’re dedicated to having a great hairstyle, you probably won’t mind. If you need a faster solution, opt for a medium hold option.
Strength
Strength is determined by the product’s ability to hold the hair firmly in place, even when it comes to drastic styles.
If you’re asking your hair to do things it wouldn’t normally ever dream of, you’ll probably need to go with a stronger, firm hold or medium hold.
If you merely want to coax a couple of stray hairs back into place and add a bit of body, a lighter or medium hold will get the job done just fine.
Additionally, when considering strength you’ll probably want to consider your hair’s thickness.
Thick hair can take stronger hair styling products, while thin hair tends to be more manageable and requires less.
Scent
One of the highlights of best hair wax that sets it a notch above other hair styling products is that it usually smells pleasant.
Capitalizing on this strength, men’s hair wax manufacturers have taken the time to develop a wide range of scents that appeal to just about anyone.
A few of the popular, manlier options on the market include pine, warm vanilla or gentle musks.
Just remember that if you want a scented product, seek one out that is naturally scented using natural oils rather than unnecessary chemicals.
Alternatively, you can opt for an entirely unscented hair wax for men.
Shine
One of the wax’s strong suits is that it doesn’t make your hair greasy or overly slick like some other hair styling products.
However, some products do deliver a shine that varies from low shine to high. Which you select will depend entirely on your own personal taste.
Low shine is ideal for more natural, low-key looks.
If you’re a man who wants the best hair product that glides on invisible and does its job without boasting or announcing itself, you’ll want to go with low shine, matte finish option.
Alternatively, some glitzy, loud-and-proud styles call for men’s hair wax with low shine and swagger. For these, you might want to go with high-shine hair wax for men.
It’s inevitably a bit bolder, but fun in the right scenario. If you’re looking for a glitzy look, scan ingredients list for natural oils.
Natural oils like olive oil and coconut oil are what gives a product its higher level of shine.
Types of Hair Waxes
Most hair waxes come standardly in a tin or pot. This makes them easy to travel with and use.
However, there are some unique alternatives. These days, best hair waxes can come in all shapes and sizes.
Here are just a few:
Spray
Not to be mistaken for hairspray, men’s hair wax spray has all the flexibility of a traditional hair wax for men but comes packed in a spray bottle.
It’s great for creating extra volume or zero-in on specific areas.
Stick
Similar, in truth, to a glue stick, best hair wax sticks pack wax into a tube, which can be applied directly onto the hair.
Though it doesn’t allow for as much precision, it might be an ideal product for those who travel frequently.
Gummy wax
A little less waxy and a little gooier, gummy hair wax for men has a consistency a bit more like jelly.
These products are new on the market and range from strong to light in the hold.
Hair Wax vs Other Styling Options (Alternatives)
If you’re after a product to give your hair shape and hold its style, you should be warned that gel isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
Different styles call for different products.
You wouldn’t use a wax pomade in all the same situations you’d use a gel and clay and hair wax for men are in no ways interchangeable.
Learning the differences of the many styling products might seem a little daunting at first, so here’s a quick drive-by approach at what’s what and when to use each.
Keep in mind, you don’t have to commit to one product for life.
It’s common to use a variety or combination of a couple of these products in order to achieve the exact look and feel you’re after.
Gel vs Hair Wax
Typically, the best hair gel has a firm hold that’s better than hair wax. The major styling difference between best hair gel and best hair wax is that with time, hair gel dries and settles.
This locks the style in place, making it impossible to alter or adjust in the middle of the day. If you want to change your style after applying the gel, you have to wash and restart entirely.
Hair wax, however, never dries or hardens. If necessary, throughout the day you can twist, curl or push back your hair to readjust the overall style.
Though it may not have a firm hold as its gel or hair wax counterparts, it provides more flexibility and overall plasticity.
Clay vs Hair Wax
Because the best hair clay is the newest of the common hair products, it’s possible you don’t have much experience with it. For all intents and purposes, clay functions much like hair wax.
The defining difference is that clay products contain a substance called bentonite, which is formed naturally and originates from volcanic ash.
Because it’s often organic, products like natural hair clay will sometimes have healing and repairing qualities that hair wax lacks.
Unfortunately, these products are generally more expensive than hair waxes. They are also standardly matte finish and don’t have the potential for desired, low shine as hair waxes do.
Pomade vs Hair Wax
Pomade is the long-distance runner of the best hair styling products. It holds much longer and is often significantly stronger.
If you’re aiming to slick-back your mane into a more formal hairstyle, you’ll want to use a quality wax pomade for men instead of hair wax. Much like the best hair gel, wax pomade dries after application and provides firm hold.
This holds the style firmly in place but also makes hair inflexible.
Therefore, like with gel products, if you need to restyle or adjust your look, you have to wash it and start over.
Spray vs Hair Wax
Not unusually, hairspray isn’t a competitor to hair wax, but rather a finishing product used in addition to it.
While the hair wax is malleable and soft to the touch after application, hairspray has a firm hold. While it can be used to achieve an overall style, it’s more ideal for placing unruly hairs or taming your rogue curls.
In this sense, consider it a spot-treatment method for problem areas, not a blanket-product for overall shape and style.
Unfortunately, even the best hairspray looks awful when it’s overapplied. If you decide to go with hairspray to keep stray strands in line, you’ll want to use it sparingly, with the can placed at a distance.
In contrast, the wax is much simpler to apply. Because it doesn’t dry hard or stiff, there’s less chance for your hair to accidentally end up looking frozen or rock-hard.
Cream vs Hair Wax
Ideal especially for longer hair, a cream is lighter weight than waxes or other products.
While it can’t create the exact form or shape that products like wax can, it’s ideal to smooth a fuller head of hair into a uniform direction.
In short, a high-quality natural hair cream isn’t going to help your mohawk stay in place during a gust of wind, but it might help take your mane from a frizzy mess to a set of well-kept locks.
How to Choose the Best Hair Wax
Because wax can masquerade on labels under several aliases (some of which include paste, putty, glue or molding gum), you should always consult a product’s ingredients list to know for sure if what you’re buying is truly wax or not.
By definition, it shouldn’t shock you that wax hair products must contain some type of wax as a primary ingredient.
This serves to add volume, coat the hair for protection and hold the hair in place without drying it out or making it brittle.
Popular wax base ingredients include beeswax and carnauba wax, just to name a few.
Outside of its star ingredient, wax can contain a whole slew of oils, vitamins and additives (some of them better for you than others).
Good Ingredients To Look For
Beeswax
As one of the most common ingredients in high-quality hair waxes, beeswax is great in helping your hair stay in place and healthy.
Besides holding its intended style, it also adds body and fullness to your hair.
Carnauba wax
Sometimes used in lieu of beeswax, carnauba wax is perhaps the second most common, natural ingredient to look for in a quality product.
It’s ideal for those seeking a gentle product that promotes flexibility and softness, while still gently adding shape and structure.
Tea tree leaf oil
Along with other leaf oils such as sage and organic basil, tea tree oil helps reduce dry hair and itching.
If your scalp becomes red or irritated with the use of other hair products, it might do just fine with a wax containing organic leaf oil.
Tea leaf extract
If you’re looking to strengthen and nourish your hair, seek out a product containing tea leaf extract.
By stimulating hair follicles, tea leaf extract helps strengthen hair and promote growth, which is ideal especially for men with thinning or receding hairlines.
Castor oil
This ingredient is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals that can help not only to nourish hair but reverse years of damage too.
Bad Ingredients You Should Avoid
Parabens
If you’ve done any research on skincare or hair care products, you probably already know to avoid parabens like the plague.
Because they’ve been linked to the disruption of the endocrine system and in some drastic cases even cancer, you’ll want to pass on any products containing them in the ingredients list.
Alcohol
While alcohol does have its place in products like hair sprays, it shouldn’t be a necessity in wax. Because alcohol works to dry hair and strip oils, it can lead to breakage and split ends.
Propylene glycol
If you’ve naively purchased the best hair wax without checking the label and your scalp has become dry, irritated and itchy, propylene glycol could be to blame.
Though with light use it may go unnoticed, this ingredient (commonly found in everything from products for hair dyeing to gels and hair conditioners for men) damages hair proteins and causes long term damage.
Isopropyl
This form of alcohol is a worryingly common ingredient in gels, hairsprays and sometimes hair waxes.
It’s included due to its use in holding hair firmly in place, but this firm hold also strips hair of its natural oils and moisture.
Additionally, it’s a common ingredient in antifreeze, wood finish and shellac, which makes you wonder why anyone would want it on their body.
How to Apply Hair Wax
Best hair waxes vary in thickness and quantity needed, so always consult your product’s label before application.
However, the rules for applying wax are generally the same across the board.
Step 1 – Start with dry hair
While few best hair waxes might instruct you to apply with damp hair, the general consensus is that dry hair is better for styling.
If you’ve just showered, blow dry hair before starting the application to optimize effectiveness.
Step 2 – Remember that a little goes a long way
With best hair waxes and any hair care product, it’s easy to overapply.
Oversaturated hair can end up looking greasy, wet and disgusting. If you use too much, you’ll have to wash your hair and restart entirely.
Always remember to start small. You can always add more products later on if you need to.
Step 3 – Soften the wax
Best hair waxes come out of the container hard and unmanageable. In fact, it can be nearly impossible to apply room-temperature wax to your hair.
Imagine, for example, trying to spread cold butter on a piece of bread.
Instead, you’ll want to rub your hands together in order to soften the wax. This softens it, so you can apply it without a struggle.
Step 4 – Apply wax to your hair
After softening, the product should be ready to style.
Spread it evenly on your palms and fingers, and then work your hands gently through your hair, massaging the product through your hair.
Do your best to avoid the scalp, as unintended contact can cause irritation.
Step 5 – Style your hair
Here’s the part where flair comes in. Now that you’ve applied the wax, style your hair to its desired shape.
You can do this by pressing, twisting or curling your fingers.
Ideally, you’ll want to shape your hair with your hands rather than a comb or brush. This ensures a more natural, stylish shape.
Step 6 – Lock in place
After applying wax, if your desired style needs a little extra help, you can use hair spray or another firm hold product to lock your locks in place.
Step 7 – Adjust as necessary
The beauty of wax is that it doesn’t dry stiff. Throughout the day, you’ll have the ability to adjust your hairstyle as necessary, making sure it always has the perfect shape or curl.
How Often Should You Use Hair Wax
Unlike hairsprays and other similar hair products, hair gel generally has a one-and-done application process. During your day, you shouldn’t need to frequently reapply it or top-up.
Waxed hair can be modified and tweaked throughout the day without the use of a continued application. Additionally, some products will damage hair with long term use.
Applying hairspray, for example, on a daily basis can sometimes lead to a slight dryer, brittle hair.
Wax, however, is much more flexible. This reduces potential damage and means you can use it daily without guilt or consequences.
How To Wash Off Wax From Your Hair
To remove hair wax at the end of your day, you’ll simply need to use a standard washing process and a trusted shampoo brand.
Some are much harder to remove than the others and how much effort you are willing to use to remove it at night should be a determining factor in which product you select.
Does Hair Wax Damage Your Hair
If you take care to purchase a wax product with quality ingredients, the short answer is no.
Because wax works to hydrate hair, it doesn’t run the same risks for dryness and breakage that other products might.
Additionally, many wax products include vitamins and minerals, which can work to improve your hair’s overall health.
What Are The Side Effects of Using Hair Wax
Back in the day, overuse of products like hair wax frequently led to dryness and breakage.
These days, the wax is formulated with a bit more care. If they dry hair, it’s nothing a little bit of hair conditioner for men can’t quickly fix. However, overuse of hair wax can, in some cases, lead to hair loss.
This is caused mostly by the fact that it adds volume and weight to your hair, which can stress follicles. If you notice thin hair, simply cease or lessen the use of your wax product.