The right men's styling product depends on two things: the finish you want (matte, natural or high shine) and the hold you need to get through the day. Clays and mattes tend to suit textured, undone looks, pomades and gels suit slicker or sleeker styles, and the right pick changes depending on hair length, thickness and even the climate. Here are eight men's styling products, one per brand, matched to a specific finish and look.
By Nick Papazacharia, Hair & Beauty Advisor, Hairhouse
How Do You Choose the Right Men's Styling Product?
Start with the finish, since that decides how the style will actually look before hold even comes into it. Matte products, clays, mattes and mud-style textures, give a natural, low-shine finish that suits modern, textured cuts. Pomades and creams lean shinier and are better suited to slicker, more polished looks like a side part or classic pompadour. Gels and sprays sit somewhere in between and are often chosen for their flexibility to be reworked through the day rather than for the finish alone.
Hold matters just as much, particularly in a humid Australian climate where a lighter hold product can lose its grip by mid-afternoon. Thicker or longer hair generally needs a stronger-hold clay or mud to hold its shape, while fine or shorter hair often looks better with a lighter cream or paste that won't weigh it down.
What's the Difference Between Clay, Paste, Pomade and Gel?
These four categories cover most of what's on the shelf, and picking the right category matters more than picking a specific brand:
Clay and mud products deliver a matte, natural finish with strong, flexible hold, ideal for textured, modern cuts.
Pastes sit between a clay and a pomade, offering moderate hold with a slightly more polished, low-shine finish.
Pomades give a shinier, often slicker finish, ranging from light and natural to a full wet-look high shine.
Gels and sprays offer flexible, reworkable hold and are often used to prep hair before a blow-dry or add texture on top of another product.
Expert Tip: Hairhouse stylists recommend applying styling product to towel-dried, not fully dry, hair for the most even distribution and longest-lasting hold, working it through from the mid-lengths first before finishing at the front and part line.
8 Best Men's Styling Products by Brand and Finish
For a textured, undone look: Kevin Murphy Rough.Rider delivers a firm grip that won't slip, with an oily, gritty texture that grabs exactly where you want it for a deliberately undone finish.
For all-day hold on thicker hair: Eleven Australia Extra Hold Styling Clay is built for a 24-hour hold, with beeswax and carnauba wax locking hair in place while bentonite clay keeps the finish matte rather than greasy.
For a strong, low-sheen statement style: Mr Muk Brutal Mud combines a low sheen finish with a strong hold, suited to bolder, more structured styles that need to hold their shape all day.
For a beachy, tousled finish: Nak Barber Surf Wax creates a textured, sea-salt style look with natural shine and control, a fitting pick for anyone chasing a lived-in, Australian summer finish without actually needing to hit the water first.
For an everyday matte all-rounder: Uppercut Deluxe Matte Pomade offers medium hold with a natural matte finish and performs well across a range of hair lengths, making it a solid one-product option for most guys.
For added thickness with a matte finish: American Crew Fiber is a strong, pliable-hold styling paste that helps thicken the look of hair while adding texture, without the higher shine of a classic pomade.
For a strong, flexible matte hold: Reuzel Concrete Hold Matte Pomade delivers a strong, flexible hold that performs like a wax, letting you rework the style throughout the day without it turning stiff.
For soft matte texture and volume: Fatboy Perfect Putty is a soft matte putty made with kaolin clay, delivering instant texture and volume across all hair types without a stiff or crunchy hold.
How to Apply Men's Styling Product for the Best Hold
Work with a small amount first, roughly a five-cent to twenty-cent coin size, and add more if needed rather than starting with too much, since excess product is the main cause of a greasy or overly heavy finish. Warm the product between your palms before applying, which helps clays and pomades spread more evenly and prevents patchy application. Apply to towel-dried hair for the strongest hold, working from the roots through to the ends, then shape the style with your fingers or a comb depending on the finish you're after. For humid days or all-day hold, a light-hold spray on top of a clay or paste can help lock the style in place without adding extra shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a matte and a shiny men's styling product?
Matte products like clays and mattes give a natural, low-shine finish suited to textured, modern cuts, while shinier products like pomades and creams create a slicker, more polished look. The choice usually comes down to the style you're going for rather than one being better than the other.
Which styling product holds up best in humid weather?
Wax-based clays and stronger-hold pomades generally perform better in humidity than lighter gels or sprays, since they're formulated to resist moisture rather than rely on it evaporating to set the style. Reapplying a light spray on top can help extend hold through a hot or humid day.
How much styling product should you use?
Start with roughly a five-cent to twenty-cent coin-sized amount for short to medium hair, adding more only if needed. Using too much is the most common cause of a greasy, weighed-down finish, and it's easier to add more product than to fix an over-applied style.
Is pomade or clay better for thick hair?
Clay is generally better suited to thick or longer hair, since its stronger, matte hold controls volume without adding shine or weight. Pomade tends to suit finer or shorter hair better, particularly for slicker styles where shine is part of the look.
Can you use the same styling product every day?
Yes, for most hair types and finishes. Daily use of a clay, paste or pomade won't damage hair on its own, though it's worth using a clarifying or detox shampoo periodically to clear product buildup from the scalp and hair.
Ready to find your finish? Shop the full range of men's styling products at Hairhouse, available online and in Hairhouse stores nationwide, with Click & Collect orders typically ready within three hours.