10 Best Hair Waxes for Men

Hair care for men has come a long way from the oily, greasy looks of the 50s and 60s. Today’s man is looking to add style and versatility to their hair using simple products that will not damage their hair or make them look like they stepped out of a time machine.

But where to start? Not to worry; we can help you find the perfect hair was with this guide. It’s filled with the best hair waxes for men that you can find on the market, decided upon with in-depth research and a deep understanding of all the aspects that make up a good hair wax.

Buying Guide

How did we come to these waxes? Let’s explain what we looked for to find the best hair waxes for men from all the models on the market.

Water-based: Hair waxes are available in both water-based, and oil or beeswax-based formulas. While both can provide similar results, there are advantages to each type. A water-based wax will be lighter and easier to use on thinner or finer hair types. Additionally, water-based waxes are more easily washed away and less likely to leave a residue behind. Water-based waxes also allow users to go longer between washes.

Oil/beeswax-based hair waxes are thicker and may weigh too much to be used on thinner or finer hair types. Also, it is more difficult to wash away these waxes, increasing the chance of leaving a residue behind. Users of oil/beeswax-based hair waxes will require more frequent hair washes to prevent product buildup which will significantly weigh the hair down.

Hold: When you are using hair wax, chances are you are looking to add a good amount of hold to your hair. Whether that is short defined spikes or well-defined curls, the amount of hold that a wax offer can make a big difference. Some waxes offer superior hold from the start. Other waxes can be layered to increase hold, but this also means using more product to achieve your desired result. Make sure to choose a wax that meets your styling needs with the least amount of product to avoid buildup and weighing down your hair.

Scent: Let’s face it, there are plenty of products that we use every day. When these products are scented, it can become overwhelming. Mixing scents can have negative effects on us or those around us. Hair waxes often have some scent to them, luckily most are not overwhelming, or dissipate quickly so do not mingle with other scented products we use. Additionally, harsh scents may cause irritation on your skin or scalp. People who struggle with skin sensitivity should look for unscented hair wax varieties.

Shine: The amount of shine thatwax provides varies greatly. Some products focus on giving maximum shine, while others can produce shine if you use more product or apply heat. Shine level is a personal choice, and some styles look better with no shine or matte. Many hair waxes give a matte finish to the hair as well. Either way is a personal choice, but you want to be aware of the possible shine level with hair wax, so you are not surprised.

Paste, Clay, or Fiber: The base formula of hair wax can vary but will mostly depend on the type of hair that you have. Paste based formulas are ideal for most hair types are lightweight and more like the gels or creams that you may be used to using. Clay hair wax formulas are specifically designed for harder to manage hair types, thicker, frizzy, or coarse hair that needs a thicker wax formula. Fibers is the newest type of hair wax formulas and are designed to be used on most hair types but are especially great for thinner or finer hair. Fiber formulas will add texture and volume to hair, and in some cases can improve the overall strength of the hair.

Sticky: The last thing you want in any hair product is for it to leave your hair sticky or tacky. We have scoured through hundreds of reviews to make sure that the hair waxes that are included in this guide, not only provide the best options for hold and shine but do NOT leave the hair sticky or tacky.

Cost: Everything usually comes down to cost, in the end. We have made sure to include some more affordable options in this guide, without skimping on performance. You will see that some of the best performing hair wax can be found at reasonable costs. Check out our picks for Best Overall,Best Value, and Best Budget hair waxes.

10 Best Hair Wax for Men Comparison Table

10 Best Hair Wax for Men: Detaild Review

1. Smooth Viking Hydrating Fiber Cream Molding Wax

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5.0

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Smooth Viking Cream Molding Wax is specially designed to help lock in moisture. This wax proves either a matte or minimal shine finish for the perfect look without using a lot of different products. The fiber cream wax is extra pliable for a flexible finish.

Great for short or long hair, this hair wax adds very little weight to the hair and can be layered for more control and shine. Additionally, this hair wax is great for both wet and dry hair.

Unlike other waxes, this cream wax works more like gels and creams that people are used to, making this a great beginner hair wax.

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2. Gatsby Moving Rubber Spiky Edge Hair Wax (Best Value)

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5.0

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Gatsby Moving Rubber Spiky Edge is the hardest wax in the Moving Rubber series of waxes. This hair wax provides maximum hold while remaining flexible and fluid.

Use this hair wax to achieve that mile-high mohawk, spunky spike, or sexy tousle. The light green-apple fragrance dissipates quickly so that it is not overwhelming. Perfect for both wet and dry hair, this wax is versatile. A little goes a long way with this hair wax, so start with small amounts and layer for desired effects.

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3. Fatboy Hair Tough Guy Water Wax (Top Pick)

Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0

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Fatboy Tough Guy Water Wax is designed to provide the perfect shine without leaving the hair looking oily or greasy. This wax provides a medium strength hold that can be increased with layering, without adding a ton of weight to the hair.

The perfect way to control frizzy curls or annoying flyaway hairs, this wax is both reliable and versatile. Designed to work best on thick and coarse hair, this wax may be too much for thinner and finer hair. Free of sulfate and parabens, you do not have to worry when you use this hair wax.

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4. Old Spice Fiber Wax for Hair (Best Budget)

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5.0

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Old Spice products have been around forever in men’s grooming, from deodorant to body wash, aftershave to cologne. Old Spice Fiber hair wax is the perfect compliment for any man that already uses other Old Spice products. New users to the Old Spice line may be pleasantly surprised at the quality that this hair wax provides at a super affordable price.

This hair wax is perfect for both wet or dry hair and provides a mild shine and a medium, flexible hold perfect for most everyday styles. Additionally, this wax can be used in layers to increase the amount of shine and hold or to achieve the perfect style.

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5. Regis Designline Whipped Wax Defining Cream

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

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Regis Designline is the first whipped hair wax on the market, and it will not disappoint. The whipped wax feels closer to that of a gel or foam that many individuals are more familiar. The lightweight formula provides a flexible hold perfect for even curly or fine hair. This hair wax is designed to lock in moisture to protect your hair from even the harshest elements.

A completely unique hair wax, this may take some getting used to if you have used other hair waxes in the past, but you may be surprised to find this whipped wax may outperform typical hair waxes. Unlike many other hair waxes on the market, this wax was designed by leading hair professionals that use this same product in their salons every day.

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6. ATS stylemuse Hard Popin Styling Wax

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

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Looking for a strong, superior hold? ATS stylemuse Hard Popin Styling Wax provides some of the strongest hold in a hair wax. This formula gives your hair a smooth matte finish, keeping hair from looking oily. This product is also completely absorbed by the hair so that there is no heavy visible residue.

Hard Popin Wax is perfect for those spiky, edgy looks, but can also be used for flexible soft curls or longer defined styles. Unlike other hard waxes, this wax is easily washed away from the hair with normal shampooing.

Additionally, this wax is TEA and paraben free, so you do not have to worry about using any harsh chemicals on your hair.

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7. Hair Dough Men’s Styling Fiber

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Hair Dough Fiber hair wax is a clay, water-based and water-soluble formula that provides all-day superior hold. Perfect for thick coarse hair, this wax will hold up to even the toughest conditions, like sports or hot weather.

This wax provides a guaranteed matte finish to keep your hair from looking oily or unclean. Additionally, due to the water solubility, this wax will easily wash away. Repeated use may even increase the texture and thickness of your hair without using tons of other products. This wax is also flexible enough to be used on all hair types.

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8. Chronos and Creed Organic Hair Wax Pomade for Men

Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5.0

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Chronos and Creed offer one of the only USDA and FDA Certified organic hair waxes on the market. Packed with ingredients to nourish your hair from root to tip, this wax does not skimp on hold. Whether you want a matte finish or a little shine, the carnauba wax allows for a flexible firm hold that will maintain your desired style all day.

The ingredients in this hair wax are designed to improve and protect your hair. Organic coconut oil protects your hair from harsh elements and heat, while Vitamins E, K, and Iron work to increase hair growth and thickness.

Using this wax to style your hair will make your hair better over time.

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9. Vogarte Professional Styling Aqua Wax

Editor’s Rating: /5.0

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Vogarte Professional Styling Aqua wax is designed to give you the style you want quickly and easily. This lightweight wax will leave your hair with a soft shinebut will not make your hair look heavy or oily. Back by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, it is worth checking out this wax.

This wax is also water soluble, making shampooing easy. You never have to worry about product buildup with repeated use. The lightweight formula is perfect for individuals that choose not to wash their hair every day. Simply warm the wax already in your hair and you can refresh your style easily and quickly.

Additionally, Vogarte Professional Styling products are never tested on animals.

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10. Famous Outlaws Butch Cassidy Aqua Wax

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Famous Outlaws introduces their Butch Cassidy Aqua Wax, a well-scented wax perfect for all types of hair. Their giant 8.5-ounce jar means you will not run out anytime soon. The Butch Cassidy wax provides superior hold and shine without weighing down the hair or making it look oily. The water-based formula is easily washed away, so you do not have to worry about residue or buildup.

This product is darker than other waxes. Therefore, some customers have reported that it may dull or darker lighter hair colors. People with blonde or lighter hair may not be satisfied with this product.

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Tips for Using Hair Wax

You’ve found a hair wax that you just love. Now, how do you use that wax to get the style that you want just right? Here are a few tips for using hair wax to ensure that you will get that perfect look.

Less is More: When it comes to hair wax, you never want to apply a ton of product at one time. Start with a small pea-sized (or less) amount of product and make sure to distribute it evenly through your hair to achieve maximum results. You can always add more hair wax if you want more shine or more hold, but the only way to remove wax is to wash it away. There is no way to brush wax out of your hair.

Warm the Wax: Wax, by nature, is thicker than other hair products. Both water and oil-based waxes are easier to spread when you take the time to warm them slightly between your hands. The easiest way to do this is just taking the hair wax and spreading it slowly between your hands. This will also ensure that you are not applying too much product.

Application and Styling:

After warming the hair wax, there are many ways to apply the wax to your hair.

• Short hair spike: To achieve a spiked style on short hair, apply the product from the middle to the end of the hair. Well defined spikes can be achieved by pinching the hair together at the ends.
• Short hair tousled: To achieve the ‘just got out of bed’ tousled look, apply the hair wax from the root to the middle of the hair. Tousled styles are meant to look messy and random. Many users apply the wax and then run their hands through their hair much like you are towel drying your hair, this results in the messy, random style.
• Add volume: Volume can be added to longer hairstyles by adding hair wax to the root of the hair and pulling the hair away from the head gently. This will make the hair look thicker and fuller.
• Define curls: For people with curly locks, hair wax can be used to tame fizziness and define curls. Combat fizziness by applying a tiny amount of wax all over the hair and style as usual. Wrapping curls around your fingers with a small amount of hair wax will help curls maintain their shape and bounce.

Cleaning your hair: Hair wax does not require special shampoos or conditioner. However, proper use of shampoos is important to ensure complete removal of the wax from the hair. Wash the hair, first concentrating on the length of the hair to remove the product all the way to the ends of the hair. Rinse and shampoo again, this time focusing on cleaning the scalp and any remaining product from the hair. This will provide the best chance for fighting buildup.

Not just for men: Hair wax can easily be used by women as well, whether they have short or long, curly or straight hair. Hair wax is versatile enough to be used on most hair types. The variety of hair waxes on the market, everyone is sure to find the right wax to meet their styling needs.

Conclusion

Hairstyles change rapidly and sometimes it can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends. However, changing up your own style does not have to be hard and you do not need a professional stylist to get a great look. We’ve provided you with 10 options for hair waxes that provide a variety of different holds and shine levels to fit your personal style. No more excuses for a bad hair day, unless that is the style you are looking for, ha-ha!