When you need a new hair product, you can go dizzy looking through all of the different choices at the stores. But how can you know if they are good for your hair and will help you keep your hairstyle throughout the day even when you are sweating?
Well, it can be hard to tell which hair cream options out there will do what they say they will, so looking up reviews is a great way to see what previous buyers have said about the product. With many reviews found easily online, this makes your job a bit easier.
Men, in particular, can have an even tougher time finding something that works for them when they go to work, the gym, or out with friends. This is often because they are not advertised as much as women’s products.
Well, though there are a lot of options out there, we aim to let you in on the best choices that are available so you can look at the top options. This will make it easier for you to find something that works for your hair type, lifestyle, and will keep your hair healthy.
Budget |
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Pacinos Matte, Hair Paste with Flexible Hold & No Shine, Sculpting & Styling Wax |
4.2/5.0 |
Volume: 4 ounces |
Ingredients: Beeswax, lanolin oil, tea tree oil, lavender, allantoin |
Usable for all hair types, and water-soluble formula, matte finish. |
Check Amazon |
Best Value |
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Brylcreem 3 in 1 Shining, Styling, and Conditioning Hair Cream for Men, Alcohol-Free |
4.5/5.0 |
Volume: 5 ½ ounces |
Ingredients: Mineral oil, beeswax, stearic acid, BHT, calcium hydroxide |
Three-in-one hair cream, contains no alcohol, and all natural ingredients. |
Check Amazon |
Top Pick |
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American Crew Forming Cream, Pliable Hold with Medium Shine |
4.8/5.0 |
Volume: 3 ounces |
Ingredients: Lanolin wax, cactus flower extract, mineral oil |
Works with any hair type, medium shine for all occasions, ideal for shorter styles. |
Check Amazon |
Not every hair cream is made for every hair type. Some are made for oily hair and won’t work well for dry hair, and vice versa. So, we will compare the best hair creams for men on the market and give a detailed review of what its strengths and weaknesses are.
Some Things to Consider
Before taking a quick look at these options and wanting to go out and buy one, you want to take some time to think about what you are looking for in a hair cream. So, here are some factors that you want to take a look at closely to determine if you want to use a specific product or not.
Natural Ingredients
Many of the options in this list will contain natural ingredients that help your hair stay healthy and shiny while keeping your hairstyle locked in. However, that is not true for all hair creams. Many have filler ingredients that make it look like there is more product than others.
Taking a look at the main ingredients on the back of the bottle, or looking them up online, will give you a better idea if the cream is a good idea for you or not. If there are great ingredients that you know are ideal for hair, then this is a good sign.
However, if you start seeing tons of additives that you have never heard of, those might be fillers used to make more of the product. This also lessens the effect of the main ingredients since they are not as concentrated.
Knowing what does into your hair is necessary, and you don’t want to put something in your hair that could end up making it brittle, dry, and damaged. Making sure that you have natural ingredients is one way to do that.
Medium to Firm Hold
When talking about hair creams, you need to look at the fact that this is a men’s version of mousse or hairspray for women in that it holds the hairstyle in place. This means that you will have to decide how tough you want the cream to be.
Hair creams are often categorized in firmness levels. They go from light hold, medium-firm hold, and firm hold. These all give your hair a bit of crunchiness, but the first two options still allow your hair to move and flow naturally. It just gives a bit of hold to keep the style intact.
However, with the higher firmness level, you will use this for performances, shows, and formal events where you want every hair in its place. The firm holds hair creams leave a distinct shine that might not work for every day, but give a boost to a nice suit and tie for work parties and special events.
The firmer holds also have a stiffer feel after they dry, which is great for certain events, but might be too much for using each morning. So, think about what type of firmness you want to deal with to see which level will work best for you.
Cream Weight (amount in the container)
The weight of the cream might not matter much to you when thinking about how little you will put in your hair, but this can determine how fast you will use the cream until its gone. Some options come in tiny containers that only allow for a month or two of uses for the same price as bigger options.
However, just because the bottle looks big, doesn’t mean that it will last a lot longer. You should look at how much you will need to use. Either way, the container can be deceiving.
So, looking at the weight of the cream in the container to see if it is the same as another size can allow you to get the one that offers the best price for the largest amount of high-quality hair cream. The option that offers more uses for a lower price will give you more to work with for less money.
Quick Word About Packaging
Marketing teams know what people want to see, which means that the containers of these hair creams will often be sleek, shiny, and sophisticated to give off a high-end style. However, this doesn’t mean that it is the best option.
So, don’t let nice-looking containers that are flashier than others to sway your decision. Take a look at what is inside and see what you are paying for so you know you are not just paying good money for a nice package.
Hair Type
It may seem like there are so many hair creams on the market that do the same thing, but many are made for specific types of hair and are used by a smaller group of people. You might have oily, dry, or normal hair as options that you always see on display.
Each hair type needs something different to keep it healthy, which is why the formulas are all different.
Dry hair needs natural oils to replace the ones that are lost when you clean your hair. This means that you will want an option that is designed for dry hair and has hydrating oils in the formula.
However, if you have oily hair, this would just exacerbate the problem. You would need one made for oily hair and comes with conditioning ingredients that don’t use oil. This will hold and condition your hair without using oil.
If you have normal hair, you don’t have a problem with either of these issues daily. So, you can have your pick of whatever your hair needs. But there are options for your hair that have a bit of oil and dry-conditioning ingredients so your hair stays balanced.
Water Soluble Formulas
Water tends to be the one thing that can ruin many well-crafted hairstyles. You have likely seen a movie where someone gets their hair done and it gets ruined when it rains. Well, if you use water-soluble products, this could happen.
However, if you want your hairstyle to last as long as possible, then you will want a hair cream that is not water-soluble. This will prevent a little rain or moisture to completely ruin your look. These tend to have a firmer hold and last longer than normal firmness options because of this.
If you decide to use water-soluble formulas, then when your hair comes in contact with water, it will start to wash the cream out. This is stopped if the formula is not water-soluble, which makes it an ideal choice for when you need your hairstyle to last through a hard day’s work, a long event, or a performance.
Flaking
With some lesser options that come with cheap, artificial ingredients, you can see flaking happening after some movement occurs. This is something that often happens with those that don’t have as much conditioning ingredients to keep the hair smooth and groomed, which instead leads your hair to be crunchy and flaky.
Premium options will have more natural ingredients that will be able to hold your hair in place without making it look solid and hard. Most will even offer a softer feel that will allow you to brush it into place before it dries without starting to flake.
This is often what happens with hairspray and mousse, which hardens, but this shouldn’t be as much of an issue with hair cream because it is more conditioning. Though, the ingredients in other options are what you should look for. If you see polymer-rich ingredients on the bottle, this will make your hair harden as it dries.
So, stay away from these types of hair creams and opt for a bottle that features only organic ingredients.
Top 5 Hair Creams For Men Comparison Table
For those of you out there that have a good amount of knowledge about hair creams and which kind you want, then you can use the table below to find out which one you want sooner. However, for those who would like more information, keep reading.
Product Name | Volume | Ingredients | Price |
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American Crew Forming Cream, 3 oz, Pliable Hold with Medium Shine | 3 ounces | Lanolin wax, cactus flower extract, mineral oil | Check Price |
Baxter of California Clay Pomade, No Color, One Size | 7 ½ ounces | Beeswax, hydronated castor oil, fennel oil, sage oil | Check Price |
Brylcreem 3 in 1 Shining, Styling, and Conditioning Hair Cream for Men, Alcohol-Free | 5 ½ ounces | Mineral oil, beeswax, stearic acid, BHT, calcium hydroxide | Check Price |
Smooth Viking Forming Cream for Men, High Hold and Matte Finish, For Short and Long Hair Types | 2 ounces | Hydronated castor oil, lanolin wax, green tea extract, beeswax, quinoa, soybean oil | Check Price |
Pacinos Matte, Hair Paste with Flexible Hold & No Shine, Sculpting & Styling Wax for All Hair Types | 4 ounces | Beeswax, lanolin oil, tea tree oil, lavender, allantoin | Check Price |
The Best Hair Creams For Men: Detailed Reviews
So, since we have covered all the factors that you should consider before making a hair cream purchase, now we want to move on to reviewing the options that we found.
1. American Crew Forming Cream, Pliable Hold with Medium Shine (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0
The American Crew forming cream is a pliable and soft option that comes with a medium shine that doesn’t look too formal to wear every day. It is also a hair cream that can be used with any hair type since it doesn’t have much oil and will help make hair look thicker.
The lanolin wax is the main ingredient that comes in this hair cream and allows the hold to stay for a long time, even in windy conditions. This is also an easy to use cream because you just need a little bit in your palms to rub through your hair as you’d like. This will keep your hairstyle for the rest of the day until you shampoo the cream out of your hair.
This is a high hold option that is not made for longer hairstyles and works better for shorter hairstyles. This is because it has a better hold with shorter hair, and since it is volumizing, it may be too much for long hair that already has volume.
Tech Specs |
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Volume: 3 ounces |
Ingredients: Lanolin wax, cactus flower extract, mineral oil |
The Pros |
---|
High hold |
Medium shine for all occasions |
Ideal for shorter styles |
Pliable and soft |
Works with any hair type |
Contains lanolin wax |
The Cons |
---|
Doesn’t offer a great smell |
Does not hold up well in extreme heat |
2. Baxter of California Clay Pomade, No Color, One Size
Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5.0
The Baxter of California Clay Pomade is a great choice for those who don’t want to have too strong of a fragrance, or those who are allergic to certain scents or essential oils. This contains only castor and fennel oil and comes with a light scent of tobacco.
This clay pomade has a firm hold and a matte finish that makes it ideal for daily use without being too shiny. This means that you could use it for work, or going from work to meet up with friends at night. Also, if you have a mustache or beard that could use a bit of styling, this is safe to use in these areas too.
This clay pomade is great for short hair, but it is specifically designed for thick, straight hair. It will help keep your hair straight and styled while adding some weight to keep the hair from having too much volume for every day look.
Though this has a matte finish, if you want to intensify the look, then you can blow dry your hair before styling to ensure that you end up with a very matte finish look. Also, if you use a blow dryer to heat the pomade a bit before use, it will be easier to handle.
Tech Specs |
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Volume: 2 ounces |
Ingredients: Beeswax, hydronated castor oil, fennel oil, sage oil |
The Pros |
---|
Light scent |
Has a firm hold |
Ideal for daily use |
Usable for beard and mustache too |
Designed for thick, straight hair |
Can be heated up for easy handling |
Matte finish |
Paraben-free |
The Cons |
---|
Not ideal for curly hair |
May be too heavy for thin hair |
3. Brylcreem 3 in 1 Shining, Styling, and Conditioning Hair Cream for Men, Alcohol-Free (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
The Brylcreem three-in-one hair cream is a styling product that conditions your hair without drying it out with alcohol. It will leave your hair looking shiny and healthy while keeping your hairstyle. Not only does this cream hold your style, but it also conditions and strengthens your hair too. This helps keep it healthier over time.
This hair cream formula comes with mineral oil, beeswax, and BHT, which all help to promote hair growth and condition the strands as it holds. These natural ingredients stay away from harsh chemicals that could damage your hair over time.
This option also does not contain any alcohol, which could dry out your hair. Instead, this hair cream offers easy styling without stickiness or greasiness that could be caused by some other forms of hair styling products on the market.
If you want the right amount of shine in your hair, then you should only need a dime-sized amount of the cream for all your hair. This will give you the shine you want without being too overbearing or too overdone.
Tech Specs |
---|
Volume: 5 ½ ounces |
Ingredients: Mineral oil, beeswax, stearic acid, BHT, calcium hydroxide |
The Pros |
---|
Three-in-one hair cream |
Natural ingredients |
Firm hold |
Medium shine |
Contains no alcohol |
Conditions and strengthens |
The Cons |
---|
Scent can be too strong |
Tends to weigh thin hair down |
4. Smooth Viking Forming Cream for Men, High Hold and Matte Finish, For Short and Long Hair Types
Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5.0
The Smooth Viking forming cream is a men’s hair cream that comes with a firm hold and a matte finish. This means that the shine that comes from other creams will not have the same finish, as this one will be a more natural-looking option that won’t look at slicked back. This is ideal for more casual looks and when you want to look more rugged.
This hair cream is great for both short or long hair and can work well with any hair type. It also helps to keep your hair in place even when you are being active and playing sports or exercising. Or, if you go from work to school, then you will have enough hold for the entire day while you work towards getting a degree.
This container only has two ounces of hair cream in it, but because you only use a bit at a time to achieve your desired look, this will last you a long time. Just be mindful of the amount you use so that you don’t go overboard and use too much at a time.
This hair cream offers a light scent that won’t be too harsh for those who are sensitive to certain scents. However, there is a scent, albeit light, that you will smell when you have this in your hair. Also, this doesn’t just work for your hair, as it can also be used for your beard.
Tech Specs |
---|
Volume: 2 Ounces |
Ingredients: Hydronated castor oil, lanolin wax, green tea extract, beeswax, quinoa, soybean oil |
The Pros |
---|
Firm hold |
Great for all hair types |
Has a light scent |
Matte finish |
Can be used on beard |
Paraben-free |
The Cons |
---|
Smell might not be ideal for everyone |
Tends to be a bit sticky |
5. Pacinos Matte, Hair Paste with Flexible Hold & No Shine, Sculpting & Styling Wax for All Hair Types (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5.0
The Pacinos matte hair paste is a men’s hair cream that allows you to style your hair into a certain shape or style. This option is a medium-firm hold that won’t be too much for those who intend to style their hair differently at night. Whether you are switching from work to street style or business casual to jeans and a t-shirt, this hair cream will work well for you.
Because this is a cream and not a gel or paste, it will not make your hair feel hard or stiff when styling with this product. Also, because this hair cream comes with a matte finish, it won’t be shiny. This makes it great for many casual occasions without it being too formal.
This hair cream is a versatile option that has enough hold to work for a mohawk, but is light enough to do a messy hairstyle that allows for lots of movement. This lets you choose what style you want without needing to purchase another styling product.
The formula for this hair cream is water-soluble, which means that it can hold on tight to your hair yet it washes right out with shampoo and water for easy cleanup. This makes it an easy option to use for every day looks.
Tech Specs |
---|
Volume: 4 ounces |
Ingredients: Beeswax, lanolin oil, tea tree oil, lavender, allantoin |
The Pros |
---|
Medium-firm |
No shine |
Matte finish |
Usable for all hair types |
Water-soluble formula |
The Cons |
---|
Comes with a strong scent |
Doesn’t work well for long, thick hair |
Contents
- Some Things to Consider
- Top 5 Hair Creams For Men Comparison Table
- The Best Hair Creams For Men: Detailed Reviews
- 1. American Crew Forming Cream, Pliable Hold with Medium Shine (Top Pick)
- 2. Baxter of California Clay Pomade, No Color, One Size
- 3. Brylcreem 3 in 1 Shining, Styling, and Conditioning Hair Cream for Men, Alcohol-Free (Best Value)
- 4. Smooth Viking Forming Cream for Men, High Hold and Matte Finish, For Short and Long Hair Types
- 5. Pacinos Matte, Hair Paste with Flexible Hold & No Shine, Sculpting & Styling Wax for All Hair Types (Best Budget)