Hair Products For Men, Volume 1: Sludge

Styling Wax: Some of the easiest stuff to use, great with short hair. Often comes in a tub, and the rule of thumb is, if you have <1” of hair, use a dime’s worth; 1-3”, a quarter’s; more than that, and there is probably a more appropriate styling product for you to use. Some companies have made it available in a stick, such as TIGI Bed Head Hair Stick, which you drag across your hair like deodorant in your armpits; a strange application method at first, but it’s actually a great way to distribute the stuff. Work through with your fingers, style as desired, and get the hell out of the house.

More greasy kid stuff after the jump.

Pomade: Smooth, firm semi-greasy stuff, often containing oils for nourishment and protection. Sometimes clear, sometimes opaque junk. Generally worked through hair all over – try not to avoid any areas. Very versatile, and excellent for short hair. Provides texture and shine, with excellent control. Don’t worry about using too much – the saturation point becomes obvious – but do work up to that point in small doses. Curlier hair is perfect for Pomade if one wishes to straighten out their locks with or without heat (though results will be better with). Great on all kinds of hair – African, Caucasian, and Asian alike will find good uses for pomade. Extra-useful for pompadours and other classic styles.
A lot of fellows swear by Murray’s, not only for the product itself, but also the great orange tin it comes in.

Paste: Similar to pomade in application method and general effect, but without that greasy slickness, paste emulsifies between rubbed palms and decreases shine for the dry look. Achieve great shapes with less hold, and shrugs off fixers like hairspray. Great on short and very short hair, diminishing value the longer hair gets.

Grease: Super thick pomade, it’s great for working hair into individual strands, to comb through in a single direction, for the definitive parting, and for that little flomph thing in front that guys with short hair are still doing (cos, y’know, it still looks pretty good). This gunk builds up very fast and can be tricky to wash out. I know of one guy who uses dishwasher detergent to wash his out, but ony two or three times a month, and then he just spatulas more right back in. He remains one of the best-groomed fellows I know. Best hidden feature – you’re waterproofed.