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We are hardly strangers to a sculpted hairstyle; in fact, the odd man out is the one with nothing going on. Just look at celebrity staples like Timothee Chalamet, Brad Pitt or Harry Styles; each are known for their unmistakable mane, whether it’s a second-day bedhead vibe or sleekly styled for the red carpet. Despite the cliched expression that a smile is the first thing you see, we’d argue that hair is a big part of first impressions. It’s that important.
A good styling product is what can make a man’s do, able to control, sculpt, tame and bolster all manners of hair. Long gone are days of being limited by gels, clays and waxes. These days fixes come in all forms, with creams, mousses, pastes and sprays each catering to different styles.
Lacklustre locks that crave volume? Shake out some mousse. Too many flyaways? Give cream a go. Want a quick fix? Spray is the solution.
After months of keeping our manes in check with a range of products to try, these are the products – classic and contemporary – that hold court for any coiffure.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Fudge Matte hed mouldable
Fudge has been a staple in men’s toiletry bags for years. It was the haircare brand of the Naughties and its cult-favourite line has seen a recent revamp to suit modern hair needs. A dry wax-clay hybrid, it's great for adding texture and achieving that second-day bed head look; perfect for that effortless, je ne sais quoi sensibility.
The market has really moved on when it comes to styling products; it isn’t just your father's gels that reign supreme anymore, but the new-wave, niche products that have revamped a tired industry. There are plenty of new formulas to try out here, but our favourite classic choice is Larry King’s velvet texture clay for effortless styling.
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