8 Best Hair Gel For Men Including Pomades And Waxes

There are plenty of hair styling products out there and this article will be dedicated to three of them namely; hair gels, pomades, and waxes - for men. Before we look at the side effects of gels, it’s important to first understand the difference between waxes, pomades, and gels. 

Gels normally have thinner consistency compared to pomades and waxes and are usually translucent in color. What sets them apart from the other two hair styling products is the fact that gels are able to give your hair a much stronger hold and the minute they are in contact with water, the gel loses its hold and gives off a smooth touch where you should probably rinse off with a shampoo.

Pomade is of two main types and they include water-based and petroleum-based pomades. The petroleum-based pomades are the traditional ones and they contain fatty and greasy ingredients that are meant to hold your hair and to produce the required shine. This is why pomades are ideal for those looking for shiny hairstyles. It’s good to note that pomades do not dry out, unlike gels which often hardens on your hair. Water-based pomades are generally safer to use.

Wax is usually thicker than gel and pomade and it’s usually an excellent choice for creating detailed hair expressions. Wax is an ideal hair styling product for those with naturally oily hair and it’s also excellent for most hair types.

Everything usually has its merits and demerits and gels are not an exception. The following are some of the side effects of gels:

Gels dehydrate both the scalp and the hair making it prone to breakage. The reason why this is the case is that external pollutants found in the hair and the chemical compounds found in gels usually combine and react with dead cells found on the scalp, clogging the hair follicles. This is what eventually leads to the breakage and falling of the hair.  

Gels do a lot of damage to your hair as they get rid of the moisture and nourishment in your hair and disturbs the pH balance of your hair which causes it to be dull and unhealthy. They also cause your hair to thin, and if you have color treated hair it causes it to discolor and to fade.

Corrosive chemicals and alcohol present in gels absorb moisture from your scalp and hair making it stiff and dehydrated. Gels cause a reduction in the production of sebum which is defined as an oil-like material that is produced by the sebaceous glands in your skin preventing it from becoming dry and also making your hair shiny.

Most of the chemicals present in hair gels are not good for your scalp hence you should avoid using gels excessively as it can lead to the drying and infection of your scalp. It is this infection and clogging of the skin on the scalp that later turns into dandruff.

The above are known side effects of hair gel but it may not apply to you. What you need to do is to be mindful of your hair gel usage and monitor if you are experiencing any of these side effects. If you suspect so, stop using the hair gel and see if the situation improves. You can seek out natural alternatives for hair gel if the chemicals do not do well on your hair. In the worst case scenario, when the situation worsens, do seek out a trichologist for help.

Clubman Styling Gel is without a doubt one of the best gels in the market today. It’s versatile and effective and it works best for men with medium hair length even though you can still get amazing results with thick hair. This gel is unique as it gives you a natural shine and a manly scent that will make your presence known wherever you go. 

You can find this product here.

Aussie Max Hold Gel For Men is an amazing hair gel which provides your hair with maximum hold. This product is especially perfect for those with flat hair that requires a lift and it helps to add sheen, texture, and body to your hair.

Purchase this product here.

This gel is one of the best in the world and it helps to boost the volume of your hair giving it a fuller look. If you have long hair, American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel is the best hair styling product for you as it does an outstanding job in the shaping of such hair. This gel stands out from the rest as it does not give you a greasy look but rather provides your hair with a natural and elegant finish. American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel is ideal for both medium and long hairstyles and has an amazing masculine scent.

You can buy his gel here.

Bluebeards Revenge Hair Gel provides you with a strong hold and unlike many gels, it’s not too sticky. This gel has a unique light texture which makes it easy to apply and is also very easy to wash out. The only setback about Bluebeards Revenge Hair Gel is that it takes time to dry but this should not be an issue if you are patient as it’s worth the wait.

You can get this gel here.

One of the things that make this amazing gel stand out is the fact that it’s alcohol-free and it smells really good. Bumble & Bumble Sumogel will give you a strong hold that lasts and that enables you to maintain a refined finish.

Find Bumble & Bumble Sumogel here.

This gel has a thick formula that provides a medium hold which allows flexibility but it’s strong enough to keep thick hair intact. Johnny B. Mode smells amazing, it’s easy to apply, and its sky blue color makes it look really good. This gel is easy to wash out as it is water-soluble which means that it will not result in unwanted buildup on your hair.

You can purchase this gel here.

This gel provides you with a medium hold and works extremely well for those with long hair and it’s also good for those with thick, curly, straight, or even wavy hair. TIGI Bed Head’s texture is smooth and creamy which makes it non-sticky and easy to apply. This gel is also alcohol-free, and easy to wash out as its water soluble.

Get TIGI Bed Head For Men Power Play Gel here.

Redken Stand Touch Extreme Hold Gel provides you with a stronghold which makes it perfect for thick, long hair. Compared to other hair styling gels for men, this gel has a lighter shine, smells great, and washes out easily.

You can purchase this gel here.

Hair gel, wax, and pomades are all applied to your hair the same way. The first step involves choosing the product you would like to use to style your hair and some of the factors that will determine the kind of product that you will use are such as the look you are trying to achieve and the strength of hold you are looking for.

The next step is for you to wash your hair with shampoo and do not dry it completely; keep it dump for the best look. Put a little amount of the hair styling product of your choice on your fingertips and run them through your hair while being careful not to get the hair styling product onto your scalp. The next and the last step is styling; if you don’t have a preferred look, you can get creative and try out different looks and see the one that suits you the best.

Having good looking hair is very important even for men as it makes you feel good about yourself, raising your self-esteem. Having the right hair styling product is very essential as it allows you to be able to express yourself as hairstyles are usually ways of creating a statement. You can start the year by using some of the above gels to come up with a hairstyle that will speak volumes about your amazing personality and image.