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It is difficult to find the best hair clays for men that suit your hair type and style.
Styling products for men often consist only of pomade and wax, gels, and little appreciation for having the best clay hair product in your arsenal care tools can be powerful, especially for thin, fine hair.
The best hair clay should not only have a good grip to tame unruly hair, but also give it a matte finish, composed of high quality and natural ingredients that will not dry out your hair or scalp, and all this will give you confidence that you need to look your best.
From styling clay with high hold, matte finish to specific products for short, long, thick, fine, or curly hair, we’ve searched the besthair clays for men to bring you this amazing list.
In today’s review and guide, we dive into the tips for buying hair clay, compare clay with other styling products, and discuss the proper way to apply hair clay.
Table Of Contents
- Things To Consider Before Buying Hair Clay
- 10 Best Hair Clays For Men Of 2023
- 1. Baxter Of California Hair Clay
- 2. Layrite Cement Matte Hair Clay
- 3. Matt Clay By Percy Nobleman
- 4. Smooth Viking Hair Clay For Men
- 5. Aveda Men’s Pure Formance Grooming Clay
- 6. Lamel Styling Clay
- 7. Krieger Sohne Premium Styling Clay For Men
- 8. Jack Black Clay Pomade
- 9. American Crew Molding Clay
- 10. Woody’s Matte Finish Clay For Men
- The Best Way To Apply Hair Clay
- Hair Clay Versus Other Hair Styling Products
- Conclusion
Things To Consider Before Buying Hair Clay
In assessing different hair clays, we identified five key factors to consider in finding the perfect hair clay for you:
1. Hair Style & Length
Your current hairstyle, or the hairstyle you are hoping to achieve, is one of the most important factors in choosing hair clay. Your haircut will help determine the length of your hair, and hair length will help determine the type of clay you need.
While you can use clay on most hair lengths, make sure to use clay with a stronger hold if you have long hair.
If you are trying to achieve a loose and casual style with long hair, clay is ideal. You don’t get the same grip as a pomade or gel, but you don’t need a super firm hold for popular (messy) styles.
Hair clay helps add volume to your hair if your hair length is short (er) or medium. It is also effective for a thicker, stronger hairstyle where you need a hold that lasts all day.
2. Hold
As you can see in our reviews below, hair clays can come in a variety of poses.
When we talk about the variety of (warehouses), we are talking about how well a product can put your hair on all day. For example, a hair clay with a stronghold should be good all day long.
While a hair clay with a light to medium hold gives your hair enough texture without making it feel too stiff.
In general, most hair clays for this product category have an average hold.
3. Finish
By the finish, we mean (shine), how shiny your hair looks after you apply a styling product. Most hair clays have a matte (dry) finish that makes it look like you have no product in your hair at all.
4. Ingredients
As we slipped earlier, many hair clays often rely on bentonite as the main ingredient that provides structure or retention.
Bentonite is used as a binder in various applications and is often extracted from clay or volcanic ash.
In addition to clay, other ingredients used in hair clay can include beeswax, paraffin, carrier oils, essential oils, and lanolin.
These natural ingredients not only keep the cuticles soft and strong on your hair but also work to moisturize and nourish both hair and scalp.
Common ingredients that men often avoid when choosing a hair clay are parabens and other synthetic ingredients, as they cause irritation with prolonged use. Can cause.
5. Price
During our research, we found that most hair clay can cost anywhere from $ 10 to $ 30. Of course, several factors come into play here, including the brand name, the composition of ingredients, etc.
Just because certain brands cost hair claymore doesn’t mean they are a better product.
Now let’s switch and check out our hair clay reviews:
10 Best Hair Clays For Men Of 2023
We have researched the best hair clays from the best care and styling brands.
You are sure to find one that fits your budget, and we guarantee that at least one of these will easily become your new favorite hair product.
1. Baxter Of California Hair Clay
View On AmazonWhen it comes to the best hair clay on the market, Baxter of California takes the cake. Commonly known as a luxury men’s grooming brand, Clay Pomade from Baxter of California has an unparalleled bastion on your hair, and the matte to matte finish provides a natural look that you love. If you want to achieve a huge volume with a lightweight feel, this product delivers.
The effect of this styling product on unruly hair is profound. Just a little bit of the clay smoothes your hair, eliminates frizz, and keeps your hairstyle in place all day long. Plus, you should expect some volume, texture, and definition when applying to damp hair and styling with a blow dryer.
With seductive scents of lemon and sage, this hybrid hair clay pomade is filled with natural ingredients. You will find petroleum and beeswax on the ingredients list. While petroleum can make it more difficult to rinse out, thankfully, it isn’t sticky, and there is no greasy finish. In addition, the beeswax moisturizes and conditions your hair to keep it healthy.
While it may be a bit more expensive than other options that made our list, the strength of the formula means the container will last for a few months, even if you style on a daily basis. Ultimately, this hair clay will definitely tame any hairstyle and smooth out your locks, making it the best place.
- Leaves a great natural looking matte finish
- Long-lasting hold that’s also pliable
- Great for taming unruly hair
- It is a bit thicker, making it more difficult to apply
2. Layrite Cement Matte Hair Clay
View On AmazonLayrite: The company has firmly rooted its roots in the world of hairdressing. Founded by a hairdresser, Layrite products are formulated by professional hairdressers who know a thing or two about male hair.
Their Cement Matte Hair Clay well represents their quality line of products, and we think it is one of the best men’s hairs clay.
It’s also strong stuff: it provides a powerful hold that you won’t find in most clays. It’s meant to last, and one application should keep your hair in place all day long.
Layrite Cement Matte Hair Clay is a good option for men with long hair or men who want to rock a more extreme hairstyle. While it is the best hair clay for thick hair, men with thinning hair may also find it helpful as it helps add volume.
You’ll also love the textured, natural-looking finish of the Cement Matte Hair Clay that doesn’t leave telltale flakes like some other clays.
Due to the thick texture, you have to rub the clay between your hands to warm it up before applying it, but that’s hardly an inconvenience given the results you can get.
It’s also good for men with extremely curly or coarse hair who struggle to find a styling product that helps them keep their hair in place longer.
As the name suggests, the Cement Matte Hair Clay has a layer of a glossy, matte finish. Your hair looks natural, not artificial.
Layrite’s hair clay is water-soluble, meaning it’s easy to wash out in the shower. Meanwhile, many users like the light vanilla scent that isn’t overly sweet and doesn’t overpower your cologne or aftershave.
- Sleek matte finish that lasts all-day
- Excellent for men who prefer a firm hold
- Water-based and has a pleasant fragrance
- More difficult to work in the hair than some products
3. Matt Clay By Percy Nobleman
View On AmazonMatt Clay from Percy Nobleman is one of the best hair clothes for men with shorter or choppy hairstyles. This paraben-free hair clay has a dry, low shine that will give your natural hair a beautiful shape.
The formula maintains your shape and style all day, but will still wash out easily once the day is over.
Don’t want a dry look?
No problem, apply Matt Clay to damp hair for that smooth oil-based back. Percy Nobleman also backs their Matt Clay with a satisfaction guarantee so you can buy with confidence.
Instead of relying on bentonite from volcanic ash, Percy Nobleman relies on kaolin, another naturally produced clay.
In addition to kaolin, other notable natural ingredients include the following:
- Almond Oil
- Limonene
- Beeswax
- Lanolin
This makes this clay ideal for various hairstyles and benefits for the scalp.
- Goes on clean
- Lightweight clay aids make for simple application
- Adds volume and texture
- Strong scent
4. Smooth Viking Hair Clay For Men
View On AmazonSmooth Viking is a small but growing company that makes a name for itself as a quality manufacturer of men’s grooming and styling products. Originally starting to focus on the beard care, Smooth Viking’s Hair Clay is just another example of good ingredients that perform, resulting in great customer reviews.
This clay is labeled as a stronghold product that maximizes texture and gives a matte finish, making your hairstyle fuller and fuller. While we agree that the product offers texture and thickness, we believe the strength of this clay is closer to medium. Like K + S, it’s not a super hold option, but that’s a good thing: not every sexy haircut needs it. Sometimes guys with short, thick hair or medium length styles want to control, but no firmness.
Another advantage is that there is no odor, which means that there are no additional chemicals. While some users have mentioned a fragrance, most agree that it is very neutral.
If you want to add texture to your locks and keep your style intact without worry, you need a product you can count on. As a water-based, fragrance-free product that provides shine-free coverage and effortless washout, Smooth Viking deserves your attention.
- Adds volume and texture to hair
- Easy to apply and wash out
- Works effectively for a selection of hair lengths
- The scent isn’t for each and every individual
5. Aveda Men’s Pure Formance Grooming Clay
View On AmazonAveda Men’s Pure-Formance Grooming Clay can be found in various reviews of men’s styling products. The logical conclusion is that they have to do something right, but: as always, it comes down to performance.
In that respect, Aveda’s Grooming Clay proves its worthiness.
The Pure-Formance clay provides a strong hold without adding too much shine and helps thicken the hair: making it a good choice for men with thin hair, but it is also suitable for most hair types and hairstyles.
While the hold is arguably the strongest feature: and it is a hold that still makes your hair workable if needed: Aveda’s Grooming Clay also leaves a nice matte finish that you will often find in top-quality clay.
You can use it on dry or wet hair, but it may work best on damp hair that you blow-dry after application.
It can also help you get more complex, aggressive hairstyles without leaving your hair feeling brittle or dry. While sturdy on the strong side, it doesn’t leave the hair so stiff you can’t edit it again if your style doesn’t fall into place during the day.
- Fantastic hold
- Leaves a nice matte finish
- Works effectively on shorter hair
- It is a bit pricey when in contrast to other items
6. Lamel Styling Clay
View On AmazonAlthough advertised as salon-quality clay, Lamel Fine Grooming Clay is a much more budget-friendly choice compared to the more expensive range on the market.
This is the ideal clay if you are looking for a stronghold and no shine. The versatile, unisex clay works on even the thickest hair with ease, creating a neat style with plenty of power.
Considered the best hair clay for thick hair, it lasts all day.
The beauty of Lamel is the ease of application and flexibility without the sticky, heavy feel of a hair gel.
With the matte and natural-looking finish, this hair product works with you instead of against you.
So, if you want to have a representative look or one that’s a little more effortless, expect this clay to bend to your needs.
Traveling with hair products can be difficult. With strict size restrictions imposed by TSA, you should always make sure to keep things small.
Slat is packaged in a 2.7 oz container, making it the perfect travel companion to store in your toiletry bag.
All these great benefits and the support of a 100% satisfaction guarantee make Lamel one of the best hair clay on the market.
- Powerful hold
- Ideal for travel
- Fantastic styling versatility
- The hold could also be robust for some
7. Krieger Sohne Premium Styling Clay For Men
View On AmazonKrieger + Söhne is one of the most renowned men’s grooming companies in the industry today. Guys looking for a hair clay that offers a firm hold without any greasiness should check out K + S Styling Clay. This hair product is perfect for men who have just mastered the hair to style their hair with clay and need something for everyday use. Infused with beeswax for moisture and a flake-free, non-greasy finish, K + S works beautifully with most hairstyles.
It’s important to start with the fact that this clay is paraben-free and made with natural ingredients that don’t stiffen like some gels and pomades. As such, we would rate the hold on this product somewhere between medium and strong. Great for checking and styling your hair, especially if you want some natural movement and flow; you can expect this clay to last up to 12 hours.
These properties ensure that K + S Styling Clay gives enough volume to flat, lifeless hair. The lightweight finish makes it ideal for short hairstyles that require a textured finish or medium to long hairstyles where you want a natural look. Men who need strong clay for their very thick hair may need a more powerful product, such as Baxter or California or Layrite. And as a product that can be easily washed from your hair and hands, cleaning is a breeze. If you’re looking for a great brand versatile enough to handle most looks, invest in a Krieger + Söhne pot.
- Water-based formula simple to wash out
- Operates with all hair patterns
- Good textured look
- May well drop hold by the finish of the day
8. Jack Black Clay Pomade
View On AmazonWhat you will not find in the many styling products of Jack Black are harmful ingredients. That fact is part of the company’s mantra for providing quality products that won’t damage the hair, skin, or beard: and their Clay Pomade is no exception.
JB’s pomade is vegan and contains no parabens, alcohol, dyes, or synthetic fragrances, while it is also dermatologically tested and not tested on animals. That’s certainly a good place to start, but it also has many other benefits, including the hold and matte finish.
As the name implies, the Jack Black Clay Pomade has pomade-like properties but with a clay finish. It gives a natural finish, whether you apply it on damp or dry hair, without much shine.
Jack Black’s Clay Pomade is medium to strong in firmness, but it depends on the thickness and length of your hair.
Meanwhile, the list of natural ingredients has everything you need to keep your hair healthy:
- Tea Tree Oil: You can find tea tree oil in a variety of hair products because it itches and helps reduce dryness
- Lavender oil: helps soften brittle ends
- Sage leaf oil: helps reduce and eliminate bacteria that cause scalp irritation.
- Organic basil leaf: adds volume and texture to hair
- Green tea leaf extract: Stimulates hair follicles for healthier regrowth
The JB Clay Pomade has a creamy texture, creamier than many other clays, and is easy to wash out of your hair. We like that it is easy to apply to damp hair and does not leave any lumps, but it is important to work it in your hands before applying it.
It also has a subtle, clean, and natural fragrance derived from the essential oils used to formulate it.
- Leaves an excellent natural finish
- Easy to apply
- All-natural elements
- Doesn’t have quite the hold of some other clays
9. American Crew Molding Clay
View On AmazonWe all know the name of American Crew by now because their popular products can be found in many hairdressers and department stores.
Like their other products, their molding clay is one of the best on the market.
The formula is made from beeswax and bentonite, which provides a medium to strong hold on normal hair types. The fragrance is a masculine blend of oils such as orange, lime, peppermint, and spearmint that provide a cool, clean fragrance with a hint of citrus.
The 3.0 oz bottle is quite sturdy for clay, and the price is quite reasonable for such a popular, highly rated product.
Packed with a variety of natural ingredients, this salon-quality clay smells wonderful when you apply it. If the odor subsides, expect a medium to firm hold that will give your hair a natural finish. It is a great hair styling clay from a trusted brand.
- Smells great
- Gives an all-natural finish
- Components act as an all-organic conditioner
- Washing out might be even although
- Not water-based
10. Woody’s Matte Finish Clay For Men
View On AmazonMen who want their hair to look natural and tame should turn to Woody’s Matte Finish Clay. This hair product is made to master any type of look or texture, making it a staple of any man’s styling routine. Aside from the obvious versatility, Woody’s Matte Clay gives you luscious volume and a highly sought after natural finish.
With a delicious yet subtle vanilla scent, a little goes a long way. Just a dollop of this non-glossy product will keep your hairstyle in place all day long. The company says it works for (normal hair), but we’re not sure what that means. We found it a good choice for men with fine, thinning, and coarse hair types. Maybe it’s the good but not overpowering grip or the fact that you can easily wash it out.
In addition, this clay contains a unique set of ingredients, including beeswax, mineral oil, and Cannabis Sativa seed oil, so you know your hair stays styled, conditioned, and healthy. As one of the easiest hair clothes to use, Woody’s guarantees investment.
- Very affordable offered the dimension.
- Does supply some organic shine
- Operates with most hairstyles
- Not suited for males with extended hair
The Best Way To Apply Hair Clay
There are plenty of well-known hair clay brands to choose from. But before you find your favorite, learn the basics of styling with clay men’s products.
Follow these easy steps to use hair clay and style the best men’s hairstyles.
1. clean your hair
Do not put hair clay in your hair if you have other products in it, such as shampoo or conditioner from the shower, as the clay will eat oil and dirt, it will get pretty badly fused with these products and become a little runny, or it will absorb them and no longer do your hair justice.
2. Measure a pea
Hair clay comes in 1.86 oz containers and like because you use them so much Imagine a little pea at the tip of your fingertip now make it reality only made from hair clay This stuff is extremely powerful at most needs thick long hair two peas but watch how one works for you before you jump in.
3. Warm it up
Rub the clay between your fingertips to the same temperature as your skin, and this will allow you to see if you clay starts to clump or just doesn’t feel right, it’s like having control and balance in your grooming.
4. Style time
For any style, you have the power of your fingertips (literally). You feel like a sculptor with an ultra-malleable muse to work with. Before mowing, brush back until you are satisfied. For side weaving, share it, brush it as you like until you are satisfied. The clay will do most of the work.
Hair Clay Versus Other Hair Styling Products
Hair clay is different from many of the other products in the hairstyling world. Not only do they provide a natural and matte look, but hair clothing also depends on a wide variety of natural ingredients.
To help understand how this product is truly unique compared to other popular hair care products, we wanted a brief overview of each:
Pomade
Unlike hair clay, pomade has a long history. By (long), we mean a few centuries ago, but the pomades today hardly look like the products of yesteryear (which were made from bear fat, among other things).
Many of today’s pomades are oil-based and usually leave a high to medium shine.
Water-based pomades have a higher sheen, but less grip than oil-based pomades, but classic pomades, such as became popular in the United States in the 1950s and 60s, are oil-based.
So, how do you use pomade? For starters, they are great for creating classic looks like the pompadour, the crest, the ducktail, and other styles that go back to the (smear) look.
Pomade’s hold is stronger than other styling products, but it’s not so firm that it makes your hair so stiff that you can’t restyle it during the day. Pomades do not dry out during the day and leave no tell-tale.
However, the retention varies from product to product.
Pomades work best with medium to thick hair. And as a final note, you probably want to think twice about buying an oil-based pomade if you have acne. The oil can clog pores and make your acne problems worse.
Hair Wax
The best comparison with hair clay is hair wax. Instead of relying on bentonite clay as a primary binder and structuring agent, hair wax will depend on paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is a soft and colorless solid derived from petroleum, making it fundamentally different from hair clay.
But just like hair clay, you can get a matte finish if you use hair wax.
Men with short or medium hair prefer hair wax, as it can also give a slightly stronger hold: especially compared to hair clay.
Hair Gel
Hair Gel is often used as a collective phrase for various hair styling products, but it is a different product from clay, wax, and pomade. First, gels usually contain a copolymer called PVP K-90 that provides superior holding power.
The hold, mind you, is something that sets gel apart from other styling products. Most hair gels provide a firm hold, although some provide a lighter hold.
In most cases, however, the hold is strong enough to last all day (but not as workable as most other hair styling products).
Hair Paste
Although it does not lack bentonite clay, hair paste is just like hair clay because the final look has more of a matte finish.
Both a more natural look and a water-soluble formula, this is another great alternative to a hair clay.
The main difference between a hair paste and hair clay is often in the holding power. Hair pastes give more of a medium to a stronghold, which can be good for men who want a haircut with little effort.
Hair Cream
Creams work well to give medium-length and longer hair a natural, healthy look, as well as a natural-looking shine that is neither too greasy nor greasy.
Many men with thin or fine hair use hair cream instead of pomade or wax, because cream feels light, but is good for a variety of hair types, including frizzy hair which is difficult to control.
Conclusion
Texture, volume and holding power are just some of the key features to look out for when choosing the best hair clay for you.
With so many options available for men, there has never been a better time to choose between some great hair clay brands.
While we couldn’t review all of the current hair clay, we are sure that our list above includes the best hair clays for men brands available today.
As always, we appreciate your opinion. Do you have a favorite hair clay? Have you tried one on our list yet? We would like to hear from you!
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