The 26 Best Hair Products For Men In 2024

If clothes truly maketh the man, then your hairstyle should be recognised as the single most important accessory to completing the transformation. Whether thick and unruly, shiny and slick, short and rigid – one’s haircut of choice often says more about you than what you wear, say or do. Having said that, one can hardly be blamed for getting lost in the overwhelming shuffle of hair products that easily inundate our favourite store’s shelves.

Which is why Ape has produced the definitive guide to the best men’s hair products on the market – from shampoos and conditioners to pomades and hair sprays – to help ensure your barnet always looks on point.

How To Use This Guide

Like picking a haircut that suits your face shape, the type of products you choose should be determined by your hair’s length and texture – otherwise known as hair type. Below you’ll find a variety of common hair types, along with appropriate product recommendations.

From there, choose your desired look in terms of hold and shine. Everything that falls in the ‘Medium’ box should be suitable for most hair types. Only when you stray outside of the box do these hair products for men become a little more niche. Within each category you’ll find Ape’s key recommendation, based on our own experiences and feedback from readers.

Hair Types

Straight Hair

For those lucky enough to have straight hair, there really is no restriction in terms of usable hair products. Mould to any style with almost any product. The biggest considerations will be the amount of hold and shine you require to suit your chosen look.

Curly Hair

Curly hair, once a target for the playground bully, is now highly desirable. Thick, full and textured, it can be left alone for a natural style. However, for a little more control of the hairs’ overall shape, apply a styling cream. You might also consider a mousse for definition, texture and a healthy-looking appearance.

Short Hair

Given the nature of short hair, similar to straight hair, most styling products will work well here. Just consider hold and shine to suit a chosen look.

Thick Hair

Despite a large proportion of men dealing with hair loss, believe it or not, some men do ‘suffer’ with thick hair. Thick, weighty and dense by nature. A stronger hold styling product is required here to maintain a chosen style. A high-hold pomade or clay is your weapon of choice, depending on your required shine.

Thin Hair

The focus for thinning or receding hair is texture and volume. No need to book in for a hair transplant just yet, gentlemen. Instead, choose a lighter, matte styling products to avoid weighing hair down. Solutions include root boost powders, salt sprays, clays, pastes or hair spray.

Ape’s Hair Products For Men Matrix

Hair Products For Men Explained

You have two choices to make here. High-shine or Low-Shine (matte) and High-Hold or Low-Hold. High-Shine will reflect light, making hair appear glossy. Low-Shine, on the other hand, will absorb light and provide a more natural, matte appearance.

Hold is self explanatory: the choices comes down to whether or not you prefer a High-Hold, which offers little or no movement, or Low-Hold for a more natural-looking style, but with a little control.

High-Hold With Low-Shine

Clay

Easy to mould, but once you’re done styling, clay stays in place with a high-hold and dries to a matte finish. In truth, they do range from thick and sticky to a creamy consistency (our preference is the former).

Many contain bentonite, a natural ingredient from volcanic ash. It makes hair feel ‘fatter’ by adding body, thickness and structure to individual hairs. The result is a strong hair structure and stability throughout the day