Best Hair Waxes & Gels
Hair waxes and gels have been keeping people in style for years. Whether you want to try sporting a funky new modern look or go for a sleek classic look, hair wax can get you the style you want. Useful for a wide variety of hair types, hair wax is the next step up in unisex hairstyling. Read more…
- Products (40,466)
- Beauty Products (2,843)
Ultraorganics’ Clear Henna Wax Treatment is an intensive hair conditioner specially formulated for dry, damaged and lifeless hair.
Latest review: Smells amazing, my curls are more defunds and hydrated. Love this product will be buying regularly. Fantastic
This high performing hair wax by Ubersuave has a matte finish and extreme hold to enable professional styling that lasts all day. It works perfectly on short, textured styles to longer length contemporary quiff hairstyles.
Latest review: It seems like having glue on your hair..I ended up with using it to polish my leather
Lynx’s Messy Look Flexible Paste has a medium hold and natural finish to give you the perfect combination of flexibility and staying power. Get effortlessly styled hair every day.
Latest review: Purchased this product for the first time on special. It came in a nice presentable container,so what have I got to lose?. First 2 days were great and washed out easily in the shower. On the 3rd day
Latest review: I have really frizzy hair and this is the best hairspray that I have come across which controls frizz really really well. it doesn't smell terrible or irritate the scalp which is important because I
Latest review: Been using this product for about 10 Years. I have very fine hair and this liquid gel is light, easy to apply, holds my hair all day, is easily washed off hands and from hair as it’s made from Vegan F
Latest review: Awesome product! Used to use styling mud/mousse products but after using this, I won't be going back. It's soo easy to use, screw it up like a glue stick, rub it in your hair, screw it back down and
Latest review: I used the osis volume & I was very surprised. It does add depth & volume to your hair without making it sticky or clumpy or greasy. A little goes a lot way & it does last all day in your hair. Very
Latest review: I have fine curly hair which I wash 3 times weekly and straighten after each wash.. All the volume products I have tried, cheap and expensive, have not worked for me. When I purchased the product
Sandstone is built to give your hair an effortless and volumised finish. It has 24-hour wear, is packed with natural minerals and is easy to wash away.
Latest review: I have incredibly sensitive skin, which is one reason I avoid hairspray - that and the fact that I usually can't stand the stuff. I loathe everything about it: the hardness/crunchiness, the foul
Latest review: Schwartzkopf airspray contains Methacrylate copolymer, Aminomethyl propanol, Dimethicone, and artificial fragrance. These chemicals have links to being carcinogenic. Use a natural holding product
Latest review: I’m going grey, and I haven’t dyed my hair for several months over lockdowns. Thought I would try this grey spray just to get a slight idea of what I might look like fully grey. As previous poster say
Latest review: I used this product and it held my hair in place well. Good -until I went to wash it out and it won't!!!! So far tried 3 different shampoos and Dissolv-it without success. My hair is now really
Latest review: I have written about this before [obviously ignored, stating what I believe to be facts] and advised that the formula has changed. I was a big fan - it worked well on my short fine hair. It is now a
Latest review: Followed instructions but does not hold hair as described. Leaves your hair looking greasy and flat! Recommended by Hairhouse Warehouse staff not going to be hoodwinked again! Save your
Jump to:
- What is hair wax?
- Hair wax vs hair gel
- What do you use hair wax for?
- Natural vs chemical wax
- How to apply hair wax
- Things to consider
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What is hair wax?
Hair wax is made out of wax from animals and plants. It’s a product often used to aid in hair styling since it’s easy to use and pliable. It can style the hair and remove frizziness without making it stiff or dry. Other names for similar products include pomade, putty, glue, whip, molding gum, or styling paste
Hair wax gives hair a more natural look and the hair can be easily restyled into multiple fashions without washing the hair or reapplying any product.
Wax is very popular in men’s hairstyling, however, it also comes handy in women’s hairstyling since it’s versatile and works well in a variety of hair types including rough, sort, curly, straight, wet, dry, short and long.
You can achieve your ideal look in minutes once you know your way around hair wax. One thing to keep in mind when using hair wax is that it can accumulate on the scalp. This occurs as a result of poor washing and is easily remedied by shampooing thoroughly.
Hair wax vs hair gel
Considering its similarity with hair wax, people often get confused between the two.
Hair wax is the most popular styling tool since it leaves your hair pliable and restyleable. Hair wax can deliver a soft to medium hold with a natural-looking finish. Its versatility means you can use the product for any hair type and length. Moreover, if you want to temporarily change your hair colour, then hair wax is a great solution.
If you have thick hair that you need taming, then your best bet is a hair gel. It’ll give you the strong hold that you need and leave your hair with a hard, crunchy finish. Hair gel is a great styling tool as long as you don’t need to rework your hair throughout the day. Hair gel is both easy to apply and remove thanks to its water-based formula.
| Hair wax | Hair gel | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Waxy and semi-solid | Jelly-like and wet |
| Used when dry or wet | Dry | Damp |
| Hold | Natural soft hold | Strong rigid hold |
| Restyling | Pliable and easy restyling | Dries and hardens hair, can't restyle without washing |
| Removal | Requires thorough shampooing | Washes off easily |
What do you use hair wax for?
Hairstyling
The ultimate syling tool, hair wax can craft the desired style and texture of hair as well as improve hair volume, gloss and structure. Hair styles created with hair wax tend to last longer without losing their shape. No need for reapplication as you can restyle the hair throughout the day to suit your mood. It can be washed away with a quick shampoo and scrub.
Facial hair
For those looking to keep their beards and moustaches looking neat without trimming, you can invest in a hair wax to style to your heart’s content. The strong hold of the wax is perfect for thick facial hair.
Eyebrows
For peoples with thick eyebrows, the holding power of the hair wax makes it possible to manage and style eyebrows when you don’t have time to trim or wax them or to sport a bold look. They can also be used to tint the colour of your eyebrows by making them darker, covering greys and making them more noticeable.
Natural vs chemical wax
Hair waxes can contain a range of ingredients from natural wax to synthetic, chemical products. Hair wax can also be made at home with natural ingredients whereas commercial ones tend to use more chemicals.
Here are some of the products that are needed to make hair wax:
Natural wax
Natural wax is either animal or plant-derived. Some of the animal waxes used are beeswax and Lanolin.
Plant-based waxes include carnauba wax (palm wax), soy wax, Japan wax, jojoba wax, emulsifying wax candelilla wax, castor wax and rice-bran wax.
It may be important to you to choose a wax that is plant-based if you are vegan or advocate for animal welfare.
Chemicals
The chemicals used are all considered safe for human hair and work as emulsifiers and preservatives to give texture to the hair. Common ingredients include Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Petrolatum, Cetearyl Alcohol, carbomer, VP/VA Copolymer, Propylene Glycol.
These chemicals will allow the product to have a longer shelf life as well as provide more nourishment for your hair and give a better hold. It depends on personal preference whether you opt for a product with all-organic ingredients or not. They will, naturally, incur a higher price tag as well.
How to apply hair wax
When applied badly, hair wax can make your hair looks greasy and weighed down. A little goes a long way, here’s a quick guide to applying your hair wax properly:
- Apply wax to dry hair since it provides better adhesion whilst also retaining your hair’s natural volume and form.
- No matter how long or thick you think your hair is, only use a small amount of product to begin with since a little can go a long way. You can always apply more after, but it’s harder to get the product out of your hair if you put too much in.
- Wax requires warming up which will make the application easier and more evener. Rub a bead of wax between your fingers and palms and spread it in a very thin until it is unnoticeable.
- Start applying the wax from the bottom of your hair and move to the surface/ends. Avoid contact with the scalp.
- Afterwards, you can optionally spritz your hair with hairspray for additional maintenance and hold.
Things to consider
Matte or shine: Waxes and gels are likely to give you either a shiny or matte finish. Products with a shine finish will reflect light and make your hair look glossy. Matte means your hair will absorb light and not shine.
Hold: What differentiates many hair waxes is the holding power. They tend to be categorized as either low, medium or maximum-hold. This refers to the strength of the product to be able to keep your hair in the same position.
Price: Hair waxes and gels can range from as low as $3 to over $70. The main difference between the two prices includes the ingredients and the branding.
How to apply & style: It’s necessary to warm up the paste before applying it to the hair, so rub the product between your fingers before application. Once cool, it’ll harden to add body and texture.
Hair type: Long, short, curly or straight, hair wax is a brilliant all-rounder and works well with all hair types.
Hairstyle: There are many men and women’s hairstyles that can be created with hair wax and gel. Take a moment to consider which look you’re going for to find the right product for you.
Other hair styling products: Pomade is an umbrella term for many hair styling products that are not gel-like. Hair clay can range from a thick to creamy consistency and is used to volumise the hair whilst controlling frizz. Hairspray can also be used to aid the styling process by holding hairs in place.
You can read reviews on the best hair waxes and gels to help make up your mind by scrolling up.