Walk into any barbershop and you'll find a wall of styling products — pomades, clays, waxes, pastes, creams. For most men, the choice comes down to guesswork. The wrong product for your hair type or desired style can leave you looking greasy, flat, or stiff. Here's how to cut through the confusion.
Hair Clay: Matte Finish, Strong Hold, Natural Look
Clay is the go-to product for men who want a natural, matte finish without the shine that pomade or gel tends to leave behind. It works by coating the hair shaft with mineral pigments that add texture and grip, making it especially effective for thick, coarse, or unruly hair.
The Concrete Hair Clay from Charlemagne is ideal for structured styles with a dry, matte finish — think textured crops, quiffs, or any style where you want visible separation and definition without your hair looking product-heavy. Apply to damp or dry hair by warming a small amount between your palms first, then distribute through the hair and shape as desired.
Best for: Thick or coarse hair. Matte, textured looks. Medium to strong hold.
Pomade: Shine, Versatility, Reworkability
Pomade is the most versatile styling product in men's grooming. Depending on the formula, it can deliver anything from a light, flexible hold to a firm, slicked-back finish. The key distinction is water-based versus oil-based.
Water-based pomades — like the Original Hair Pomade and Matte Hair Pomade from Charlemagne — wash out easily with water and can be reworked throughout the day by adding a little water. The Matte Hair Pomade hits a sweet spot: the flexibility of a pomade with the understated finish of a clay. It suits fine to medium hair well.
Best for: Fine to medium hair. Flexible, reworkable styles. Both matte and high-shine options available.
Hair Wax: Definition and Texture on Demand
Wax sits between clay and pomade — medium hold with a slight sheen. It's particularly useful for shorter styles where you want definition and separation without weight, and for men with curly or wavy hair where a heavier product would flatten natural texture.
Best for: Short to medium hair. Definition without stiffness. Curly or wavy textures.
Hair Styling Powder: Volume and Grip with Zero Weight
For fine or limp hair, styling powder is transformative. Applied to dry hair at the roots, it creates instant volume and grip without adding weight or visible product. Charlemagne's Hair Styling Powder comes in light and strong hold variants — use the light version as a base layer, or the strong hold standalone for voluminous styles that last all day.
Best for: Fine or limp hair. Root volume. Invisible finish.
The Quick Decision Guide
For a natural, matte look with strong hold: choose clay. For flexibility and reworkability: choose pomade. For definition on shorter or curly styles: choose wax. If volume is your main concern: try styling powder. All Charlemagne styling products are available in the hair care collection.
