A great tip for how to use hair wax: It’s best not to remove styling wax by brushing it out, nor is it good to let it sit in your hair for several days. Learn how to wash your hair correctly with shampoo to remove it. Here, Maxwell Oakley of barbershop Supply 91 steers you to your best hair wax, whatever kind of hair you’ve got on your head. There used to be hard rules around using the best hair wax—about what each product would do once applied. Those lines are blurred more and more: The best hair waxes, while traditionally offering the wearer both high hold and medium to low shine, can now run the gamut in both categories. Some give medium or light hold, others offer a shine-free, matte finish.

Finding the best hair wax to keep a short hairstyle in place does not come without its challenges: First and foremost, these products have to be reliable. Short hair has little to no Plan B if their style goes south at the end of the day! Plus, making sure you get the most out of the product when styling is extremely important. Scroll down to find out how to use hair wax on short hairstyles. 1. Pixie Cut Style your short crop with hair wax. Photo credit: Dvora Gel-based hair waxes typically provide a medium to firm hold while allowing you to create pliable styles. You can apply gel hair wax to either damp or dry hair, and they often impart a shiny finish. The best gel hair waxes provide a lightweight, natural hold while leaving hair soft and flexible. Spray hair wax Hair oil isn’t so much a styler as it is a polishing, shine-building, and hydrating agent. We like adding a drop to our clay, paste, cream, or fiber for a subtle sheen, since it helps the hair catch the light and seem textured and fuller, without making it look greasy or unwashed. Hair oil is also terrific in long styles as a tamer and nourisher, since the ends of your long hairs rarely get the same natural hydration from your scalp’s sebum production (this risks them getting split ends and being dry, brittle, and untamed). Hair oil can prevent or reverse all of that. When it comes to looking for wax to use on curly hair, the challenge lies in finding formulations that define your ringlets without deflating them or imparting a crunch, crispy look that just screams “done.”A hair wax’s hold is another important factor to consider as it largely determines the product’s quality level. With high-quality hair waxes, a small amount of product has the ability to distribute evenly through hair and provide a hold that lasts throughout the day. Some hair waxes deliver a strong hold, while some waxes (spray hair waxes for example) are formulated for lighter, more natural holds. Regardless of the hold level, a hair wax should keep a hairstyle secure for at least 8 to 12 hours. Types of Hair Wax Providing volume for fine hair: Work small amounts of styling wax into the hair next to the roots. Then finish your style using a blow-dryer with diffuser attachment Cream-based hair waxes allow you to shape and control your style without making your hair stiff. They are often lightweight to create effortless texture and definition while imparting a strong, long-lasting hold. The best cream waxes leave hair feeling soft and natural as well. Hair wax is a product known for its ability to mold and shape hair. Containing little to no water, hair wax is typically used on men’s hair but it’s also an incredible styling product for women.

Unlike a polished pomade or glossy gel, hair wax is a versatile option that can help you achieve plenty of styles. “You can create so many textures and looks depending on the amount you use, plus it's really long wearing,” says Oakley. “Wax is great on dry hair: work it forward from the crown to make sure there's not an overload of product at the fringe area. Use your fingertips to mould it from root to ends." Cuts with longer hair on the fringe area can be styled with the bangs sweetly parted to one side and the rest of the hair combed in place. For some hold and shine (and a bit of lift), start with a blowdrying lotion before blowdrying and finish with a tiny amount of wax balm distributed near the roots. Comb it through your strands in a downward motion using your fingers for some modern tousle. Layered styles: Apply the wax to your hair ends only by twirling the tips between your fingers. This will give layered haircuts an edgy look. If you want to apply to damp hair, you can: it can be easier to disperse evenly, which works for finer or straighter hair. "When applying your hair wax on damp hair, using your dryer on a low power and medium heat will achieve a looser, lived-in look," Oakley adds. Creating structured, flexible curls: Both natural and styled curls are springier and hold the style longer after hair wax has been applied. Simply work the wax into the ends of your hair and learn how to curl hair for a great finish.Alas, not all hair waxes were created equal and a select few come with a particularly enthusiastic thumbs-up from us. But first, here’s a little more on why a hair wax is worth its place in your styling routine, care of Ruffians creative director Denis Robinson. What styles are best to create with hair wax? Perhaps this isn’t a needed section, but in a world where we are always pressured to spend extra money, having a little reminder to stay within your budget when shopping for the basics never hurt anyone.