Hair gel alternatives?

[gswearengin]

Hiya guys,

First post in (and visit to) this particular forum! For most of my life, I have used a standard thin-ish liquid hair gel. The last few years I have switched to more of a shorter style and have been combing my hair forward, so I have used products like forming cream and pomade (mostly by American Crew).

Well, I'm ready for a change...I'm not sure exactly what I want, but I think I want to start combing my hair back or to the side again. I would also prefer it to have some body, and not just look glued down. So, I will need a product that provides a lot of hold like a hair gel, but I am trying to avoid something as sticky and crunchy as hair gel can be.

Any suggestions? I have never used Brylcreem before, but I am wondering if maybe I should give it a shot? Also, I have never seen Mad Men, but I'm thinking I wouldn't mind a hairstyle that is somewhat influenced by the show.

Any tips for hair products or hairstyles? (I will be getting my hair cut at the very old-school "Mariemont Barber Shop" in Cincinnati, so I hope that will help also. I will walk in with a beard and a shaggy mane that hasn't had a proper cut in almost three months, and hopefully walk out well shaved, well groomed, and feeling like a million bucks!)

Thanks,

GS

 

[salisburyyates]

Bed Head makes a styling wax that is really good with short, stubborn hair. I wear mine to the side and this stuff works really well in controlling it. It comes in a tub, and combined with water it has really good hold without the crustyness of most gels.

 

[Dennis]

Try Brylcreem - sounds like what you are looking for.

 

[cstokes4]

Try Brylcreem - sounds like what you are looking for.

Agree.

Brylcreem is good stuff. You might also want to give Wild Root a try as well as some tonics. I mostly use Brylcreem as well as a little wax to tack down fly aways.

 

[California Cajun]

Hiya guys,

First post in (and visit to) this particular forum! For most of my life, I have used a standard thin-ish liquid hair gel. The last few years I have switched to more of a shorter style and have been combing my hair forward, so I have used products like forming cream and pomade (mostly by American Crew).

Well, I'm ready for a change...I'm not sure exactly what I want, but I think I want to start combing my hair back or to the side again. I would also prefer it to have some body, and not just look glued down. So, I will need a product that provides a lot of hold like a hair gel, but I am trying to avoid something as sticky and crunchy as hair gel can be.

Any suggestions? I have never used Brylcreem before, but I am wondering if maybe I should give it a shot? Also, I have never seen Mad Men, but I'm thinking I wouldn't mind a hairstyle that is somewhat influenced by the show.

Any tips for hair products or hairstyles? (I will be getting my hair cut at the very old-school "Mariemont Barber Shop" in Cincinnati, so I hope that will help also. I will walk in with a beard and a shaggy mane that hasn't had a proper cut in almost three months, and hopefully walk out well shaved, well groomed, and feeling like a million bucks!)

Thanks,

GS

I use Dep. It's a gel. I also use a hairdryer and brush and comb it back.

 

[media]

Another option. It's a great product and doesnt leave any build up whatsoever or feel sticky or tacky. It just holds and looks nice.

 

[Smjodo]

Did you try American Crew Fiber (kind of waxy, muted shine)? That and Layrite pomade seemed to work for me.

 

[AdamBomb]

...For most of my life, I have used a standard thin-ish liquid hair gel. The last few years I have switched to more of a shorter style and have been combing my hair forward, so I have used products like forming cream and pomade (mostly by American Crew)....

.....Also, I have never seen Mad Men, but I'm thinking I wouldn't mind a hairstyle that is somewhat influenced by the show....

I just got my hair cut and bought a tub of the American Crew Forming Cream about an hour ago. How did you like it? I have thick shorter hair that I have had parted on the side but the way it feathers in the front made it look like a 70's type cut. I have decided to try a more classic cut by keeping it shorter on the sides and letting it grow out on top, like the Mad Men cut. I've used gel, pomade and a forming lotion in the past. Interested in what this forming cream is gonna be like.

 

[Rexall]

Sally's Beauty stores has their own brand of styling gel. Just tried a tub of one that contains aloe, and like the results a lot. Once it dries and you run a comb thru your hair, it holds great and is NOT matted down like some gels, but rather leaves the hair soft. And the price is right. Definitely worth trying.

 

[Frowzy]

Hiya guys,

First post in (and visit to) this particular forum! For most of my life, I have used a standard thin-ish liquid hair gel. The last few years I have switched to more of a shorter style and have been combing my hair forward, so I have used products like forming cream and pomade (mostly by American Crew).

Well, I'm ready for a change...I'm not sure exactly what I want, but I think I want to start combing my hair back or to the side again. I would also prefer it to have some body, and not just look glued down. So, I will need a product that provides a lot of hold like a hair gel, but I am trying to avoid something as sticky and crunchy as hair gel can be.

Any suggestions? I have never used Brylcreem before, but I am wondering if maybe I should give it a shot? Also, I have never seen Mad Men, but I'm thinking I wouldn't mind a hairstyle that is somewhat influenced by the show.

Any tips for hair products or hairstyles? (I will be getting my hair cut at the very old-school "Mariemont Barber Shop" in Cincinnati, so I hope that will help also. I will walk in with a beard and a shaggy mane that hasn't had a proper cut in almost three months, and hopefully walk out well shaved, well groomed, and feeling like a million bucks!)

Thanks,

GS

I use small amounts of Brylcreem and Crew forming cream to great effect.... no crunchiness... hair looks great and healthy... good control. I've used many different gels and pomades...

I brush it to the right.


EDIT: you should watch Mad Men, and remember that that hair style looks easier to style than it is, and is rather high maintenance. You'll need pomade and swagger.

 

[PozzSka]

+1 for pomade and swagger

Brylcreem might do the trick, Groom&Clean (usually right next to brylcreem) will do the trick, Hawleywood's Layrite pomade will also do the trick (made specifically for old school cuts, pompadours, etc, acts kinda like a wax/grease, but washes out). Check out the "anyone with old school haircuts or pompadours" thread for more suggestions. Tons of options.

 

[stroppy]

Pinaud Clubman Gel is a nice product if you're looking for a "dry" look. Run it through fairly damp hair, comb it, let it dry, comb it again and you're set. No flaking, no residual brittleness, just shiny, healthy hair that stays put.

 

[natchez]

Jason's is an all natural hair gel that holds without crusting.

 

[gswearengin]

Thanks for the tips, y'all. Also, I neglected to mention that I'm blonde in my previous post. I don't think that it would matter, but whenever I think of Brylcreem, I think of the old school slicked back black hair or pomp. Sadly, I will never be that guy...

I just got my hair cut and bought a tub of the American Crew Forming Cream about an hour ago. How did you like it? ... Interested in what this forming cream is gonna be like.

I have been through many pucks of the stuff, and it's the product that I have been most happy with for a hairstyle that sounds fairly similar to what you described. I think it smells good, adds some control but not too much, and doesn't make it obvious that you're putting something in your hair. You may also want to try out the American Crew fiber that someone above recommended. It's always seemed a little too thick for me, but may be able to do good things for your hair.

GS

 

[Phog Allen]

GS. Welcome to blonde hair styling Hades. I have blonde hair too though as I age(47) it has gotten a bit darker. Still, when fresh and clean and a bit bleached by the sun it is unmistakably blonde. This leads to a lot of products making it look greasy and not in the romantic 1950's ideal of Frankie Avalon. It just flat out looks dirty if the wrong product is used.

Anything super heavy in oils, particularly mineral oil is a no go. I can use stuff like American Crew pomade but it is always a close call between just right and looking like a suspect on Cops. One brand of product that works quite well and washes out easily is Cool Grease. These Japanese made pomades are more like a gel but not. I know that does not make sense but they are different than a normal "helmet head" gel like you buy at the grocer's. They also wash out easily since they are not oil based. It also depends upon how fine your hair is. I have a LOT of hair but it is fine in texture so if it gets the least bit long it wants to go any which way it can. So at times I have caught myself using too much product and then...well it is back to the sink to wash it out.

If it sounds as if I have a lot hair issues I do not. If I stick to the "dry look" I am fine. I even have enough body in my hair to keep it brushed into place when freshly cut. No bald spots, etc. So this is more an issue of things I would like to use but really cannot because of the look it generates.

Regards, Todd

 

[David in Boston]

Pinaud Clubman Gel is a nice product if you're looking for a "dry" look. Run it through fairly damp hair, comb it, let it dry, comb it again and you're set. No flaking, no residual brittleness, just shiny, healthy hair that stays put.

+1

This seems to work for me.

As mentioned, just shiny healthy hair that stays put.

Did use Brylcreem in the past.

It is just to greasy and my pillow got funky.

 

[bowlturner]

I no longer have enough hair on top to do a part and come across, so have started to comb it back. I found Baxter of Califonia clay pomade works well. It is not shiny, or oily. Baxter also makes one that is shiny.

 

[guitarslinger]

Bryl Cream smells terrible, IMO, and it doesn't have enough stiffness for my waves.

FWIW, Madmen staff uses Redken Griptight medium control gel + some Aerogel hair spray to keep it tighter for filming.

I really like :

swarzkopf spiking putty
Redken mint forming paste
American Crew Fiber
Redken Stand Tough Gel

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Another vote here for pomade. I just use a cheap dime store comb to comb my hair. If you deciedt to use the same style comb that I use be sure to use the coarse teeth part. When I first started using pomade i used the fine teeth & ended up removing alot of the product to the point that my hair wouldn't stay in place after a couple of hours. Since I switched sides, I no longer have that problem.

 

[shanx24]

Aveda is my favorite shampoo/conditioner brand. Their "grooming clay" is a fantastic choice and has become my staple:

1. Unlike brylcream, it doesn't make hair look wet and over-slick
2. No flakes, which most holding-gel products leave
3. The smell is fantastic, a masculine spicy, and stays for half a day or so

I've tried several brands from Body Shop to those Japanese ones that're available everywhere to Molton Brown and whatnot. Finally settled on Aveda. Check out their website and read reviews from many many customers confirming this: http://www.aveda.com/product/CATEGORY14928/PROD11868/Men/Hair_Care/index.tmpl