Teach me about hair tonic.

[Super Speed 1953]

Getting older my hair won't stay put like it use to. I have used pomades and hair spray but just don't like them. I am thinking of trying a hair tonic but know nothing about them. I don't want my hair looking greasy just clean and well groomed. What products do I need to try? How much product do I need to use? How do I apply it ? How strong are the scents? How hard is it to find products locally?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[California Cajun]

I use Brylcreem and hair spray. Hair spray is a must. A barber told me that your hair loses body as you get older, but my hair never had body at any age. Wish I didn't have to use hair spray but it is either that, a crew cut, or look like Marty McFly's dad in Back to the Future in need of an oil change.

 

[GeorgeTurner202]

Buckle up for experimentation. The answer is not easy as everyone differs in their personal opinions and desires. Very few people have exactly the same hair so concrete advice from any of us is not really possible. Now - having said that - why not try the inexpensive traditional products first and see how you like them. Easy to find are "Vitalis" and an event cheaper store-brand at various retailers. These are rather strong smelling which you may or may not like. They are light and won't lead to a greasy look. Another one like this is "Jeris Without Oil" along with "Protein 29". Heavier is "Wildroot" which can still be used without a greasy look if you use a very small amount. Similar to that is "Jeris With Oil" along with any other product that uses mineral oil or lanolin in its construction. Another possibility is to try a cream rather than a tonic for similar results. "Brylcreem" is a popular one that is easy to find. Again, the amount used is what determines how greasy the look will be. Another popular cream is "Groom and Clean" which tends to be a bit lighter than Brylcreem and easy to find as well. These hair dressings are all rather easy to locate. There are many dozen more from special-order places but if you're just starting out, you might prefer trying these inexpensive brands first. You might also wish to experiment with how often you wash your hair as these products can build up and that can change the hair's appearance, too. How much product to use varies widely and is part of the experimenting process. Most guys probably use these after a shower on damp hair as it tends to spead evenly then. Most all of these have a scent and some are stronger than others which may dictate whether you like some over others. Hope this helps a bit. Enjoy your experimenting!

 

[Wingnut]

I have very straight, fine, and (thanks!) now thinning hair, which all adds up to control problems, especially if I'm out in the wind. Like you, I didn't like pomades or that wet or greasy look--I just wanted my hair to stay where is was when I combed it. My solution: Pinaud hair tonics. They're basically alcohol, glycerine, and water.

I prefer the scent of Eau de Portugal (orange rind), but also have and sometimes use the Eau de Quinine (sweet, traditional barbershoppy scent). If you don't want to clash with AS, cologne, etc., use EdP--the scent is gone in minutes, but the EdQ sticks around for a good long time.

Here's what I do with them: After my shower, when my hair is still damp, I shake a generous amount onto my scalp. I then vigorously massage it in, using the pads (not nails) of both hands until my hair is almost dry. I then use a wet comb or brush to do my styling and, PRESTO! my hair looks as if I had used nothing in it, but holds its style much longer than otherwise.

AND you can also use them as aftershaves if you'd like (which begs the question: can you sue as's with glycerin in them as hair tonics? I never have, but I couldn't see why it wouldn't work.)

 

[Super Speed 1953]

Thanks for all the info so far guys. It is helping a lot.

 

[bhorsoft]

+1 on the Pinaud tonics. I use the Eau de Quinine almost daily (I need to try the Portugal). Not much in the way of hold, but it makes the hair appear shinier and softer. My head of hair looks and feels healthier after application.

 

[Super Speed 1953]

What is the best place to get the Pinaud tonics? Does the Clubman tonic work as well?

 

[Wingnut]

Never tried the Clubman tonic, but it's probably the same idea but smells like...Clubman!

Give your local barber supply house a try. They usually stock them. They're also available online if you prefer.

 

[bomber.79]

I use the Pashana eau de Portugal with oil hair tonic on a daily basis. The eau de Portugal is a lovely citrus fragrance that I'm sure most would find agreeable. I would say the fragrance level is quite subtle.

I apply the hair tonic immediately after drying my hair after a shower massaging it into the scalp a little. I then comb my hair as normal. The tonic does not have any holding properties but rather softens and moisturises the hair and scalp. It doesn't impart any sort of oily or greasy look as the oil content is not high.

I think it is a great product.

 

[jb4647]

 

[bhorsoft]

What is the best place to get the Pinaud tonics? Does the Clubman tonic work as well?

Got most of my Clubman products at Drugstore.com

 

[patrickthebassbash]

Neither the Eau de Portudal or Eau de Quinine have glycerine but the Clubman tonic does. It doesn't really smell too much like Clubman aftershave, though. I use the Eau de Quinine as an aftershave (used some today in fact), and have the Eau de Portugal on order. I have used the Clubman tonic in my hair, though. It helps to moisturize the scalp and leaves the hair looking damp but not particularly greasy looking. There is a gentleman on the forum here that is a barber and just recently posted on the history of hair tonics. It's a very good read, altough as I am relatively new to the forum I can't recall who it is or where the thread is!

 

[_JP_]

Why use hair treatments when a hat will do?

I've only used tonics or such for stage work. My suggestion is to pick something you think you might like the smell of, and start off with only a dab of the product. Add more if you think that it is needed.

 

[fezo]

If you have a Sally's Beauty Supplies around you they tend to have a teeny tiny men's section with a fair number of Clubman products. Unfortunately for me the local one only carries the styling gel in the big tub. The tube would be infinitely preferable to have the tube - at least for me.

 

[ZackP]

Have you tried Groom and Clean? It doesn't have a super shine unless you use a lot and comes out super easy. Just a small dab into damp hair. Walmart for $5!

 

[Infernal2]

I use Vitalis which is light, not particularly sticky and in my opinion, not very strong smelling. I apply it after the shower in the same way that Wingnut does and it works very well. The finish is nice, manageable, and clean looking hair that still moves but doesn't go wild.

 

[LoveThatBurn]

Have you tried Groom and Clean? It doesn't have a super shine unless you use a lot and comes out super easy. Just a small dab into damp hair. Walmart for $5!

+1 to this, I use G&C when not using pomade or not letting it be. Pretty good hold, water soluble, gives a nice wet look, but it has an odd smell at first.

 

[ZackP]

+1 to this, I use G&C when not using pomade or not letting it be. Pretty good hold, water soluble, gives a nice wet look, but it has an odd smell at first.

I love it myself

 

[Super Speed 1953]

I went to Sally's to buy some Jeris without oil. I figured it was like the other pinaud tonics to try but they were out of stock. So went to Wal Mart and picked up some Groom and Clean this stuff may be a cheap winner. Seems to do what I wanted and I can still put my fingers through may hair and it doesn't mess it up. Hair looks thicker and darker just right amount of hold.

 

[ZackP]

I went to Sally's to buy some Jeris without oil. I figured it was like the other pinaud tonics to try but they were out of stock. So went to Wal Mart and picked up some Groom and Clean this stuff may be a cheap winner. Seems to do what I wanted and I can still put my fingers through may hair and it doesn't mess it up. Hair looks thicker and darker just right amount of hold.