Five jars line up on the shelf, each promising something different – and yet at home it never quite turns out like it does at the barber's. Often the problem isn't with your hair, but with using the wrong product. Let's see what each one is for.
Why does it matter what you use?
Hair styling products differ in two ways: how well they hold (hold) and how shiny they are (shine). These two factors determine whether a product gives a natural, matt finish or a classic, shiny overall look. Your hair type and desired style together determine the right choice.
The four basic types
Pomade
The classic choice for glossy, elegant styles (side part, slick back). Most of the time it is water-based, so it can be restyled during the day and easily washed out. Strong hold, glossy finish – an old-school favourite.
Wax
Flexible, medium-strong hold with a moderate shine. Versatile: adds texture without making the hair rigidly fixed. A good entry-level product if you're still looking for what suits you.
Clay
Matte, natural finish, strong hold. This is the secret to modern, textured styles and the top of most fade haircuts. If you don't like a „wet” shine, this is the product for you.
Paste
The golden mean between a wax and a clay: lightweight texture, matte-to-satin finish, medium hold. Especially good for thinner hair as it doesn't weigh the strands down.
The golden rule: a small amount of product, rubbed between the palms. The cause of most poor results is too much product – not a bad product.
How do you choose your own?
- Fine hair + matte finish: paste or light clay
- Thick hair + strong, matte hold: clay
- Shiny, sleek style: pomade
- Flexible everyday carry: wax
The fastest route to a good decision: ask your barber. Next time you're in the chair, show him what you use at home – we can tell you what suits your hair type and style.
Alongside the right product, the frequency of your haircut determines how long your hair holds its shape. Click here to find out how often you should update your hairstyle!
Water-based or oil-based?
This is the other crucial factor that few people talk about. Water-based products (most modern pomades and pastes) wash out easily with a normal shampoo wash and can be restyled with water during the day. Oil- or wax-based ones offer a stronger hold and are more resistant to humidity, but they are harder to wash out and sometimes require a special clarifying shampoo.
If you want ease of use, start with a water-based product. If you need all-day, strong hold even in humid weather, that is when it is worth reaching for an oil-based one – but expect an extra washing step.
Hair type is everything
Even the best product is useless if it doesn't suit your hair. Fine hair is weighed down by a heavy pomade, whereas thick, dense hair benefits from a strong clay. Curly hair loves hydrating, flexible products rather than stiff, matte fixatives. That is why there is no single „best” hair styling product – only the one that suits you. A quick consultation in the chair helps more than ten online tests.
Book an appointment – conveniently, online
If you'd like your at-home styling to work too, book an appointment online, and along with your cut, you'll also get specific product recommendations. We await you at 46 Kertész Street, in the 7th district, near Erzsébet Boulevard.
Half of a good style is the cut, the other half is styling it at home – and we are happy to help with both.
Reservation: https://www.bosphorus.hu/#foglalas
Contact: https://www.bosphorus.hu/ferfi/kapcsolat/
Precise haircut. Smart styling. Sophisticated male grooming – Budapest, District VII.