Pot luck: Hair 'gunk' for men

American Crew Forming Cream. Photo / Babiche Marten, Martin Sykes

Here's the guff on the gunk," said one of our testers, which seems pretty much to sum up the attitude to hair products from the men we asked for recommendations.

Most just want something to rub in or comb through quickly, that will hold hair in shape and not smell too girly. A bit like the pomade granddad wore perhaps, but without the grease.

Make sure you don't overdo it. In the last week, two hairdressing luminaries have told me men have a tendency to pile in too much product. So go easy on the application or try something with a lighter feel and finish. You may sacrifice a little control, but you won't feel like a wonton.

Our testers, who have short and medium length hair, preferred product in tubs and pots to cans of mousse or spray. In fact Mr Short Snappy felt the need to question the sexuality (and spiky or bouffant hairstyles) of users of the latter.

Waxes were favourites and creams also liked. Mr Floppy Locks said: "Basically with my longish hair, I found only the stronger waxy ones are okay if you're the type of guy who wants to jump from the shower, rub a towel through your hair and apply some product. But if you have time to use a blowdryer, then the cremes and pastes give good texture and hold pretty much all day."

Here's a sampling of their gunk guff:

1. American Crew Forming Cream Paste and Clay, each $42

The cream is creamy and light in consistency, goes on well on wet hair, isn't greasy once in and holds your hair. But even though it says "strong hold" it lets your hair move. Washes out easily. Good stuff for fine hair. The Defining Paste is what it says; though it's "medium hold" it probably holds more than the cream, which I prefer. The Molding Clay says high hold and medium shine. This is true. It's quite difficult to get out of the tin because it's the consistency of very thick honey. You can still feel it in your hair at the end of the day, which I don't like.

2. L'Oreal Professionnel Texture Expert Lumi controle modelling nutri-wax $40 and Texture Expert tendre forme $40

The Lumicontrole has a soft waxy feel which disperses well through towel-dried hair and maintains style. Leaves hair with a nice sheen. The Tendre Forme looks and feels like vanilla frosting. Holds blow-dried hair well with good texture.

3. Sebastian Matte Putty $38

Feels more like butter than putty. Light to moderate hold which leaves a slight sheen, with good lift and texture.

4. Wella High Hair Punk Chic $25

A paste, muddy green in colour, which feels like soft butter. Gives a slight sheen and holds blow-dried hair well.

5. Schwarzkopf Essensity $29.90

Looks like finely blended fish dip with an almost powdery texture, spreads well through the hair and holds well. Leaves hair slightly dull. From a nautral range.

6. Kevin.Murphy Sticky Business $44

Indeed it's sticky, and a bit soapy in texture. But it is firm holding and doesn't have a greasy finish. I'd give it a B+. The range includes other holding strengths.

7. Joico (Design Collection) Forming Polish $29.50

Pretty much the same as American Crew's Forming Cream, if slightly thicker in consistency. Goes on well, but it is only medium hold, so not quite as good for my fine hair.

8. Fudge Hair Shaper #10 Texturising Creme $20

Smells like butterscotch, feels like sticky wax. Has excellent hold on towel-dried hair and leaves hair with good bounce. Clean up is easy.

9. PPS Waxx pomade $21

Looks and feels like beeswax with a faint almond smell. Holds very well and leaves a slight sheen. Being a wax, clean up takes a bit of effort.