Clay vs Pomade vs Cream vs Balm

Finding your perfect styling companion should be as easy as styling it. With this guide we aim to make this decision as easy as awarding Harry Kane the Ballon d'Or. 

To begin we ask you to consider your hair's length, texture and your desired finish. If you can answer these definitively, your choice in styling product will be an easy one. Below we'll outline each product and their best applications, take the considerations above with you on your journey and we'll all but guarantee you'll be ready to make an informed decision on your most suitable styling partner. What's more, you'll be safe in the knowledge that your product of choice styles at a barbershop level and improves your hairs health over time. 

Clay

Best for: Shorter styles, all hair types.

Finish: High hold, matt finish, texture and separation

Style references: David Beckham (Royal Wedding 2018), Paul Mescal, Chris Hemsworth.

Clays dominate the hair styling space with good reason; a clay is perfect for some of the most popular hairstyles of the last decade. Textured quiffs, crew cuts, crops, mullets, and a lot more. If a high hold, dry looking finish with tons of texture and separation is what you're after, Matt Clay is for you. 

Pomade

Best for: Mid length styles, all hair types. Can work especially well for textured hair.

Finish: High hold, high shine, slick.

Style references: Alex Turner (2013), Damson Idris, George Clooney. 

Pomades, we feel, are a little misunderstood and under utilised. Yes, they're absolutely perfect for side parts, sweeps and a whole host of old school looks which are synonymous with barbershop culture. We love this, and if this is your style, look no further. Our pomade however is also fantastic when used on textured hair, it adds a healthy shine and definition to tight curls assuring everything is in place. 

Cream

Best for: Mid length styles, all hair types.

Finish: Low, workable hold, natural & healthy finish, subtle texture and separation.

Styles references: Jacob Elordi, Pedro Pascal, Austin Butler

Creams are great for the easy going amongst us, workable throughout the day but subtle in their finish. Creams have a soft hold and work really well for more loose, mid-length styles - as can be seen in our references; it's a popular choice on the red carpet. 

Balm

Best for: Mid to longer styles, all hair types. Works especially well on wavy/curly hair.

Finish: Medium hold, healthy shine finish, accentuates waves, curls and texture.

Style references: Benson Boone, Kit Harington, Timothee Chalamet

A balm is best thought of as in between a clay and a cream. It holds more than a cream but less than a clay. Our balm works wonders if your hair is dry / frizzy, common for those with curlier hair. A balm is going to smoothen the strands, offer a gentle hold with a healthy sheen and tame your hair. 

A note on Salt Spray

No doubt you've come across many salt spray's in your search, in all truth they're worthy of their own article. But seeing as you're here; a salt spray is best viewed as a pre-styler, adding an awesome base of lift, texture and volume. In our shops, every client walks out with salt spray in their hair, it's essential. Begin your styling regime with our Beach Salt Spray and you'll see the difference.