The 14 Best Hair Clays for Men, According to a Celebrity Groomer
Master that voluminous, disheveled look with this game-changing styling product.
Reviewed by Christian GollayanDeputy Editor, Commerce
Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?
THERE USED to be a time when guys chose their haircut—and the accompanying hair product—and never deviated from that formula. And for many of us, it’s still pretty much like that. If it ain’t broke, why fix it, right? But in today’s world, and being the modern guy you are, sometimes you just want to switch it up. There’s no shame in wanting to experiment, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to switch up your styling product.
It’s shocking how much of a difference just using something else to style your hair can make. For instance, if you’re used to a classic pomade, which gives your hair hold and shine, simply switching to a clay can create a completely different look. “A hair clay is going to have a more matte appearance, meaning the hair will have low or no shine,” says celebrity men’s groomer Melissa de Zarate. Depending on the brand and formula, a hair clay could give even more hold than your typical pomade.
De Zarate reaches for a clay whenever one of her clients wants a messy, bedhead look, which needs hold and volume, but would look strange with a shiny product. They’re also great for guys with oily scalps, since the clay tends to neutralize oil, and for men with fine or thin hair. “Because the product is matte, it’s going to make the hair look thicker while still having control,” she says.
Like pomades, clays are best used on damp or dry hair, and are ideal for shorter styles, but you can use a hair clay on curly hair too, says de Zarate, as long as “you apply it when your hair is completely wet and then use a diffuser to dry it.” So no matter what kind of hair you have, a hair clay could be just what your styling arsenal needs for those days when you want to look a little more natural. Check out our list of the best hair clays for men to try now.
Best Hair Gels | Best Hair Conditioners | Best Hair Growth Products for Men | Best Hair Creams | Best Sea Salt Sprays
Yeah, clay in a spray. A spritz or two gives your hair a matte-textured hold while also adding moisture, so you have that just-out-of-the-shower look all day long. No wonder it receive a 2022 Men's Health Grooming Award.
Testing Notes: The reason this clay came out on top in our testing process is because it’s just so damn easy to use. Unlike traditional clays that you scoop out with your fingers, this spray covers your hair more completely without needing to rub it through as much. This helps avoid those annoying missed spots or clumps of product. It’s also what hair pros call “buildable,” meaning you can easily add more to get the style you want with less risk of going overboard. It’s also way easier to reapply during the day when your hair might need a little restyling. Overall, for sheer ease of use, we give it top marks.
Read more: Best Hair Sprays for Men
| Ingredients | Kaolin clay, Silica, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 5.1 oz |
De Zarate says this high-hold matte clay is her go-to when she needs control with no shine whatsoever. We also love that it has a neutral scent.
Testing Notes: You can’t argue with a professional groomer and when we tested this clay, we instantly understood why De Zarate loves it so much. It’s easy to apply, not clumpy, and smooths through hair easily. It’s also ideal for spot treating—using smaller amounts on specific parts of your hair to keep them in place.
| Ingredients | Lanolin Wax, Beeswax, Limonene |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.4 oz |
This clay-wax hybrid has all of the things you love about a hair clay, but it' s a little more lightweight, which makes it ideal for thin or fine hair.
Testing Notes: What we found so groundbreaking about this clay is the texture. It’s not quite as thick and rough-feeling as other matte clays thanks to the infusion of wax and doesn’t clump as easily as some other versions. Because the texture is slightly lighter, you can get away with using more of it if you want, but we like that the results are slightly more subtle than a straight-up clay, which gives you the finish and look of a clay but without the weight.
Read more: Best Hair Growth Shampoos
A clay with high hold, like this one, is the ideal product when you want a natural finish, but don’t want to risk your hairstyle losing shape in a few hours.
Testing Notes: The key word for this clay is “hold.” As in, your hair is not going to go anywhere for a long time. In terms of texture, it’s pretty much what you would expect from a clay, but there’s also beeswax in the formula which helps with the high hold. It’s easy to go overboard with this clay, so start with a tiny amount and add more from there (if you put in too much, your only option is to hop back in the shower).
| Ingredients | Beeswax, Mineral Oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.2 oz |
Like the hair clay version of a fancy cologne, this luxury styling product gives your hair a natural finish with medium hold, as well as a subtle rosewood fragrance (it’s a favorite among De Zarate’s celebrity clients).
Testing Notes: From a hold standpoint, this clay delivers big time. In that sense, it’s a good bet overall, but what we really liked about it is the scent. It’s rosy and slightly floral, but in a good way, and makes the experience of using this clay very pleasant. Don’t worry, though, it won’t overpower anything or make you smell like a bouquet. The scent dissipates pretty quickly after you put it in your hair.
Read more: Best Grooming Gifts
| Ingredients | Carnauba, Cupuacu Butter, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax |
|---|
More Hair Clays We Love
More Hair Clays We Love
This hair clay has stood the test of time because of the matte finish it delivers, without making your hair feel dry.
Baxter’s clay is one of our all-time favorites, because it’s supremely matte (no shine here) and gives even fine hair texture and volume without weighing it down.
The minimal ingredients in this high-hold hair clay don’t sacrifice on efficacy—this clay keeps your ‘do in place all day, even through sweat and humidity.
Even though this clay-wax hybrid delivers intense hold, it still allows you to run your fingers through your hair and rework the style as needed.
The clay version of Bumble & Bumble’s iconic sumowax gives the same control and hold as the original, but with a natural, matte finish.
Read more: Best Hair Wax for Men
This extremely good hair clay hits all the things you want in a clay, but at a price that proves your hair can look it’s best at any budget.
If you struggle with dandruff, you might be nervous that matte products can dry out your hair and make flakes worse. This version is specifically formulated to be gentle on the scalp and leave minimal residue behind.
The clay version of one of our favorite pomades gives your hair the high hold you want, but with a natural matte appearance, so you can achieve that surfer texture easily.
Layrite is a go-to brand for old-school barbers and modern stylists alike, and this clay doesn’t disappoint. The hold is extreme (you’re hair will stay in place even in high winds), but the finish is natural and matte.
How We Selected
For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's Grooming editors and writers on the top hair clays for men. Experts including our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, and our Deputy Editor of Commerce, Christian Gollayan, tried multiple hair clays and evaluated their ingredients, scent, and effectiveness. We also considered top-reviewed hair clays that had at least 100 five-star customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust.
How to Use Hair Clay
Unlike pomades, which style your hair with a high shine and hold, hair clays give a more matte (less shiny) appearance for a more natural finish. We found that during our testing, some of the clays we tried had an even stronger hold than most pomades.
The best time to use clay is when you want that messy, devil-may-care hairstyle that requires hold and volume, but don't want to look like a Grease extra. Also ideal: for oily scalps, since clay has the great ability to neutralize hair oil. Apply it on damp hair to add extra volume.
Christian Gollayan oversees e-commerce content for Men's Health and Women's Health. Previously, he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in Food & Wine, InStyle, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
Watch Next
The Best Lip Balms for Men
The Best Hair Clippers for That At-Home Haircut
7 Failsafe Razors for a Great Shave
The 9 Best Body Groomers for Men
