Can’t quite get your hair to cooperate? The best hair paste for men will help fix the trickiest of bad hair days. Whether you’re rocking an 80s-inspired quiff or a slick side parting, the right product is essential to molding the perfect look.
Men’s hair paste – the MVP of hair products – is the go-to for achieving your ultimate hairstyling goals. From fighting frizz to locking your tresses into a statement style, hair paste is there. But with so many options on the shelves, how do you know which one is right for you and your current men’s haircut?
At A Glance: Our Top 10 Picks for Hair Pastes for Men
- Best Overall: Redken Brews Molding Paste
- Best Matte Hair: STMNT Grooming Goods Matte Paste
- Best for Thick Hair: SACHAJUAN Hair Paste
- Best for Thin Hair: Cremo Thickening Paste
- Best for Curly Hair: KMS Hairplay Molding Paste
- Best for Long Hair: Pete & Pedro Paste
- Best Budget: Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Finishing Paste
- Best Drugstore: TIGI Bed Head Manipulator Paste
- Best Smelling: 18.21 Man Made Paste
- Best Unscented: Kristin Ess Fragrance-free Paste
To help, we’ve rounded up the crème de la crème and will walk you through the best men’s hair paste, with some handy top tips on how to use each one.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | REDKEN BREWS MOLDING PASTE
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Best Matte Hair | STMNT GROOMING GOODS MATTE PASTE
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Best for Thick Hair  | SACHAJUAN HAIR PASTE
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Best for Thin Hair | CREMO THICKENING PASTE
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Best for Curly Hair | KMS HAIRPLAY MOLDING PASTE
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Best for Long Hair  | PETE & PEDRO PASTE
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Best Budget | GARNIER FRUCTIS PURE CLEAN FINISHING PASTE
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Best Drugstore | TIGI BED HEAD MANIPULATOR PASTE
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Best Smelling | 18.21 MAN MADE PASTE
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Best Unscented | KRISTIN ESS FRAGRANCE-FREE PASTE
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1. Best All-Rounder: Redken Brews Molding Paste
For salon-worthy results, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better than Redken Brews’ molding paste. Firm yet moldable, it’s a true all-rounder that deserves to be a part of every man’s hairstyling arsenal.
Infused with poly stretch fibers, the high-hold formula combines unrivaled pliability with optimum staying power to create your desired hairstyle with ease. Whether you have straight, frizzy, or wavy hair, this non-greasy paste delivers firm yet flexible control with a natural finish.
Finish: Natural | Size: 5 oz | Hair Type: All | Hold: Maximum
2. Best Matte Hair: STMNT Grooming Goods Matte Paste
STMNT is brought to you by L.A.-based barber Julius Caesar, whose products are fueled by the knowledge and artistry from leading barbers. This popular matte paste is non-greasy and offers dry definition with a long-lasting texture and matte finish.
Promoting natural movement, it has Caesar’s signature scent of creamy coconut and sandalwood with inflections of orris. The best hair pastes for men, especially when matte, can be used for a wide range of hairstyles, but it really shows its worth when creating casual looks on wavy or curly hair.
Finish: Matte | Size: 3.38 oz | Hair Type: All | Hold: Strong
3. Best for Thick Hair: SACHAJUAN Hair Paste
Boasting a creamy texture that glides through hair with ease, the Sachajuan paste has a caring formula that infuses your trusty mane with moisture, giving it a healthy shine that lasts all day long. Delivering a strong and flexible hold, it works on all hair types but is ideal for thicker hair structures and shorter hairstyles.
For those who hate that hard hairspray-sticky texture but crave a stronghold, this best hair paste for men is your new favorite grooming partner. Depending on the look you want to go for, you can apply it to wet or dry hair.
Finish: Shine | Size: 2.5 oz | Hair Type: All | Hold: Flexible/strong
4. Best for Thin Hair: Cremo Thickening Paste
Thinning hair happens to the best of us — and it’s certainly nothing to be ashamed about. Fortunately, there are products like this one from Cremo that can help give off the impression you’re sporting more hair than you actually are.
Cremo’s products are designed with the finest ingredients and are used (and approved) by some of the top barbers in the country. Their thickening paste will add volume and all-day thickness to thin hair, with a natural-looking, low-shine finish.
Finish: Low shine | Size: 4 oz | Hair Type: Thin | Hold: High
5. Best for Curly Hair: KMS Hairplay Molding Paste
If you’re struggling to keep control of your curly hair, you need a product that provides plenty of texture and a natural finish. This hair paste for men from KMS offers exactly that. Creating a pliable hold with a natural shine the paste helps control medium to coarse hair types while also being fully re-moldable.
If you’re heading to the beach or simply spending a lot of time outside, you’ll be pleased to know there are added ingredients that provide a UV filter — so it’ll offer some welcomed protection from the sun.
Finish: Natural shine | Size: 5 oz | Hair Type: Curly | Hold: Flexible/strong
6. Best for Long Hair: Pete & Pedro PASTE
Not just great at keeping everything in place, this versatile best hair paste for men from Pete & Pedro uses argan and coconut oils to help repair, moisturize, and add moderate shine to all hair types. Better yet, it does all this without being stiff, greasy, or flaky.
While suitable for any length of hair, it works best for men with medium to long styles. The smell is sweet but not overpowering — giving off a light citrus scent infused with a touch of coconut. It’s also water soluble, so it’s super easy to wash out.
Finish: Medium shine | Size: 2 oz | Hair Type: Medium to long | Hold: Medium
7. Best Budget: Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Finishing Paste
At just $3.49 per 2 oz jar, this offering from Garnier is a real steal. It’s a 99 percent naturally derived that promises 24-hour definition — talk about the best hair paste for men. This paste is an ideal tool for adding texture, volume, and run-your-fingers-through-it style.
Thanks to its extra strong hold, it works particularly well-taming frizz and it’s great for thinner hair types that are prone to flapping in the wind. The fruity scent is an added bonus that will leave you smelling like a million bucks, even though you’ve only spent a few dollars.
Finish: Shine | Size: 2 oz | Hair Type: Frizzy hair | Hold: Extra strong
8. Best Drugstore: TIGI Bed Head Manipulator Paste
If you want an accessible hair product that adds control, definition, and texture, then this option from Bed Head will certainly do the trick. Delivering salon results at home, the Manipulator paste is suitable for short to medium hair lengths and has a firm, workable hold.
A little product goes a long way here, so be careful not to use too much. Start with a small amount first and only apply more if needed. Oh, and did we mention it has a fruity piña colada fragrance? It smells so good you’ll probably want to taste it (but definitely should not).
Finish: Shine | Size: 2 oz | Hair Type: Short to medium | Hold: Firm
9. Best Smelling: 18.21 Man Made Paste
Inspired by the roaring spirit of swanky, prohibition-era speakeasy lounges, the 18.21 Man-Made best hair paste for men features the brand’s signature tobacco aroma; acting as a fancy cologne that’s luxurious but not overpowering. It’s great for wavy, straight, or curly hair; so basically all hair types.
Strong enough to keep your hair in place throughout the day, this water-soluble best hair paste for men can smooth and refine texture, helping control frizz and achieve a natural finish with no flaking. Not too shiny or matte, it strikes the perfect balance with a healthy glow and medium hold.
Finish: Medium shine | Size: 2 oz | Hair Type: All | Hold: Medium
10. Best Unscented: Kristin Ess Fragrance-Free Paste
Whether you have a sensitive scalp or simply don’t like your hair products to have a smell, you’ll need something in the unscented category. As luck would have it, Kristin Ess has made this soft grit paste for those looking to skip the fragrance and focus on creating a hairstyle you can be proud of.
Style defining and texture enhancing, it offers a medium hold for all hair types. And as if the promise of perfect hair wasn’t enough, Kristin Ess is a cruelty-free brand that will never test on animals at any stage of product development.
Finish: Shine l | Size: 3 oz | Hair Type: All | Hold: Medium
What to Look for When Looking For The Best Hair Paste for Men
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use hair product that offers consistent results, choosing a paste instead of a hair putty or cream, is certainly the way to go. But what should you look out for when making a purchase? What makes the best hair paste for men?
Hold
Whether you have long, short, curly, or straight hair, this product is a brilliant all-rounder and works well with a wide range of hair types. A good hair paste for men should offer a medium to firm hold, without showing obvious signs that you are actually using it at all.
Finish
Unlike some other hair products, the best hair paste for men should only deliver a small amount of shine. This is because most of them are water-based, not oil, giving your hair a natural look, even if you don’t opt for a completely matte version. If it’s the slick-back look you’re after — although some of the best hair paste for men offer more shine than others — you should probably look at alternative products like pomade.
Scent
The best hair paste for men isn’t defined by its smell, but it can certainly be a big selling point (if that’s what you’re after). We suggest taking the less is more approach. Try looking for a paste that offers a subtle hint of fragrance, without being so strong you smell like you’ve bathed in it the night before.
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- What Is Hair Paste for Men?
An essential hair product for every bathroom vanity (unless you’re sporting a buzz cut, of course), hair paste adds texture and definition to short and medium styles. Of all the styling products you can choose from, paste is one of the most versatile.
Lightweight, pliable and commonly water-based, it’s ideal for those looking for a semi-matte finish with a low-to-medium hold. Easy to wash out — with hydrating qualities — it can be easily reworked and makes an excellent choice for a loose, care-free look.
- How to Use Hair Paste for Men
Before applying any hair product, you should make sure your hair is washed and clean. There’s nothing worse than having to compete with build-up from what you used the day before. Once your locks are back to their best, you can either completely dry your hair or leave it damp. Paste can be added to wet or dry hair, so it depends on what works best for you.
To start the styling process, grab a dime-sized dollop of hair paste. Then, start activating and warming it up by rubbing it in between the palms of your hands; there should be no clumps. If further paste is required, you can add more later. You don’t want to start off with too much product, as this will potentially ruin the desired result.
When applying your hair paste, start from the back and work your way to the front — rubbing it in vigorously as you go. This part is important, as if you were to start at the front, you risk the product collecting at the most visible part of your hair. This will not only look messy, but it can actually give off the appearance of balding (even if you’re proudly rocking a fuzzy mane).
Once you have slowly raked your hair from back to front, you can then begin to work it in the opposite direction. For maximum hold, try and cover as much as your hair as possible from root to tip.
- Hair Paste vs Pomade: What’s the Difference?
With the wide range of hair products on the market, it can be difficult to tell the difference between all of the options on offer. Luckily we’re here to help.
A popular choice for gentlemen during the 19th century, pomade is a greasy, waxy, or water-based substance. Non-drying with a strong hold, it generally gives your hair a shiny and slick appearance — think Don Draper or Donnie Brasco.
Pomade lasts longer than most other care products, and had previously taken a few extra washes to completely remove it from your hair. Today, however, they are typically no longer made of petroleum jelly — therefore are much easier to wash out.
In comparison, hair paste offers a more natural look. Easy to wash out with a matte-finish, it’s often water-based, though they generally have a much thicker consistency and texture than pomade. Hair paste for men is the more versatile of the two and can be used to create a wide range of hairstyles for any type of hair.
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