With the sun rays finally out, the last thing you want is to suffocate your precious hair under layers of crispy gel. Let's face it, the greased-up, buttery look isn't the most attractive when you try to hit the waves (amongst other things), so we're all in favor of the latest crop of grooming creams and no-shine pomades for men, which guarantee a more natural, matte finish. These men's essentials will leave your hair looking barely styled, and simply ready for the touch.
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Grooming Cream Ultralight Hold, 5 fl oz., $20 at V76.com
Hold Factor: 1/5
Spread a dime-sized amount through your hair from the roots to the ends. Recommended for longer hair styles that don't need a lot of hold.
Natural Look Softening Cream, 2.64 oz, $7.99 at Drugstore.com
Hold Factor: 2/5
Use a pea-size amount of this softening cream to sculpt unruly hair and give them a structured look.
Sage Styling Cream, 4 oz, $22 at MalinGoetz.com
Hold Factor: 2/5
Malin + Goetz's best-selling cream is here for a reason: It gives your hair a slight shimmer and a lovely spicy scent. When used in combination with a pea-size amount of any of our matte-finish pomades (what your barber would call "make a cocktail"), it adds hold, in case you need to keep things more under control.
Dove Sculpting Paste, 1.7 oz, $5.99 at Target.com
Hold Factor: 3/5
Just a fingertip amount of this texturizing paste will help keep your hairstyle under control with a nice texture, and no stiffness.
Styling Cream, 3.5 fl. oz., $22 at FellowBarber.com
Hold Factor: 3/5
This extremely fluid cream requires a very small amount (no more than the size of a quarter) to give hair a natural, clean glow. Also, it smells great!
Clay Pomade, 2 oz, $20 at BaxterofCalifornia.com
Hold Factor: 4/5
Perfect for a neat side part look, this clay-based pomade contains no parabens and is easily washable.
Sumotech, 1.5 oz, $29 at BumbleandBumble.com
Hold Factor: 4/5
A pro hairstylist's favorite, this hybrid paste offers one of the strongest holds on the market while staying easily re-workable throughout the day.
Cement Hair Clay, 4 oz, $19 at Layrite.com
Hold Factor: 5/5
Layrite's latest innovation works best on towel-dried hair. Use a pea-size amount to style your 'do using your fingers or a comb, and let dry. It all stays in place with a natural soft finish, and a subtle vanilla scent.
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