The best hair waxes in the UK 2023

Tired of the constant battle against frizz and flyaways? A good wax will allow you to discipline your hair for an entire day without risking damage. This trendy styling paste thickens hair and allows you to style it as you please. Oil- or water-based? Read our comparison of the best hair waxes to find out.

Massato Wax Styling Paste 1
9/10

Editor's Choice

Massato Wax Styling Paste

The best hair wax of 2021

Made with 98% natural ingredients and free of silicone, sulfate and paraben, this Massato styling paste respects the hair's balance and facilitates shaping for a matte, highly flexible finish.

19,60 £ on Beautysuccess

If the shiny effect is a little too flashy for your taste, this Massato styling paste offers a matte finish, as well as long-lasting flexible hold. By opting for this product, you'll be free of the occasional touch-up throughout the day. But the real appeal of this styling paste lies in its formula, which is enriched with fruit acids and botanical fixing agents. Moreover, the combination of beeswax and shea butter facilitates the sculpting and deep hydration of the hair, which comes out strengthened.

Whether you have short or long hair, this styling wax is sure to add volume. To get the desired effect, make sure to dry your hair before applying the paste with your fingers. A shampoo at the end of the day is enough to give your hair back its natural silkiness.

Renée Blanche styling and coloring wax 2
8/10

Best Cheap

Renée Blanche styling and coloring wax

The best entry-level hair wax

Discipline and color your hair at the same time, that's what this 2-in-1 wax is known for. Rest assured, the hair color is short-lived.

7,68 £ on Beautycoiffure

The temporary black color of this styling wax is ideal for masking gray hair or hiding bald spots on the head. As it is available in other more shimmering colors, this styling and coloring wax will allow you to give free rein to all your hair whims. Of course, this paste is still very effective for shaping hair. In fact, a tiny dab is enough to structure your hair according to your preferences.

You'll be happy to know that Renée Blanche's colored styling waxes are formulated not to damage your hair. No matter what type of hair you have, this hair cream should give your hair a natural silky shine. For best results, this styling and coloring wax should be applied to clean, dry hair.

Hairgum Wax classic 400ml 3
9/10

Best High End

Hairgum Wax classic 400ml

The best high-end hair wax

Recommended for daily use, this ultra-concentrated styling wax respects the hair fiber and leaves no unpleasant residue on the scalp. With this product, there is no need for touch-ups, as it lasts a whole day.

25,59 £ on Beautycoiffure

Formulated with a blend of wax, paraffinic oils and refined mineral oils, this styling wax is ideal for creating a structured style with a beautiful shiny finish. When applied in sufficient quantities, this hair cream leaves hair disciplined, supple and easy to arrange. With its excellent hold, you won't need to use it throughout the day.

The manufacturer recommends using this wax on dry hair. After heating it in your hands, style your hair from root to tip. A tiny dab is all you need to avoid the unwanted greasy effect. Even though this styling paste is ultra-concentrated, it's still easy to get out. A single shampoo is all you need to get rid of it completely in the evening.

American Crew Forming Cream 85 Grs 4
9/10

Excellent

American Crew Forming Cream 85 Grs

The best unisex hair wax

With a light, oil-free texture, this American Crew styling wax will help you shape your hair to your liking without weighing it down. Note that this wax is suitable for all hair types.

13,41 £ on Beautycoiffure

If you're a first-time buyer, American Crew's Forming Cream is the wax we recommend for the simple reason that it's suitable for all hair types. Carefully crafted, this shaping paste brings discipline, suppleness and shine to short and medium-length hair. By nourishing and moisturizing it deeply, it improves the health of the hair, which then appears silkier and thicker.

Although it is said that this styling wax is for men, women can also use it. As this paste is water-based, it is easily soluble in water. But to avoid the accumulation of fatty deposits near the scalp, use a shampoo anyway.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best hair wax

Any specific needs?

The best hair wax of 2021

The best entry-level hair wax

The best high-end hair wax

The best unisex hair wax

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best hair waxes

THE BEST CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Massato Wax Styling Paste 5
9/10
Renée Blanche styling and coloring wax 6
8/10
Hairgum Wax classic 400ml 7
9/10
American Crew Forming Cream 85 Grs 8
9/10
OUR SELECTION
Massato Wax Styling Paste
Renée Blanche styling and coloring wax
Hairgum Wax classic 400ml
American Crew Forming Cream 85 Grs
Made with 98% natural ingredients and free of silicone, sulfate and paraben, this Massato styling paste respects the hair's balance and facilitates shaping for a matte, highly flexible finish.
Discipline and color your hair at the same time, that's what this 2-in-1 wax is known for. Rest assured, the hair color is short-lived.
Recommended for daily use, this ultra-concentrated styling wax respects the hair fiber and leaves no unpleasant residue on the scalp. With this product, there is no need for touch-ups, as it lasts a whole day.
With a light, oil-free texture, this American Crew styling wax will help you shape your hair to your liking without weighing it down. Note that this wax is suitable for all hair types.
Type
Oil-based wax
Water-based wax
Oil-based wax
Water-based wax
Audience
Women
Mixed
Humans
Men/women
Pot capacity
75 ml
100 ml
400 ml
85 g
Fixing
Lightweight
Medium
Lightweight
Medium
Specifics
Composed of active fruit acids and plant-based fixing agents
Black colorant
Soft, lightweight fibers
Wash off easily with shampoo without leaving residue

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Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - hair wax

Primary Item (H2)Sub Item 1 (H3)

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How to choose your hair wax

When choosing a hair wax, here are the five criteria you should pay attention to:

#1 - The fixing power

The fixing power is the first criterion to take into account when choosing a hair wax. While some products offer a light hold, others offer a strong hold like a gel. You must therefore choose your styling wax according to the effect or result you wish to obtain. In any case, hair styled with wax has the advantage of staying flexible and can be re-styled at any time of the day.

#2 - The effect

It's up to your personal preference here, as not all waxes produce the same effects. While some of them allow for a glossy finish, others offer a more sober, vintage-like finish. And if you're not a fan of being noticed, there are varieties of styling waxes that provide a matte yet natural finish.

#3 - The hair type

Styling waxes look different on thick, thin, straight, curly, or straight hair. Ideally, you'd like to test different products to form your own opinion on each wax, but that's just plain impossible unfortunately. But to make it easy for you to find your way around, experts recommend using a strong wax if you have fine hair, a light wax if you have thick hair, and a water-based wax if it's curly and dry.

#4 - The composition

As wax is a product meant for hair, make sure it doesn't contain ingredients that could harm the health of your scalp. We won't hide it from you, some waxes have endocrine disruptors as well as controversial components. Even if a product is stamped 100% natural or 100% organic, always have the reflex to screen its composition.

#5 - The capacity

The amount of wax you need will depend on the length of your hair and the frequency of use on your hair. If it's long and very thick, you'll need more than a dab to successfully style it. For this reason, choose a hair product that comes in a container with a minimum capacity of 75 ml. This will save you from buying more after 30 days or so.

Hair wax: the ideal product to give volume and shine to your hair!

Wax is the ideal styling product if you want to add density to your hair. In addition to texturizing hair, it tames flyaways and adds a shine not found with gel. In addition, its pasty consistency makes it easy to use. Men and women can use it, whatever the length and quality of their hair.

Who can use hair wax?

Yes, the wax is suitable for all hair types, however, specialists recommend it much more for people with thick straight, curly or straight hair. If your hair is a little thin, it's best not to use it because it can flatten your hair even more. You might not like the result. Also, if your hair is too oily, the wax may make it even fatter.

People with curly, frizzy or frizzy hair can style with wax, but never without proper nourishment. However, styling them requires time, as it must be done in the shower and without using a brush.

How to use the hair wax?

Take a dab of wax and warm it up by rubbing your hands together before applying it directly to your dry or slightly damp hair. If you're not happy with the results, add just a little more. Whatever wax you choose, this is how it's done.

As for how often you should use it, it depends on the length and condition of your hair. If it's long and healthy, do yourself a favor and style it every day with wax. If your hair is fine and short, don't use it every day.

Is wax bad for my hair?

When used properly, wax has no adverse effects on hair. So if it seems to make your hair fat, dry or leave a residue, it means you're overusing it every morning. Use only as much as you need when styling.

Remember that wax does not dissolve easily even when it comes into contact with water. That's why you get residue on your roots. So if you use it daily, you should wash your hair at least 5 times a week.

The different types of hair waxes

There are two main groups of styling waxes, namely water-based and oil-based.

Water-based wax

Because it is somewhat transparent, the water-based wax looks very similar to a styling gel, without the consistency of course. This hair cream happens to be denser. This makes it easier to apply and remove from the hair. Rinsing with clear water is usually enough to remove the water-based wax residue from the hair. But to keep the scalp healthy, a shampoo is still required.

Benefits: Water-based wax is perfect for shaping short hair. It offers a strong hold and can be removed with the first shampoo. Generally, it offers a natural effect on dry hair and a wet effect on damp hair. Products enriched with vegetable glycerin soften and moisturize the hair.

Disadvantages: This wax doesn't hold up very well on thick, straight hair. On the other hand, it offers excellent results on dry and curly hair.

Who is it for? The water-based wax will meet the expectations of people with curly, frizzy and dry hair. This hair paste will allow them to have a posed hair.

Oil-based wax

The oil-based wax is a product that exists for hundreds of years. In the past, it was highly prized by the English aristocracy before becoming a bourgeois fashion. Today, this hair cream is associated with retro-chic hairstyles, always well maintained with a comb. The oil-based wax provides a shiny finish and adds volume without drying out the hair. Because it's tougher, it takes more than one shampoo to get it out.

Benefits: This wax offers excellent hold for styling and provides a beautiful shine to long hair. Enriched with oils, this hair care product conditions and moisturizes the hair.

Disadvantages: Due to its consistency and composition, this wax is difficult to remove. It is necessary to insist to remove all the traces of wax remained in the hair.

Who is it for? Because of its properties, oil-based wax is best suited for normal, long, healthy hair.

Hair wax or hair gel?

Hair wax

This hair care product is perfect for tidying up hair, and is superbly effective on short and medium-length cuts. With a pasty consistency, the wax can be used to achieve any hairstyle. If necessary, it can be used to reshape their hair during the day. Whether it is water-based or oil-based, hair wax is a way to style your hair according to your desires.

Styling gel

Styling gel is a hair care product known to all. It is generally used to fix a hairstyle while giving it a wet look. Gel provides a structured look, but has the unfortunate tendency to harden, preventing occasional touch-ups during the day. Because it is very brittle, gel leaves a residue in the hair that is relatively difficult to remove.

Verdict

Styling wax has nothing to envy to gel. Not only does it offer a very good hold, but it does not stiffen the hair. The hair remains flexible and can be styled or reworked during the day.

Why buy a jar of hair wax?

Wax structures hair

Wax adds texture and shape to hair. The best products will hold and shine your hair from morning to night. Because the hair remains flexible, it can be re-styled in a different way during the same day. The hair is not likely to become heavy even if the application is repeated several times. In short, this styling cream allows all hair fantasies.

It is an excellent nourishing treatment

The wax ensures a long-lasting hold and a natural effect on the hair. As these styling pastes are enriched with organic oils, fruit acids and minerals, they deeply nourish the hair and quickly restore its health. Wax is an excellent way to care for dry and damaged hair. In addition to all the virtues mentioned above, wax also gives hair a shine.

It perfumes the hair

If the purpose of the wax is to give shape to the hair, it also allows to perfume it. Rest assured, there is nothing artificial about the fruity scents that come from these hair care products. For the most part, these aromas are the result of natural ingredients, fruit extracts for example.

It comes off easily

As long as you don't abuse it, hair wax is very easy to remove. Fatty buildup and residue will come off with the first shampoo. Even if some traces remain, a second shampoo will make them disappear completely. Unlike some hair products, wax does not burn the scalp.

It lasts a very long time

Hair wax allows you to keep your hair style intact for at least 24 hours. No matter what the circumstances, hair should stay in place and stay flexible until you shampoo it. That's precisely why some people prefer it to styling gel.

The best brands of hair waxes

In our opinion, the best brands of hair waxes in 2022 are :

Renée Blanche
Massato
Hairgum
Identik Paris
Schwarzkopf

Renée Blanche has been in the cosmetic and hair care business since 1970. With its long experience, this company is now positioned as one of the leaders in the hair wax market.

Reawakening the natural beauty that lies dormant in all women, this is the philosophy that drives Massato since its creation a decade ago. Today, this Japanese hairdresser and hair care creator based in Paris has built a great reputation around the world, just with his hair wax.

Hairgum is a hairdresser, a barber and a hair care creator for men. In business since 1989, Hairgum is one of the most reputable French players in hair wax and beard oil.

Created in collaboration with singer Matt Pokora, Identik Paris is a company that specializes in hair care of all kinds. Making styling products that are free of sulfates, parabens, silica, and oxidizers is one of its many unique features.

Schwarzkopf exists to fully satisfy the hair care needs of professionals and individuals alike. The high-end products have made this manufacturer a heavyweight in this segment, a place it has richly earned.

What is the price for a hair wax

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
7.5 £ to 15 £
Mid-range
15 £ to 29 £
High-end
more than 29 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Shampoo your hair

Styling wax has a tendency to make hair look greasy, especially if you use too much of it. Rinsing hair out will not eliminate this greasy effect. On the contrary, it will look even greasier in contact with water. Shampooing is the only way to get your hair back to its natural silkiness.

Fashion your entire style

Avoid focusing on just one part of your hair, as you'll end up with a lot more wax on one side of your head. For an even result, model the whole thing directly, adjusting the amount of styling paste as you go.

Take precautions

Less hair, less wax. This is the principle to follow if you want to use styling wax. This will prevent you from ending up with completely flattened hair.

Find the right frequency of use

If you have straight, curly, frizzy or thick hair, you can use wax on a daily basis, it won't be a problem. If not, it's best to space out the applications by two or three days. This will minimize the risk of application on the scalp.

Get dressed first

To avoid getting it all over your clothes, dress first before styling with wax. Even though this hair product is made with natural and organic ingredients, stains on clothes are difficult, if not impossible, to wash off.

FAQ

How to use hair wax?

When using hair wax, always assume that the thinner your hair, the less you need to use. In general, a dab is enough to shape a thick head of hair. Warm the product by rubbing it between your hands and apply it directly to all of your hair, taking care to shape it to your liking.

Is wax bad for your hair?

No, wax does not cause any particular negative effect on hair, unless you use it the wrong way. You should never overuse this hair paste. It is very waterproof and can prevent the scalp from breathing, which will reduce sebum production. As long as you follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, no problems should occur.

How to remove hair wax?

Be warned that a simple rinse with clear water is not enough to remove traces of wax in the hair. On the contrary, it will look even greasier when moistened. The only way to get back to normal hair is to shampoo it at the end of each day, or 5 times a week if you use it daily.

Is styling wax suitable for all hair types?

Yes, styling wax can be used by all hair types, nevertheless, people with thin hair should refrain from using it. Wax has nothing against fine hair, but it may flatten it completely, which is not very aesthetic let's face it. On the other hand, people with thick, curly, frizzy and straight hair can use it daily if they wish.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information. See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Massato Wax Styling Paste 9
Massato Wax Styling Paste
Renée Blanche styling and coloring wax 10
Renée Blanche styling and coloring wax
Hairgum Wax classic 400ml 11
Hairgum Wax classic 400ml
American Crew Forming Cream 85 Grs 12
American Crew Forming Cream 85 Grs

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