How to Use Hair Clay for Men: Step-by-Step Guide
Hair clay is one of the most popular styling products for men because it gives strong hold with a flat, natural finish. It's also easy to get wrong. Too much and your hair looks chalky and heavy. Too little and it falls apart by noon. Here's exactly how to use it.
What Hair Clay Does
Hair clay is a styling product that gives firm hold and texture with a matte finish, meaning no shine. It adds thickness and definition to the hair, which is why it works well for messy crops, textured quiffs, layered cuts and short curls. Unlike gel, it doesn't dry hard, so you can reshape your style during the day.
How to Use Hair Clay — Step by Step
1. Start with dry or towel-dried hair. Clay works best on dry hair, where you can see exactly how the style is shaping up. If you've just washed your hair, blow-dry it most of the way first.
2. Take a small amount. About a dime-sized scoop is enough for short to medium hair. You can always add more. It's hard to take product out once it's in.
3. Warm it up in your palms. Rub your hands together until the clay softens and spreads evenly across your fingers and palms. Skipping this step is the main cause of clumpy, uneven results.
4. Work it through from the back to the front. Start at the back and sides, then the top, and finish at the front. This keeps product from building up where you want a lighter look.
5. Shape with your fingers. Push, twist or pull sections to create the texture and direction you want. For a cleaner style, comb through lightly. For a messier look, leave it as is.
6. Reshape during the day if needed. Clay stays workable, so a quick run of your fingers is usually enough to fix your style later.
How Much Clay Should You Use?
- Short hair: A pea- to dime-sized amount.
- Medium hair: A dime- to nickel-sized amount.
- Longer or thicker hair: A nickel- to quarter-sized amount, applied in two rounds rather than all at once.
Common Mistakes
- Using too much. This makes hair look heavy and chalky. Start small.
- Skipping the warm-up. Cold clay goes on in clumps.
- Applying to soaking wet hair. It won't spread evenly or hold as well.
- Only styling the front. Work product through the whole head for a style that looks consistent.
- Not washing it out. Wash it out at the end of the day with shampoo so product doesn't build up.
Which Hairstyles Work Best With Clay?
Clay suits short to medium hair and textured styles: messy crops, textured quiffs, French crops, layered cuts, short curls and natural-looking side parts. If you want a slick, shiny look instead, a pomade is the better choice. See our hair clay vs pomade vs paste guide for the full comparison.
How to Wash Clay Out
Clay is heavier than most styling products, so a regular shampoo is usually enough. Work it through the hair with your fingertips, then rinse well. If clay builds up over a few days, use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a week.
Ready to try it? Jones Horizon Executive Matte Clay gives strong hold with a true matte finish and no shine, and it's easy to reshape through the day. Free shipping over $40 CAD.
FAQ
Do you use hair clay on wet or dry hair? Dry or towel-dried hair works best. Very wet hair stops the clay from spreading evenly or holding properly.
How much hair clay should I use? Start with a dime-sized amount for short to medium hair and add more only if you need it.
Is hair clay good for thin or fine hair? It can be. Use less, focus on the roots and top for texture, and avoid piling on product, which can weigh fine hair down.
Does hair clay have shine? A matte clay has no shine. That is what separates it from a pomade or gel.
Can I reshape clay during the day? Yes. Clay stays workable, so you can restyle with your fingers whenever you need to.
How do I get clay out of my hair? Shampoo as usual, working it in with your fingertips. A clarifying shampoo once or twice a week helps with any buildup.