While most popular in the men’s hairstyling world, hair wax is an excellent product for women too, who want to get that perfect slicked-back look without compromising the health of their hair. It can be hard to figure out the best hair wax for you, as there are such aspects to consider as the ingredients, strength and durability, shine and volume. But no worries, because as always, we’ve got a comprehensive list of the best hair waxes to help you figure out just what you need, from the most affordable option to the strongest hold.
And if you still have a few questions about hair wax or just don’t feel like going back and reading something else, we’ve also answered any of the basic questions that relate to this hair product below our favorites list. Because with the multitude of products on the market, who wouldn’t be confused?! So, sit back and get ready to find the perfect option for you!
In this article:
Best Hair Waxes Overview
- Best Overall: Hanz de Fuko Sponge Wax
- Best Budget: Cantu Flaxseed Smoothing Hair Wax
- Best Spray: Redken Wax Blast 10 Finishing Hairspray Wax
- Best Powder: STMNT Grooming Goods Wax Powder
- Best Stick: She Is Bomb Hair Wax Stick
- Best Cream: Gatsby Moving Rubber Spiky Edge Hair Wax
- Best Balm: R+Co Continental Glossing Wax
- Best Liquid: Paul Mitchell Firm Style Dry Wax
- Best Volumizing: Sexy Hair Style Sexy Hair Play Dirty Dry Wax Spray
- Best Firm-Hold: Bed Head by Tigi Hair Wax Stick
- Best Medium-Hold: Blind Barber 60 Proof Medium Hold Wax
- Best Lightweight Hold: Sachajuan Hair Wax
- Best Flexible Hold: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Styling Wax
Our Picks for the Best Hair Waxes
No matter your hair length, type, and budget, our list of the best hair waxes reviewed features your future favorite product!
A perfect medium-hold hair wax, if there ever was one, this product maintains an excellent pliable hold throughout the day so that you can manipulate the style into whatever you may desire. Surprisingly great for thicker hair, this hair wax with natural ingredients will hold your hair just how you want and allow you to appear effortless all day. Grab it online from Nordstrom or Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 2 oz.
- Formula: Cream
- Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, castor seed oil, horsetail fern extract, eucalyptus extract, mallow flower, lemon peel
- Finish: Semi-matte
- Hold: Medium
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/No
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Made for all hair types
- Can be used as a heat protectant
- Washes out easily
Cons
- Matte finish
If you’re just entering the world of hair wax and simply want to test it out, this is the perfect way to go. Made from natural ingredients and affordable, this easy-to-use hair wax is great for beginners. Simply smooth into your hair before you head out to tame the edges and get rid of any frizz that may have been bothering you, and you’re ready to dance the night away. Buy it from Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 2 oz.
- Formula: Wax
- Key Ingredients: Shea butter, canola oil, castor oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil
- Finish: Natural
- Hold: Strong
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/No
Pros
- No flaking
- Great for all hair types
- Blends and holds well
Cons
- Slightly greasy appearance
Far quicker than solid wax that will need to be smoothed into your hair, this form of application will give off a beachy appearance. Adding volume and a bit of extra shine with no waxy texture, this will be the best hair wax when you’re in a rush and want an effortless appearance. After all, just a touch will be all you’ll need to create a long-lasting effect that will stay with you all night. Pick it up from Ulta or Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 4.4 oz.
- Formula: Spray
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin
- Finish: Satin-matte
- Hold: Medium
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No/No
Pros
- Easy application
Cons
- Contains alcohol
Easy and lightweight, sometimes powdered wax will be better than a spray or cream. When applied, the powder will transform into a malleable hair wax that has a good grip on your hair. Due to the application, this can be great for messier or edgier styles because the placement won’t be as precise. Buy it from Nordstrom, Ulta, or Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 0.5 oz.
- Formula: Powder
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin
- Finish: Semi-matte
- Hold: Medium
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes
Pros
- Easy application and removal
- Lightweight
Cons
- None
Apart from the fantastic packaging, this hair wax is a great option to take on the run with you. Coming in a solid form, all it takes is a little smoothing, and a sleek ponytail or bun can be achieved! Of course, it’s important to note that because of the stick form, using this hair wax to create defined curls or a pompadour will be much more difficult. Grab it online on Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 2.7 oz.
- Formula: Stick
- Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, beeswax, castor oil, fruit wax
- Finish: Natural
- Hold: Medium
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No/No
Pros
- Melts the hair perfectly
- Lasts all-day
- Great for thick hair
Cons
- More difficult to apply
While most likely not named after F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby,’ there has to be a certain irony in the fact that this hair wax’s brand contains the name of the main character with perpetually slick and shiny hair. Used to create beautiful curls or to tame any unruly flyaways, this creamy hair wax would certainly pique Jay Gatsby’s interest. It’s available on Amazon.
Key Features:
- Size: 2.82 oz.
- Formula: Cream
- Key Ingredients: Candelilla wax, paraffin
- Finish: Matte
- Hold: Strong
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No/No
Pros
- Easy to use
- Lightly scented
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Matte
A great addition to any of your travel makeup bags, R+Co’s ‘Continental’ hair wax is a fan favorite. Containing eucalyptus and argan oil, along with clove leaf extract, sage leaf, and sunflower extract, this hair wax will not only hold your hair in place but will also be a healthy additive to your hair care routine. With the natural ingredients promoting hair thickness, shine and strength, there doesn’t seem to be a downside to investing in this beautiful product. Pick it up online from Dermstore or Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 2.2 oz.
- Formula: Balm
- Key Ingredients: Eucalyptus oil, clove leaf extract, sage leaf extract, sunflower seed extract, argan oil
- Finish: Shiny
- Hold: Medium
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes
Pros
- Great for adding texture and volume
Cons
- Scent can be strong for some
If you’re on the hunt for easily moldable hair wax, then this will be the best bet for you. Excellent for creating looks that appear as if you didn’t even try, this lemon-scented hair wax will add just the right amount of texture to your hair without being too volumizing. Simply scrunch into your hair, and you’re all ready! Buy it on Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 1.8 oz.
- Formula: Liquid
- Key Ingredients:
- Finish: Matte
- Hold: Strong
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes
Pros
- Excellent hold
- Nice citrusy scent
Cons
- Difficult to wash out
- Too much will lead to a greasy appearance
On the opposite end, if you’re desperate for a bit of volume, this hair wax is for you. Designed to build texture by separating the hair strands, the dry wax spray is great for all hairstyles and works as an excellent styling tool. And with humidity resistance that can last days, you know you’ll want this for the summer beach trip you’ve been dreaming about! Shop for it at Ulta or Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 4.8 oz.
- Formula: Spray
- Key Ingredients:
- Finish: Shiny
- Hold: Medium
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/No
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Highly flexible
- Recyclable packaging
Cons
- Slightly sticky
When it comes to needing a hair wax that can last all night, Tigi’s firm hold is going to be a great bet. Providing extra definition and easy application, there isn’t anything to hate about this product. So, if you’re looking for a long-lasting and frizz-free option, this will be a great choice. And for a bit of an added hold, simply blow dry your hair for a few minutes afterward to melt the wax into your hair a bit more. Just be wary that it doesn’t melt into the scalp and cause a wax build-up. Pick it up on Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 2.57 oz.
- Formula: Stick
- Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, beeswax, castor oil
- Finish: Natural
- Hold: Strong
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No/No
Pros
- Easy to style
- Great for bedhead looks
- Lavender scented
Cons
- None
Looking for something in between an ultra-light hold and a death grip? Creating a blendable and easy-to-mold hairdo is obviously beneficial, and thus when you need a standby product to grab, this is probably your best bet. With a medium hold, natural shine, and fresh vanilla scent, there’s little to not fall in love with. Grab it online at Ulta!
Key Features:
- Size: 2.5 oz.
- Formula: Cream
- Key Ingredients: Hops extract, sweet almond oil, soybean oil
- Finish: Natural
- Hold: Medium
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/No
Pros
- Water-soluble
- Hops extract to reduce dandruff
Cons
- Scent can be strong for some
Look, we get it. Sometimes you need your hair to stay back, but you don’t want the appearance that it’s chock-full of product. When this issue hits you, lightweight hair wax is the best option to get a hold of. Sachajuan’s product is one that can certainly be vouched for, adding a tiny bit of extra volume. With the perfect hold and luxurious shine, this simple-to-use and easy product will explain for itself why we’ve included it in this list. Buy it from Dermstore or Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 2.5 oz.
- Formula: Cream
- Key Ingredients: Castor oil, lanolin
- Finish: Shiny
- Hold: Light
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/No
Pros
- Great for blowouts
- Perfect for extra volume
Cons
- None
While many of these products boast a flexible hold, none will add as much dimension and flexibility as this option. With plenty of shine, control, and definition, there are many ways to shape your hair into any style you want with this product. Anyone up to try Marie Antoinette’s poufs?! Buy it from Amazon!
Key Features:
- Size: 6.8 oz.
- Formula: Cream
- Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, glycerin, jojoba leaf extract
- Finish: Natural
- Hold: Medium
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes
Pros
- Fresh, minty scent
- Shine and volume with plenty of control
Cons
- Ingredients seemingly change every few months
What to Look for in the Best Hair Wax for You?
As you might have seen by now, hair waxes can have different holds, like low, medium, and strong, as well as shiny or matte finishes. These are just a few aspects to consider when choosing one, and below, we sum up every detail you should consider when choosing your new favorite product.
Strength and Durability
When looking for a hair wax that is best for you, strength and durability will no doubt play a key role. Given that wax’s main purpose is to hold your hair together for a decent length of time, finding a wax that boasts a strong hold would be ideal. However, if you’re more interested in a tousled appearance, a medium or low hold might be best for you. The key of which to choose depends mainly on how long you want it to last and the thickness of your hair because the thicker your hair is, the tighter the grip of the wax will need to be.
Shine and Volume
Lovely, lustrous locks might be what’s desired by some – but not all. Because of this, when you are on the hunt for the best hair wax, you’ll want to keep in mind the level of shine the brand boasts. This will go hand in hand with the volume because a bit of added volume can be nice, but too much can be just, well, too much! Brands will often brag about plenty of extra shine or volume, and while oftentimes this is true, you’ll most likely want to check the reviews or someone not paid to love the product before you purchase.
Ingredients
People say you are what you eat, but I’d argue that we’re just as much what we put on our bodies as well. Many styling products can be loaded to the brim with chemicals and other harmful additives. The quickest way around this would be to only purchase natural products, but this isn’t always possible. The main hair waxes you’ll want to steer clear of will be those that contain alcohol because that can be drying to the scalp. And remember that leaning towards a clay-based wax never hurts!
Price Point
Perhaps this isn’t a needed section, but in a world where we are always pressured to spend extra money, having a little reminder to stay within your budget when shopping for the basics never hurt anyone.
Hair Wax FAQ
To put your newly purchased hair wax to use, consider checking out the main hair wax-related questions answered below.
A thick styling product that coats the hair strands, hair wax can give your hairstyle shape and texture. Often used in the creation of more elaborate designs, hair wax is the perfect product for many styles, from sleek ponytails to defined curls.
While similar in the fact that both products are designed to keep your hair in place, hair gel and hair wax vary greatly. Just off the bat, hair gel contains alcohol in the ingredients list, which can be drying to your hair. Along with this, it will dry into your hair and create an almost wet appearance.
When it comes to using hair wax, the main ingredient is often wax or clay, which will protect your hair from humidity and has some hydrating factors. And when dry, hair wax will still be malleable and won’t be noticed in your hair.
Given the fact that hair wax can be somewhat greasy in texture, washing out hair wax will take a bit longer than a regular shower. The easiest way to remove it will be through an extra round of shampooing. However, if that doesn’t work, finding a clarifying shampoo that counteracts with oils will be key.
Applying hair wax will be a little different for everybody, given the variety of hair types. However, there are a few things that will always be the same. The first is that you’ll want to slowly coat your fingers with the wax before your hair so that a minimal amount ends up on your hair strands, and the second is that when blending it in, be careful to not have it touch your scalp because a wax build-up can lead to scalp irritation.
Photos via Ulta, Amazon, Nordstrom