Toni&Guy Men Styling Fibre

I once had a totally horrific experience using a Toni&Guy product – it was called TX Wax and once I had applied it to my hair it took days and many, many different other products to try and shift it. It made hair styling impossible and drove me to the brink of actually shaving my head to get rid of it. So, with that in the back of my mind when the GQ Grooming Power Pack2016 dropped through the door and I saw that it contained a 75ml tub of Toni&Guy Men Styling Fibre it was popped into a box to be forgotten for a good few months until I ran out of Schwarzkopf Men 3D Molding Wax. 

This did come as part of a cracking beauty box. If you haven’t yet seen what else came with the GQ Power Pack 2016, you can do by clicking here (after reading this obviously). Personally the sheer number of products in the GQ box and the size of the samples surprised me. 

To buy this you have to part with just under £5 for a 75ml tub. So, what do Toni&Guy have to say about their product? Well this is what they use to flog the stuff over at their website:

'Creates casual, lived in texture with a matte finish. Loosen product between palms and work through dry hair for medium hold.'

For starters, this has the consistency of a paste rather than a cream or gel and is so easy to get out of the tub, onto palms and eventually into the hair. Personally I always apply this to damp hair, styling from the back to the front before drying into place. The fact that the paste is so pliable means that only a tiny bit of the product is needed to cover what I consider to now be a substantial amount of hair - my hair is now stupidly long! So, on point one, it's an absolute breeze to apply which immediately makes it better than the wax of theirs that I tried.  

Hold again can't be faulted. My hair style at the moment is swept across and back (see below) but as I have to stand on the tube to work, usually in front of the carriage door without any product my hair would be a tangled mess by the time I got to the office as it's blown all over the place. With just a small amount of paste it adds weight to my hair and holds it in place. It isn't a set like hold you get from a gel or hairspray but it keeps it where it should be for well over eight hours which in my book is pretty decent. What this won't do is keep your flowing locks in place during a gale - it holds, but if you want a hairstyle with the cranial protection of a crash helmet then this isn't for you. 

Before using the product

After using the product and with a strong breeze on my terrace - no hair movement

As my hair gets longer I do tend to fiddle with it far far more often than when I have the shorter messy spikes. Using certain products can leave hair looking greasy and even worse, leave a sticky residue on fingers. Surprisingly after drying my hair looks completely natural I think, it doesn't have a greasy shine and best of all, the residue that rubs off onto my hands throughout the day is minimal (win). Best of all though, after drying there are no flakes, nada, zero. No fear of looking like you have a horrific case of dandruff. 

Finally, can you wash it out easily? Well yes, it comes out with just a hint of shampoo and it doesn't seem to build up on my hair over time which has meant for the last few months I have been able to ditch my weekly use of de-gunking shampoo and my hair has never looked better.

With a staggering amount of confirmation bias* I've tried desperately to find some fault with this product due to my intense dislike of their wax but can't find a thing. It does what it says on the tin, a little goes a long way and it won't break the bank. Bugger! So, that said, you can do a lot worse than this stuff and if on the lookout for a new hair styling product or just fancy a change I can put my hand on my heart and recommend this.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

*Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favour, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities.

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The Legend’s London Original Pomade + Giveaway

It really doesn’t seem like that long since I ventured into Holborn to have my hair cut by the amazing Darius at The Legends. They say that time flies as you get older and boy it’s true. It was actually over two years ago! Wow. Not only did I get a new haircut and cutthroat razor shave, but I also got the chance to try their excellent Maximum Strength Hair Gel. With that in mind, when I was asked if I would like to try their new The Legend’s London Original Pomade how could I say no?

This is what they say about the product over at The Legend’s website:

‘Our pomade has a high hold, a medium shine finish and is water-soluble (we don’t believe in the crispy aftermath!) You’ll get a strong grip, so lots of flexibility no matter what style you choose. It’s great to have something that works around you, not the other way around. 

Pomade is one of those super simple but essential hair care items you need in your grooming drawer. Take a small amount of pomade and apply evenly through the hair with your fingers. (A little tip is to have your hair a little damp – just a little. Imagine that drying in the sun on the beach kind of vibe and you’re almost there!) It’s also great for restyling through out the day, which is something hair gel won’t let you do.’

A 120ml tub of the pomade is available direct from their website and costs just £13.

I confess that I didn’t read the instructions before slapping this into my hair, but thankfully I always apply my styling products to damp hair. It’s just so much easier. I took probably a little too much out but the first thing to strike me just how pliable it is. It’s softer than wax and melts really quickly when it comes into contact with warm skin.

Within seconds of taking from the tub it had become just runny enough to smooth through my now long hair. A quick brush back and then the application of a mild heat from the hairdryer and within five minutes I had perfectly styled hair.

The acid test for me with my styling products is hold, how it leaves hair looking, how my hair feels to the touch (I constantly mess with my fringe when my hair is longer) and how easy it is to wash out. On the hold front I can't really grumble - it kept my style in place for well over ten hours and even when blown slightly out of place (when stood by an open window on a train, so pretty forceful) my hair was so easy to manipulate back into style.

How does leave hair looking?

Well, there is no greasy shine, and after about three hours after styling it looks as though I’m not actually using any hair product at all. I prefer this look as my hair looks naturally lighter than it does when using a paste, cream or gel.

How does hair feel?

Don’t get me wrong, you can tell to the touch that you have something holding your hair in place but it doesn’t have the clammy texture that usually comes from using a pomade.

Can you get it out?

Yes, it’s actually surprising given the ten hours plus of great hold that this provides. It washes out with minimal effort, which in my book is a massive bonus. Nobody likes to be faffing around when already late for work!

TOP TIP: If you have a styling product that is a bitch to wash out, try applying your shampoo to dry hair and massaging it in before applying water.

Two years on and I’m still using the Maximum Hold gel, and if this lasts just half as long then it’s cracking value for money. It provides great hold, is a breeze to apply (if you leave your hair slightly damp as directed) and doesn’t leave that shine that looks as though you have dipped your head into cooking oil. It’s the bees knees.

RECOMMENDED

What’s even better is that those lovely, lovely people at The Legend’s have given me a tub of the pomade to give away to one lucky reader. Take a peek below and feel free to enter/share.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Schwarzkopf 3D Molding Wax

When it comes to hair products I’m not short of things to try, and that is why nearly a year after sending me a pot of the Schwarzkopf 3D Molding Wax (shouldn't that be moulding?) I’ve finally gotten around to writing about it. Oops, sorry! I could pretend that it is purely because I wanted to use the entire tub but I’d be lying, it’s actually because I’ve found this one of the hardest posts to write…..ever, and what’s weirder is I have no idea why (indeed, I appear to becoming more and more clueless as I get older).

Anyway, before I digress any further from what is essential about some goop you put in your hair to hair it a bit of background into my hair and the product itself.

When I started using this months ago my hair was in a permanent state of shock, by which I mean I had short and spiky hair. This has grown out and more often that not now I can be found with longer hair that is swept back. The two photographs below show the general styles I’ve been sporting for the last six months.

So, onto the product……at just over £10 this is more expensive than other styling products from Schwarzkopf. In the past I have picked up their products and been mildly surprised by their affordability and performance – you can read about my experiences of got2b Spiking Glue here and got2b Glued Spiking Wax here if you so wish. This is what they say about it over on the Schwarzkopf website:

‘Get maximum, 3D care and protection for your hair with the Schwarzkopf [3D]MEN range, a collection of products that address the daily challenges of a man's hair.

3D MEN STYLING

The first styling brand matching the 3 key performance dimensions of male styling:

[1] Hold

[2] Texture

[3] Definition

Molding Wax

The versatile wax is ideal for creating supple styles with a natural hold, and it is particularly effective on medium-length hair that craves volume and shape. The creamy texture of the wax melts onto hair without stickiness, and offers a natural shine finish that lasts.

•    Maximum moldability cream wax

•    Create and re-invent with gravity-defying shapes

•    Natural shine finish

•    Apply to dry hair and mould into style’

Styling with 3D is actually quite easy no matter how long the length of hair - personally I find that even with short spikes or a messy look the style is held perfectly in place even without blow-drying. I have to admit that with a short style it does help slightly when applied to damp hair. That said, even after being exposed to stupidly strong wind it only moves the hair slightly which makes manipulating back into style a breeze (pun intended). 

As my hair gets longer I think this is where 3D comes into its own - with a brushed back style like the photographs show it holds, and it holds all day, and then well into the night with no hassle. Seriously, apply this at 8 a.m and it'll still be holding your hair in place at 10 p.m - you can't argue with that kind of staying power. It’s so hard wearing that it is on a par with Structure Adhesive Paste, one of the most hardwearing hair styling products I’ve ever used – the main difference is that this is much easier to style with on medium to longer hair.

Can it all be that good? Affordable purchase price, easy to apply and long lasting hold. What are the downsides? Well, there aren't any 'downsides' per se but my minor bugbears are that hair feels a tad greasy to the touch a few hours after using (simple solution: stop touching your hair) and finally you will be disgusted at how much pollution and grime it attracts and helps clings to your hair. Washing it out every morning brings the inevitable "eurgh" as I watch the manky (Mancunian for dirty) water wash away in the shower - so not a fault of the product, but still not nice thinking how much s**t has been stuck in your hair overnight.

Personally I love this stuff – while it looks like a cream, makes it easy to style as though you are using a cream you could be forgiven for thinking that this may be a cream. I was actually a bit confused when I realised that it is in fact a wax. The purchase price is an irrelevance when you consider that I’ve been using this nearly every day for over six months and it is only just now running out. That’s value people, and value that should be applauded.

This won’t leave horrific residue that starts to flake, makes styling easy and has hold that lasts for ages.

What’s not to like?

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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Hanz de Fuko Gel Triq Extreme Hold

So many jokes with this product, particularly if you take it’s full name into account – "you can turn some ‘triqs’ with Hanz de Fuko" – boom boom! No, seriously, today and forever more (the Internet never forgets a wise man once told me) every time I apply this I pull my tee over my head and pretend that I‘m either Beavis or Butthead (of early 1990s MTV fame) crying out that they are the great buttholio!

Anyhow, I’m going off on one before I’ve even said what I’m going to be reviewing today – which is Hanz de Fuko Triq Extreme Hold Gel, which came as part of the beauty bag I lightly reviewed back in July here. Now, when I first wrote my review of the bag in July I hadn’t tried this so when I did finally get around to it I was shocked – especially when I saw that it was £14 for just 118ml of the stuff!

Dexter keeping guard over the gel.....

This is what they say about the gel over on the Selfridges website here:

‘Hanz de Fuko's Gel Triq extreme hold gel is perfect for short dramatic styles or for total control over longer hair for the entire day. It dries quickly, won't flake and leaves hair with a high-shine finish. A little goes a long way.’

Having never used (or heard of) this before I was expecting the usual 99p crap that you can find as a filler for any blokes beauty bag, but boy have I been shocked, and this is why……

While it does have the consistency of the 99p gel that you could find in a corner shop that is where the similarity ends – it is thick when it leaves the tube, reassuringly so in fact, so that when applied to dry hair it means you can instantly style. Apply it to damp hair and while it takes a few minutes, run your palm through three or four times and it starts to set, and set it does, like glue, no, like cement.

To the touch it isn't the greatest – personally I hate my hair feeling crispy to the touch, but if you read on you’ll understand why I tolerate it. After a weekend in Manchester with no rain (I know, that never happened in the 24 years I lived here) on the Tuesday (this Tuesday) the heavens opened and the rain came in sideways it was so hard. Now, my hair was spiked, and after a good twenty minute walk in the rain, a quick dog like shake outside my hotel door and lo and behold, the style has not altered one jot. Even better (and something that happens a lot with hair styling products) it hadn’t run down my face leaving it all sticky – happy days.

Pretty impressed that despite the monsoon rains the spikes remain....

When using in non-monsoon conditions (read London, rather than Manchester) this keeps short and spiky styles erect and looking good (with a wet look) for a good ten hours. In fact, I applied this at seven thirty on Monday morning and after waking on Tuesday morning my hair looked exactly the same – yes it had lost the wet look and had a matte finish but the spikes where still rock hard and stood up straight like a guardsman outside Buckingham Palace – excellent.

This isn’t cheap stuff, but for the fact that has the longevity of Tom Jones (if you don’t know who Tom Jones is, then please stop reading my blog) I can’t help but recommend it. Personally I find it has excellent hold, but for the price I prefer Osmo Clay – it does the same thing, in the same conditions for half the price. If you really don’t care about cost then go ahead.

I recommend this stuff, but purely down to the fact that it does what it says on the tube (not tin, sorry Cuprinol) and for that it cannot be faulted. Want a hair gel that will give you an extreme style? This’ll do the triq!

RECOMMENDED

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Structure Transform Spray Clay

I have something of a soft spot for hair products from the Structure range, in fact, one of the first I reviewed here on the blog was a sample of Structure Paste Flexible Adhesive which, to be blunt was the bomb so when I was asked if I wanted to try Structure Transform Spray Clay I jumped at the chance.

This is what the company say about themselves here:

'Structure is a salon professional hair care brand, featuring a range of styling products for men and women alike. With edgy packaging, high performance formulas and a full product range, Structure is a must-have for anyone who's passionate about their hair and style! If you want style, you want edge and you want your dreams to be realised; you need Structure.'

With a hold level of three out of five I wasn't expecting a solid and crispy hold, and on further investigation this is recommended for short styles. I have to say, at £9.50 for a 150 ml tube it actually is quite cheap in the great scheme of things when you consider that only a few squirts will have your hair rock solid for hour after hour.

Seriously, three sprays onto slightly damp short hair, a quick run through with the palm of your hand and whack, the spikes are there - and it dries stupidly quickly which means no messing in the mirror holding them in place for ages until you have to leave the house (which is good in my case as I'm always running late).

Even with as I let my hair grow longer about a month ago this was a godsend and after styling into a cross between curtains and a quiff it kept my hair in place, even after a bit of rain and some pretty strong wind (the weather kind, not the type after a night on the curry). 

For me hold is important, how long it lasts and whether it leaves any residue as it starts to wear off. With spray clay it has a vice like hold (despite only being mid-range in their hold ratings), lasts for a good eight hours (even if I run my hands through - which I do a lot) and there are no hints of the dreaded white flakes. In the words of Alan Partridge - "back of the net".

This came as a PR sample some three months ago (they probably think I forgot about them) and I admit, I use it probably three times a week and still now I have over half of the bottle left. I had considered attempting to do a written Peter Kay impression (Clay.......in a spray? It'll never catch on) but hey, this stuff is the bees knees and if you are looking for an easy to apply hair styling product them this is for you. Affordable, great hold and no flakes. Get some, you won't be disappointed! 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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