Feature

Cream control: modern man’s way
to natural style

Hair cream of the 1920s was an oil-based gunk called brilliantine. Style-conscious men used it to slick back hair and add serious shine. It looked good, but had a serious design flaw: this stuff was so greasy it would rub off, staining clothes and furniture beyond repair. Modern hair cream is the opposite: you use it to get a natural look. A subtly powerful product, it makes dull hair look effortlessly well-groomed… without anyone figuring out your secret.

A guy with a natural-looking 50s hairstyle.

So, what is hair cream?

Hair cream, also known as styling cream, adds a subtle, natural-looking shine to hair. It gives a low to medium hold that tames stray hairs, but doesn’t weigh your ‘do’ down. Simply put, it banishes frizz without the greasiness.

Cream is for casual looks, so high-maintenance styles like spikes, mohawks and pompadours are off the menu. But if you’re aiming for hair that moves easily and looks laid back but on-point, cream is the way to go.

Axe natural look: Softening Cream does exactly this, giving light to medium hold with a natural finish.

Axe’s Natural Look hair cream, spread over a surface.

Style it up

Styling cream suits most hair types and works magic on curls, waves or coarser hair, softening it up and adding a suggestion of shine, whilst still looking natural.

Got thin or fine hair? Hit the cream to add texture and volume, but go easy: too much will weigh you down.

Cream works on short cuts like high and tight or a buzz cut, neatening and banishing frizz.

A guy applying Axe’s Natural Look hair cream.

How to use it

Styling cream works best on dry hair, but you can use it on damp, towel-dried hair too. How much to use? It depends on your hair type and length, so go ahead and experiment.

Start with a fingertip amount. If you need more, go for it. Rub it between your hands. The cream will warm up a little with the heat from your fingers: this is good, it applies easier that way.

Next, rake your fingers through your hair from the roots all the way out. Missing out the back of the head is a newbie error. Don’t do it. Go for full coverage.

Got time? Work the product through your hair a couple more times. The more even the distribution, the more natural the look.

If you started with damp hair, finish off by blow drying your damp hair to achieve an even softer finish and add more body to your style.

Then go ahead and style as you like. Use a comb for a more defined look, or just texture it up with your fingers. Job done.

Now get out there and rock the look.