Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

Hair Product Battle: Low Shine & Mid Hold

June 3, 2010 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links results in us getting a commission (not always, but just about), which helps keep the lights on around here. We also take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

Tea Tree Shaping Cream 3.5 oz – $14.50 | Alterna Modeling Clay 2.0 oz – $16.40

A guy’s hair will look its best when it lands somewhere between the extremes of the wet and shiny look from the cast of Friends, and the dry and poofy look of Novak Djokovich.  You want some texture and you want some hold.  Anything more than that and you start to look either like a kid, or you just crawled out of O Brother Where art Thou.  Here’s two widely available products that strike the right balance, with the pros and cons for each.

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream – $14.50 for 3.5 oz

The Drier Tea Tree
The Heavier Tea Tree

Pros:

  • Solid medium to firm hold.
  • Emulsifies quickly.
  • Has a terrific fresh, masculine, and not overpowering smell.
  • Pretty dry to the touch.  More solid than liquid.
  • Inexpensive at around $4.00 / Oz

Cons:

  • If your hair is almost totally dry, it might give unwanted volume.
  • Emulsifies quickly but leaves your hands very sticky
  • Can get somewhat shiny if applied to damp hair.

Overall Grade: A –  | A really good hair product for guys with short to medium short hair.  If you hate the uni-directional hair movement that clippers can leave you with (see Djokovich), this stuff is perfect to give your hair texture and shape.

Alterna Modeling Clay – $16.40 for 2.0 oz

The Lighter Alterna
The Lighter Alterna

Pros:

  • Unbelievably light going in.  Medium hold that seems to come out of nowhere
  • Not really any kind of high glaze shine, even when applied damp.
  • Doesn’t add too much extra body to hair when applied dry

Cons:

  • Stronger hold might require a bit more product than suggested
  • Almost seems to evaporate when you rub your hands together.  But… it’s there.
  • More liquid than solid right out of the jar.
  • Somewhat expensive at $8.20/oz
  • Smells strongly of cucumbers.  Fades after application… but still.

Overall Grade:  B+ |  I’d give it an A if it weren’t for the cucumber smell which is a bit distracting at first.  If you’ve got medium to medium long hair, this product goes in so light you’ll think “How is this going to work?.”  But it doesn’t disappoint.  Leaves your hair with a matte finish that’s pliable, moves a touch, but still holds well.

What’s your go-to low shine & mid hold hair product?  Leave any suggestions in the comments below…

Filed Under: Grooming Tagged With: alterna modeling clay, Grooming, hair, hair cream, hair product, tea tree shaping cream

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

In Review: The Baltic Aquascaphe Classic

In Review: The Baltic Aquascaphe Classic

Automatic, assembled in France, and 39mm. It’s the tool watch attempting to be all things to most people.

Style Scenario – Valentine’s date night dressed up, going out

Style Scenario – Valentine’s date night dressed up, going out

Sharp, dark, and handsome for a nice night out.

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Rhone Polo & Commuter Shirt Savings Packs are back, & More

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Rhone Polo & Commuter Shirt Savings Packs are back, & More

There is a peculiarity about the Rhone pack deals though.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • BR Factory New Arrivals (and 49% off), Seiko 5KX decent price, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Rhone Polo & Commuter Shirt Savings Packs are back, & More
  • The 2023 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Her
  • Spier launches new $298 Half Canvas Suit Line – The Best Wedding Suit under $300?
  • Style Scenario: Groundhog Day
  • Style Scenario – Valentine’s date night dressed up, going out

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2023 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.