.png)
Finding men’s grooming and skincare products was once a niche and limited market. However, in recent years, the male self-care industry has rapidly expanded in line with its ever-growing demand from customers seeking quality products to improve overall image. In this article, we will delve into a variety of hair products—a good selection of which are locally-owned businesses. We pitch the brands head-to-head, comparing the strengths and weaknesses side by side to provide you, the reader, with the most informed decision to buy your next grooming product. Each item will be put into a category based on the nature of the gel/clay. Aiden Bradley shares his experiences with these men’s haircare products, from the following brands: LuxIgnite Lifestyle, Daimon Barber, Bromade, and Orien’t. Without further ado…
Hair Clays
Image courtesy of Orien’t
Orien’t: Clay Pomade
Clay Pomade by Orien’t provides all the traditional features of a good and fast setting clay; it maintains a strong hold throughout the day and gives off a matte, dry finish. This combination allows the user to achieve a voluminous natural look thanks to its finish. One of my personal favourite features of this product is how easy it washes out after a long day out, as some products tend to take a pinch more elbow grease when washing out. Recommended for use with medium length hair.
Hold: 4/5 Shine: 2/5 Durability: 4/5 Workability: 5/5
Image courtesy of Bromade
Bromade: Black Bean Grocery Superior Clay
Bromade stocks Black Bean Grocery, a men’s grooming brand inspired by Chinese grocery store products. This time however, we bring to you a matte finished clay product with more of a natural and balanced hold. The features of the clay are well complemented by its scent, a marriage of Camellia, Lotus and Eucalyptus. Recommended for all lengths of hair.
Hold: 3/5 Shine: 2/5 Durability: 3/5 Workability: 4/5
Image courtesy of Daimon Barber
Daimon Barber: Texture Clay
Based in London, Daimon Barber offers professional grade hairstyling. This product offers a strong hold for individuals with short hair that are looking for textured hair, and a more natural look for individuals with longer hair. One of the best features of this product is the scent. Being a high quality product also means a heftier price tag, but with its compelling results, it’s well worth it.
Hold: 3/5 Shine: 2/5 Durability: 5/5 Workability: 5/5
Luxignite: Matte Clay
Founded by three primary school friends, the brand has its roots in Hong Kong and offers hair products characterised by strong scented perfumes. One of the most impressive features of this brand’s products is that they all come with solid cologne conveniently on the lid. This product works especially well with those who have thick hair. The clay offers a lot of versatility and lets the user add volume and texture to give off a beautiful natural style finish. The product has a relatively quick setting time. Its workability, however, means that styling it is no issue and easy to achieve your desired look.
Hold: 5/5 Shine: 3/5 Durability: 5/5 Workability: 5/5
Pomades & Pastes
Image courtesy of Orien’t
Orien’t: Texture Paste
No smoke or mirrors here, Orien’t’s “texture paste” hair product is exactly as advertised. The medium to slow setting time allows the individual to style their hair exactly as desired before the paste sets in. Designed with medium to long hair in mind, the product allows for great versatility and provides a medium level hold with a medium to high gloss finish. This product does a great job in adding volume to your hair, allowing for the most creative of styles.
Hold: 4/5 Shine: 4/5 Durability: 4/5 Workability: 3/5
Image courtesy fo BROMADE
Bromade: Three Beans Pomade
Those looking for a reliable everyday dressing cream may have found their go to product. Let us introduce you to the three beans pomade, designed by Black Bean Grocery, an Asian American company. Coming in 4 oz. bottles, the design draws inspiration from products found in a traditional Chinese Grocery store. This cream boasts a long lasting, super firm hold with a quick setting matte finish and ideal for those with medium to long hair.
Hold: 5/5 Shine: 2/5 Durability: 5/5 Workability: 2/5
Luxignite: Pomade
This paste pomade is designed for a medium hold and shine, perfect for everyday use. The brand recommends the item is used for hairstyles such as slick backs or pompadours or in our layman’s terms, medium-length hair. The product offers plenty of pliability meaning that it can be changed and adjusted throughout the day.
Hold: 3/5 Shine: 3/5 Durability: 5/5 Workability: 5/5
Image courtesy of Luxignite
Luxignite: Classic Pomade
Luxignite’s Classic Pomade offers the user a high hold and high shine product (think of Grease Lightning) that lasts through the day and smells phenomenal. The product acts exactly as advertised. This product works ideally on those with either a slick back, pompadour or combover hairstyles.
Hold: 5/5 Shine: 5/5 Durability: 4/5 Workability: ⅗
Image courtesy of Daimon Barber
Daimon Barber: Forming Cream
This forming cream acts as a good all-rounder. The product contains a medium hold with a matte finish. Blended with Kahai nut oil, this item boasts a phenomenal scent and not only that but offers 50% more vitamin E than more conventional oils such as Argan or appleseed. This helps to strengthen, protect and detoxify the hair throughout the day.
Hold: 3/5 Shine: 2/5 Durability: 5/5 Workability: 5/5