# Hair Styling Gel for Men Without the "Wet Look" - Suggestions? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 16, 2013, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494 "2013-02-16T14:10:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/21 "2013-02-18T18:10:36Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > Gel gives a crunchy, stiff look. > Pomade gives a wet look. > Wax is really stiff, you get a really crunchy/stiff look. > > Try “forming cream” - I have short hair, and I like [American Crew Forming Cream](http://www.americancrew.com/products/classic/forming-cream). Medium hold, no stiffness, no wet look. Works great on short hair. On longer hair, not so much. I use the same brand, but the “fiber” stuff (blue label). It doesn’t result in a “wet look”. Sold at Walgreens where I live, but you can get in online, too. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/22 "2013-02-19T02:20:12Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I use the same brand, but the “fiber” stuff (blue label). It doesn’t result in a “wet look”. Sold at Walgreens where I live, but you can get in online, too. Yeah, I’ve used the fiber, but it ends up a bit too stiff and crunchy for me ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/23 "2013-02-21T11:54:55Z")
Thanks for all the good info. I am set to test three of them: [Nancy Boy Styling Gel](http://www.nancyboy.com/Styling-Gel-8p26.htm), [Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream](http://www.paulmitchell.com/Products/TeaTree/TeaTreeSpecial/Pages/TeaTreeShapingCream.aspx), and [American Crew Fiber](http://www.americancrew.com/products/classic/fiber). I really like how the Paul Mitchell stuff smells. When I figure out the one I like and will use, I guess I’ll just leave the others in my guest bathroom. I got the Paul Mitchell at a local Peninsula Beauty Supply store (at La Hacienda Shopping Center on El Camino near Wolfe Rd) and American Crew Fiber at a SuperCuts on El Camino near San Tomas Expy - they didn’t carry the Defining Paste so I got the Fiber. I got the Nancy Boy Styling Gel online and it arrived the other day. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/24 "2013-02-21T13:20:54Z")
It does smell really good, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/25 "2013-02-21T14:28:59Z")
> [@Silvorange](#): > > I’m pretty sure that fellow uses Dapper Dan. Apparently it has a pleasant odor that’s a big reason for its use. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/26 "2013-02-21T14:30:43Z")
> [@myskepticsight](#): > > One of my male friends I believe uses Aveda men’s stuff and his hair always looks very nice. And it smells great too! The Aveda Control Paste (not necessarily Men’s) is great stuff, and smells pretty good too- probably too masculine for most women, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/27 "2013-02-21T14:41:46Z")
American Crew Fiber is awesome. Use just a little bit and rub your hands vigorously so it gets warm and is somewhat spreadable. Put it on when your hair is almost completely dry. If it leaves your hair stiff or crunchy you used too much or didn’t apply it evenly. Dry look, plus you can still work with it if you need to restyle later, unlike gel, which requires rewetting. I have used the shaping cream too, but the hold isn’t quite as strong as the Fiber and you need to use more so it doesn’t last as long. ---
**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/28 "2013-02-21T15:32:49Z")
Get with the 20th century you guys (and girls) Vitalis Brylcreem (A little dab’ll do ya) ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/29 "2013-02-21T15:37:51Z")
I’ve been using Aveda’s Confixor for years and love it. The nice part is that it will dry with the wet look but with a quick finger through the hair, it will look dry and hold its place. It’s a bit expensive, but lasts a long time and there’s a fragrance free version too. The one drawback is that a thorough shampoo is needed after usage or else it will cause dried gel flakes. (I have woken late and did the “wet head in sink and throw gel in it” a couple times only to have it backfire). ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/30 "2013-02-21T18:02:21Z")
El Hubbo uses L’Oreal’s Studio Line Clean Gel, available at fine retailers near you for pretty cheap. He never has the wet look, even though he does put it on damp hair. I suspect that it’s a combination of the gel’s composition, using just a bit, and him running his hands through his hair later, a la **sachertorte** , that keeps him from the crunchy wet look (which really isn’t a good look for anyone). ---
**Author:** ![Calvin8973498723847892347](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Calvin8973498723847892347](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calvin8973498723847892347)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/31 "2013-11-20T07:37:13Z")
What works best for the dry look is styling clay it is not shinny like Pomade, gel or wax can be. The one that I would recommend is Nature’s Zero Matte Clay it has a strong hold and looks very natural and not wet or shinny. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/32 "2013-11-20T11:07:56Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > I have short black hair. I don’t really comb it because combing it at all makes me think of the “wet look.” But I kinda push it into place the way that GC (hey, also my initials!) dude does. I used nothing for years. I was a no “product” guy. I started using the American Crew defining paste awhile back. I was hesitant to do so as the price scared me, but I order it online for less than the salon prices, and my my most recent jar has lasted almost 6 months… Yep. I use the “fiber” type. Blue top. It lasts a long time-- a little dab’ll do ya! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/33 "2013-11-22T12:03:57Z")
> [@echo7tango](#): > > Thanks for all the good info. I am set to test three of them: [Nancy Boy Styling Gel](http://www.nancyboy.com/Styling-Gel-8p26.htm), [Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream](http://www.paulmitchell.com/Products/TeaTree/TeaTreeSpecial/Pages/TeaTreeShapingCream.aspx), and [American Crew Fiber](http://www.americancrew.com/products/classic/fiber). > > I really like how the Paul Mitchell stuff smells. When I figure out the one I like and will use, I guess I’ll just leave the others in my guest bathroom. > > I got the Paul Mitchell at a local Peninsula Beauty Supply store (at La Hacienda Shopping Center on El Camino near Wolfe Rd) and American Crew Fiber at a SuperCuts on El Camino near San Tomas Expy - they didn’t carry the Defining Paste so I got the Fiber. I got the Nancy Boy Styling Gel online and it arrived the other day. After several months of testing I chose the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream. I like that one the best. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/34 "2013-11-22T22:26:05Z")
I personally find that you just need to use less of the gel and blow dry out any water. That’s usually enough to get rid of the wet look for me. When that doesn’t work, I switch to hair spray. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/35 "2013-11-23T09:26:29Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I personally find that you just need to use less of the gel and blow dry out any water. That’s usually enough to get rid of the wet look for me. > > When that doesn’t work, I switch to hair spray. While that might work, I don’t even want to bother with any blow dryer. I haven’t used one in several years. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/36 "2013-11-25T18:54:47Z")
Suave for Men’s Matte Styling Paste. That’s what I use when I dress up as David Tennant’s version of the Doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/37 "2013-11-25T22:10:40Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Axe, yes Axe, makes an excellent pomade. It’s in the purple jar and called “Clean Cut Look”. I came in here to add this too. The axe pomade is awesome. Personally I use the sleek hair shine pomade. > **[Axe: Fine Fragrances – Premium Body Care for Men | AXE](https://www.axe.com/us/en/home.html)** > > Smell finer than the finest fragrances with premium scents crafted by world-renown perfumers. Study chose AXE over their current prestige cologne. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/39 "2026-03-16T09:43:25Z")
I would suggest styling powder (sometimes marketed as volumizing powder). i think any brand will do. It will help hold the style you like, with no wet or stiff look. And if you don’t shampoo your hair everyday, it will even work for a handful of days with a bit re working in the morning (even if you rinse it with just water in the shower). ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/40 "2026-03-16T11:06:37Z")
Back when I kept my hair long enough to need some type of product in it, I always had good luck finding something that worked for me with Hanz De Fuko. I haven’t bought anything from them since just before covid (around the time I cut my hair much shorter), but they still send me stickers and the occasional samples. > **[All Products](https://www.hanzdefuko.com/collections/all)** > > Hanz de Fuko ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494/41 "2026-03-16T12:43:43Z")
Wow, zombie deluxe after 10+ years! I’ve actually been recently thinking of this this thread, because back in Feb 2013… > [@Bullitt](#): > > I got the Paul Mitchell at a local Peninsula Beauty Supply store … and I’ve been using the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream regularly since then and it is good stuff. No reason to change it, although sure, in over 10 years there’s probably some good, new products out there. One thing about the Paul Mitchell, sometimes it dries out and really becomes quite thick. To solve that I occasionally add a few drops of water and close the cap tightly and, voila!, it stays nice and creamy. > [@steviep24](#): > > [TeaTree Shaping Cream](http://www.paulmitchell.com/PRODUCTS/TEATREE/TEATREESPECIAL/Pages/TeaTreeShapingCream.aspx) Holds well and looks natural. Also your hair will feel like there’s noting in it. @steviep24 if you’re still here, thank you for this recommendation! I’ve been very happy with the Paul Mitchell product for over 10 years. Your original link is broken but here it is on Amazon: ➜ [Amazon.com: Tea Tree Shaping Cream,Hair Styling Cream,Long-Lasting Hold,Matte Finish,For All Hair Types,3 oz,(Pack of 2) : Beauty & Personal Care](https://a.co/d/0gowYDfX) ■ ← the packaging has changed and I do not see ‘Paul Mitchell’ on there, but I see it here and it looks like the same stuff (unless it’s a cheap China knock off?) ➜ [Tea Tree Shaping Cream | Tea Tree | JPMS](https://www.paulmitchell.com/products/tea-tree-shaping-cream) ■ ← this is the product on the Paul Mitchell web site. And also thank you to @FoieGrasIsEvil also. You recommended the same stuff. > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > This is what I came to recommend. A container of it is kinda expensive, about $18, but it lasts forever, smells great and works incredibly well. OP, I have the same hairstyle needs as you, with short hair and wanting that “messy” look. This stuff is the best I’ve tried. I think you’re still here and still around, right? Thank you too! > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > It does smell really good, doesn’t it? Yes sir, it does! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494.md?page=1)