A Guide to Hair Clay for Men: The Best Type & How to Use It

Hair clay for men offers up a whole new level of styling possibilities for those looking to achieve a more natural, textured look. But what is the best hair clay for men, and how do you use it?

Unlike gels and hairspray, hair clay offers a matte finish and a strong hold without making your hair look stiff or crunchy. Whether it's holding your curls in place or creating a messy, bedhead look, this product is essential in any man's grooming arsenal.

If you're new to using hair clay and want to know how to use it properly, we've broken down all the tips, tricks, and hacks for using this little pot of magic.

We'll also tell you figure out which type of clay is best for your specific hair type and desired style.

Hair clay can be broadly categorised into two types: water-based and oil-based . While both can work wonders, they have their unique pros and cons.

Water-based clays are easy to wash out, but oil-based ones may offer a better hold.

But on the whole, bentonite and kaolin are your key ingredients to spot.

Bentonite, derived from volcanic ash, is a heavy hitter, offering a stronghold and adding thickness and volume to your hair.

On the other hand, kaolin clay is more gentle, providing a smoother texture and a lighter hold. Both will offer an excellent natural finish without any greasy-looking shine.

Not all styling clays are made equal. There are numerous products on the market, each with their unique formulas and finishes claiming to be the best.

But how do you know what you should actually be looking for? Let us break it down for you.

As mentioned earlier, bentonite and kaolin are two of the key players when it comes to hair clay, so you should definitely be looking out for these in the ingredients list.

Other natural ingredients like aloe vera and natural oils will also be really beneficial for your hair, so keep an eye out for those too.

Different hair types react differently to being styled due to thickness, length, and texture. For example, coarser hair may need a stronger hold, while finer hair may require a lighter touch.

When it comes down to it, you want a clay that'll give you the desired look you're after. Whether it's a messy, tousled look or a slick style, a good product will be versatile so you can use it as you wish and need.

Of course, it's all good and well listing the things you should be looking out for, but what are the best products out there?

Here at Salt Grooming, we've spent years developing, formulating, and testing our very own Compound Clay, bringing together all of the key components that make up a high-quality hair clay for men.

Free of harsh chemicals and packed full of nourishing, natural ingredients, our deluxe clay is perfect for all hairstyles. Whether you're aiming for a natural, messy look or a slick and defined ‘do, our clay will help you achieve it effortlessly.

We’ve formulated our hair clay with both bentonite and kaolinite, creating the most durable hold possible without weighing down your hair.

Because of this powerful combination, our clay works on all hair lengths and types, including thin hair. So no matter your hair type, you'll be able to achieve your desired style with our Compound Clay, making it one of the most versatile hair products for men on the market.

Additionally, our clay contains a blend of nourishing, vitamin-packed jojoba oil and aloe vera, providing essential moisture and leaving your hair looking and feeling healthy.

We've created a product that’s incredibly easy to use, offers a natural, matte finish, and gives an all-day hold without any of the harsh chemicals found in many other hair styling products.

Its the best matte clay for men's hair – after just 2 minutes, the Compound Clay will fully set your style in place, giving you the freedom to take on your day confidently.

If you want to take your hair clay game to the next level, there are countless versatile hairstyles you can create with it. Here are just a few ideas:

A messy, textured 'do is one of the easiest and most popular styles to create with hair clay. You can use a sea salt spray to enhance the texture even more for a beachy look, and use the clay to add definition and hold.

Hair clay is great for creating a pushed-back, spiky style with added texture and volume. Just apply the clay from front to back, using your fingers as a comb to shape the spikes and add volume.

Hair clay works just as well on medium-length hair as it does shorter hair. For a stylish side-swept fringe, use a small amount of clay and comb your hair to the desired side for an effortless but put-together look.

A pompadour hairstyle is a classic one, and it's really easy to create using hair clay. Apply the product to damp hair, use a brush or comb to lift and shape it into the desired pompadour style.

The product will set the style, leaving you with a long-lasting hold and natural finish.

As for the benefits of using hair clay and what it actually does, it serves a wealth of purposes.

Even with this in mind, you may be wondering, why hair clay? Why not hair gel or putty?

Here are some of our top reasons for using hair clay (and why you should, too):

Hair clay is the perfect tool for adding extra volume and rich texture to your hair, making it ideal for styling messy, tousled hairstyles.

Unlike some gels or waxes, which can leave hair looking shiny or greasy, hair clay provides a natural matte finish.

Of course, different brands will offer a different finish, so it's key to experiment and find the one that works best for you. Our new Compound Clay is up there as one of the best, but we'll dive into that later.

Bentonite clay, one of the primary ingredients in hair clay and found in our Compound Clay, is packed with minerals and nutrients like iron and potassium that can help to strengthen and nourish your hair while giving you a firm hold, whatever hairstyle you're aiming for.

Thanks to its absorbent properties, hair clay can help to soak up excess oil and impurities from your scalp, helping your hair to stay clean and fresh.

The exact amount of product you'll need will depend on factors like your hair thickness and type.

A rough guide? Start with a small, pea-sized amount and build up if necessary.

Remember, it's always easier to add more product than to try to remove it. A good-quality hair clay will be easily buildable without becoming heavy or greasy.

So you're equipped with the know-how of what makes a good hair clay, how to choose the right one for you, and are armed with our Compound Clay (we hope), but how exactly do you use hair clay to get the best results?

It's very simple and should take no more than a couple of minutes:

When it comes to using a product like hair clay, it's important to make sure you're not just following the steps for the best results but also avoiding the common mistakes that most people make that can prevent them from getting the look they're after.

Some of the most common mistakes we've seen are…

Overloading your hair with product can lead to a greasy, heavy look. Remember, start with a small amount and add more if needed.

Our Compound Clay is very buildable, and you can always apply more as you style.

Neglecting to warm the clay before application can result in uneven distribution throughout your hair. Take a few extra seconds to rub the clay between your palms before applying, and this will ensure the product spreads evenly, giving you an all-over maximum hold.

Not thoroughly working the product through your hair can lead to clumps or sections of hair with too much product. Make sure to evenly spread the clay throughout your hair for the most natural-looking results.

You're now a bona fide expert on the art of using hair clay for men, ready to transform your hairstyle with a flick of the wrist.

You can shop our new Compound Clay today and start creating a variety of styles with ease, knowing you're using a product that’s good for your hair and performs exactly as you want it to.