The Best Men's Grooming Creams Review

How do you know if you should use a grooming cream or some other type of men's hair styling product?

Well, ask yourself this:

Do you have fine hair? Do you have dry or brittle hair? Do you have short hair that doesn't need high hold? 

Then you just answered your question.  You should use a grooming cream, also known as a forming cream.  

There are different variations, some have some shine, some are matte, some are scented and some no scent.  Forming creams are really best for long hair when you don't want it to look like you have a lot of product in your hair. Forming creams work well for that tussled look. 

If you want my top pick up front, it's . It smells good, comes out easily, and comes from all natural ingredients.

Below this table you can read more in depth reviews about the forming creams listed.

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream		Rating: 4.5 Stars	$$	3.0 Ounces
Every Man Jack Thickening Grooming Cream		Rating: 4 Stars	$	5.0 Ounces
K&S Premium Forming Cream		Rating: 4.4 Stars	$	4.8 Ounces
Billy Jealousy Ruckus Forming Cream		Rating: 4.4 Stars	$$	3.0 Ounces
Tigi Bed Head Multi- Tasking Cream		Rating: 5 Stars	$	5.0 Ounces
American Crew Forming Cream		Rating: 4.5 Stars	$	3.0 Ounces
Redken Get Groomed Finishing Cream		Rating: 4 Stars	$$	5.0 Ounces
GO 24/7 Styling Cream		Rating: 4.5 Stars	$$	2.0 Ounces
Aveda Men's Pure Formance Grooming Cream		Rating: 4 Stars	$$$	4.2 Ounces
Lock Stock and Barrel Pucka Grooming Cream		Rating: 3.6 Stars	$	3.53 Ounces
Woody's Flexible Styling Cream for Men		Rating: 4 Stars	$	3.4 Ounces

What is the difference between a forming cream and fiber?

Let's start with how the are similar and then talk about fiber vs grooming cream.

Fiber is very high hold and usually matte finish. It won't look shiny and still give you a lot of hold even for complicated styles. It is best for short to medium length hair.

A grooming cream is a little bit lighter and also matte finish. Just like fiber, grooming creams won't look shiny and are great for that tussled look.

The biggest difference between fiber and grooming cream is the fact that grooming cream is a bit more pliable than fiber. You can still move your fingers through your hair with grooming cream and that is hard to do with fiber.

If your hair is a bit on the longer side, then I recommend using a good grooming cream over a fiber. You will need to use a lot of fiber in long hair and it might just be too much.

A grooming cream can also condition the hair a bit and leave it soft, where most fibers are a little more tough on the hair.

Here's my list of the best men's grooming creams!

1-Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream, 3 Ounce

This is a high end shaping cream that goes on very easily without clumping.  It has an invigorating smell from the tea tree oil.  The scent really wakens up your senses almost like aromatherapy.

Tea tree oil is actually very good for your scalp and helps to prevent dandruff.  So I feel like it is a bonus to have it in a hairstyling product.

 As most forming creams it seems, it has a medium hold and low shine.  It's a bit waxy coming out of the can, but goes on pretty easily.  Most forming creams are for fine or light hair, but this one can actually work on slightly denser hair.

What makes so much better than many of the others out there is the separation factor. What that means is that your hairs take on the cream individually giving it a great texture. For a look like you're not using any hair product, yet still gives you the support you need, Paul Mitchell Shaping Cream can't be beat.

2-Every Man Jack Thickening Grooming Cream

I am in love with so many of the Every Man Jack products.

So, if you are looking for a great all natural forming cream at a low price, then you really need to check this out.  It's lightweight so it won't weigh down fine hair but it also has a way of making your hair feel thicker.

This forming cream, I would say, leaves the hair looking way more natural than many of the others out there.  Almost like you're not using any hairstyling product at all. This one also has tea tree oil in it so it soothes the scalp and helps prevent dandruff.

If a product being animal cruelty free is important to you, and I think it should, then you can enjoy Everyman Jack products guilt free.

, as well as how it looks. It doesn't weigh your hair down and won't make your hair hard as a rock. When you try to move it around it won't become chalky looking and leave dandruff like flakes.

As the name implies, if your hair is thin it will add some thickness to it. I don't mean balding then. I mean your hair texture. In other words, if your hair is fine, it will look more full and have a much more manageable texture.

3 - K&S Premium Forming Cream

"Krieger is the Germanic word for warrior. Warriors get the job done in everything they do, and your hair product should be no different. Enjoy a stronger brand, with Krieger + Söhne. "

Their words, not mine.  

I don't think you have to be a warrior to want to use this hairstyling product.  What's nice about it is that it isn't so thick.  It is a cream that is easy to apply and doesn't leave your hair sticky afterwards. It looks shiny in the can but it goes on low shine and will leave your hair looking natural.  And !

If your hair is a bit longer, then you will need to have a style that does well with blow drying. Otherwise it might be best to use a different cream.

If your hair is short or fine in texture, then you will get a great style without it looking shiny or greasy.

4-Billy Jealousy Ruckus Forming Cream

Most forming creams are really just for use for fine hair as they won't give much hold to thicker hair.  This one is an exception.

It's not ideal for longer men's hairstyles, but if you have shorter hair it will style fine to thick hair with ease.

It's scent is very natural and even though it says on the container that it is high shine, it actually gives a medium shine unless your hair is wet when you apply it.

It goes on very easily as it is less of a paste and very creamy. It's a funny green color which I don't quite get, but it won't leave any color on your hair or skin.

It acts as a conditioner, too, so your hair will feel softer and fuller after using it. When it washes out, your hair actually feels cleaner than before you put it in.

I really like the Billy Jealousy products.  If you , I would definitely recommend other products from them.

5-Tigi Bed Head Multi-Tasking Cream

Tigi makes a nice, lightweight cream that's ideal for light hair.  It won't weigh your style down after a day out.

It's also nice at getting rid of any frizz in your hair, especially if you might be due for a haircut. For those humid days when your hair kind of goes wild but you don't want it to look like you're wearing product, then it works great.

Just like the name says, it will give you that "just out of bed" tussled look. Messy, yet not messy at the same time.

Leaving your hair soft, you can easily put your fingers into your hair so you can move it around if you want to restyle on the go.

American Crew Forming Cream

Did you think we wouldn’t be talking about American Crew? Look, they are a great company with great products that we use a ton of at the shop.

This forming cream goes on easy and lasts all day.  It will add some nice body to thinner hair but still is strong enough for thicker hair too. If you don't need a complicated style, this is a great go to forming cream.

I love that American Crew is water based. Petroleum is not good for your hair. Especially if you use a lot of it. This will wash out easily and leave your hair soft and full.

at all.  The price is right, it does it’s job and it smells alright, too.

7-Redken Get Groomed Finishing Cream

I have a soft spot for Redken products.

My father sold only Redken at his barbershop back in the day.  Back in the 80’s you wanted to be using Redken .  I am glad they are still making quality products like this forming cream for medium hold.

comes across more as a hair conditioner, but if you have short hair and a simple style, this will work for you.  It will tame the frizziness in your hair, if you have any, too.

It works best if you are blow drying your hair with the product in it. If your style is needs to stay put, then applying this and working it well into your hair before you blow dry will leave your hair looking natural. It won't look like you are using any product at all.

GO 24/7 Styling Cream

David Beckham’s favorite hair product.  Notice his hair is a bit on the thin side, so it makes sense that he would use a hair forming cream that would add some body to his hair.

It’s lightweight and won't weigh thin or fine hair down. It can be re-styled as the day goes on without losing it’s hold. Just move your fingers through your hair to get it back to where you want it.

It’s all natural and if it’s good enough for Beckham, !

9-Aveda Men's Pure Formance Grooming Cream

It’s a little on the pricey side, but a little goes a long way with this grooming cram.  Worth the price for the scent alone, but, you will also like the hold and natural look it gives your hair.

The scent has a bright aroma from the vetiver, and an invigorating finish from spearmint and citrus. It's a pretty unique scent that will surely get you a few comments if somebody is close enough to your hair.

As far as the hold, it is a medium hold that lasts a long time. It goes on light and leaves your hair looking natural. It's also easy to rework if you want to change up the style on the fly.

It acts as a conditioner and repairs and hydrates your hair. than if you didn't use it.

It doesn’t have a sticky texture and washes out easily.

10-Lock Stock and Barrel Pucka Grooming Cream

Light hold and a matte finish, if you just need to tame the frizz or look like you don’t have any product in your hair, then you need this men’s grooming cream.

This works best for fine hair as it is a slightly liquid cream. It is easy to apply and it really coats all of your hair well, which makes it ideal for those with thin hair. It also gives awesome volume to thin hair. You will notice a huge difference in how thick and full your hair looks.

Pucka grooming cream is best for thin hair by far. I highly recommend it for those with thin or fine hair.

You have to work quickly, though as it dries out quickly and gets harder to work with.

Aside from that issue, as a way to give your hair some hold.

11-Woody's Flexible Styling Cream for Men

This forming cream will work on any hair type.  If your hair is curly and like to keep it curly, then this will work great for you.

It keeps your hair natural looking and soft so you can easily run your fingers through it without needing to add more after. For silky hair it is the best.

The amount of shine depends on if you apply it wet or dry. If your hair is towel dried and still somewhat wet, you will get a nice medium shine that looks natural. If your hair is dry when you apply it, then it will have more of a matte or light shine depending on your type of hair.

is especially useful if you have dry hair and want to moisturize it.

What is the best men's forming cream for you?

I've used a lot of different men's hairstyling products in my barbershop over the years.  These ones have been the most consistent that I have used.  I'm confident that you won't be disappointed with any of the men's grooming creams that are reviewed here. So and see for yourself.

But, I would also love to hear what ones you love that didn't make my list so I can give them a try at the shop.  So comment to this post or send a message my way and I will take a look!

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