Got2b Playful Texturizing Pomade

First Impression

It's relatively cheap: $3.99 plus tax at London Drugs on sale ($6.49 regular price). At 57 grams it's a bit less than a Gatsby moving rubber, but it's still decently sized. It has a scent reminiscent of cream soda, but it's very, very subtle unless you stick your nose into the jar.

The Review

Playful pomade is very light--when you first look/touch it, you'll notice that it's very foamy, almost like a thick mousse. This is to give your hair the "playful" look, obviously, since by adding air into your hair, you can add volume. This also makes the jar look deceptively larger than the total value of its contents. But, being light also makes your hair feel cleaner than using Gatsby Moving Rubber, and is also much easier to wash out.

Unfortunately, being light also decreases its effectiveness on Asian hair. Since caucasian hair usually has its own waves, this product helps to enhance them. For Asians with typical flat, lackluster hair, however, this pomade does not provide the necessary strength or hold to create or maintain the desired hairstyles. Spikes and/or points of any kind are futile, because the tips of your hair will not stick together. This does work well for a tousled, messy look, but without hairspray it just doesn't have the strength to last the day.

Conclusion

It's cheap and it smells nice, but other than that it doesn't have much going for it from an Asian's perspective. Fun to collect, better choice than the Bedhead Texturizing Paste if only because it's a fraction of the cost, but again definitely not essential.

If you do decide to try it, use it on damp hair first. It's a wet hair product, which means it won't slip out of damp hair like Gatsby Moving Rubber would. Put it in damp (not wet) hair, and then blowdry your hair into shape. Then apply more pomade for more definition. Finish with strong-hold hairspray, but preferably one with flexibility.

Gatsby Moving Rubber

First, just a correction to make: Garnier Fructis wax costs $6.99 at London Drugs, moving it into the pricier range (and thus less recommended).

So, Gatsby Moving Rubber is the most popular Asian hair product for guys, and with good reason.

The Fab: Mine cost about $7-8 each, and at 80 grams, you're getting more product for your money than most other brands. And it's made in Japan, which means you're getting quality product, too.

The websites for Hong Kong and Japan have numerous instructional videos that good for both beginners and experienced stylists.

It comes in a variety of colours/styles that are each suited for different length hair and looks.

The Drab: In Vancouver, I haven't seen Gatsby for less than $17. In Los Angeles, I bought Yellow Gatsby at a supermarket in Little Tokyo for $7.49. If you buy it in Hong Kong, it comes out around $7 Canadian (depending on the exchange rate). Moving Rubber can be hard to find in North America, and costly even if you do... Most people get friends to bring it back from vacations to either HK/China or Japan.

Also, the websites are in Chinese and Japanese, and the videos are in Japanese, which can be a problem for some.

It comes in so many colours that you may be tempted to collect them all, which can drain your wallet.

Pink (Spiky Edge) is the most commonly used because most guys keep their hair within the length range of Japanese short (which seems closer to medium for non-Asians). This is the strongest and thickest Moving Rubber, which makes it useful for straight-up spikes. If you use a lot (aka too much) you can make medium hair stand up straight, though I don't know why you would want to. If you have longer hair, Pink will still work, but it won't be the best choice for your hair.

Purple (Wild Shake) is a slightly thinner version of Pink--it has a strong hold that is meant for longer hair (not long, just longer). Instead of straight-up spikes you'll have sideways spikes.

Green (Air Rise) is meant for medium length hair. You won't get much in terms of spikes, but it will give hair volume and texture, which is great especially for those with thin hair. Don't waste it on short hair though, since you won't get as much out of it as you would with Pink.

Conclusion: Obviously, I highly recommend Moving Rubber for every guy. You have to be careful to get the right type for your hair, though: which is why I collect them. There are other colours, too: orange (for medium-long hair), grey, yellow, and black (which is rare and hard to find). I haven't tried these ones yet, though, so if anyone has anything to share about them just e-mail me.

Gatsby Styling Wax

Hard Fiber Type.

This stuff is probably my favourite non-moving rubber hair product. I actually haven't it for sale in North America--my friend bought it for me in China from the Gatsby store just outside of Hong Kong. It's a very versatile product for a variety of styles.

The Fab: Costs about $5 for 80 grams, making this one of the most cost-effective products.

This wax is quite sticky, which means it can provide strong and lasting hold. Also, it feels wet, which means it works on damp hair while all other waxes and putties will only work on dry hair.

The Drab: While most other male hair products have a fruit fragrance this one has more of a hair salon smell, which may or may not be what you want/like.

Also, it's not exactly readily available, since Gatsby is more focused on its Moving Rubber line of products.

Conclusion: If you find it, buy it. It's just so useful, you'll only regret it if you don't buy it. The fact that it works on damp hair alone makes it completely worth it. Blowdrying wet hair with wax in it allows you to maximize volume as if you were using mousse. But, you can then use more wax after drying to touch-up and define, which means you're only using one type of product in your hair (mixing products = mixing scents, which sometimes turns out badly and can make your hair feel greasier/heavier)

My recommendation for usage:

1. Apply to damp hair and form into desired shape.

2. Blowdry gently. At this point, you may be satisfied with the result and you can stop here. Or you can keep going.

3. Use more wax and apply normally to create definition.

This stuff works for girls, too, if you want to do curls. If you have naturally curly hair or it's permed, put some wax through your hair (just the lower half, not through the roots) and blowdry while curling your hair around your fingers (or use rollers or something). The heat and wax will work together to strengthen your curls while still making them look gentle.

Bed Head Texturizing Paste

for that "Hard to Get"(TM) look

This was my second wax-type product.  I bought it from Chura hair salon in downtown Vancouver (another review for another day).

The Fab:  It smells amazing.  It has a hint of watermelon, and it's sweet, but the overall fragrance is subtle so that girls will have to lean in to figure out what it is.  And, uh... the container is very sleek.

The Drab:  It costs $20.  It's 42 grams.  I haven't done my review on Gatsby yet, but just to put that into perspective, Gatsby Moving Rubber is (possibly) $9 for 80 grams.  So Bed Head is 4 times more expensive.  The flipside is that you don't use very much--just a little bit rubbed through your hands is enough to coat your hair.

It's a texturizing paste, not a wax/putty/clay.  This means that it isn't designed to form/mold/hold spikes and/or other gravity-defying hairstyles.  In fact, I find that it works best for a sleeker look:  for smoothing your hair back, but with matte definition (as opposed to the effect created using a gel).  But don't expect it to hold up on its own.

Conclusion:  If you're a collector and you have $20+ lying around, then by all means go and buy this product.  The scent almost makes it worth it, and it's fun to use for a new look now and then.  If you're tight on cash, however, then I'd hold off on this one.

If you do decide to try it, I would suggest combining it with a foaming volumizing mousse--use the mousse on your damp hair (not wet, damp), and then blow dry into a puffy shape.  Then, use the Bed Head texturizing paste to create some definition in your hair for a piecey look.  This will give you a different look from the usual waxed style.  It won't be as sharp, and instead you'll have a smoother, curvier look.  Maybe you can go for retro-vintage.  If anyone tries it, send me a picture so I can see how it turns out.  I think I'll go for it, too, tomorrow.

1. Garner Fructis Style Wax

Long Lasting Hold.  Shine & Define.

This was my first wax (after the gel phase).  I really liked it in the beginning, and so did my friends cuz they kept asking to borrow it.  

The Fab:  It's only around $5, so if you're new to hair styling it's good stuff to learn with.  Also, it smells really good, though some may find the scent a little too strong.  Don't mix with cologne and spray-on deodorant.  The container is a decent size, 75 mL, that will last a while since you don't need to use very much each time.

The Drab:  It's a very thick and heavy wax, which means it only works on short hair.  The wax is designed to hold up spikes, but on long hair it just feels greasy.  In fact, the instructions say "Use sparingly," which is especially important to keep in mind with this product.  Of course, it is designed for "shine," which is why it looks and feels greasy on long hair.

Conclusion:  Only use on dry hair--it'll slide right out of damp hair.  It's a decent product on short hair, but if you have medium/long hair or are planning to grow it out, there are better products to invest in.  Also, it's not very good for a matte look that is common in Asian styles.  If you're still in to short spikes, however, this is definitely a step up from gel:  the wax is still very flexible in your hair so you don't go all crispy.

My collection...

of hair products.  

(From left to right:  Garnier Fructis wax, Bed Head texturizing paste, Gatsby wax, a bunch of Gatsby Moving Rubbers)

Over the next few days, I'm going to be talking about each of my hair products that I've collected over the years.  Yes, I have a bit of a fetish.  This doesn't even include my aerosol products.  But don't worry, I've stopped collecting.  I can't afford it anymore.

After I go through these, I'll go into my spray-can collection, which is mostly Pantene.

Product Review: Hairspray

First off, I'd like to wish a very happy birthday to my friend Frank, whose constantly fabulous hair was one of my biggest inspirations.  I still can't believe he used to cut his own hair, too.

Anyway, a can of hairspray is one of those styling essentials that every woman must have, though perhaps not every guy.  Guys with short to medium-short hair will probably never need hairspray, but medium and longer can make use of it.  Today I'll be discussing Pantene's hairspray from its texturizing line of products.

Price:  ~$5 regular price, $3 on sale

Value:  269 grams

Type:  Ultra hold aerosol spray

Where to buy:  London drugs, Superstore, any old supermarket that carries Pantene products will *probably* have it, though I'm not making any guarantees.

The Fab:

I don't use a lot of hairspray, but for the price of this one it's a great deal.  It's a huge can that will last forever if you don't use it every day.  It holds amazingly well without making your hair harden into a helmet or making it feel all crispy-fried.  In fact, when used properly this hairspray will leave your hair quite flexible, maintaining that all-natural look.  Flexible, but not floppy, though.  Your hair will have some fantastic elasticity that will allow it to spring back up into place if the wind pushes your hair around.

To quote the website:

"Its fast-drying Pro-V formula has a lower water content than other Pantene hairsprays and is great for use with our wax-based styling products."

What this means, especially for guys, is that after you've painstakingly sculpted every strand of hair with your expensive Gatsby or other wax/putty, this hairspray isn't going to wash it all out and make your bold 3-D style collapse on itself.

I would absolutely recommend this hairspray for guys, it's a great investment that will save your hair on windy days and whenever you plan on going out for a long time and don't want to think about your hair all day long.

The Drab: 

The huge can can make it a little hard to wield and maneuver around your head.  Also, the nozzle is super-strong:  when it says "hold at least one foot away," you'd better listen or suffer.  If you hold it 6 inches close (which is about normal for other sprays), then the hairspray will saturate your hair and you'll get the rock-hard effect.  Or, if you're unlucky enough that it clogs, it'll just shoot a wad of hairspray onto your carefully coifed head and ruin your style while also making it look like someone blew their nose at you.

Remember that this is hairspray, not hair wax.  You can't spray it and then style your hair after and expect it to look like you used a dollar's worth of Gatsby.  This is just for giving your hair some extra durability (like if you have 6 hours of school and then you're going clubbing afterwards).

This stuff also dries really fast, so don't mess up yeah?  Spray and Stay.  And like with any hairspray, don't touch it too much.  It's flexible, but it will flake if you run your fingers through your hair, and you don't really want to create your own dandruff now, do you?